He hasn't turned His back on you.

Life gives us so many opportunities to leave God. Most people experience it around the death of a loved one, the end of a bad relationship, cruel things you have experienced, etc.

But I am here to say, that I feel I've been through a lot for most people. And I can't imagine what my life would be like if in those moments if I left God forever.

As an infant, I experienced losing both of my grandfathers, both great men who I never got to know.

As a young child, I lost my grandmother, who I loved so much and my family first-hand experienced Hurricane Katrina.

Throughout puberty, I spent a few years getting bullied by my fellow peers. In high school, I lost my step-grandfather to Alzheimer's and my nana went through a second hurricane named Hurricane Issac.

Towards the end of my high school, I lost my dad, he was everything to me and I will always miss him every day. I believe I suffered depression for a while before graduating and going to college.

In college, I had to watch as my 3-year-old cousin get diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and eventually passing away. I've had to watch my best of friends get their hearts broken by guys who weren't worthy of the tears. I've watched my mom cry herself to sleep because she lost the love of her life.

I've experienced a lifetime of grief and I'm only 20 years old.

Yet, I have not lost my hope or love for God. I was told, after my father passed away, it was understandable if I stopped going to church. I had every reason to turn my back away from the Lord. I had every right to question, "why me? why my family? what did I do to deserve this?"

But I never questioned it.

I'm a firm believer that God puts people in our life for a reason. Therefore, people have to leave for a purpose.

I want to say I understand why people turn their back on God in times of tragedy, but in all honesty, I don't understand.

My dad was a great Christian, he was strong in the word of God and his faith was outstanding. My mom and him raised my brother and I in a very blessed household. I believe my dad is in Heaven. So why wouldn't I try my hardest to get there so I can see him again? I have the Lord's instructions on what I need to do. What can stop me? Nothing. I don't care if you have the best reason in the world to turn your back on God. I guarantee you, it is not worth it. You might be angry, mad and frustrated, but turn to God. Pray to Him. Build your relationship with Him. The reward is worth it.

I know this because I almost gave up.

I was so tempted to walk out of church and never go back.

That would've been the biggest mistake of my life.

I will never fully know what God's purpose is for me. But what I do know is this: without experiencing what I have gone through I would not be the same person. Those tragedies made me into the person I am today. I don't regret how my life has turned out and no matter what you are going through, God is always there. He never leaves you.

*Bullied: Psalm 56:9-11

*Broken-hearted: Psalm 34:17-18

*Coping with a death: Romans 8:38,39. John 14:1-4

*Doubting (faith is weak): Hebrews 11

*Feeling lost/unwanted: Hebrews 13:5-6

*Needing peace: John 16:33

*Praying: John 14:12-14

*Sleepless: Matthew 11:28-30

*Stressed: John 14:1

*Tempted to commit suicide: 1 Corinthians 10:13

*Worried: Philippians 4:6-7