DAY 11

Shayan Tavakolynia | Re:Hope Motherwell

I met Jesus in a moment of despair and regret. It was almost like I was in the depths of the trenches with no way out. I tried very hard to claw my way out by myself but kept falling back into addiction and a lifestyle which promoted it.

After understanding and accepting that I wasn’t as strong as I may have once thought, I listened to advice my Dad always told me: “Why not call on Jesus?” I had heard many stories of Him rescuing people and many stories of freedom but I always thought “I can do it myself!” At this point I had also found a purpose I wanted to live for: family and the feeling of being loved and belonging. Not that it wasn’t there before, but I may have distanced myself from the feeling previously.

I went home and made a bold decision. I kneeled down and asked God: “Jesus, if You’re real, show Yourself to me and save me from this cycle I’m stuck in. Give me a new purpose in life.” I then repented for everything. It only felt like 2 minutes, but probably had me on the floor for about 30-45 minutes, with tears steaming down my face. My grey carpet had turned black due to how wet it had gotten. 

Now the story of answered prayer is: it has been maybe five or six years and, since that moment, I have received freedom and haven’t looked back. What I attempted multiple times with my own power and failed was achieved by shouting on Jesus’ Name once. He showed up and answered me.