What was life like before you met Jesus?

Before I met Jesus, I lived a life always searching for the approval of others. I loved to be a people-pleaser, always putting others first and often for the wrong reasons. It felt as if I was climbing a ladder that was never-ending and often not satisfying. With that, I was always anxious and nervous that I was doing things wrong in the eyes of other people.

How did you meet Jesus?

I met Jesus at a young age, growing up, my family had always gone to church, and we would often serve on Sunday mornings. But my relationship with Him was shallow, and I was not faithful to him at all. I felt like I truly came to know Jesus after being arrested with a DUI during my last semester of college. That felony was the hardest trial I had faced up to that point in my life. God turned that suffering into a blessing by opening my eyes to one of my biggest troubles I’ve had since a teenager, which was overindulging in alcohol. During that trial, I really started to lean on God, spending a lot more open and honest time with Him and the church. In that, I started to see growth in myself by applying the Word into my life. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me”. That Psalm brought me a lot of comfort, knowing that God was with me every step- through the thick and thin of my DUI trial and every other circumstance that I have been in.

After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?

My life after being saved by Jesus has brought me peace and comfort in everyday life. I now know I don’t need to seek the approval of others, just the approval of God. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10) My walk with him has drastically improved by staying in his word and seeking Him out through my trials. I feel more joyful than ever when He is constantly in my heart, guiding me through my life. John 6:47 says, “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” Believing and now knowing that God is in control of every aspect of my life sets me free from the weight of my previous sins that always left me falling short of the world’s approval.