Christ-tinted Eyes

For 17 years I spent my life living for me. I thought about myself, my goals, my wants, and how I could please myself. I lashed out on others whenever I felt threatened and I took revenge on whoever made me unhappy. I was depressed and had zero self-esteem. In my lowest moments I looked to the wisdom of the world for advice. I had come to hate everyone around me and I ended up in a psychiatric hospital 6 times within the span of three years. I was on as many as 8 different mood-stabilizing medications that worsened my depression and drove me to attempt suicide.

These circumstances forced me to do a serious self-examination. Why was I in a psych hospital? Why did I ruin all the relationships in my life? Why was I so depressed? During visiting hours one night, my Mom brought me the book "The Purpose Driven Life". The moment she told me it had anything to do with God, I had little interest. I avoided reading it for weeks, when eventually out of sheer boredom, I opened it. The first chapter was called "It's NOT About You". It was exactly what I needed to read. I realized that by focusing so intensely on myself and ignoring God, I had run myself into the ground. God was my lifeline, and I could no longer "reach within myself" for strength. I had to turn to Him.

It has been two years of growth in Christ since these events happened. God's work in my life has been evident. He has restored my relationships, cured my depression, and given me Christ-tinted eyes to see the world with. I am so happy to say that God is my Father, and that Jesus alone has saved me from myself!