• I developed a faith in God.

Sounds simple, huh? Well, the jist of it is this: as I approached 27 years old, I was exasperated and felt as though I was just existing and taking up space. It seemed that whatever I tried that it was only good for a few hours, a day, sometimes a couple days if I got "lucky".  I was at a point in my life where although I didn't know how to go about it, I was looking for my life to change. Even though I thought I had tried everything possible to get better, oddly enough I was still open for suggestions.

One Sunday in March of 1995 I was invited to a church service and reluctantly went. It was my first time in over 15 years and it wasn't like any church I had ever been to! From the moment of stepping through the doors, I sensed something different. I remember sensing such love and peace, although I honestly thought it would be over once I left! I was at a point in my life where I was not ready to be let down again.

All I knew was that when I walked into that church, I felt great and didn't remember ever feeling so much peace like that before. And I knew the calmness and peacefulness I was feeling was real. I have never taken anything that ever made me feel so calm before. No medication made me feel this alert and alive, I knew it had to be something real!

Within days of going to that church, I noticed that I had a little peace and the negative desires were not as strong as the usually were. Even though I felt calmer, I wasn't quite ready to give God the credit. I wasn't even sure if I believed in God. I was uncertain of my beliefs and not sure if I was ready for God as I spent most of my life blaming and questioning God why all this happened to me.

After going to that church I knew there was something different, but couldn't figure out what it was. I remember looking up as if I was talking to God and asked Him to be real to me. I noticed that the anxiety wasn't as strong, the urges to harm herself were lighter and I was able to think a little bit clearer. Perhaps to an outsider that may seem so small of a change, however, for someone like me, it was a big thing just to see a change. It was at that moment that I knew for a fact that God was real!

Then, I had gotten a bible and before I could read it, I got angry and threw it and when I picked it up, it was opened to a story about a man who cut himself.  As I read further, I read that Jesus healed the guy --- that caught my attention!  I got really angry because here I was with cutting and with many problems and Jesus healed this guys years ago. At that point  spent a few hours in my room yelling, swearing and debating with a God that I wasn't even sure I believed in.   

Then I challenged God, I told God I would give him 30 days to do something in my life, since then my life has never been the same!  What happened over the next 1 1/2 years was absolutely breathtaking! With the love and mercy of God, I forgave, learned to cope with the past and look forward to the future.  I forgave every person that harmed me, which was key to my healing. I have completely healed, recovered and overcome in every area!  I am no longer in therapy, no more medication, no disorders of any kind! It is my hope that you will come to the realization that you can overcome anything in your life, as nothing is hopeless!

Vicki Duffy on The 700 Club, October 2007
Shares the "30 Day Challenge" she gave God!