“The faith trajectory is mapped out before they become
adults, often before they even reach adolescence.”
-David Kinnaman, unChristian
I can relate to this fact. My faith really grew and was
cemented as a teenager. I was involved with a Christian group all throughout
middle school and high school which really helped to deepen my relationship
with God. I went to church nearly every Sunday, went to youth group, was
confirmed and participated in various other activities at the church including
Vacation Bible School.
My relationship with God deepened on a more spiritual and
personal level. When I was a teenager, I struggled with neglect, experienced
homelessness, lost my oldest brother to suicide, struggled with suicidal
ideation and was diagnosed with bipolar. I watched my family be torn apart by
drugs, alcohol and dealing drugs. To most, that would seem like a recipe for
leaving my faith.
My faith was strengthened throughout my struggles, though. I experienced
the love of God in a real and personal way. He was the only one I could really
turn to throughout the chaos around me.
I realized that if I was going to make it out of my
situation, I needed to rely on something greater than myself. I realized that
the only solution to my problems was my faith in God.
My faith in God was a constant throughout my storms. It was
always there, though I had some struggles with trusting God. It helped me
through even the darkest days. Reading Scripture reminded me that I was loved,
cherished and cared for. Reading Scripture reminded me that I had a future and
that God had plans for me. I even decorated my bedroom with posters with verses
on them.
If you ask me why I believe in God, I will tell you that it
is because I have experienced Him on an extremely deep level and continue to,
to the point that I can’t deny that there is a God. There is no other
explanation for my survival of everything I went through. I have been hurt to
the point that I have had no choice but to lean on Him to survive. I have been
through some of the darkest things one can go through, yet I’m here continuing
to fight. It is only through my faith that I continue to fight.
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