Anonymous

This isn’t only a story, but the real work of the Lord. Whatever happens in life, God loves you.

I come from a middle-class family - loving and God-fearing. From a young age, I was shown and taught the word of God. I knew my Bible stories. But as I grew up, I started making friends who were bad influences.

I wasn’t the most intelligent or the best at anything at school, and as the years passed, I became someone of the world. I let go more and more of the standards that were once taught to me. My grades were just good enough to pass college and go to tertiary education.

I started loving a girl, but it went really badly. I had changed so much, and I was constantly at odds with my parents. One day, out of anger, I cut my wrist really badly. I bled a lot and was about to die, and had to be rushed to the hospital.

For 6 months, I had to have my wrist in a bandage and have physical therapy. That’s what I was taught when I was really young came back. I started to pray, asking God to help me and not to abandon me. As Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”

I prayed, and he heard me. Changed me. Started to find a job to start university again. And one day, while closing where I was working alone, something happened. I didn’t know at that time, but I gave a prophecy about my life.

I said ‘’You will fall twice, but you shall rise up again. You will go back to your old life.” Just like when Jesus told Peter that he would deny him, I answered that that would never happen.

I got an internship abroad and did so well with it that they offered a contract at the end. Things were going well, and with time, I started to forget what God had done for me. I went back to my old sins and added some new ones. I was addicted to alcohol and drugs, and had a language far from what any Christian should have.

I lived like that for 3 years straight. Then, when I came back to my country, it was with nothing. I was lost and rebellious. For 2 whole years, I didn’t work. I was depressed and wanted to die.

But God changed me over these years. He showed me who I really was. Eventually, I started praying again and asked for forgiveness. This built my faith and helped me to know my only hope is him, my God.

I started applying for jobs again, but was rejected over and over. My parents prayed for me and told me to have faith and believe, and it would be given to me.

One day, God opened a job that I applied for. They accepted me. I can’t say that I am perfect now, but I know in whom I believe and have faith in. The prophecy of falling twice but rising again was fulfilled.

I can’t say that life isn’t hard sometimes now, but I know in whom I believe. Never will I go astray from him. He loved me and pardoned me. I love him, and till the day I die, my soul is for my God.

One thing that I realise is that as parents, the bible and faith should be taught to children. Not for them to learn but also for them to know to whom to turn when life is hard, as God is a rock, a stronghold, and a shield. Today, tomorrow, and forever.

This is only a small part of how God saved, changed, and helped me. Glory to the lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through his son Jesus, who died on the cross and was resurrected from the dead, and who sent the holy spirit to be our comforter.