In 1996, I was taken to the prison hospital and then transferred to John Oxley Memorial Hospital, the mental home. The doctor said I was schizophrenic. I asked the doctor, “What do you mean, doctor?” and he simply added, “Schizophrenia is a disease and there's absolutely nothing we can do to cure it, although there is treatment and you will need medication for the rest of your life,” he continued. From then on I was their guinea pig.

 

I had been hospitalised more than a dozen times, sometimes up to six months. Imprisoned and charged with innumerable offences,  I spent many days in police stations, court rooms and mental wards.

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Eight birthdays and seven Christmases, I spent locked up between four walls and barb wired fences all around me. There were times when the only way out was just to get life over and done with. I contemplated suicide on many occasions. I wished the earth would just swallow me alive for there wasn't any real reason for me to live. I had no job, no family, no place to live, no car, no license, no real friends and absolutely no idea who on earth I really was.

 

My future looked very dull, lonely and it was a really dark existence. The radio and television kept creeping into my head with negative thoughts which kept telling me lies that led me to hate, steal, cheat, destroy and do things against my wishes. Little did I know I was under the devil's commands and he was controlling my every move.

 

More doctors, more appointments and more pills, medication and other drugs. It wasn't pretty, my friend. The medication treated me alright. I was up one day and the next I was down. One day I was sad and the next day, happy as Larry. There was not one day the same. I was anxious, depressed, worried and desperately seeking God out of the despair I found myself in.

 

I said to God, “God if you sent Your son Jesus in the world 2000 years ago to cure men and women from diseases like cancer, blindness, raised the dead, the demon possessed you set free, lepers were touched, restored so many others, then I believe there is no problem to heal me from this schizophrenia sickness.”

 

I pleaded with the Lord and prayed over and over. I commanded the illness to leave my body in the name of Jesus. I prayed these words out loud, “Lord please forgive me for my sins, come into my heart right now and dwell inside me. Renew my mind, renew my strength and heart too”.

 

As soon as I finished this prayer, I believed this prayer was heard. Then I let God do the rest. Today I'm healed by the power and faithfulness of God. By the blood of Jesus I became free. I was once a captive in my own prison and the power of the resurrected King activated within me a mighty miracle. Living in the miraculous power of His resurrection made it possible for me to see God face to face for the person He really is. I have been completely healed by His blood. I no longer smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. The last time any medication was prescribed to me was over 15 years ago.

 

When you have God's favour, you don't need anything else but His Holy Spirit and a relationship with Him. I have a full time job as a tradesman and run a small painting business. I have a license and drive my own car. In 2009 I completed a Certificate IV in Youth Work, Juvenile Justice, Drug and Alcohol Counselling and Mental Health. I completed some biblical studies the next year. In 2011 I was married to my wife and together we have two children. I have a great future with genuine people in my life. God has huge plans for me. He even gave me a dream and a vision. Praise be to the Lord! Praise God for His unlimited wisdom and power! Praise Him for His unfailing love, provision, abundant peace and joy! All you earth, Praise the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord! Today He is still the same because He never changes. Although our world is always changing, Christ never changes!

 

I Used to Be Lost

 

I used to worry and struggle within,

Not satisfied with sin after sin.

Lost in the world,

Chasing desired flesh,

Not giving much thought to life after death.

 

I used to wonder what could stop the pain,

Or what made the sun shine after the rain.

Satan was lurking,

People around me were hurting,

I never understood my choices weren't working.

 

I used to think I was better off alone.

God brought me to jail to make Himself known.

He opened my eyes,

And answered all my questions.

It's only by grace I'm learning His lessons.

 

Only His blood caused my debt to be covered,

All I want now is to share it with others.

Oh what joy!

I used to be lost,

Now I know Jesus paid the cost.

 

I'm restored and in complete confidence of myself. The thing is I've never felt so alive, so full of energy, zeal and passion. My love and hunger for God's Word gives me all the peace I ever need. God performed the greatest ever miracle. To have a hope in a time where hope is less and less, to have a life when you are surrounded by death and spiritual darkness and to love when the world only knows to hate, it is only Christ Jesus Himself who can make this difference that's so real. He can have an impact even in your daily affairs and personal circumstances. All you need to do is just ask Him.

 

The Lord wants you and I to prosper. It says so in the Bible. 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 a hope and a future. Verse 12 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you."