Finding true peace and joy

Before I had a personal relationship with Christ I was filled with anxiety and always struggled with depression, having little to no hope for the future.

I began to try and cope in my own ways, gave into different urges to try and relieve the pain I was facing. However, this never fulfilled me longterm. I always fell right back to where I was.

I have grown up in a Christian home my whole life, I knew the Word of God and I believed it was true for everyone but myself. But, God never gave up on me. When I was 18 years old, I worked at a summer camp. Throughout this camp, I was able to see the love of Christ through everyone I was surrounded by and I was able to serve Him myself. Throughout this summer I felt true joy that only the Lord could provide. Toward the end of the summer, I was spending time reading my Bible on my own. I opened it to somewhere random and just started reading. What I read was the crucifixion of Jesus dying on the cross for my sins. For the first time, I truly believed that He died, not just for everyone else, but for me too. I cried out to Jesus, while in my bunk bed at camp, and asked for Him to change my life so that I live for Him and not for myself. Jesus met me with so much grace and forgiveness that night and continues to show me His grace and forgiveness everyday of my life.

Because of my new relationship with Christ, I have been able to find joy and peace in who He is. I have been able to find security in Him.

Because I have been able to put my full trust in the Lord, He has provided me with great peace. Whenever I am faced with doubts or insecurities I am always able to run right back to the Lord and I know that He will get me through whatever struggles I am facing.

Because of all the Lord has done in my life, I have confidence in who He is. His love will never leave me. The peace and joy He provides is eternal. Because of the power of Christ I know I will be able to live forever with Him and have eternal life after I die.