I have been through some junk in my life, but in the last two years I have faced some challenges that have been difficult to overcome. I became a Christian when i was in 7th grade after i went on a retreat with my youth group, and I have been very strong in faith ever since. But life can't always be easy. I have been struggling with an eating disorder for about two years now. It has been holding me back from school, missions trips, and everything that could bring me closer to God. I have been to treatment four times, three times i was away from home. I have also been suffering from depression and OCD. But through all of this, I have learned. Learned about myself, about others, and most importantly about God. I have always tried to escape, I have never been able to face my fears, and now god has been challenging me and I feel that I am strengthened. So, whenever it seems hard, God knows. Many Christians are struggling, and if you are one of those Christians, I encourage you to seek out God in the hardest of times, because only through him will you ever find peace.

like many who have written on this website, I was raised in a church by Christian parents. i accepted Jesus when i was a little kid. only after i moved and entered middle school did I take things seriously. i haven't been perfect in my walk at all. I do struggle daily with trying to walk the walk and talk the talk. you just get so influenced by the world that it's hard to walk the walk etc... I have been challenged in so many ways in my walk. Some of my family aren't believers. so it's kind of hard to bring up Christianity to them. going the "opposite way" is worth it. but sometimes, people think that you're a freak for not being like everyone else. Like at school, there are "preppy people" who are all about doing "stuff" and it's just hard to be a light. God is amazing.

I was sorta raised in a catholic home. Mom and dad didn't show much or very little interest in god.I was raised like that. In garde 5 we started to attend a new church my parents liked it so we went for a long while and my parents accepted Jesus into there lives. I haven't yet I told them. So I decided that I do not believe in Jesus and that I am a emo. And then from that point on I became dark and thought about sucide. And founnd that it was the only way to feel truely happy. So one night I tempted and choke myself but as I was ready to jump I heard god call put to me and that caused me to think. Am I doing something that is smart?!. So that was when I allowed go and Jesus into my life . Now I still have my days were I doubt him but I know god will forgive me and and he knows that I love him so much and by leeland they showed me through music that god is always with you. And I want tithsnk god for jake he is such a inspiring person and same with leeland love them both <3 thank god <3

my story is as simple as reading the beginning of john 8. i was that woman caught in the middle of sin, dragged before Jesus broken and ashamed. but He stooped down to my level and began writing in the dirt that was my heart...a filthy, dead place that no King should ever have to bother Himself with. and when He finally looked at me that night in March 2005, my life was forever His. He's been wrecking my life every day since then. to live the opposite way, to me, means to be just like Jesus. He IS the Way, and He's for sure opposite of everything that I've ever known. hahaha praise God =)

I was raised in a church my whole life. Went to Sunday school every Sunday, slept in "big church", memorized bible verses for candy, ect ect,and accepted Christ as my savior when I was about 6 but it wasn't until about 2 years ago that God really started to change my view on things and I started really getting into "If God created AND saved me, why is Sunday the only day that I ever think about Him?" God took that heart and that mind set and lead me to many places in my walk with Him that completely changed my life and changed me as a person. I started longing for those around me to know Him and I had a passion for just praising Him, lifting everything in my life to Him through worship - That's not a human desire, not something in our DNA, in our genes, or in our structure; that's a amazing desire only and Almighty and benevolent God can give! Now, day by day I grow closer to Him. I'm currently the worship leader for my youth group at church. I've been playing guitar for about 6 years and have always, to be straight with you, just sucked, and I definately was never a good singer. about 6 months ago, I prayed to God to just use me in every way possible and that I can let other people feel His presence thickly through having a worshipful heart - A couple of days later I found a new guitar teacher and in less than 2 months I was 1000 of times better singing wise and with a guitar and that's how I found the position I'm in today. Every time I have a guitar in hand I just completely pour out my heart to God and let His presense fill me up, IT'S AMAZING! And now I can see that God is calling me into the music ministry, I'm not sure where I will go or exactly what I will do but God has provided a path for me all of my life so without a doubt He's going to for the rest of it.