Freedom From Fear

When I was a child, I was afraid, hopeless, anxious, and angry. I was afraid to go to sleep, I felt hopeless that my life would never change. I was anxious, because I learned I could not trust anyone. I was angry, longing for and ashamed that I wanted revenge.

At night, I would ask God to take me from the Hell I was living in. I wanted to live if my life could magically be changed. I also wanted to die afraid it would never change. At the same time, I was terrified of what would happen if I did die. Most my life I slept little, curled up in a ball, waiting for the night to end.

When I was 14, I heard a pastor preach. I realized in my life, I had no joy or peace. I saw how I tried to be in control but had had little control of my life. I trusted no one else fully. But that day, I decided to give control of my life to Jesus. I had been angry and bitter. That day, I asked for forgiveness and I asked God to help me forgive those who had harmed me.

After this, I felt so much joy, I had peace, and I stopped being afraid. I no longer wanted revenge when people hurt me. Instead, I wanted them to know they too could know God’s love and forgiveness. I made new friends and learned more about God’s love. I even slept better and looked forward to waking up.

After I asked Jesus to be in control of my life, I remember sitting on the front porch as a massive storm was brewing. I wasn’t afraid at all. I knew God would calm the storms of this life on the outside and inside of me. Even to this day, I sleep soundest on a stormy night trusting God.

Even if I were to die tonight in my sleep, I have no fear. I KNOW that I have eternal life, because I gave my life to Jesus. The Bible tells me that whoever has the Son of God has life, and that these things are written, so that we can know we have eternal life.