IN JULY

An attempted rape when I was young led me to be fearful of men. Thinking all men were the same, I developed an interest in the same sex. I hid my feelings from my family, and got into trouble a few times getting involved with married people. My fears transferred into other areas of my life as I would easily panic at even the smallest of problems. I had no peace. With the Holy Spirit, I gained peace and joy that I never had before. Problems still come, but I no longer panic in fear. Now I have self-control, and this brings me peace of mind.

I was insecure and hated my parents, but especially my mother, as she was physically and verbally abusive. I worried about what others thought about me, so I started lying about who I was. My sister and I didn't speak for a year despite living under the same roof. Then, aged 19, I was sexually abused. Depressed, anxious, nervous and unable to sleep well, I had zero peace. But through the Holy Spirit, I gained strength to forgive myself, my family and my abuser. Today I have the inner peace, love and joy I have always longed for.

My family's financial struggles motivated me to pursue a university education. After graduating, I worked for six years at a Nursing Home in Singapore. I was proud of it, yet I was unable to save or invest. Rejected from jobs in the Philippines due to age requirements, I felt insecure and jealous of the achievements of others. But with the Holy Spirit, my mindset shifted. Pride, insecurity, and jealousy hindered my growth so I took action to overcome those negativities. Since then, my life has changed for the better.