Chris’ Story

A couple months before coming to Visalia Rescue Mission I was admitted into the hospital and I felt like I was going to die. I’ve always felt like I had to do things on my own and yet, every time I did it my way, I would fail or react poorly. I felt like I wasn’t amounting to anything; I’d hit rock bottom. At that point I didn’t feel like I was someone good enough for God, or worthy to accept His grace.

I came to Visalia Rescue Mission and joined the Life Change Academy. One of the most impactful things I experienced was the realization that I could come to God just as I was. It’s something that I’d heard several of my instructors say, and one day it just clicked. We don’t wait to have our lives together to come to God, He wants us just as we are. This changed my whole perspective about God and myself.

I had always been one to operate out of fear— fear of getting a job, my own place, moving ahead in life. However, now it was like I was able to inhale hope and exhale fear. It was as if this huge pressure had been lifted off my shoulders. This didn’t just impact my relationship with God, but in turn my relationship with others; with my family. When I came here those relationships were damaged. I wanted to wait until everything was fixed and clean, but I’ve realized the people in my life support me and are for me, just like God. I’ve learned that I can let other people into my life, it’s not just about doing everything on my own. I don’t feel alone anymore. God’s there and I’m surrounded with people that care about me.

I’m so thankful to have had a place and the space to learn how to lean on God. I’m not afraid of life anymore, I trust God’s leadership and timing, and there’s freedom in that- in Him.