Embracing Faith: A Journey Through Dysfunction, Resilience, and Redemption

Navigating Turmoil, Overcoming Strife, and Finding Healing Through Unyielding Faith

Within the confines of a household entrenched in dysfunction, blame became an insidious currency, unfairly burdening my youthful shoulders. Born into a space eclipsed by my father's relentless battle with alcoholism and my mother's unyielding struggle with schizophrenia, I was thrust into a realm of chaos and unspoken battles.

2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

Amidst the cacophony of our home, echoes of accusations such as "It's your fault that mum is crazy" reverberated, an unjust indictment that marked my formative years. This blame, unjustly attributed, etched a narrative of unworthiness within me, a burden that shadowed my every step.

In the midst of this turmoil, a transformative encounter unfolded during a Christmas gathering hosted by Rita Margaret who would be the person who shares the gospel with me years later in my early twenties and bring me to the saving faith of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Little did I know then that this encounter would seed the roots of a future guided by faith, hope, and healing.

Psalm 139:14: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Behind the facade of academic excellence presented in public spaces lay a tapestry of emotional tumult, concealed to adhere to a code of silence imposed by familial dysfunction. The burden of maintaining a facade in family gatherings became a heavy cloak, masking the turmoil that brewed within.

Navigating the intricate dynamics of my upbringing, my resemblance to my mother became a source of ridicule from my siblings. However, my mother's descent into the abyss of schizophrenia was not an innate trait; it began post my birth, plunging her into a realm of torment and hallucinations.

Isaiah 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

While academic accomplishments offered solace, dreams of higher education at a prestigious institution were stifled by familial coercion, redirecting me to a nearby college. Juggling academic pursuits and part-time employment became the norm as I shouldered the responsibility of financing my own education.

The corporate realm, initially perceived as an escape, mirrored the tumult of my upbringing, echoing emotional scars and social discomfort, perpetuating a cycle of inner strife.

Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

In the midst of this tempest, an unwavering faith in Christ emerged as my fortress. Guided by therapy and the unwavering support of a compassionate Christian community, I embarked on a journey towards healing, dwelling in solitude, detached from the cacophony of my past, healing one day at a time.

#FaithJourney #FindingPeaceThroughFaith