BEFORE;
Since my earliest memories as a child I could remember being always overwhelmed by fear. I had so much anxiety and was so afraid of people that I couldn’t function. I wanted so bad to be a part of this world and society, but I just didn’t see a way to do so. In my early teens, I discovered that drugs and alcohol alleviated my fears, as a result, I became chronically addicted. That road led me through years of brokenness and a life of destruction and hurt to myself and everyone around me. Then one night..through my wild, hopeless, and empty state of mind, after hours of wandering the streets. I fell on my knees in a motel parking lot and screamed up at the dark sky, and with what little breath I had left in me, I yelled out: Jesus! If your real, I need you! Help me, because I can’t do this anymore. Take my life, I’m so done with all this! 

HOW;
I had finally accepted what people had already shared with me in the past. That I was separated from God because of my disobedience. That Jesus had died on the cross for me so that I could have a relationship with God, and that by believing in His name and asking him to come into my life, I could know God personally and become a new person.

AFTER;
Ever since then, God delivered me from years of chronic drug addiction, and filled me with so much love, that all my fears left me. As a result, I love people now, and I love my new life that God has given me. I have a constant feeling of peace and joy that goes beyond understanding. I wake up every morning excited to face a new day. I’m no longer tormented by my past mistakes. I now have a future and a hope, and a reason for existence that I strive towards every day. The Spirit of God has made me the polar opposite of the person that I used to be. I have since developed a strong passion for street evangelism and open-air preaching, and through evangelism, I have been so blessed with many opportunities to lead hurting people to the same fiery love that has forever changed me! My life has taken on a whole new meaning, and I love the new life that I have. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

-1 Samuel 12:24