Before Jesus Changed My Life
I grew up in the church and accepted Jesus into my heart in sixth grade. I knew His love and felt His grace. However, everything changed in high school and college when I became overwhelmed by deep pain and betrayal from the people closest to me. After losing my home, family, and community, my desperate cries for help were dismissed by others, leaving me feeling utterly alone, forgotten, and erased. Believing that God did not care about or have a plan for me—I turned away from Him and tried to take matters into my own hands. I forced relationships that were not meant for me, stopped taking care of myself, caved to ungodly societal pressures, abused substances, allowed others to mistreat me and my mental and physical health plummeted. I lied to myself trying to convince myself that my ways were satisfactory. While spending time in nature on vacation, I decided to say a prayer asking God to show me if I was on the right path or not. Later that night, my trip took a drastic change and chaos erupted with my significant other. God had heard my prayer, and He answered me loud and clear.
How Jesus Changed My Life
After realizing that maybe God did in fact have a plan for me, I asked him to protect and guide me through a chapter of my life filled with uncertainties. I spent time with Him daily, asking Him to forgive me for my sinful ways and to take over the mess I had gotten myself into. I started to recognize God’s miracles everywhere I turned. He surrounded me with brothers and sisters of Christ who loved me like Jesus intended us to love one another. They guided me back to church where I reconnected with God through song. I started turning to my bible app instead of my peers when I needed guidance so that I could understand HIS way for my life. I joined a bible study that reminded me of the importance of God’s word and fellowship with other Christians. During a small group discussion at church one day, God showed me what it was like to be loved in a gentle, nurturing way. Once I was reminded of this, I was able to walk away from relationships that were hurting me. I started to see myself as a daughter of Christ again, and that meant I had worth and a plan. I surrendered EVERYTHING to Him, and He provided for me in every way possible. Once I got out of my own way and had faith in the power of Jesus Christ, one door after another has been opened by His hand.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
God continues His work on me each and every day. Shame and others’ hurtful actions no longer have defining power over me—Christ’s verdict does. In hardship, prayer and Scripture are the first refuge, because God’s Word proves trustworthy. Control has been surrendered; justice and timing are left in His hands. Truth is spoken with courage when worldly pressure tempts silence and conformity, because God gives me strength to stand. A community of believers now surrounds and holds me accountable, keeping the focus on Him. Validation is no longer sought from others—pleasing the Father is the only pursuit that satisfies. My heart is guarded against moral compromise so His truth can shine clearly. No longer chained to my burdens, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace, mercy, and goodness. His faithfulness is undeniable, and I seek baptism to publicly declare that my former sinful ways have been cleansed by His blood poured out for me. I give all the glory to Him for what He has done—and continues to do in my life.