Faith Story

Hi everyone,1

Last time, I shared about briefly about that I finally realized I'm the one who is hindering me, the one that doesn't accept myself. God has already accepted me and blessed me abundance. I mentioned that there were many things I didn't understand about my parents, but after I got sick, I finally came to their perspective. I had become appreciate more about each day of my life. Actually, that's the greatest changed after I believe. I had also shared that how I have come to realize that if I could have trusted anyone on Internet to share a piece of me, why wouldn't I share my life with Lord, to trust the One who blessed me so much. This actually came after the prayer of believe. While I was doing my prayer with Peter, I was tempted by over analytical thoughts- the human wisdom. But I was sure that I believed because I had defend my religion if I looked back in my personal history. And Peter said, we never know if we have another tomorrow, and that Pastor Debbie has said that believe in Lord isn't a feeling, so I decided to have Peter prayed with me that night. I am so bad in keeping track of time, I don't remember what date that was; nonetheless, I become a believer isn't a day work, is a life work by God.2

So today story is a little more about me, my childhood, my dark years, and my recovery process.3

I came from a Catholic primary school background. From I was very young, I heard teachers mentioned many Bible stories, and I believed without a doubt. I believe what my teacher told is fact. But I hated going to mass, cuz they are all the call and reply, dead formal ceremony. I didn't know what I was supposed to learn from that environment. That's all about my childhood I would shared. After I got sick, I became entirely a different person that I couldn't bear. I have addicted to temporary happiness that I found in cyber world. I eat just to make myself happy. I write to get response. And I lost interests in everything else. I don't care about my academic. I only study, because I had to get a job. I am only doing the minimal effort in keeping my grade at 4.7. But it is the same illness that open up my mind to feel for my parents' love and clear away misunderstanding. That's when I started to be more thankful with each day. Sometimes my prayer is just a "Thank you. Amen." At that time, I decided to seek to understand more about my religion, so I have sessions with Pastor Debbie of my previous church. We went through the introduction of Christianity. She said, even if she gave me all the evidence, if I don't have faith, I don't believe in it. That's when temptation began, but deep down I know I believe, as each debate I started with my friends. But there were something I was holding back, that made me hesitated to share my testimony with you all, after Peter and I have had that prayer of believe.4

But it stuck me awake, when my friend told me how he was emotionally withdraw from the idea of Christianity, because he saw me always unhappy, yet I am a Christian. I said, that's because I had a wrong attitude. God wants us to be happy and rejoice in our distress. As a Christian we shall give our joy as well as our burdens, worry, confession to Lord and let Lord carry that for me and my life too.All of the sudden, I'm like yes, oh yes, because He is a risen Lord. He is alive, winning over death. When He died on the cross the salvation has already knocked on mankind's door. We just needed to confess our sin, trusts that He is Son of God the Trinity God, that He did died for our sin and buried with our sin then He is risen again after three days and bring eternal life to mankind. In Him our sinful body is dead, In Him we resurrect and become a saint (Ephesians 1:1- I am a saint) which mean the chosen one. It doesn't mean we don't sin. We are saint who sin. There are three stages of Salvation: First Stage (Justification)Justified through Faith (Romans 3:28, Hebrews 11) As what I stated already, God died for us and risen again, our sin is forgive so we can reconcile our relationship with the Father and become their Sons and Daughters, this is by grace not by works. Second Stage (Sanctification) Sanctified through Love (John 17:17-21, 1Peter 1:8-9,22, 2:1-15)Holy Spirit is working within us, we are transforming into Christ like. Third Stage (Glorification)Glorified through Hope (Romans 8:24, 1Thes 5:8) Awaiting His return like a bride wait for her bridegroom. And when we are in heaven, we will be like angels, we are no longer married.(Luke 20:34-36)5

But what made me have the courage to make this testimony, is that once upon a time there was a brother in church made a testimony, and I felt like mine was much more complicated. But I felt that way just for a second, in a moment, I realized I am the one who doesn't accept myself, that God has already accepted me, and I'm God's work in process...6

by Eliza Simmons7

Feb 14, 20048