The God Who Stays – Matthew West

I once thought I was a lost cause. I had given up; suicidal, hopeless, full of shame and guilt. Rape at a young age had taken away my self-worth and identity. I had buried it so deep within, locking that secret away…pretending it didn’t happen. That secret festered inside of me. The life I would attempt to lead was an exhausting effort to wear a mask, living in the flesh, trying to please everyone around me. In doing that, my choices were skewed, causing me so many more issues. I, myself, caused so much pain and at the same time, endured unimaginable circumstances. I thought I could never overcome the internal festering emotional pain. I drowned that pain with alcohol for almost two years. I did everything I could to eliminate myself from this earth. God had another plan. God saved me. Jesus held me when I could not hold myself. My family loved me through it and endured so much themselves.