Young Adults + Our Storiesনমুনা

Self-worth Found in Christ: Prescilla's Story

From the time I was in middle school, I struggled with how I felt about my body. I was a bright and funny kid, but I was the “bigger girl,” and boys would tease me, kick me, and pull my hair. I had parents who were smaller and could eat whatever they wanted, but I couldn’t.

When I got a cell phone, I would scroll and see skinny girls and people with clear skin, and I felt terrible about myself. Guys would want to hang out, but I quickly learned they only wanted me for sexual purposes, and when I said no, I was teased by others.

Even though I was smart, I felt less than people smarter than me. My parents usually had me on a diet or in a sport, but no one asked me what I wanted or how I was feeling. In high school, a boy took advantage of me, which was difficult to process. I spiraled and went to a dark place where I was angry at God that this happened. I couldn’t see anything but sadness. I lived with gray-colored lenses, and I put on happy faces but felt sad all the time. I tried drugs and sex, but it led to fights with my parents, my grades slipping, and bad rumors about me. There were times when I no longer wanted to live.

I started attending youth groups simply to please my parents, but the more I learned about God, the more he provided. I began to feel better as I removed myself from those negative situations. I prayed, and God provided.

I started surrounding myself with faith-based people and had a friend who shared her story with me. It was a terrible story, yet she was the happiest person I knew because of God. I wanted that, so she took me under her wing and encouraged me to read the Bible. Once I did, it lifted me and made me stronger. I began attending worship nights, praying, and reading the scriptures, which helped me heal.

I went to college and was accepted into a nursing program. Positive things happened on my path, and I understood it was God. I was in now God's plan, not the devil's or my own. I understood that my low self-worth and the things people did to me were acts of others and not God himself — he made me perfect in his perfect way. If he loves us perfectly, we should accept ourselves. The Holy Spirit is in our hearts and helps us become stronger and love others.

I truly believe God forgives me, loves me, and has a beautiful plan for me. Our walk of faith isn’t easy, but God is always walking with us.

Pray Over Your Story

Dear God, Thank you so much for being there even when I’m in darkness. I’m struggling with feeling good about myself because of what the world defines as beautiful, having clothes and things, and the way I look. Help me to spend less time on my phone or in areas where the things of this world make me feel less than. Help me grow in my relationship with you so that I can know you made me perfect and your opinion is all that matters.