
Meet “Steffi Siby”
Steffi’s Faith Story
My faith journey. Although I would wish to claim it as mine and control every aspect of it, I have not been the pioneer of my journey. God has been the one in charge and I am ever so grateful for that. God’s ways and plans are much better than the ones I come up with and accepting this has been a slow and gradual process. Throughout my journey, God has guided me and on many occasions, he has picked me up repeatedly as I’ve stumbled and fallen into sin over and over again.
Being born and raised Catholic meant that faith was instilled into me from a young age. This was a definite blessing but I was missing a personal relationship with our saviour and redeemer, Jesus Christ. I used to put God in a compartment and turn to him only when I needed. Then came the turning point in my journey.
About five years ago, seemingly out of nowhere, I fell into a really deep depression. What followed was the most difficult phase of my life. At the time, I couldn’t understand why God would allow me to experience so much pain. I was trapped in the prison that was my mind. However, that immense pain and suffering intensified my faith and led me to who I am today.
That painful part of my journey was full of guilt and shame. God seemed very far away as my mind kept telling me that I was a burden and that everyone would be better off without me. The devil told me that I was unloved, broken and worthless. BUT what I didn’t know then was that God freely pours out his love on us. He doesn’t only love me when I am ‘good’ and follow the ‘rules’. He loved me and accepted me. And nothing could change that.
God loves you. God accepts you. You are his precious child. He pours out his love, mercy and grace on you.
Our journey is not all up to us. We don’t have to carry the burden alone. We don’t have to act a certain way to gain God’s approval. All we have to do is turn to God. He waits for us lovingly. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). This bible verse has played out in my own life. God helped me get through the darkness in various ways and filled my life with his light. I hope and pray that light shines through in your life today too.