Before Jesus Changed My Life
I grew up in the Lutheran church, and I was baptized and confirmed at a young age. In my Freshman year of high school, I lost my grandma due to cancer, she was the reason I knew about God and the reason why I believed in him. When I lost her I fell into a really deep depression. I used substances to cover it up. I made worldly decisions. I was not the kindest person to others. I had worldly friendships and relationships that led me closer to sin. Overall, I was just a very worldly person. When she died, I stopped going to church, stopped picking up my bible, stopped praying, and overall stopped believing in him.
How Jesus Changed My Life
In January of 2024, I became close to someone who went to Salt. introduced me to Christ again and started to get me to attend church again. I started to try and get my relationship back with the Lord but I was still making worldly decisions. In May of 2024, I almost lost my dad due to pancreatic cancer. He was hospitalized on a Thursday and the next Friday we got a call from his doctor saying how he was suffering from terminal restlessness and may not make it through the weekend. On Saturday, we went to see him and my mom signed my dad's DNR. That night the pastor from our family church came to give my dad his last communion and pray over him. I ran out of the room sobbing and sat in the lobby, just begging God not to take my dad this early. A few short minutes later I felt someone standing over me and it was the pastor that gave my dad his last communion. I told him how I was trying to not turn my back on God like I had done following my grandma, but it was so hard. He told me something that truly stuck with me: "God may be calling your dad home to be with him but He's not doing it to hurt you. Your dad has been battling this sickness for awhile now and when he goes to be with God his body will be healed. Trust in God. Go to God and God will guide you through it." That night is the night I gave my life to Christ and put all my trust into Jesus. After relinquishing my life to Jesus, I felt at peace with everything happening. The next day, we went into the hospital room and my dad was awake, sitting up in bed, eating. The doctors told us my dad's tumor was shrinking. If it was not for the amazing miracle and by his amazing grace my dad would not still be here with us now. God used a very difficult time in my life to show me that I am not in control. I placed my trust in Jesus. I prayed for healing and God answered my prayers with a yes.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
After I found Jesus, I felt whole. I felt so much joy and love. I started picking up my bible everyday. I started attending Salt every Thursday and church every Sunday. I pray all the time. I live for Him and not the world. I found true joy and satisfaction in Him and not worldly desires and relationships. Instead of running to others, I started running to God and worshipping Him in times of trouble. And, each time I could feel His Holy Spirit within me. He gave me the strength to get through times of trouble "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phillipians 4:13)."Cast all your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). I was dead in my sins but when I gave my life to Him and lived for Him temptations to sin became easier to overcome. When I am doubting myself I remember God sent His one and only Son to die on the cross for my sins so that I will have eternal life with Him in His everlasting kingdom. "For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). I know that this life on earth is only temporary but I can look forward to everlasting life with Him when I leave this earth. God saved me from my sins and changed me as a person. "Christ died as a sacrifice on the cross, He paid the price to make us free" (Ephesians 1:7). I will continue to share His gospel with others and to love others the way that He loves me. "Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other just as I have loved you, you should love one another." (John 13:34).