God Pursues. My Testimony at 19

I want to share my story—how Christ transformed my life and delivered me from sin.

I gave my life to Christ this year. I was born into a Catholic home and attended a Christian school, so I grew up surrounded by God’s Word and godly people. Still, at 13, I became an atheist. I briefly returned to the faith at 15, but lost it again a couple of years later. From 17 to 19, I was a hardcore unbeliever. I mocked God and His people, convinced I could never “delude” myself into believing in an “imaginary friend in the sky.”

But then I encountered God in church in a different city. This time, it wasn’t out of desperation or a need to cling to something higher. God revealed His love to me through His people. He kept me safe, provided for me, surrounded me with godly friends, and allowed me to feel an overwhelming love I had never experienced before. As an atheist, that moment struck even deeper. I knew—without doubt—that God is real and alive. I turned around and accepted Jesus again.

This time was different. I could see how the hardships in my past were shaping me for that moment, helping me appreciate blessings and understand life in a way I couldn’t before. I went from being a hardcore unbeliever to a follower of Christ, on fire for God.

Still, I had worries when I began this journey. At 19, I felt like I hadn’t “enjoyed” my youth enough. Now that I understood what the Bible teaches about good and evil, I knew I couldn’t make excuses for giving in to temptation. I feared I’d have to give up things I once enjoyed, but I trusted God to help me through.

One of the biggest struggles He freed me from was pornography. I had been addicted since I was 11, watching it daily until this year. When I encountered God, I was able to leave it behind. The temptation still comes, but now I have the strength not to give in—thanks be to God, who delivered me. I’m almost a year without it.

Yet, I still stumbled. As life’s challenges wore me down and I felt disconnected from the church, I gave into the sin of promiscuity. I was ashamed and disappointed in myself. I couldn’t believe I went that far, even as a child of God. But even then, I didn’t stop believing. God didn’t abandon me. He sent one of His children into my life, who led me to a new church community that welcomed me with open arms.

Through that, I was reminded again of God’s unfailing love. He never stopped keeping me safe, providing for me, and calling me back. After a Christian brother prayed over me, I finally surrendered fully and let go of my addiction. I went home and cleared out everything on my phone that could tempt me to fall back into sin. I know it wasn’t my own strength that carried me through, but the strength God gave me when I sought Him and accepted Him again.

Walking with Christ doesn’t mean my life is now perfect. I still stumble, I still sin, and I still sometimes let shame create distance between me and God. But He is not afraid of our sin. He came to save us from it. My testimony is this: when we keep seeking Him, He delivers us, He restores us, and He sets us free. He is the only one who can set us free.