True Joy and Freedom
Everything changes when God’s overwhelming love finally breaks through. At 27 years of age, my life was in shambles. I had been addicted to drugs, alcohol, and pornography for more than ten years. My anger was out of control, constantly wounding my wife, son, and others with condescending words and looks.In a desperate attempt to escape the pain, I took my fishing boat out to sea one day. I cried out to God for three days, “O God, please do something. I’ve hurt everyone around me. I’m miserable. It’s like something inside me is pushing me to the edge of insanity. I feel like I am being poisoned from the inside. Please help me.”
While listening to the secular song “Jesus is Just Alright With Me, by the Doobie brothers, during my lowest point in life, I encountered the unconditional love of God for the first time. Instantly His presence broke the chains of alcoholism, drug addiction, and pornography. The burden of sin lifted, and I felt true joy for the first time. I tasted God’s goodness. But it would take years for me to find total deliverance from the fear of failure and the aggressive striving that had made me such a driven man.
"In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change." (Romans 2:4, The Message)
Prayer to Encounter Your Father
Father take me by Your hand of mercy and shower me with Your unconditional love. Forgive me for my behaviors that have alienated those I love from me. Thank You, Jesus.
