Before Jesus Changed My Life

I had a really hard time in high school, which led me to coping in unhealthy ways, like sleeping excessively and trying to ignore or bury my problems. It caused me to become severely depressed and anxious all the time. I kept telling myself that if I could just “fake it till I make it,” everything would eventually be okay. It seemed to work for a while, or at least I thought it did, until I realized it was only making everything worse.

How Jesus Changed My Life

The moment I realized I needed Jesus was when my ex-boyfriend cheated on me, and everything I had been holding inside finally broke. But looking back, what really happened in that season was that God opened my eyes to His holiness and my sin. For so long, I was trying to carry my pain alone, trying to fix myself, and trying to cope in ways that were harming me. I didn’t understand that my real problem was deeper, that my sin separated me from a holy God, and that I could never save myself.

When my friends invited me to church, something in me knew I needed to go. During worship, I felt exposed in the best way, as if God was revealing to me who He truly is: perfect, holy, pure, and loving. I saw people kneeling at the altar, surrendering everything, and in that moment, I realized I needed to surrender too. I began to understand that Jesus didn’t just comfort me; He paid the debt for my sin on the cross, a debt I never could’ve paid on my own. He took my guilt, my shame, my brokenness, and in exchange gave me His righteousness. 

When that truth hit me, I couldn’t stop crying. All that time I was trying to find my own solutions, and Jesus was showing me, “I’m right here. I’m the Savior you’ve been searching for.” I repented, asked Him to save me, and trusted in what He had already done for me. That was the moment everything changed — not just emotionally, but spiritually. Jesus didn’t just fix my feelings; He rescued my soul.

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

Ever since I’ve met Jesus, it’s been beautiful. I finally understand that I don’t need to chase fulfillment in anything or anyone else, because I already have everything I need in Him. Psalm 73:26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Knowing that Someone always loves me, Someone is always there for me, and that this Someone is Jesus—the best person I could ever have in my corner—has changed me completely.

Surrounding myself with others who share that same hunger and love for Jesus has also been inspiring. We push each other, hold each other accountable, and remind each other of the importance of staying rooted in God’s Word. Even if it’s just five minutes of reading, we know Scripture is living and active, just like Hebrews 4:12 says. We tell ourselves that we are not going to peak in college—that this love for Jesus will carry us for the rest of our lives.

I’ve been eternally saved, and I’m forever grateful as I wait for the day of His return or the moment I fly back home to His Kingdom. John 10:28 reminds me, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Jesus has done wonders in my life, and through His Word my heart continues to grow. I want others to experience the same salvation, joy, and transformation that I’ve found in Him.