I am sharing my story to encourage people who are going through tough times. Being a person who has made it through addiction, homelessness, physical, mental, and verbal abuse, I can honestly say that it has been the word of God that has helped me overcome every obstacle.
I was lost in the world. I had so much pain within me from my past that I became angry and depressed. The only thing that I wanted to do was cloud my mind from reality. Daily I would smoke marijuana. Without it I would end up depressed and overwhelmed with anxiety, I made some of the worst decisions while under the influence and ended up without a job, without a place to live, and pregnant at the age of 23. That is when I knew I had to change. I had someone in me who needed the best version of me.
I had my son at 24, and a couple of years later I decided to start dating. I was always one to want to show love to people who have never experienced real love or have been through trauma. I soon came to realize that everyone will not love me the way that I love. I was physically, mentally, and emotionally abused multiple times because I did not know my worth. I was so desperate to fill a void that I didn’t realize how much damage I was doing to myself. After some time, I felt myself going back to what I worked so hard to get away from…. anger. I would fight back each time, and each time the rage got more intense. Yes, I asked God to forgive me, but there was more to just asking for forgiveness that I had to do.
God revealed to me through his word that I needed to get out. I read my devotional and came across Titus 3:10 – “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him one and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” God gave me the strength to leave, and a sense of overwhelming peace came over my life.
I want to be able to help those who have gone through or are going through any of the things that I have gone through. God will walk with you and meet you where you are. Open your ears to hear and listen. Do not be blind to the signs God gives you. Give your life to him, and I promise you will get through every obstacle that is thrown your way! My storms made me who I am today and have given me the strength that I need to overcome. DON’T GIVE UP!