Click issue in the legend to view a story of someone struggling with that issue.
Multiple Issues
College Student
19 Year Old Female
Forgiveness - one of the hardest things to do. It's something that's difficult for me to bring up honestly, because it's so close to my heart. For so long, I was so sad, confused, and just hateful. I was so angry at all the people who rejected me, who hurt me. I still sometimes get to that point, where I'm just pure anger, so sad and so hurt. I don't know why people do what they do, I don't. It's taken me about a month to sit down and actually write this, because there's such a war inside of my heart right now. This week, one of the biggest people who hurt me, passed away. It's brought everything up for me again, all the hurt, and all the pain. It's made me look at myself and question if I'm really going to give this up, and stop trying to fight it, or let it go. The person's dead for goodness sakes, and you'd think I'd be fully ready to give it up, but there's still so much anger in my heart. I question why people can hurt other people the way they do, why they can just walk away. But you know what, nobody's perfect. People hurt people out of their own pain and suffering. Everyone does the best they can on this earth, everyone. Everyone has been through something. Every single person on this earth, in your class, even your parents, could blame other people for what they've been through. Doesn't matter who you are, we can all blame that one person for why what happened to us did? But the question I have for you, is what do you want? What do you want out of this life and who do you want to be. Because holding onto that anger and what happened, you're going to let it slip through your fingers. As little kids we dream of who we want to be one day, you'll watch that person go by if you don't forgive. But they really hurt me, BUT NOTHIN. This isn't about them, this is about YOU and what you're going to fight for. That hurt will eat you alive if you let it, you'll look back forty years from now, and wish you would've given up that fight and set it down. None of this means that it's okay what they did, it doesn't make it right, but you deserve better than to be angry and lost for the rest of your life because of it!! I need to let go of what they did too, I'm bawlin like a baby, but the simple truth is this, it's not about why things happen in life, it's about what are you gonna do with it? Because everyone's given an opportunity to make it better, to make it right, and to live the life you were destined to live, are you gonna take it, or live in the chains of yesterday. I'm prayin for you.
My glory story is this guy named ______ that I really connected with, he literally had the same personality as me. Him and I talked for about 30 minutes and he just opened up to me about his Dad dying and how he had to be there for his mom and his little brother. Especially his little brother because his little brother looks up to him like a father and I just told him to just believe that his dad isn't dead and that his dad lives in him and that's why his little brother is drawn towards him because his dad will forever live within his heart, and that he has to take up that role as a father figure for his little brother because he will be a source of great inspiration and you will be able to help him mold into the man that he is meant to be, as well as you, so one day you can be a great father to your wife and your kids. Than we walked to the back and just chatted about random stuff. He really touched my heart because i saw a-lot of myself in him, it reminded me of where I was a couple of years ago, but it also gave me hope because i touched him in a deep personal level and because of that i'm confident that one day he’ll be a great father because of this day.
- AnonymousWe were at Iona Prep High School in NY with the Crusade Team for a couple days. On this particular day, there were two different events for the different grades. The first event was for the seniors and juniors. After their event, the missionaries got to eat lunch with them. I sat with this senior named ________. We were having a normal conversion until he started to ask deep questions about my beliefs. He then opened up about being an atheist. His mom is a Catholic by name and his dad is Jewish by name; he had no solid faith formation or role models, but still was curious about Catholicism. ________ is a science dude and had trouble believing in one power that could control everything. He reads the Bible for scientific answers, but I know he reads it because he is drawn to it truth. I continued to have a conversation with him and another missionary. He grew in interest and openness for the faith the more we talked. The bell rang and he had to go to class, and I felt inspired to write down three books of the Bible for him to read. So, I asked him to read the book of Wisdom, Romans, and Revelation; he seemed accepting and eager. The event for the freshmen and sophomores started and I was standing in the back, but then I turned around and saw ______ walking into the event. _______ skipped his last class to hear the message again. He started asking more questions and seemed really open to what Justin was sharing. _______ said he was going to try and make it to the Kick-Off event that Thursday. It was so beautiful to see someone who was so closed to the faith at first keep coming back for more. Sometimes, you just have to listen to people for where they are in their lives and just let God open their hearts through your acceptance of them, and _______ is a perfect example of that.
- AnonymousI was behind the screen running propresenter the whole event, and there was only one part of the audience that I could see. Justin was telling a generalized story of when he goes to prisons - how the guys hang their heads while he is giving the You’re Amazing message, and he says “pick up your head while I’m talking to you. You think your worthless, don’t you. Well, when I meet your kids, I know that’s not true because they never say my dad is worthless. They always say that they miss their dad”. During thee words the one boy that I could see picked his head up and I could tell by the way he was reacting that he felt he had felt like those guys in prison. So, I got Ben to cover for me, and I went up to him after the hugline and asked if I could pray with him. His name is _____. He just asked as he was holding back his tears that I pray that he can accept himself. As I prayed over him, this tall, strong football player began to cry. I knew the Holy Spirit was working because underneath where my hand was on his shoulder became really hot. I gave him a hug and encouraged him. Everytime he would look back at me, I smiled and he got the biggest smile. He even went to confession. I told him after that I was proud of him. It was so clear that he just needed someone to show him that he is noticed and that someone cares like God the father cares. I encouraged him before he left to share with someone what he was going through. I hope that he does! Please pray for him.
- AnonymousDuring the event at Don Bosco I was drawn to a boy whose name is _______. I talked to him and asked him what was on his heart. He opened up that he struggles with depression and that there were days that were hard to get through. He had never told anyone before, and I asked him if he thought today was the day to share what was going on and to get help. He said yes, and I prayed with him and made the event leaders aware of his struggle. He went up and shared later on in the event and gave his life to Christ at the end. He came up to me before he left and thanked me and said that the world needed more people like me. I was so encouraged because that day I was having a hard time being present in the event and felt unworthy of being there. God taught me through _______ that it’s not about me, or how present I feel, but that He works through me. God uses me in my weakness and only asks for my best effort and He does the rest. It brought me so much joy because _______ left Don Bosco with a smile that lit up his face and a spirit that was lightened.
- AnonymousWe went to Don Bosco Prep in Jersey. These kids were great. A ring formed around the joust and this one kid got dropped so hard that Justin, JC, and I literally had to stop a riot. It was so awesome! This one kid named ______ shared his three minutes of power. He shared about how his dad is an alcoholic and how bad he treats his mom. He was a tough kid so seeing him break down was intense. He ran outside and started crying. I went after him and he told me that he is not religious, but he respects and loves this mission. He shared with me that he and his mom celebrate every time his dad leaves for business. _______ said that going to Don Bosco was his escape. He loves his friends and the support they give him. Early in life _____ would act out in anger on a regular basis. He grew up being a bully. Lately he has realized that no one should have to go through what he has gone through. He said that acting out in anger only empowers his dad’s behavior. A few years ago, _______ decided that now was his time to love people, because you never know what your fellow man is going through. ______ is suffering well, and he blew me away with his wisdom. I want to love like ______ does.
- Anonymous