I was forty-five years old before I began my relationship with Jesus.
I grew up not knowing much about Jesus. I lived with addictions, as those around me did. Then I moved away and met a good friend who invited me to join a Bible study each week. My interest in Jesus grew into love. I joined a local church and was baptized a year later, yet I fell into the same destructive habits.
I attempted to give up my habits but would resume them a month or two later, which made me feel guilty. I now know this feeling was God’s conviction. I talked aloud to the Lord and told Him how weak I was. After a few weeks, I noticed I had no desire for those habits anymore.
I decided to set a final quit date for my habits. Each day for the next month, I talked to the Lord and said, “Father, I am going to quit on September 5. I cannot do this without You, Lord, so I am claiming Your promise to provide me a way of escape.” On the morning of my quit date, I thanked God for giving me the victory.
When the Lord promises to provide a way of escape, He always comes through. I had to ask Him for the strength to overcome these sins in my life, and when I did, He not only gave me the strength, but He also took the desire away.
We are weak, and yet we are often too proud to ask for help. Jesus says all we need to do is ask, and it will be given. He is the provider of all things we need. It was not my willpower that set me free—that failed me many times—but the will of God that provided the way of escape. When we struggle with anything, all we must do is ask, seek, and knock.
Seek God daily, and He will draw close and give you the strength you seek. He waits to open the door.
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Lisa Pluth was born and resides in Northern Minnesota. She came to know Jesus late in life but is blessed to be free from the power of sin, made possible by the power and will of the heavenly Father.