Joseph Johnson’s Testimony

Athlete, student, and respected by many but you can only go on for so long thinking you can do it on your own, without God. When I turned 19, things to a turn for the worst. For the longest time I could never figure out why I couldn’t get things right. I wanted to fight the voice, , that feeling that was telling me what I needed to do. What was this battle I was constantly fighting? Why couldn’t I just do what I knew was right? Questions I asked myself, questions without the answers made me turn to substances (meth and heroin). Seven years of walking that terrible path, just giving up, no hope. Last year my father passed away due to a motorcycle accident. It broke me and I had so much hate for myself. Through my brother, God brought me to Set Free Lake Elsinore. That is where I first realized that God used my brother to plant that seed so I could learn of my salvation, and know that no matter what happens in my life, I ill be forgiven. All I gotta do is submit myself to God’s will and ask. Still I wasn’t as strong as I thought I was. I blessed out to a second phase in Moreno Valley, CA, There I gave into my flesh and left, for a few months. I continued to give into my flesh. I got tired, tired of putting Jesus back on the cross. Once is enough. Today by the grace of God, I am in Phelan, CA Set Free. I have been given an amazing foundation built by God consisting and formed by my fellow brothers here at Set Free and God has already been working on reconciling my family. For this moment and chapter in my life, this is home until God says otherwise. I’m in no hurry. Two major thing I have learned-Philippians 4:6:”Be anxious for nothing, but in all things, with prayer and supplication; with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God;”and listen to God, actually take the time.If you don’t, believe me He will bring you to your knees and make you listen. Even the tragedies in my life were a blessing knowing to count it all joy when I fall into trials knowing that the testing of my faith produces patience, but let patience have its works so I may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. Today I thank God for everything, taking credit for nothing.

—Joseph Johnson