I was born into a family that believed in Jesus. Even though I was born into it, I didn’t necessarily have a relationship with Jesus. I didn’t really know who he was or how Jesus could change my life, and I didn’t read the Bible too much. I learned a few verses and stories, and I did hear the name Jesus from a very young age, but that was about it when it came to the Bible and who Jesus was.
As I got older, my grandmother(Nanny) always talked to me about the Bible, how I should read it, and how it will help me. I remember thinking to myself. “Here I am, crying to you about my rough day, and you want me to read the Bible. How is that going to help me?”
What ultimately started the journey?
I was dealing with challenges in my mid 20's
In my mid 20’s, I was going through (what I considered) a rough time. Of course, it could have been worse, but it could’ve also been better at that point in my life. I didn’t know what I was doing in life and was working a lot. I was newly single and getting used to a new way of living, wondering what I wanted to do next.
During the first year of working at the new job, I was having fun, hanging out with friends, etc.; at the same time, I was hurting inside and yearning for more in life. Life didn’t go as I had planned in my head, as most people experience. That also includes mistakes I’ve made that I wasn’t too proud of.
What was I feeling?
I felt guilty, unworthy, and lost. I feared I was making one of the biggest mistakes of my life then, but I was tired and likely not in the right mindset.
A dream of mine was going down the drain. I wanted a complete reset on life. A complete change and redo. In a way, I tried to run away from my pain and guilt.
There was no way I wanted to experience this pain and guilt daily for the rest of my life, so I wanted to start seeking ways on remedying that. I wanted to feel more like myself again.
I had the Desire to Change and Grow.
At this point, I wanted to move along in life, but I didn’t know how or where to start. I wanted to better myself and grow. Explore and learn.
I had this itch regarding ideas like investing and thinking outside the norm for some time. Still, I never really investigated it, partly because I heard investing was dangerous.
Then I started thinking about the Bible and the seed that Nanny planted on how to read it. If the Bible is true and the answer to life, there is only one way to find out. That would be to read it and study for myself. To discover and see if Jesus could change my life in a powerful way.
So, I started to discover wisdom in the Bible.
I took Nanny's advice and started to explore the Bible.
I did things like research online to see what others’ viewpoints were. I read about atheists and got their views. One personal story from an atheist said they started to read the Bible to see why it’s wrong but then ended up unable to see why it’s wrong and became a Jesus Christ follower.
After researching viewpoints and discoveries of the Bible, I began randomly reading Bible verses. I didn’t know where to start, and instead of forcing myself to read whole books in the Bible, I did tiny chunks and built up from there.
What was a significant verse I came across that sparked my curiosity?
One of the first few verses I came across was in Matthew 6:31-33 about entering the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and everything will be added on to you:
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So I thought, “Well, if this is true, then this is very important.” Seeking his kingdom and righteousness should be above all else because everything else will work well and fall into place with him above it. None of it will matter if he’s not above it because there is no base for it to stand on.
This means money, clothes, relationships, and a house. You name it. God knows what to add to you. So, one of my tasks was figuring out what that meant, which opened up a whole new mindset beyond what I imagined.
I don’t think I had the complete idea at the time that the Bible was full of true stories to learn from. I knew the Bible was about God, but it didn’t hit me yet that it accounts for real people and their journeys and stories.
I came across more simple yet powerful verses.
So, I slowly started to study it. I wanted it to be in as natural of a way as possible. As mentioned, I began by reading a few verses here and there by opening it to random pages—some of the concepts talked about made a lot of sense. You can’t argue with it. For example, Proverbs 21:9 says:
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
You can’t argue that. It’s true. There is no point in nagging anyone. It doesn’t do any good, and it doesn’t change a person. There are different ways to approach areas you think a person can improve, but there are better ways to do it than nagging. I had to learn about nagging the hard way, but I realized that it doesn’t work.
Proverbs 10:4 talks about laziness. Yes, the Bible even talks about matters like laziness:
Lazy hands make for poverty,but diligent hands bring wealth.
Again, you can’t argue with this verse. If you are being lazy but complaining that you don’t have money, it’s time to look in the mirror. This verse tells you about a problem you may have if you don’t have money. If the Bible is true, then that makes this verse true, and not only that, but you see laziness in everyday life and what it brings.
We all have experienced/experience laziness, but if it gets out of hand, we’d be in serious trouble. We’d allow all kinds of issues into our daily lives.
Simple verses like the ones above started to help me perceive the Bible differently. It’s not a book with rules and regulations. It’s knowledge of how to live a good and Godly life. God would know since he did design life. I began to realize that the Bible is there to help me live better, not to condemn me.
From there, I wanted to keep investigating if the Bible was true.
My curiosity started to roll in as I researched and read Bible verses. I began to believe that maybe there is meaning behind the Bible. The Bible wasn’t what I perceived it to be, so I was ready to take it to the next level.
I read and heard that the four gospels would be a good place to start, which are:
So, I read those to continue my journey to see if the Bible was true. I had questions after reading these, but it gave me a good start and insight into who Jesus was and what he did, and I continued the mission.
There were unexplainable events and turning points happening.
I was in a miserable situation, and God led me through it, praise God.
I started to notice and experience events in my life that I began to look at differently. Jesus was changing my life. He had been changing my life all along, way before then, but I was becoming more aware of God’s presence.
Within months of me working at my first job after college, something happened that made me contemplate and think. I was becoming miserable due to some serious issues at the company that crossed the line.
My miserableness pushed me to want to work for another company. The events that drove my desire to work for another company weren’t accidental. It lined up too perfectly. God got me out of the miserable situation.
How did I feel about the change?
At first, I resisted the change, but as I was becoming more and more miserable in that current situation, I got to a point where I felt like I didn’t have a choice and had to go to a different company. I really didn’t want to leave where I was, but it was time.
The interesting part is, working for the first company gave me the skill set I needed to work and do well for the second company. So as miserable as I was, there is no denying the experience I gained from being there, and I was thankful for that.
In a way, this situation reminded me of Jonah and the whale. The boat was rocking until he was thrown overboard. Then the storm calmed, as shown in Jonah 1:12:
Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
It was as if God was saying, this is where I want you. Now go. And thankfully, I finally did. This situation started to wake me to who God was, even though I still wasn’t quite sure.
How God's guidance now impacts my life decisions.
With God guiding me, I try not to over-worry about whether or not I’m making the correct decisions. I may make a mistake and pick the wrong decision. I may think I’m diligently planning, but then find out I messed up or take a chance even though I know I shouldn’t, but with God guiding me, he will walk me through it as I have learned. I may have to face the consequences in the meantime, but in the end, I know he won’t allow me to get into anything I can’t handle, so I don’t fret.
Sometimes facing the consequences is God guiding me. Depending on the severity of the result, there will be less of a chance of making the same mistake. The more I make the same mistake, the harder it will stick because, eventually, I’ll get tired of making the same mistake. Some things we learn faster, some things not so much, but in time, with God’s guidance, you will learn.
I’m more willing to step out of the boat regarding certain decisions, sometimes by being pushed into the corner. Still, I feel more confident knowing I’m not going in alone. It’s not just me, I have the ultimate backup who is perfect.
After my eyes opened a bit, I started to study money.
I wanted to follow the guidance on money to see if the Bible was true.
I wanted to keep going to see if the Bible was true, and money came to mind. I decided to study the Bible on money since it teaches you about different aspects of life. I began to research verses about money on the computer and read through them.
Somehow, I found out that the wisdom books in the Bible had quite a bit of wisdom on the subject. I started reading those books along with other non-biblical books on money.
Still, I knew that if the Bible was true, I needed the foundation on how to handle money to know what in this world matched up to what the Bible says. That came with the process automatically.
I applied what I learned in the Bible about money to my life.
I put into practice the Bible verses about:
saving
giving
investing
working
and not being lazy
And, low and behold, they work! I began by finding ways to save money. I cut out expenses where I could. I was still also giving to people during the process of saving.
I shared what I could give from a cheerful heart. To have the means to do this, I worked. Once I had an excess amount of savings after paying off debt, I started to invest since I now had a better understanding it’s good to invest.
Jesus changed my life regarding money and understanding it more than I did. Handling money may seem simple, but why do people seem to struggle if it is so simple?
Having a manual that is the truth and the final say on how money works is very helpful. It’s a guide you can’t argue with, so you might as well follow it and give it a shot.
I think that people who may not even believe in Jesus become rich because they follow the laws of money written in the Bible. If they follow them, how much more should Jesus followers?
What I learned from this experience with money and the Bible
God led me each step of the way in the right direction. Even when I made mistakes, I always seemed to come out of it, and it’s not by my doing. The ideas he has led me to weren’t by accident. That’s how I learned about cryptocurrencies and other knowledge about what’s going on in the world past the surface level. Yes, I studied, researched, and sought, but to this day, I understand that God led me to what I needed to find.
I didn’t just sit there in the nest. I flew out searching, expecting to find something, and God took care of the rest. I’m still learning about money and growing it, but the steps I have taken based on Bible teachings have gotten me further in the right direction. Jesus taught me a better way to handle money when I had no clue what money was, and he changed my life by doing so.
What else works through God's guidance if the Bible works regarding money?
My wisdom and knowledge have grown with God through God's amazing grace.
After continuing to read the Bible, my knowledge about life has grown tremendously. God tells you why you are living and how to live. With this knowledge, my outlook on life completely changed. My thoughts are changing. Even my demeanor has changed.
For example, the Bible helps me work through negative thinking. Sometimes my negative thoughts seem overwhelming, like regret, but then I remember what the Bible says concerning my life in Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
So when regret pops up, I remember this verse and have hope for a great future, which helps me to shoo away that negative thought.
So, everything in life works with God’s guidance. He will guide us on not just money but also in other areas, such as:
where to live
how to act
What clothes to buy and what to wear
When to give and when not to give
What to say and what not to say
how to handle health issues or depression
what to eat
how to help someone
what school to go to
what business to start
He will guide us in every area. He’ll show us back on the path even if we try to get off track.
I wanted to Build a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
I became increasingly curious and started building a relationship with Jesus because I wanted to. Several years later and I’m completely hooked on Jesus. He guides me through the Holy Spirit. To my knowledge, I understand what he did on the cross for us as described in the gospels. It has changed every aspect of my life. I want to harness what he did for us, including accepting the gift of eternal life.
Did you 'get right' before you built a relationship with God?
No, I did not. You don’t have to ‘get right’ before going to God. I was still sinning (I still do, but I’ve come a long way) while reading the Bible, but the important thing is I was still seeking him. He wants to keep building a relationship with you, no matter what. That’s the crucial part, and everything will fall into place. He will guide you.
Because of this relationship, my character is building. I’m learning to be at peace because I understand that Jesus is in control. He is guiding me and has my best interest at heart. When I start to fret, I remember who my Father is. Even If my faith tries to waver, he’s there to pick me up.
The Bible: The True Manual to Life
I've learned life lessons from various Bible teachings.
I’ve learned all kinds of life lessons from God’s word. From laziness and being a good worker to how to be a good friend, wife, and neighbor. From fear and love to why humans are where they are today and everything in between. Life began to get better and more interesting as I learned the lessons and teachings in the Bible.
Through these life lessons I’ve read and picked up on from the Manual to Life, life doesn’t seem all that scary. I feel better equipped to live life. When life seems complicated, I remember who God is, who I am, and the lessons I’ve learned to keep my head straight.
What's an example?
I remember the fact that God replaced the things Job lost plus with more when I feel like I lost something or time, as seen in Job 42:10:
The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
This verse is a pleasant reminder and a lesson. God can make up and restore what you lost, plus more. So why fret about past mistakes or regrets? I remember this and keep my head up, looking to a brighter future.
The Bible as a mirror for personal growth
It’s a mirror of the good in you and a mirror for the areas you could improve on in life, which improves your well-being overall. It explains to you how to improve your character.
The Bible is the actual manual to life. It has changed my mindset so drastically in all areas of my life that I cannot deny the power of the Bible. I cannot deny that Jesus changed my life in a powerful way.
The Bible has shown me my good characteristics, such as:
giving
helping others
the fruit I’ve produced
But I also have/had areas that need work, such as:
learning to forgive(including forgiving myself)
being patient
learning what true joy is
The Bible explains why areas like these are essential to be aware of. Sometimes it’s hard to get over the fact that this manual has been sitting at the tip of my fingers this whole time, my whole life.
It’s like going into life head-on without a clear direction. Then because life seems so messed up, you realize there has to be more to this and a better way to live, so you start to study how and tweak your life accordingly.
It’s comparable to getting a job. Usually, you have some training, but you likely hit the job tasks head-on and build up from there. You learn what you need to tweak through trials, mistakes, and guidance as you go.
That is how Jesus changed my life in a powerful way.
My journey with Jesus has been nothing short of transformational. I have someone I can genuinely trust, never to leave me. When I need help or guidance, Jesus is there. I know that:
The Bible is not a book of rules and regulations. It’s the manual to life in all aspects, from finance and relationships, to experiencing joy. The Bible is there to help you.
Opening my heart to Jesus and the holy spirit has shaped my character and outlook on life and continues to do so. The more I build this relationship, the more relaxed, patient, peaceful, and confident I am at handling life’s challenges.
Letting Jesus transform me is not about striving for perfection or ‘getting right’ before going to God. He loves us as we are and meets us where we stand. It doesn’t matter what our mistakes are or what our flaws are. He wants us to experience his complete love, transformation, and guidance for a happier, healthier life.
If you are curious about starting a Journey with Jesus, you won’t regret it. Jesus changed my life in a powerful way, and he can change yours too. If you seek truth and wisdom, it’s with Jesus, written down for you. Some stories may seem off the wall, but keep an open mind and keep going until you start to grasp it.
It seemed odd to me when someone said, Jesus changed my life, or God changed me. A friend told me, “The Bible is alive. The words are alive!” I’m thinking, “What does she mean alive?” My Nanny would say the same thing too.
Now I have a better understanding. Words are powerful, and the words in this book work even today because they will never change. You can always rely on God and his Word.
So, take a chance and get out of the boat to see how God can change your life in a powerful way (if you haven’t already). The creator of the universe loves you. God came down as Jesus to show us who we are and how to live. He wants us to have joy and wisdom in life. I hope your journey with Jesus brings you the happiness, blessings, and transformations you’ve been seeking for.