I was raised as an atheist by two religiously opposed atheists. I didn’t even hear Jesus’ name as anything other than a swear word until I was 5 years old. I didn’t know His teachings, and what I did know about the Gospel and Christianity was filtered through people that had left the religion, and because of their own experiences looked down upon Christianity and cursed Jesus.
When I was 18, I got high on marijuana for the first time. I got high every chance I could after that, though I didn’t have regular access until I was 20. Once I got regular access to weed, I very quickly became addicted.
By the time I recognized my addiction for what it was, I was getting high every single day and even sometimes at work. I would spend the last of my money on weed. I had stolen it from someone I considered a friend at the time. The weed was making me more anxious and depressed, and I knew I had to stop, but every time I tried, I slipped right back into getting high.
In August of 2024 when I was 24, I felt compelled to watch The Passion of the Christ. I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. Jesus made Himself known to me through that movie, I felt it when He said,
“See, Mother, I make all things new.”
The next morning there was an undeniable knowledge that Jesus is Lord, that He is God. I gave myself to Him that day and I have been sober since without even a single craving for marijuana. I have virtually no anxiety now, and my depression is almost nonexistent. I went to church for the first time in my life. I was baptized on March 2nd, 2025.
He has made me new, just like He said.
Hi Jade, on reading your testimony one scripture that captures the mercy of God came to my mind- 2 Cor. 12:9. Where Jesus told Paul
I’m blown away by how fast Jesus got to you through a movie! I’m thinking it’s because He saw how unfair your circumstances were growing up with two atheist parents, who couldn’t let you know Him. I’m happy for you and also believe Jesus has a role for you in reaching others for Him. I hope you ve found a body of believers, a church to help you build stamina for sustenance in this narrow way. Congratulations.