I personally know people who, when they truly submitted to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, were set free from addiction to alcohol or drugs or pornography.
The testimonies of these people are inspiring and encouraging. They confirm what we Christians know: that God is good and that He is in the business of redeeming people.
For much of my life I was under the impression that I don’t have an incredible testimony, or one even worth sharing. I wasn’t freed from drug addiction—I’ve never been addicted to drugs.
God introduced Himself to me early in my life. My mama taught me about Jesus, helped me memorize the Lord’s Prayer at age five, sang hymns while doing her housework, and took me to church every week. At age seven, aware of my sinful nature and my need for a Savior, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and be my Friend.
God has always had His hand on me—guiding me, correcting me, comforting me. Even when I’ve ignored Him and given in to temptation, He is near and gracious to forgive when I ask Him to.
I don’t have a sensational, movie-worthy testimony of redemption.
My incredible testimony is that I cannot remember a time when He was not with me. I have experienced the feeling of Him being distant, but I know—because of the assurance of His Holy Spirit who dwells in me, because of His many, many answers to prayer (the “yes” answers are especially encouraging), and because of the incomprehensible peace He provides even in the midst of sorrow and loss, that He is always near, always good, and always mine. And I am His.
I also have His words of promise:
Ps. 139:1-6, which includes this beautiful and comforting assurance: You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high—I cannot attain to it.
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him.Ephesians 1:4 tells me that He chose me to be one of His own even before the foundation of the world. Now that is incredible!