I decided to pray and ask God, if He existed why did I feel so down and what did I need in my life to take away all the negativity that was surrounding me?
Even though I believed in God, I didn't have any trust or faith in Him, and experimenting with New Age spiritualism left me feeling low, angry, afraid, lonely and lost.
One night, feeling really fed up and low, I decided to pray and ask God, if He existed why did I feel so down and what did I need in my life to take away all the negativity that was surrounding me?
Through a dream, my eyes were opened to all the deception and dangers my so called spiritualism was having on me. That morning I felt a connection to God and felt that He did answer my prayer.
I continued to pray to God and decided to put my trust in Him. I needed so much spiritual support and guidance and I asked God to help me. That's when I started feeling a huge pull towards St Stephens Church every time I passed it by. Like a magnet I was being drawn in.
I was very nervous walking into St Stephens in July 2014, thinking all church-goers were brainwashed or deficient. I soon changed my mind when cheerfully greeted by a minister called Sandy who listened to me with kindness and understanding. Since then I have had so much support from the church and I have turned my back on my past involvements with the occult.
My favourite verse from the bible is Ephesians 6:10-20 The Whole Armour of God. Reading this particular passage gives me strength when I feel afraid. I also participated in Soundwells Light Course - a series of sessions to conduct our own experiment of faith. Working in groups, this course was so rewarding, especially when sharing each others stories and journeys. Since inviting Jesus into my life, the burdens that weighed me down for so long disappeared overnight.
I am hoping to get baptised in the next couple of months - another reason why I walked into St Stephen back in July. Having faith in God and attending the course has made me feel so differently. I still have ups and downs but in these dark times, thanks to God, I have energy, peace, love, truth and strength. Praise to you, Lord!
Carole worships at St Stephens Soundwell in Bristol.
Contemplate now
What first comes to mind when you think about what negativity you experience around and within you?
What does this scripture actually mean in practical terms? Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
If youre a church-goer, how do you think you come across to people who arent? If youre not, what stops you from going to church?
Meditate through the day
God knows and loves us more deeply than we know or love ourselves how do you explore that reality?