One Year Later

This is a tale of redemption. The story of how I turned my degenerate life around to overcome extreme hedonism and depression..

I am a millennial man who was raised by atheist boomers in Illinois + California. My parents, peers and the authority figures in my life failed to instill in me a sense of morality, honesty, bravery, patience, a desire for hard work or a genuine understanding of truth and love for just over 28 years. Although I was failed growing up, I still should have answered God's call sooner in life. I instead chose to indulge in the pleasures of this world, and dove head-first into the brokenness for many years..

I chose to have premarital sex with tens of different women. I struggled with an addiction to pornography and violent content. I smoked marijuana daily, drank alcohol to excess, and experimented with psychedelic drugs often. I smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a week, ate unhealthy + processed foods constantly and to a gluttonous extent.. I was weak and broken in almost all the ways. I consumed and abused substances, as well as people, in a selfish attempt to fill the emptiness of my soul, but nothing ever seemed to work. All of the happiness in my life was temporary.

This drove me into repetitive periods of depression + loneliness, and eventually pushed me within minutes of ending my life near the end of 2018. However, our Heavenly Father had other plans for me, and through divine intervention my suicide was prevented. This much needed wake-up call led me towards the Gospels, and an honest search for the answers to my problems. The Lord was patient with me, yet determined to help save my soul.

From the day I should have ceased to exist in this place, it still took many months to find enough answers and encouragement to get my act together. I still foolishly indulged in flesh pleasures and continued to deny reality. All in an attempt to avoid truly taking responsibility for my actions, and to delay beginning the necessary steps of improvement. I couldn't find the will to fight against my old habits and the obstacles of my environment. Until the night of April 15th, 2019 happened..

That was the night I finally repented for my many sins, and humbled myself before God. I honestly prayed for the first time, asking for forgiveness and direction, while also truly thanking Him for the many blessings I failed to appreciate. I poured my soul out before Him, offered my body + life to Him, and really meant it.. He responded to me in a glorious, beyond beautiful voice that was voiceless. That night I was put on a mission of knowing and understanding Him, finding the logos of His creation and the love of His presence. It is a night I can never forget, a night that began an epic story of redemption, and a night that saved a soul.

It has now been an entire year since my salvation night. I am completely sober, chaste, healthy, and faithful. I no longer drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or marijuana, nor do I have sexual relations with others, use pornography or engage in adulterous behaviors. I eat healthy foods in moderation, I soak up plenty of sunshine, exercise daily, and read regularly. But most importantly, I pray every night before bed, I read scripture constantly, I thank the Lord for every day I am given, and as a result I have been born again into the truth, the light, and the love of our God. 365 days after repenting for my sins, my life is now simply amazing.

I was weak, now I am strong. I was broken, now I am whole. I was dead, now I am alive. I was lost, but now I am found! And it has all been accomplished by first realizing I was suffering because of my actions, that my fear + anger was destroying me physically and spiritually. Then deciding to repent to my maker for choosing to do so, and asking with a honest heart how to overcome my sins and find His kingdom. The answers to our most important and urgent questions are found in the words + teachings of His only son, the reality I chose to ignore and deny for far too long.

Those who believe and trust in our creator will overcome all things. He held my hand as I overcame my addictions and flesh urges, He advised me as I searched for the truth, and He is always there for me when I need help. I strongly recommend you reach out to Him if you are struggling with life in this world.. He is patient, understanding, merciful, and waiting for you still.

I was lost, but now I am found. You can be too, it is never too late! Repent for what you have done, forgive what others have done to you, and love + be loved by our creator. If you ever need help, encouragement, advice, or just someone to listen please do not hesitate to reach out to me.. You can always email me [ seanvplanet@gmail.com ] or send me physical letters [ Sean Cory  PO BOX 330172  Nashville, Tennessee 37203 ] and I will be more than happy to talk with &/or help you!