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My Testimony of God's Love and Power to Overcome
As a teenager I struggled so much with two anxiety disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. At 20 years old I was at a breaking point and that's where God met me. I found a webpage written by a Christian about anxiety disorders and began to understand that it was not God's will that I have this anxiety. I began reading about God's powerful love and how Jesus came to save me from my sins and finally gave my life to Him. The anxiety did not have the same power over me after that and though I still face difficulties I am able to have an inner peace with God. He has helped me overcome so many challenges over the years and I am so grateful for His love and mercy.
Before I became a Christian at 20 years old I felt incredibility overwhelmed with anxiety dealing with two anxiety disorders and was at a breaking point feeling so frustrated and lost.
I had been dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder for years. I would wash my hands for hours on end, be too nervous to talk to people, had lost all my friends, and felt so isolated. That's just the tip of the iceberg of what was going on, and I just didn't know what to do anymore.
One day when I was at my breaking point, I did a search on the internet for information about God and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder looking for any type of help. I found a Christian webpage written about that exact topic and at the top it said it could change my life. I was definitely skeptical, but I kept reading and by the grace of God my life was changed. I started to understand that God didn't want me to have anxiety, how much He loved me, and how Jesus came to save me even though I was a sinner who did not deserve His grace. It wasn't long until I gave my life to Jesus and became a Christian. After that the anxiety didn't have the same power over me and I could face it with hope. With the help of God, the support of the family He gave me and after a lot of work I was able to go to college, make many friends and earn two degrees. I now work in a field serving others and helping those with mental illnesses. I still face some difficulties with anxiety, but I have an inner peace with God and He helps me overcome every day. I have seen Him work through so many situations over the years that seem so hopeless and turn them around, it's amazing. I am so grateful that God called me that day, and I pray my life brings Him glory.
Now that I have been saved, I can have joy, peace and hope everyday even in the midst of struggles.
Another story that illustrates this is when I was 17 dealing with those two anxiety disorders, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. This heightened my anxiety so much over the course of many months and I missed him so much. It was brutal, and I didn't know God at that time so I didn't turn to Him which made it that much harder. Several years after I became a Christian at the age of 20, my mom became sick and was diagnosed with cancer as well. She eventually passed away also after many months of struggle. This was also an incredibly difficult time, and part of me was nervous that my anxiety would increase again like it did following my grandfather's illness. However, this time I was a Christian and had Jesus to turn to. I was able to look to God and He gave me hope and assurance that He was in control. And while my mom was sick I was able to read to her from the Bible which helped her as well. I was able to be there for her and show her God's love. I could see God working through it all even after she passed away. It's one of many situations that truly showed me how God can work all things together for the good of His people.
Ultimately, I know that since Jesus saved me and paid the debt for my sins, when I pass away I will not have to be separated from Him, but I will go to heaven and have the joy of being with Him forever! Thank you Jesus!
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