My Testimony

[Iarrthoir]

My testimony is a work in progress. Testimonies are new to me, but here goes. I was raised in the church. It actually claimed to be Baptist. Part of the Southern Baptist. Got saved in that church at about age 6. That's when the trouble started. All I knew growing up was church. However didn't like going because I got bullied and beat up regularly at my church. So I learned not to like it. Only went when I had to, which was every Sunday, Wednesday and sometimes Friday I believe. Because church was a bad experience for me growing up, I learned to resent it. The reason for this was because when I was younger, I struggled with epilepsy. Many in the church I grew up going to believed that meant I was going to hell. For a long while I did too.
As such it took about 20 years before Christ could reach me. As for how, I will continue some other time. Right now it's late and I have church tomorrow. So I will get back to it soon. Until then, good night everyone and have a blessed Lent, Holy Saturday, and Easter/Passover.

 

[R. Hartono]

church was a bad experience for me growing up,The reason for this was because when I was younger, I struggled with epilepsy. Many in the church believed that meant I was going to hell.

God commanded us to love one another, those who failed to understand it and even mock and bully the weak will be cast out into eternal fire. Dont be afraid with those hypocrites, many are called few are choosen, just pray for them for thats what God teached us.

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

I have had epilepsy myself since I was 15, so going on about 22 years. I know the struggles. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 8, then proceeded to get baptized at my church I attended at the time. I stopped going to church for a long time, had a "falling away" ,as it were, then through all the difficult times even though I wasn't walking the straightest path, God disciplined, corrected and called me back. He never let go as he promised he would always be there. Over the last few years he has rekindled my spirit. He has healed me in ways I didn't know needed healing. Now my heart is on fire for him. I talk about Jesus to everyone, everywhere, and boldly might I add. I used to fear repurcussions for it, I used to not make time for church, I used to disregard a daily devotional reading, I used to disregard a lot. I was really selfish in a lot of ways. The more I seek to be closer to him, the more he shows me how. He has blessed me at work because I am not scared to lose the job I have because of him. And just for some edification, the man who had the lunatic son (the one cited to have epilepsy in scriptures), I've poured over it many times. Always keep in mind that you are a child of the Most High. You have accepted Christ ( and been baptized??) [believe and be baptized] so everything else is secondary to his power. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is the same power that cast the sprit out which vexed the boy. God's healing isn't always what we expect. You may have epilepsy all of your life, you may not. I think I will for example. However, it is definitely a tool that he has given me to use. That believe it or not makes you special in a way others are not. It isn't super common, and if its controlled, then you really have a testimony about grace. Afflicted by epilepsy is just a symptom of being in the flesh. We have imperfections, we have struggles, which all point to the fact that this whole shebang isn't home. As Paul so eloquently put it, we have a dual citizenship. He also had an ailment which God would not remove. His grace will sustain us.
Thanks for sharing your testimony. There will always be different parts and aspects of it that you'll see fit to share at different times with different people according to what the spirit moves you to say. Don't think your testimony is always the same cookie cutter telemarketer script. God will reveal himself to you in a new way every day and build upon what he has established in you.
God bless.

 

[thesunisout]

My testimony is a work in progress. Testimonies are new to me, but here goes. I was raised in the church. It actually claimed to be Baptist. Part of the Southern Baptist. Got saved in that church at about age 6. That's when the trouble started. All I knew growing up was church. However didn't like going because I got bullied and beat up regularly at my church. So I learned not to like it. Only went when I had to, which was every Sunday, Wednesday and sometimes Friday I believe. Because church was a bad experience for me growing up, I learned to resent it. The reason for this was because when I was younger, I struggled with epilepsy. Many in the church I grew up going to believed that meant I was going to hell. For a long while I did too.
As such it took about 20 years before Christ could reach me. As for how, I will continue some other time. Right now it's late and I have church tomorrow. So I will get back to it soon. Until then, good night everyone and have a blessed Lent, Holy Saturday, and Easter/Passover.

He will make you into a new person and give you a new heart which desires to please Him in everything.

 

[Grace2022]

My testimony is a work in progress. Testimonies are new to me, but here goes. I was raised in the church. It actually claimed to be Baptist. Part of the Southern Baptist. Got saved in that church at about age 6. That's when the trouble started. All I knew growing up was church. However didn't like going because I got bullied and beat up regularly at my church. So I learned not to like it. Only went when I had to, which was every Sunday, Wednesday and sometimes Friday I believe. Because church was a bad experience for me growing up, I learned to resent it. The reason for this was because when I was younger, I struggled with epilepsy. Many in the church I grew up going to believed that meant I was going to hell. For a long while I did too.
As such it took about 20 years before Christ could reach me. As for how, I will continue some other time. Right now it's late and I have church tomorrow. So I will get back to it soon. Until then, good night everyone and have a blessed Lent, Holy Saturday, and Easter/Passover.

Well done for sharing this. I am sad that yiu have had so much pain to deal with.
Now your personal relationship with Christ is the vital key. The next is find a church where there are true believers who live as Christ instructed. With love.

 

[1watchman]

Keep the Lord Jesus close in your heart and you will be much blessed, as well as "born again" (John 3). When we walk and talk with the Lord Jesus daily we find: "...a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). See also 1 Jn. 5:10-12 for assurance.

We need to find our peace and joy in the Lord, not in man; so just smile and turn away from the bad behavior, and pray they will have their spirit changed. God will raise you up above the tormentors!

 

[Iarrthoir]

Thanks for the replies and prayers. To go on, the hardest part was family. Those that should have backed me up. Well they didn't, instead I got disowned. Told I "meant less than a female dog in heat" to one of my parents. Yes one of them actually said that to me. They said this to me after I gave everything to a girl I dated. Yes I'm a guy and got disowned over Purity issues.
When I got disowned, they put me on the streets. Was not even allowed access to my medication for epilepsy I needed at the time. Thankfully the Lord healed me of it or I would be dead. One thing my parents taught me is that I have no value. The only value I had is gone. This was done in the name of Christianity. Before this happened, I found out that the idea was to arrange a marriage with a rich girl of their own choosing. They didn't know any by the way.
I was told that this was all my fault that things weren't working out. Long story short, I had to get out of town to make progress. There is more to the story. However due to long years of wrong done in Christ's name I'm soul searching. Sometimes churches have helped for a time. However they give up after a while.
Currently taking Bible classes right now. Learning how to give everything to the Lord. He is the most high God after all. Been through much and He has been good to me even when I wasn't to Him. Don't know where I belong if anywhere. Yet the Lord has brought me through much. Please pray that I find His perfect will for me in His timing thanks. God bless everyone.

 

[Iarrthoir]

Thanks for the replies and prayers. To go on, the hardest part was family. Those that should have backed me up. Well they didn't, instead I got disowned. Told I "meant less than a female dog in heat" to one of my parents. Yes one of them actually said that to me. They said this to me after I gave everything to a girl I dated. Yes I'm a guy and got disowned over Purity issues.
When I got disowned, they put me on the streets. Was not even allowed access to my medication for epilepsy I needed at the time. Thankfully the Lord healed me of it or I would be dead. One thing my parents taught me is that I have no value. The only value I had is gone. This was done in the name of Christianity. Before this happened, I found out that the idea was to arrange a marriage with a rich girl of their own choosing. They didn't know any by the way.
I was told that this was all my fault that things weren't working out. Long story short, I had to get out of town to make progress. There is more to the story. However due to long years of wrong done in Christ's name I'm soul searching. Sometimes churches have helped for a time. However they give up after a while.
Currently taking Bible classes right now. Learning how to give everything to the Lord. He is the most high God after all. Been through much and He has been good to me even when I wasn't to Him. Don't know where I belong if anywhere. Yet the Lord has brought me through much. Please pray that I find His perfect will for me in His timing thanks. God bless everyone.

 

[Southernscotty]

Welcome Larrthoir, I am so sorry for your past. God loves you so much and is wanting you to be happy and at peace and enjoy life. I can promise that although man will let down, God never will. Your Father in heaven loves you with Agape Love and it the purest form, :] Bless you :]