Madison Pearson

I’ve grown up in a Christian household. I went to church almost every Sunday, and I went to Sunday school as well. But I never really felt any connection to God, like it was meaningless. Throughout the years leading up to middle school, I had put my faith on hold, going to church less. That was until 8th grade, when I was struggling with grief from the previous year, when I had lost my grandma and one of my good friends in a terrible accident. That accident made me question God. I would ask myself, “If God is real, why would such horrible things happen?” During that time, I really struggled, yet I kept all my emotions to myself, hiding them away from everyone to show I could handle it, and I was strong. Yet, I would cry nearly every night, barely getting any rest. I would get mad at myself if I cried and realized another way to deal with my emotions instead was that anytime I was mad or upset at God or the world, I would run. Thinking I could just run away from all my problems and grief. Then, a couple of months later, I tore and broke my ankle. I wasn’t able to try to run from my issues anymore. I had hit “rock bottom.” Things just started piling onto me. I didn’t want to be here anymore, but then my friend dragged me to my church’s youth group again, and I used that as another try for myself during that time. At the youth group, we share our highs and lows, which may not sound like much, but when you share, you realize other people are there for you and listening to what you have to say. I noticed how everyone there had at least one thing in common: God. I took that as a sign and decided to turn to God again. I started going to church, hiking to surround myself in his creation, going to youth group, and praying. Those small actions changed so much in my life, and I realized the strength in faith. I started to go on church trips, heard others’ testimonies, and would surround myself with others who drew me closer to God. God has saved me from the darkest time in my life, and I pray others struggling are able to find him as I did.