14/08/2025
From Darkness to Light: A Journey of Faith, Healing, and Finding Home in Ministry"
There was a time in my life when everything felt heavy like I was drowning in silence. I would smile in front of people, but deep inside, I was slowly breaking apart. I didn’t know how to explain the pain I was carrying or where it was coming from. Every day felt like a battle just to get out of bed. I was surrounded by people, yet I felt so alone. I tried to distract myself, to be strong, to "move on" as others would say. But the truth is, depression isn’t just sadness it’s emptiness, numbness, and self-doubt wrapped in silence. It made me question my worth, my purpose, and even God's presence in my life. I kept asking, "Lord, diin Ka? Nganong daw ako lang isa diri?" There were nights I cried myself to sleep, and there were moments so dark that I thought ending my life was the only way out. Yes, I reached that point the suicidal moment where hope seemed completely gone. I felt like a burden, like the world would be better without me. But in the middle of that darkness, when I had no strength left to keep fighting, something happened. God met me there. Even when I felt distant from Him, He was never distant from me. In my quiet breakdowns, in the middle of my sleepless nights, and even when I had no words left to pray, God was there silently, but present. Slowly, He sent people who cared. He gave me little reminders of hope through songs, Scripture, and unexpected moments of peace. One of the most life-changing moments in my journey was when I decided to fully surrender to God and receive Him through baptism. I still remember crying during that moment not out of fear or shame, but out of deep release and overwhelming peace. It was the start of my healing. I felt like something heavy had been lifted from my chest. I wasn’t just washed by water I was renewed by His grace. I began to understand that healing doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes, it’s a journey one that requires honesty, surrender, and faith. I learned to open up, to ask for help, and to stop pretending I was okay when I wasn’t. Most importantly, I learned that my weakness doesn’t make me less. In fact, it’s in my weakness that God’s strength is made perfect. Today, I still have moments of struggle, but I am no longer alone. I am no longer in the dark. I’ve found light, hope, and a reason to keep going not because I am strong, but because He is. To anyone who feels lost, tired, or like giving up please don’t. Your life has value. Your story isn’t over. Healing is possible. Joy is coming. And God has never stopped writing your story even in the chapters that feel the hardest. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 Just over sharing my life outside world haha lets set it aside ! Let's focus on my life in the ministry . In college, IVCF became a safe space where my faith deepened in practical ways. I was one of the first four people who started the IVCF ministry here. Here’s a short story: As a youth leader on my first day of school, I asked myself, “What if there’s a ministry here on campus? What if we start one to open the minds and hearts of young people?” God answered. He sent me Kuya Jeck—someone I never expected to be a fellow believer. We talked about life and discussed building a ministry here at CMFCI. The very next day, we began. We didn’t waste time; we praised and worshiped God, declaring His faithfulness. We started with four members: Kuya Jeck, Ervin, Martin, and me. **God is so good—**the group grew from four to many more! Through small groups, I learned to pray about deadlines and friendships, not just “big” struggles. My adviser, Ma’am Emirose, taught me to see classrooms as places to reflect God’s love, not just to earn grades. Her patience with my questions and her laughter during stressful weeks mirrored the hope I’d found in Christ. IVCF didn’t erase my struggles, but it reminded me I wasn’t meant to face them alone. To all young people and students out there: this is for you. You don’t need to look far to find Him. You just need to look inward. He’s been part of your story from the beginning. I hope you find even a small lesson in my testimony. God bless you all. My Story now is the beginning of my journey .
— 🌸Ate Ilongga: Arthea Ansing
