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There Are No Coincidences With God

You can be sure that whoever gives even a drink of cold water to one of the least of these my followers because he is my follower, will certainly receive a reward.

[ Matthew 10:42 (GNT)]

Brenda says:

At the age of 5 is when I started being sexually abused by a family friend. This abuse lasted until July 4 1976 when I was finally able to stand up to my abuser and tell him “NO MORE!” Not only was it our nations independence day, it was mine also. Now let me ask you, “who was it who gave me the strength to do that?”

Shortly after that I was walking home from school, I met a lady in the middle of the street. She gave me a card with a bible verse on it, Matt 19:14, “Let the children come to me and hinder them not.” Well I came home with it and a friend of my mother’s was there.
“Do you have a bible?” She asked.
“Yes I do.” I replied.
“Well go get it.”

So I climbed to the top of my closet and got out my children’s bible. She taught me how to look up the verse and to this day because of her I know how to look things up in the bible. Her name was Beth. What a fitting name!! I attended the bible study for children the lady in the street invited me to. I don’t remember her name. All I remember was she talked about a boy who stuttered and how he was able to change the world. I was a little girl with a learning disability and wondered if God could use me just as he used that boy in the story. It wouldn’t be till years later when I found out the answer to that question.

Years passed and I thought the worst was behind me but I was wrong. A very dark cloud loomed over my future. Not only had I been dealing with the abuse of a family friend I was also dealing with abuse at home by my mother. As I got older the abuse grew stronger. I found myself having social problems at school and I didn’t feel loved at all. We had moved to a new location and I wasn’t adjusting well at all. In the 6th grade things started to turn for the worst. The sexual abuse started again only this time it was a different person. My dad found out about it and he put an end to it but I still had problems with people at school, then I would come home and have problems with my mom, my parents and my brother would have horrible fights. My family was coming apart and I felt powerless to stop it. No matter where I went trouble followed me. I began to think that nobody loved me at all. Not even God. At the age of 12 I gave up on life.

I was home alone one day and decided to end my life. I got a knife out to kill myself. I pointed the knife to my heart, but then my hands started shaking so bad the knife fell out. I know that was an angel stopping me because what happened next was no coincidence. My mother came home with the groceries and it was my job to put them away. At the bottom of the bag was a free TV guide with all kinds of ads. For some reason I was drawn to it. I opened it up and the first thing I was saw was… “Reading the Bible helps!” Oh my word!! I knew this wasn’t chance. I knew someone wanted me to see that. So I got my bible out and started reading in Matthew. I loved reading the words of Jesus and would get disappointed when I got to Acts and Jesus wasn’t there anymore. So I would start over at Matthew.

Well the little girl grew into a teenager but the past abuses still haunted me and I was still dealing with emotional, verbal, and physical abuse from my mother. My dad was really the only one who really seemed to love me and because of the past sexual abuse, I was afraid of him. I wouldn’t get close to him. I was afraid of my own parents. In 1989 I lost my dad to a lengthy illness. I was 21. My world was devastated.

At the age of 17 I gave my life to Christ. I got on my knees then and promised that I would serve him the way he needed me. God was persistent to get me to that point. He never gave up on me. When I turned 15 he started sending people into my life who were pointing to him. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, I was just unsure of what they were talking about. I had been raised in a denomination for a long time and thought I was already saved. I meant it when I told God I would serve him.

I did go to college for a little while but the funds ran dry and I never finished but I had to get a job to pay the bills. That is when I got a job working with special needs adults. It was there I found my calling. I loved my job taking care of them. After 4 yrs of taking care of them I moved on to a nursing home where I received my Certified Nursing Assistant. My caregiving had now been expanded to a whole new set of people. The elderly with dementia and who were sick. Jesus said whatsoever you do to the least of these you have done it to me. God held me to my promise of serving him. Every mouth I fed, every tear I dried, every hand I held, every dying person I ever prayed with, every person I listened to and everyone I helped. I was helping God.

The little girl who once felt like she had nothing to contribute is now ministering to others as a lay minister. Counseling other abuse victims.
The little girl who once felt unloved is now loving others with the love of Christ.
The little girl who was once beaten, put down, and sexually abused is now wrapping her arms around other victims and praying with them.
This little girl who once thought nobody loved her now has a wonderful little family who adore her and is now serving God the way he wants me to serve him.

I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor. He was there the whole time, he saw what happened and what the devil did to me he turned around and made it a blessing. He was there in the middle of it all and became my parent when my own parent failed. He is my loving father and I love him with all of my heart and I thank him for never leaving me or forsaking me like the people in my life who I trusted. He will never leave my side and when it is my time to go home, he will walk me home.

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for Brenda, and leave comments on her post using scripture and kind words to let her know how much we appreciate her sharing with us. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of PrayerCircle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Story posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 and is filed under Abuse, Death, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Illness, Life Verse, Overcoming sin, Praise, Prayer, Struggles, Suicide, Your Stories. | No Comments »

God Keeps Me Afloat

When you came out of Egypt, I promised that I would always be with you. I am still with you, so do not be afraid.

[ Haggai 2:5 (GNT)]

Rachel says:

I have been in very hard times and am still in it. I am in an abusive marriage. Two years ago the physical abuse started and I was put down on a daily basis, I can feel myself tearing up as I type this… I had nobody to talk to because i was afraid of being judged by others. My husband told me if I ever tell I will lose my kids, and that I would be deported.

One day i walked into this church, and I was so miserable… But when the pastor asked if anybody would like a special prayer to come in front…I took the leap. It was a turning point for me. I cried for almost fifteen minutes nonstop and then after all that the pastor told me to start praying and she said “get on your knees and pray, The Bible says call me in times of trouble and I will answer you.”

Since then I cry less at nights, as I can feel God keeping me afloat in my life.

Last year on Christmas eve my husband came home drunk. He started arguing with me, and finished by breaking my cell phone in half because i was trying to call for help. He then dragged me on the floor like a log, and I was so afraid that he was going to kill me. I went to church and I prayed and hoped that one day I would get the courage to leave. I know that God is on my side and my kids’.

God has blessed me with people who come to my rescue by talking to him and the physical abuse has stopped and I believe in the name of Jesus Christ that one day things will be better. I will be able to leave a normal life. Every time he calls me crazy or he doesn’t provide for the family…I pray that the Lord be upon him and that Gods’ mercy help him to do the right thing.

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for Rachel as she continues to go through a very difficult time. Please pray for her entire family, and leave comments on her post using scripture and kind words to let her know how much we appreciate her sharing with us. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of PrayerCircle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Story posted on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 and is filed under Abuse, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Struggles, Suicide, Verses, Your Stories. | 3 Comments »

My son, the angel

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

[ Psalm 27:10 (NIV)]

Agnes says:

After losing my only son (Prince Shem) who died on 10th May 2010 at the age of six months, I thought that life wouldn’t continue, because at that time I could not understand the purpose for of living. I longed to commit suicide, and involved myself in drugs and drinking so that I could be relieved of the incredible sadness. Even though I suffered a great deal of emotional frustration and anxiety during my pregnancy, as my child was the result of my then boyfriend raping me, my son’s birth turned that darkness to REAL LIGHT.

My son was my pride and joy, my everything! After a great deal of heartache involving my Son’s father, who left me for another woman, my son’s father started to visit us, which really filled my heart with love. Unfortunately, a great deal of pain and sadness was about to be brought into my life, and a drastic change in my life occurred. I was at work, just like any other day, and I received a call from my brother who told me to come to the hospital immediately. When I arrived, I found my son lying there, dead. I was beside myself, and all I could do was scream, “Why God? Why?!” Later I found out that while my son was being fed porridge, the food went down his throat in the wrong direction, causing his airway to be blocked.

It has been hard but through verses such as Psalm 27:10, I have been strong, knowing that the creator is the taker, he was only my gift for a short time. And God has a reason for taking him away. I always believe He needed more angels and my son was one of the best.

Never question God. He always has a reason.

//From the SYSN Admin: What heartaches has God brought you through? Please comment on Agnes’s heart wrenching story, and also Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Story posted on Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 and is filed under Death, Drugs & Alcohol, Suicide, Your Stories. | 2 Comments »

Facing Danger by Seeking God’s Shelter

God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence.

[ Psalm 46:1-3 (GNT)]

Kay (KMS) says:

When I met KC, he was distraught. I tried daily to get him better, and soon we took our friendship to the next level. The first year of our relationship was great. Then we decided to move in together. That’s when he changed into his TRUE self. He started to drink heavily around me. This man was able to drink a case of beer and still function!!! That tells me that he was always this way!! It got to the point that he was drinking two cases a day, sometimes three. On top of that, he was taking Xanax… at least 4 bars a day!

One night, I came home from work to find him drunk on the front porch. He had locked himself out of the apartment. I got him in and asked him how he managed to do that. I instantly got kicked in the face with a steel toed Doc Martin. He told me I was a **** and deserved the boot to my face. He then proceeded to passed out on the porch. He cried the next day and told me over and over that he was sorry for what he had done to me, and I forgave him.

Time had gone on, and his drinking continued to get worse, except now he was also out of work. I wasn’t able to pay off any of my debt because I had to pay the rent, all the utilities, buy the groceries, and make sure that his son (from another relationship) was taken care of (He was 6 by this time). The abuse got worse. He started putting me down. This cycle went on for five years. He would throw my abortion in my face (yes, I had one when I was 18 because I was on hardcore drugs. My doctor showed us the irregular fetal development and suggested a termination. I still have not forgiven myself for it, and I shared my pain with him just for him to use it against me…mental/emotional abuse). He would ask me where my other child is, and then would proceed to tell me that my child was scraped and flushed down a toilet. He brought me coat hangers and told me to get to scraping. He would tell me that he wondered what my child would have looked like and then continue with it by telling me that we would know if I wasn’t a baby murderer. I would cry because I felt the same way about myself. I felt like I was a baby murderer. Then I would get angry because I shared something painful about myself with him for him to understand where my mind goes when I see children of a certain age group, and he used it as a weapon against me!

His abuse took a toll on me, and I began to hate my life. I looked in the mirror and began coming up with an alibi for his “disappearance”. I was willing to kill him if that was what had to be done for me to be free. The negativity grew to the point where I was willing to kill myself just to be free…neither solution was a good one. I finally left the relationship status in late May 2009, but he lived at the same house. We had separate rooms. I started dreaming about an old friend by this time, JS, someone I hadn’t seen in years. In my dreams, he was in turmoil. We were reconnected via the internet. We started hanging around each other in late June. I told him my story, and he shared his. I remember him being bitter about his situation, and I told him to forgive. Forgiveness is not for the person, it is for you!

I felt as if God brought us together for a reason because I could feel his pain before I spoke to him, and according to him, he was thinking about me just before he saw a message from me. I thought to myself, “That had to be GOD!” Naturally, two people connecting with common background found comfort in one another, and of course one thing led to another, and I fell in love… I’m not exactly sure what he felt, but I know he felt something because of the texts and conversations we had. Plus, he told me he had strong feelings for me (but I think it was because I got pregnant). Note that I have known this man since I was 14 years old. Sometime in July, I found out I was pregnant.

I just knew in my heart that this child belonged to JS. I needed to escape because KC was literally choking me at home. He held me up in the air by my throat with his 9 year old child watching. I finally was able to break free, and I run down the street to call JS. When I called JS and told him that we needed to talk,  he picked me up and took me to his house to stay the night.

I went to Seattle at the end of July and JS came back to Phoenix City by this time. We talked all the time while I was gone. I missed him more and more, every minute that we were apart. I was in love. It was wonderful. I came back to Columbus in August with my sister. Shortly after my return, JS left to go to Louisiana. He was supposed to find us a place to live together. While he was gone, we remained in close contact with one another. Things didn’t work out as planned, and he returned home, which actually made me happy. Not long after JS came back, KC found out that I was pregnant. He told me that if this child belonged to my friend, he was going to kill me, the baby, and JS. I KNEW he really would have done it! I started pushing JS away, fearing for his safety. I never gave him a real good reason as to why, but most importantly I needed to protect him from KC. I loved him enough to want to see him happy without me rather than being miserable with me, and miserable is what he would have been because KC would have stalked us forever! Not long after that, I finally packed my stuff and ran away to San Diego.

KC found me, just like he said he would. He followed me there and brought me back to Columbus. We fought every day, but he stopped hitting me by this point. He told me that the baby wasn’t leaving his side and since the baby was in me, then I had to stay as well. Utter misery!!! I finally had my baby in March. He showed up 3 days after my due date. My miracle baby! I say this because I went into premature labor in February. The doc was able to stop it, and I was on bed rest. Labor came back in March. During delivery, the baby’s heart rate was rapidly increasing, and I ended up having a seizure. I had to have a c-section. My baby is healthy now, but barely living when they pulled him out. The doc told me that we both almost didn’t make it, but God is great and he got us both through it.

I began trying to get in touch with JS after MK was born. He never replied to my emails or texts or notes, so I gave up because in my mind he obviously never cared about me or the baby. I know this is not the truth, but in my mind it was. My mind was still sick from all the abuse, and I felt that all men were out to hurt me. Not long after that, KC found out that I was trying to get in touch with JS. KC got drunk and began beating me up with my new baby in my arms. All I could do was curl up into a ball and lay my body over my son’s so that he would not get hurt. While on the ground, curled up, I was kicked repeatedly in the head, face, back, anywhere that foot landed. KC passed out, and I took off again. I called my cousin KO and went back to San Diego. KC would call me over and over telling me that he was going to kill me if I didn’t bring his son home. “Kill me then,” is what I thought. I would just rather him kill me than have to hear his voice again!!

During my stay in San Diego, I started thinking about my conversations with JS about Jesus and God. I always believed in God, but I never believed in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. We got into debates about this topic. He gave me a Bible, and I finally pulled it out of my bag and began to read it. JS is the reason that I am saved today. He guided me to the Lord and I am so thankful for him! I read his note in the front cover of my bible every morning:

“To my good friend KMS. I hope that when u read it, that it helps you the way that it has 4 me. I pray that u find all the peace, love, & joy that u deserve in life. Never 4get that the Lord loves u and is there 4 u. And so am I! J….”

The Bible and this note helped to heal my heart. I returned to Columbus in May. I tried to get in touch with JS one more time, but this time I didn’t leave any contact info. I got a response back from his mother, telling me that he is happy for my relationship with the Lord. During this time, I was also informed that he was happily married. Wow! My heart shattered instantly, but I could do nothing but be happy for him. I have learned that if you really love someone, you want them to be happy regardless of who they are happy with. Then it dawned on me that this is the first time that I have ever really loved someone like that, but this story is for another time.
While in Columbus, KC would visit with my son often. Then suddenly he stopped contacting me. His new girl didn’t like me. I didn’t really care, but I told his family members that if he wants to see MK then he needs to be an adult and have contact with me because I can’t just keep contacting his family to find out what his plans are. He got drunk and showed up at my dad’s door (while everyone was on vacation) and we went blow for blow! I delivered a beating right back to him. I wasn’t about to just sit there and let someone try to kill me. In this fight, I broke his nose and split his ear open. He fractured my cheek bone, cracked my ribs, and swelled my eye shut. I finally called the police on him. He was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and aggravated stalking. He was released on bond, and instantly sought revenge on me. I have been jumping from place to place, hiding.

The cycle doesn’t seem to end. Now I pray to God that KC gets the help that he needs and that MK and I can find our next safe place to stay. No place is safe for long because he knows all the people that I know who are willing to take us in for a while. Hotels/motels are out of the question… he found us there once by driving through all the parking lots!! That’s a dedicated abuser in need of some serious psychological help along with prayer! I am now determined to do whatever I have to do to make sure that MK and I are safe.

This is my story, and God is how I overcame the abuse. Though I am not completely out of the boiling waters yet, at least I took that first step. I have one leg out and the other one is slowly following. The process is not easy, and it is not quick (especially if you have a dedicated abuser after you), but it is possible.

I know God is standing by me, getting me through all of the pain! For those of you who are in an abusive relationship, you are not alone. I just recently discovered that I am not alone! Now I have support from strangers, but these strangers who are helping me and supporting me and offering up prayers for me…these people are more of God’s gifts to me…he sent them my way to help me heal, and I am thankful for each and every single man and woman in my life that has offered up their support!! God bless you all!

Here is a quote from a song called “Survivor” by Jeff Ott, which I look to for comfort:
“I made a bag out of a piece of cloth. I made a wish and I wrote it down on a piece of paper. I put the paper in the bag and wished with all my heart. I said, please deliver me; low and behold it became reality! So I can say today: I REFUSE TO BELIEVE GOD CREATED ME TO BE TORTURED. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE GOD CREATED ME TO BE ABANDONED. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE GOD CREATED ME TO BE NEGLECTED. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE GOD CREATED ME TO BE ABUSED! I picked up the pieces of my broken heart off the dirty boulevard. I found a punk rock kid who had a needle and some leather string. I made a wish and I said it again and again. I took the needle and threaded it. I sewed my broken heart back together again!”

//From the SYSN Admin: Please pray for KMS and the safety of her child. Please also comment on her story and provide encouragement through scripture and kind words. Also remember to Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share
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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, September 30th, 2010 and is filed under Abuse, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Drugs & Alcohol, Suicide, Your Stories. | 4 Comments »

My Life is NOT OVER!

Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come.

[ 2 Corinthians 5:17
(GNT)]

Donna says:

I am 43, nearly 44, and I have been on disability the majority of my life because of severe mental depression through many different traumatic circumstances that occurred during my childhood. I chose to make a lot of bad choices, and through those choices it nearly cost me my life.

I have been through some terrible things; rape, molestation, peer pressure, or childhood aberrations “you’re worthless, no good and you will always be just like your father”; I heeded to those words took them straight to my heart and lived everyday as a shameful, disgusted, ugly, worthless, no-good human being .

I was raised in a private Christian school, and the word of GOD was instilled in me at a very young age; PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR THAT, or I would not be here today! I became promiscuous at the age of 14 because my “father” who was the apple of my eye became deathly sick, and he died at the age of 48 years old. That was 2 years before he died; I became pregnant and was taken to the NORTHSIDE FA MILY PLANNING CLINIC and MADE to have an abortion. That is when I separated myself from GOD my Heavenly Father, and my father on earth, and I blamed my mother for not speaking up for me for many years.

Now, as I look back and in knowing those 30 years ago a woman in the household had “no say so”, and she also worked 2 jobs just to maintain our family household. Today, my Mother and my daughter are everything to me, and without their prayers growing up; I know that I would not be here today. I was so angry at the whole world, so full of blame, rage, vengeance, guilt, shame, remorse, confusion and hatred, and my self-esteem was so low that I drank and drugged every day just to cover-up the pain.

I was saved in 2001 by the Grace of GOD at Dalton House of Prayer by; believe it or not a Pastor who was my former dealer and today is still my brother in CHRIST, friend, mentor, and Pastor. However; I had so many strongholds that just could not be broken so easily, it was not as simple as “just get saved”, go lay it all down at the alter, and go on your healed… NO! I had 28 years of demons that were lurking around inside of me that had to be renounced! I had been a prostitute for over 20 years, so everyone I slept with that they slept with that they slept withes demons; I now had. I had played around with tarot cards, demons of lying, manipulation, demons of suicide and depression. I knew the Word of GOD, and I knew I had to read and study, but I just couldn’t shake this feeling that I had in my chest that I just couldn’t put my finger on. .

I just knew every time I had that feeling “I had to have a drink or a drug. That feeling was called “EMOTIONS” and I did not know what they were. You see; I only knew 2 emotions ~ RAGE and ANGER! Anyway, I just couldn’t fight that battle and, I went back out to the streets for a couple more years. Well, a great Blessing came when GOD shut my liver down, and I literally “lost my mind”. I could not stop drinking, and here I was on Interferon going down to Atlanta every week, and the Doctors saying there was no hope. My family has even to this day paid for my funeral. Then one day, the Doctor came in and said, “Miss Gentry, someone up stairs really loves you, because you liver enzymes are dropping”. My family took me home, put me in the bed, and begged me not to open the door. The devil came knocking, and I willingly opened the door.

There was a man; who is dead today, and another friend with all the illicit drugs that I needed to end my life. I was as green as a lime when my mother saw me 2 days later; because she couldn’t track me down. She took one look at me, and walked out the door, and said “I had rather see you in that casket than to see you live your life like this anymore” and she left. My daughter was 17 and had already moved in with my mother.

I don’t recall how long that I laid in my own feces and vomit, but when I cried out to JESUS and a sk HIM “what do you want with me?” “Why will you not just let me die?” In that instant something happened to me. I got up, cleaned up, and called another friend in the church that had been through similar experiences; he came and got me and took me to a “meeting”. GOD used those “meetings” as a scalpel for 1 year of my sobriety, and then he moved me into the Christian 12 steps of recovery with so many loving women that I learned how to love like CHRIST, feel my emotions and then I could teach others the way to CHRIST. I have made so many mistakes’ through the years, but to me they were only lessons learned on this journey through life. I am often asked now, “do I feel once an addict always an addict?” My answer is NO! I was saved by GRACE, and through FAITH GOD made me a new creation.

2 Cor. 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in CHRIST JESUS he is a new creation, all things have passed away and all things have become new”! If the Son is Free, then I am free in deed. I was the problem; not the drugs or the alcohol, and once I realized that I had to take responsibility for all of my faults, and stop blaming others, then GOD starting repairing me! It is amazing at how just saying “I am sorry for the bitterness that I have had in my heart for someone can release a person from so much! It was also during this time that I went to a Perry Stone Conference and was baptized to pray in the SPIRIT, and then I met a man who was in deliverance. Praise is to GOD, because I had so many strongholds from being a prostitute for 20 years, there were just some possessions that did not want to leave me. Praise GOD for this man, through GOD, he worked with me for months, and 7 demons were cast out, and I was truly set free. I then met my other mentor and Spiritual Father and Leader, and from there; I started an Outreach Ministry, working with the homeless, domestic violence men, women and children, addicts and alcoholics. I have received my EMT license ; I have been through all but 2 classes of LPN school; and I had to withdrawal due to health complications. I am now finishing up on my Associates in Medical Assisting, and after an Achilles tendon reconstruction that was “botched” and no other Doctors wanted to touch me. I did not walk for 9 months, but I am walking now! I start clinical again in 3 months, and I am in desperate need of a car. I did not drive for 15 years; and now I have my license! I have had so many health complications, but I just tell everyone that “GOD is just fixing me from the crown of my head to the souls of my feet”! I have worked so hard for these past 6 years of my Deliverance and my Salvation in CHRIST to get off of disability and Medicaid. I am not perfect, and I do not know everything, but I try each day to live to the best of my ability and walk with integrity. I am a little nervous at jumping out on FAITH into the work world, and yet so excited; I just do not know what to do with myself , but I know that my GOD is way greater than my understandings, and HE did not start something in me that HE is not going to finish! I have been ask many times to share my story which is so much deeper than this; I know that I could write a book, if only I had a publisher or knew even how to begin; I use to say there is nothing that I have not been through, gangs, streets, fights, all kinds of violence, stories beyond stories, but then I realized; I never say never, and I never say yet… Because it might bite me in my BUTT! So, I found this web site and I thought I would share my story in hopes that it would help someone to be an over comer.

If you live in Dalton, I know you know ME, and so you know what I have been through…Believe you me, there is NEVER NO HOPE for ANYONE, and THROUGH GOD there is HOPE FOR ALL. MY STORY is NOT OVER, because you see GOD is not finished with me as of yet! I pray that the LIGHT of GOD will SHINE for ALL to SEE the GREAT WORK that CHRIST is DOING IN ME!!

//From the SYSN Admin: Please keep Donna in your prayers. What verses of words of encouragement can you offer? Comment on Donna’s story, and Share YOUR story with us here: http://shareyourstorynow.org/share

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 and is filed under Drugs & Alcohol, Hope, Illness, Overcoming sin, Struggles, Suicide, Your Stories. | 8 Comments »

Comfort in Life’s Circumstances

The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.

[Psalm 23:1-3]

Carolyn K. says:
This verse provides me with spiritual comfort. It lets me know that God is with me in any
situation. That He is guiding me and my life. That all situations involves Him and that even
if it is one of darkness, that He will protect and guide me through.

This verse has impacted me through the suicide deaths of two of my teenage sons, through a residential fire, divorce, estranged relationships with children, loss of jobs, estrangements from
extended family members because I chose to leave a life of worldliness.

Of being alone and not having those you love to support the direction I’ve decided to live in the Lord.
And that through all this and much more, because I’ve turned my will and life over to God’s care and protection, Ive remained sober and dedicated to the Lord since 1982. And have tried to encourage others to seek and have a relationship with God. That to do so, will both change the person and their lives.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 and is filed under Death, Divorce & Marital Conflict, Drugs & Alcohol, Hope, Suicide, Your Stories. | No Comments »

Lanae Hale: Overcoming Depression In A Christian Home

Be brave and strong! Don’t be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The LORD your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.

[Deuteronomy 31:6 CEV]

Christian music singer Lanae Hale shares how even though she grew up in a Christian home she struggled with thoughts of suicide and saw that God never left her side.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, August 13th, 2009 and is filed under Bible, Christian Families, Evangelization, God's Love, Grace, Hope, Lanae Hale, Life Verse, Overcoming sin, Praise, Struggles, Suicide, Video Stories. | 2 Comments »

Showing My Friends My Faith

“The LORD will lead you into the land. He will always be with you and help you, so don’t ever be afraid of your enemies. “

[Deuteronomy 31:8 CEV]

Mauri writes:

Some of my friends and I have started sending bible verses to each other everyday for encouragement, and this is one I sent one day. This has helped me so much lately.

I have a best friend that is going through depression (at 13 I might add). She also has lost all faith and belief in God. She says she’s mentally incapable of believing that God could fix all of this, and that it’s hard to trust in someone who she’s not sure even exists.

It scares me to death to wake up every morning and there being a possibility of her being gone. But it’s even scarier to think of where she’d going if that happens. I told my youth leader about her depression and the harm she does to herself, and he told her parents. She actually has a doctor’s appointment next week.

But anyway, his whole situation has definitely helped me in my walk with God. I’ve had to work extra hard to live my life as a Christian, because this situation brought me to the realization that the way you act does affect other people.

The other night, I almost gave up. I’ve been living the Christian life around her, I’ve brought God up around her almost everyday, I’ve shown love and care, everything I’m told to do..but it seemed like nothing was working. I felt like every effort I was putting forth to help her was pointless.

I started thinking more on this verse though, and it hit me. God’s leading everything for me, I just have to go along. He knows what will come out of the situation. Satan tried to discourage me, but I finally realized that I shouldn’t be discouraged if I’m doing something for the glory of God.

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Story posted on Thursday, February 12th, 2009 and is filed under Bible, Evangelization, God's Love, Hope, Life Verse, Mentoring, Praise, Prayer, Struggles, Suicide, Your Stories. | 1 Comment »

I Am Struggling

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

[Matthew 22:37 NIV]

Nicole writes:

i dont know why but i always loved that phrase because i do love god with my heart,soul,and mind but i think im not needed, that it would be easier if i was gone so i wouldnt feel the pain.My friends just made it worse by being mad and scared and by that it just put more pain on me with their anger.When i was a little girl my parents got divorced,my brother who i loved so very much was stealing , i felt like it was all my fault even if it truly wasnt. yet i couldnty help thinking. I know god loves me but the pain of what ive been through in my life hurts and now im still thinking about suicide and my brothers in prison. I looked up to my big bro but maybe people wouldnt care if i was gone. im getting help for my depression and i promise i will try!!

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Circle of Prayer

Circle of Prayer is a ministry of the American Bible Society, a Christian ministry that has been engaging people with the life-changing message of God’s Word for nearly 200 years.

Also check out our Bible Search and Scripture journeys tools.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Story posted on Friday, December 19th, 2008 and is filed under Life Verse, Loneliness, Prayer, Sadness, Struggles, Suicide, Your Stories. | 2 Comments »

God Reached Me At My Lowest Point

“No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married.”

[Isaiah 62:4 NIV]

Lissy writes:

Well this is my favorite verse in the entire world. I guess I should tell you why. I thught for a period in my life that life wasn’t worth living, and although I had people all around me telling me I was beautiful, deep down I didn’t believe it. Then at summer camp this past summer I said yes to God and resurrendered my life. If you’re reading this and you are struggling with suicide, get some help! I promise you, it’s not worth it.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Story posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 and is filed under Bible, Conversions, God's Love, Hope, Life Verse, Loneliness, Praise, Struggles, Suicide, Your Stories. | 2 Comments »