Any advice?

[fungusamoungus]

So. Where to begin. I'm 18 years old. My entire life I've known god exists, I'm one of those people who's just lucky enough to know without a doubt since I was born. But it didn't stop my life from straying off.

Ever since I was 15, I had been smoking meth, when I was 16 I started using needles to shoot up morphine, heroin and ritalin. To support my habits I was selling marijuana, and I got caught. It was a huge wakeup call for me, I have court this tuesday for it.

I was caught about 3 months ago. Since then, I haven't touched any drugs except marijuana and alcohol. But that also means my friends, the people I was hanging out with, I have nothing to do with them anymore. I want to get to know god better and start making my life into what it should be, but I don't know where to start. I have nobody supporting me through this, and because of my background I don't have a single friend who is a christian.

Thats Why I'm posting here, hoping to meet other people that are willing to take the time to look past everything I've been in and done, that will just talk to me like a human being and teach me about God.

What I need advice on is going to church. I've never been, but i really want to start going and I think it's important that I do. But I'm really worried and have no idea what I'm doing. I feel like when people look at me, they can see that I've been a drug addict and they can see I've had huge problems, and I'm not sure if i'll be able to feel accepted. Is this in my head? Do I need to worry? I think I just need reassurance.

 

[Will00]

First off, way to go on gettin onto a better path for yourself! Awesome!

As far as going to church, I cant guarantee you that no one will think lowly of you. I can guarantee you that the God you are there to worship will not think any less of you. Not sure how big of a town you go to, but I would think that no one would even know your past And usually at churches people are great at welcoming in visitors with open arms! They should be a great help to you as you try to get back on track.

But yeah, we're all messed up people at church. That's why we're there. Good luck in finding a good church! Hopefully you can find some answers as you search for more about God. And you can always come here for questions and encouragement as well!

 

[become_the_generation]

Yea dude thats awesome that you are wanting to change!
I really think that you should go to a small group or if you know somebody around your age that will help mentor you you should really try to get that. As far as christians looking past that, they need to! I dont really get how people can say they are christian but dont forgive. So bro just take this on and never look back! You will be an awesome man of God then! It is satan in your head telling you you wont be accepted. He wants you to remain in captivity forever and never feel good enough. But think about when the people were about to stone the prostitute and Jesus said "you who have no sin may cast the first stone". Dude, we have all sinned, no sin is greater than the other. The only one that is greater is not accepting Christ. So you have no condemnation as long as you have asked for forgiveness from the Most High! What your past is is why you are who you are today, you dont have to like what your past is, but claim it as your own. The song "everyone overcome" comes to mind. We will overcome by the word of our testimony! that is your own testimony, and use it to change others lives! Just be that shining light and if other christians doubt you or whatever just dont worry about them. They wont be the ones that judge your eternity. God does. And He forgives you as soon as you ask for it! Remember bro, we are all sinners, best of luck dude and ill be prayin for ya! God Bless man!