Tragedy Saved My Life
by Kelita H.
It all happened so quickly. The van spun out of control and rolled upside down in the ditch. Incredibly, no one was unhurt. Jumbled in the wreckage lay the musical gear I was taking on tour. That night, in that cold, dark ditch, I realized God was giving me a second chance at life.
Deception and tragedy
Up to that point, my life had been a mess. Deception became the norm for me early in life. Before I had even started school, my oldest brother was sexually abusing me. Compounded with a mentally unstable and alcoholic father, I discovered how to hide shame and guilt at a tender age.
The first of many tragedies struck my family when I was only 11. My father was distraught after my mother suddenly walked out on him, taking the children with her. Six months later, he took his own life. Within months of my father’s untimely passing, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My life felt numb
During this time, my mother, sister and I started attending a church. One night after a youth rally, I stood by my mother’s bedside and told her the incredible thing that had happened to me - I had asked Jesus into my heart.
The following summer, my mother passed away. I was 15. My younger sister and I were left with the ‘wicked’ stepfather. I had to grow up fast. Life was sad, but I leaned hard on my faith. Tragedy struck again later when my oldest brother died of an accidental heroin overdose.
At that point I was beginning to feel numb, ready for anything to happen. In my later teens, I moved away from home and no longer thought about God. I started to live a wild life, losing myself in parties, booze and drugs.
Life of Success
At 18, I was accepted into one of the top theatre programs at a
Amongst the success and struggle, not a glimpse of my former spiritual life could be found. I didn’t think I needed God any longer. Feeling stunted, trapped and unloved in the marriage, I began seeking fulfillment outside of it. Drugs, booze and sex played a big part in numbing the insanity of leading a desperately unhappy double life.
The new lifestyle went against the values I had once held dear, and I started to hate myself. I felt lost, empty and unloved. I pleaded with God to show me a way out of the horrid mess.
The Turnaround
That is when the accident happened. It was a big turnaround for me. I said, ‘Okay, God, I can’t live like this anymore. I am trusting in you once again.’ This started my healing journey.
With God’s help, I’ve been able to deal with the pain in my life. His healing changed my heart. It is miraculous what the Lord can do in a life when the reins are handed over to Him. God is so alive and real. I now have peace no matter what obstacles I face.
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.
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Further Reading:
Healing a Wounded Heart
Beyond Sadness
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