Sherri Shepherd Says Biblical Values Inspired Her to Leave 'The View'

Jul 08, 2014 02:26 AM EDT

Sherri Shepherd recently announced that her Biblical values affected her decision to exit the popular daytime program "The View," which she had co-hosted since 2007.

"I'm a woman of faith and seven in the Bible is the number of God's completion. And I've been here seven years and my time at 'The View' is complete," Shepherd during the show's first broadcast since her announcement, US Weekly reports.  

Shepherd, who has co-hosted the show since 2007, broke the news of her exit two weeks ago.

"It's been seven wonderful years on 'The View' and after careful consideration it is time for me to move on," she said, thanking co-exec producers Barbara Walters and Bill Gedde for the opportunity afforded her during her time on the show.

The 47 year old comedian has never been shy about professing her faith. In an interview with Beliefnet, Shepherd revealed the traumatic experiences that ultimately led her to Christ.

"My mom was dying. I was getting evicted left and right. This was in 1993. I got involved in a really abusive relationship. I just was involved with the wrong people...My boyfriend went to prison--he was stalking me, and then he went to prison... I was getting evicted. My car was getting repossessed. I went to jail."

Despite these hardships, Shepherd says she doesn't regret any of it, as it led her to Christ. hope only in Christ.

"I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and rose again, and that's my belief. I still don't know what "Christian" means. I'm a follower of Christ, but I keep making a whole bunch of mistakes. And I thank God for forgiveness. I don't know what Christian means. I keep falling down. I get back up. I'm trying to stay in the race

Shepherd said she has plans for what's next and plans to come back as a guest. "I plan to come back to promote the work," she said of her new project.

In concluding her speech, the comedian gave her audience some advice:

"Step out, do something that makes you scared because this scared me to do 'The View' ... I love the cast and crew who took me in and made me feel like this is my family. I love you, I love you."