Gretchen* was broken and wracked with guilt over her husband’s recent suicide. That’s when she came across PeaceWithGod.net and connected with Renee, an online chat volunteer with BGEA’s internet evangelism ministry.

“I have been so sick with my grief, sobbing, that I can’t feel or hear anything,” Gretchen told her. “I’m trying so hard to fight my own darkness inside me. I know death—I have lost before—but suicide death is so complex, so different.”

Unsure how to navigate such tremendous heartbreak, Gretchen felt helpless and overwhelmed with the thought that she failed her husband.

Renee listened compassionately as Gretchen poured out her heart, expressing feelings of guilt as she grasped the finality of the situation. Renee shared about Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the full forgiveness and freedom He offers.

“I’ve never needed Jesus more in my life than I do now,” Gretchen said. “I need help. I’m weak and I cannot fight alone.”

With a tender heart, Gretchen prayed to receive His gift of salvation, releasing her burdens to Him. Renee also shared helpful materials related to Gretchen’s struggle to encourage and help her grow closer to God through reading His Word.

“Bless you for this conversation and the resources. You have helped calm my heart.”

Releasing His Shame

Hungry for a change and seeking truth, Seth* saw a Facebook ad for BGEA’s free discipleship course called Know Jesus. He signed up to learn more about what it means to live as a Christian and connected with Robert, one of our trained volunteers.

As his mentor, Robert walked Seth through each of the five sessions, encouraged him, and answered his questions about faith.

Throughout the course, Seth read his Bible and was inspired by Jesus’ life—particularly how He treated people from all walks of life. Seth had struggled for years with feeling accepted.

Surrendering years of guilt and shame, Seth prayed to ask Jesus for forgiveness and decided to follow Him.

“It changed my life just like that,” he said. “I used to watch pornography almost every night. Now it makes me sick even thinking about it.”

Knowing it was God who changed his heart, Seth trusts He will also help him overcome temptation.

“I humbled myself to God—I am a sinner and I am nothing without Him,” he said. “God is still working on me and I’m loving every second of it.”

God can help you overcome temptation. Read more.

*Names changed for privacy