How God Affected My Life
When I was quite young I began questioning the meaning of life. I wondered why we were all here and what the point of living was and most importantly what happens when we die. I was raised Catholic and became quite religious. However, the empty feeling I had and the search for meaning was not answered or filled. I tried drugs, sex and the occult but nothing worked. I never met a born again Christian until I was an adult. I saw a few on T.V. and when they were on T.V. they were usually portrayed as idiots. I must confess they seemed odd somehow. The lack of meaning in my life caused me to become depressed and I felt like I was nobody in this world. I was a speck of dust, an accident of life. The depressions became so bad that I started self-mutilating. I would cut myself in order to feel physical pain because the physical pain was a relief from the emotional pain I was experiencing. My mother and father didn't know what to do with me. One night when I was feeling this way I decided to get down on my knees and pray. I prayed that if God was there to please let me know because I could no longer live this life without knowing Him. My prayer was answered. The cloud of depression lifted immediately and the atmosphere in my room changed. I felt the presence of God. He said to my mind.."I am here and everything is going to be OK". My emotional state was transformed from suicidally depressed to euphoria. I went to bed feeling like all was well in the world. I woke up the next morning with the same feeling and presence of God.
Previously, I had tried to read and understand the Bible. I never could understand it and the Bible itself states "the natural man discerneth not the things of God". After that night I could understand the Bible and read it voraciously. I found a church and discovered that I had been born again on that night. I believe that if you are born again you will know without a doubt in your mind, at least that was my experience.
Ever since that night so long ago I have always felt that God has been there for me no matter what. I have not been a perfect Christian, in fact I am far from it but I know what is the truth, I know why I am here and where I will go when I die. I raised my son to have a firm foundation in the word of God and he has followed The Lord ever since he was a teenager. I know that whatever I do in life that this is just a temporary stage and that before you know it we will be with God in heaven where our true life is hid. With this knowledge it is easy to not sweat the small stuff and to enjoy life and have peace and love. Knowing this has enabled me to live life in such a way as to treat it as a grand adventure. I have no fear because this life is not my "be all end all". I enjoy each day and treat it as a gift from God and when bad things happen I know that this too shall pass and someday I will be with Him where he will wipe away every tear.
So many people and kids especially are raised to believe that there is nothing after this life. It gives them a purposeless life and fills them with despair. I believe that is one of the primary reasons for many of the suicidal mass shootings so frequently occurring in our country. The fact that God exists, that He loves us and that He has a plan for us gives one life and hope. No matter how awful our lives might be here we know that this is for our good and is temporary. It gives one the ability to manage through all the difficulties of life. Jesus said that he is The TRUTH, THE WAY and THE LIFE. I hope you find HIM and therefore find LIFE.
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AUTHORThank you Stephen.
you testimony is so inspired be blessed
- AUTHOR
Thanks Ken, God Bless You too.
Helllo, one more thing also, I want to share with you that I have a blog site as well, cartoondailynews.com, and its a ministry site I believe that will be a blessing as well to you and yours.
Again, God Bless You and continue to walk and live in Him!
Hello:
Your testimony is very thought provoking and also very powerful. May God Bless You and your ministry as well.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Tracy711, I have already been tested but the Lord is faithful even though we may stumble.
very nice hub, thank you for sharing your experience of meeting God and letting him into your life. I love God always will and I know he is always with us. However now you will be watched and tested by the evil one to try and get you back on his side. Stay in the word pray and pray and love God and each other..so happy your son is learning it is so important to teach the children so they can take a good path in life..God bless you always and you may read my hubs if you like :o)
be joyful always,pray continually....& give thank in all circumtances,......God is really awesome....God bless Brie tnx for writing.God is Good all the time!
- AUTHOR
Thanks Donnaisabella, your comments are comforting to me.
I am so glad you found him and that he has given so much meaning to your life. It renews my faith too and makes me walk confidently alongside him. You and me my sister will one day know him when we see him face to face and all life will make sense in ways we have not understood yet. Amen and thanks for writing.
- AUTHOR
I'm so glad for you, I'll meet you on the other side one day.
Brie Hoffman, thank you for your testimony. I too had an encounter with the Lord and it's been life transforming! Thank you for sharing.
- AUTHOR
Thank you drpastorcarlotta
PRAISE GOD!!!! What a testimony! AMEN! GLORY!!!!!!!! I am your FAN!
- AUTHOR
Thanks for writing Loves To Read!
Brie, what an awesome testimony you have to tell. Praise our Mighty Lord for ministering to you in His always perfect timing. We will never know why it takes some of us so long to really seek and find Him but i do know that i am proud to be one of His chosen. God bless you for sharing.
Blessings and Hugs
- AUTHOR
Me too!
Tears of Joy!! I'm glad you are my sister! Thank you for sharing your testimony!
- AUTHOR
Nera: thanks for writing, I appreciate your comments. Whenever I am discouraged I read about the martyrs and that helps.
Brie, glad you found God the way you did because it gave you the enthusiasm to seek for His word. In contrast, I was born into it -- a family that joins all church activities. Years ago, my parents helped American missionaries establish a church in our small village here in Northern Philippines.
Being born into it and attending Sunday School classes since the time I could walk, I couldn't pinpoint the exact date I was born again and as the years passed by, at times, I became jaded and discouraged.
But sometimes, I also recognize the advantage of having known Christ early in my life, as whenever I'd get to a point where I want to give up, the images of the old church in the village and the times God carried me through excruciating problems jolt me and give me strength to go on.
- AUTHOR
Glad you are so "together" Scott!
A troubled person going to religion out of desperation. I would have never guessed... At the very least it has brought you the means to be a functional person.
- AUTHOR
You're welcome, thanks for commenting Portamenteff
Thanks for embedding a video of that beautiful songbird up there. Isn't she inspiring? We should all love the Lord so much that we sing about it.
That was so comforting to me that God was there for you in your time of need. All we need to do is call upon him. He will give us the strength we need when we need it. Thanks for sharing this with us. Testimony is truly the work of God!!
- AUTHOR
Thanks for writing no body, see you soon!
I see from the hub that we are family. The family of God. It is so neat that you realized that you needed a Savior and called out to Him. It reminds me of the story Jesus said about the tax collector and Pharasee that both go into the synagogue to pray. The tax collector beat upon his breast and said, "Be gracious to me a sinner." That's essentially what you said. It wasn't fancy just a cry for help from a person that knew she needed God. I love Jesus for stuff like that. Now you can go to heaven with us. I know this happened a while ago but it is so exciting meeting more of my family. Love ya lots, your brother, No Body.
- AUTHOR
Yes we are, thanks for writing.
whenever i am a young child,i know that god is always there for us to help.we are so lucky because god is always der.
- AUTHOR
Thanks James, I needed a boost today!
This is a powerful, heartfelt testimony. I am glad I read this today. I am a fan!
- AUTHOR
Thanks
Great hub.
- AUTHOR
Hi Albert: We are in difficult times, times I believe that are the precurser to the Great Tribulation. Try to concentrate on the big picture and hold on the verse, Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you. I am also going through difficult times and everyone does, Christians and non-Christians alike...the difference being that we know that this is temporary and you have to hold on to what you know to be true. God Bless
Thank you for submitting this answer. I almost cried when I read passed the passage where you knelt down and prayed to Him. I am a Christian right now, but I am in a position where I feel so far away from Him. I'm desperately trying to become closer again just like the experience you had when you knelt down.
I agree with you: although we christians are not perfect, at least we know that we have purpose in this life--but our true home is in heaven with God.
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