Greetings in Christ Jesus! As this Young Foundations website continues to inspire many lives of young Christians, I just want to share my testimony about how God helped me overcome a trial which I think most of the young people may encounter in their young life.

It has been almost three years ago since I had a relationship with someone. I was happy during those times that I felt how to love and be loved. I always thanked God for letting me know the person whom I fell in love with. But as the years went by, it seemed that everything was not working out well. I just felt that things started out fast with our relationship and I needed to focus more on serving the Lord. More than two years of holding on had passed and our relationship ended. I admit it was a hard decision but I trusted the Lord with that matter.

Things were not easy by then since I would almost cry to the Lord at night during my prayer. I loved that person whom I almost shared all my time with, but I felt that what happened was not His perfect will. It was during those painful moments that I’ve learned to focus more on reading God’s Word, the Message of the prophet, and have time for sharing encouraging messages with fellow young people.

One time as I was reading the message, I was encouraged by the experience of Daniel— "Daniel had burnt all the bridges behind him. He wasn’t planning on going back, anymore. He wasn’t watching his back trail. He was looking, forsaking those things which are in the past. He pressed on to the mark of the high calling. That’s what we should be doing. That’s what the Church should be doing. 28 And as I notice, then, God permitted Satan to give him the test. And, oh, they tested them, by the fire. They tested them, also, by the lions’ den. And, every instant, God brought them out, more than victorious. 29 “Many are the testings of the righteous, but God delivereth him out of them all.” How marvelous that is! How we appreciate that. Trials, tribulations, tests, all working for the good! After a while, God can see then that He can put His trust in you, and then He’ll do great things for you." 55–0109E

What I have experienced in my life as a youth was a trial. But through this test, God helped me and showed more of His love for me than any human being can show and give. I thank God for giving me the people I need. During my quiet time with the Lord, I was able to make this encouragement which I also want to share:

- In life, we pass through many obstacles and some are detours. We sometimes struggle while passing through these challenges. And we come to the point of giving up--we just think we cold not overcome those obstacles and we often see ourselves stuck up. We were bruised, had wounds, tried our best with our own ability. Until then, there was a Hand holding us. It's that time we realized that God saw us still fighting. God saw us that it's in that moment He will work. He has seen all our struggles and even saw us still not giving in. Though we think we came to that point, He was there to give us the strength we need. We may not have seen Him during those struggles, but through His strength and the overcoming power bestowed upon us, we were able to pass through them. Scars were left--but these scars were only proof that we were able to overcome. We have endured and God has brought us through it. The pains, tears and aches we have felt made us stronger and better--knowing that God did not leave us during those times we felt we were on our own. Victory was the prize after all the things we have endured. It was simply because God gave us the sufficient strength and grace to overcome everything. And yes, there are still more challenges ahead. But because of the things we were able to pass through and with God's help, we are able to say, "I can make it because greater is He that is in me."

Now, it has been almost a year that I continually serve the Lord with a joyful heart after a painful test. It is indeed true that our most effective ministry will come out of our deepest hurts. May this testimony be a blessing to my fellow young Christians. Let us always pray for one another as we continue to serve His perfect will in our lives. May God bless us all.

Sister in Christ

Elle - Philippines