I had no control over my life

“My father passed away when I was a teenager. Since he was the breadwinner, everything changed at home. Things became very difficult. I would go to school hungry and have nothing to eat when I got home. That situation pushed me to make friends with the wrong crowd. They introduced me to smoking and stealing to support our addictions.

I started by smoking glue, but after some time, it was no longer enough. I needed something stronger, so I tried dagga and started drinking alcohol excessively. I became entangled in a life of crime to support my addictions. I stole clothes from people’s washing lines and sold them to feed my addiction. Eventually, I joined a group of men who broke into people’s houses to steal. I knew I had to quit the life of crime because many of my friends died because of our criminal activities, and I was also arrested numerous times. I lost control over my life. I didn’t know who I was any more when I was sober.

I also became very aggressive, and I once beat someone so badly that he ended up in the hospital. That incident made me reflect deeply on my life. I went to the hospital to see the person I’d hurt who was severely injured. I apologised to him, and in that moment, I realised that I needed to change, but I didn’t know how. 

My mother cried whenever she saw me. She begged me to quit my addictions and live a decent life. This situation made me miss my father. I often thought things would be different if he was still around. I sought guidance from my uncles, but they didn’t have time for me. I felt alone, like no one cared. I wanted to change, but felt hopeless and powerless because I didn’t know where to start.

One day, while walking past the Universal Church, I wondered if that might be the place where my life could change. The following Sunday, I attended a service there, and from that day, I kept going back there. I felt different after that first service. Each time I went to church, things started to change in my life. 

Through the teachings in the church, I learnt how to use my faith to transform my situation. I participated in the chains of prayer for my deliverance. I was freed from my addictions and managed to turn my life around. I no longer had the desire to smoke or drink and I stopped associating with the wrong crowd. Soon afterwards, I found a job and God continued to bless my life. 

I am married and I am a responsible husband and father. I own a house and work for a prominent company. My priority is to please God. Now I want to help others the way I was helped,” said Joshua.