Before Jesus Changed My Life
Before I had a relationship with Jesus, I went to church and Sunday school, but I didn’t care about what was being taught. I thought it was boring and didn’t see how it applied to my life. As I got older, I struggled with anxiety and constantly worried about what people thought of me. If someone said something unkind, I would think about it for hours and lose sleep over it. I didn’t have peace and kept trying to find it by making everyone happy and performing well in school and sports. When my parents divorced, our family stopped going to church regularly, and I tried to fill that emptiness with friendships and accomplishments. But no matter what I did, I still felt anxious and unsatisfied. I was trying to handle everything on my own instead of turning to God for help.
How Jesus Changed My Life
My relationship with Jesus really began to change during my freshman year of high school when I went on a mission trip to Nashville, Tennessee. While serving there, I felt the Holy Spirit working in me in a way I never had before. I realized that Jesus wasn’t just someone I heard about at church—He was real, and He wanted a personal relationship with me. He is the only way to be made right with the father, to exist in the way we are meant to exist, for him! We are made by God for God and we only get God through the sacrifice of Jesus. That’s when I decided to give my life to Him and trust Him as my Savior. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Jesus began changing my heart from the inside out. I finally felt the peace and purpose I had been missing for so long. At that moment, I understood that my worth didn’t come from how well I performed in school, sports, or what others thought of me. It came from what Jesus did for me on the cross. I prayed and surrendered my life to Him, asking Him to forgive me and lead me.
My Life After Jesus Saved Me
Since giving my life to Jesus, everything about how I live and think has changed. I’ve found a peace that I never had before. I don’t worry as much about what people think or stress over every little thing because I know my worth is in Christ alone. I started reading my Bible daily, praying more, and surrounding myself with friends who encourage me to grow in my faith. I’ve also let go of relationships and habits that were pulling me away from God. Now, when I face stress or challenges, I turn to prayer and God’s Word instead of trying to handle it on my own. I’ve learned that real peace comes from trusting Him in every situation. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6–7 My hope is found in Jesus—He gives my life purpose and direction every day. I know that no matter what happens, I have eternal life through Him, and that gives me complete peace and joy.