My Testimony from a lukewarm faith to a Hot Faith

I had everything planned out. However, God revealed to me a different testimony. In 2026, my testimony changed. I used to be ashamed of my past mistakes. “No longer am I slave to my fear; I am a child of God.” These words with Paul resonated with me in Romans 8:14-15. In 2026, I did something different to try and get over reliving my suicide attempt over and over in my mind. It was like a lyric to my worst song played over and over again in my mind. It was forced exposure therapy—being in the same hospital as the one I was in when I tried to commit suicide. However, this time I was visiting my grandma in the hospital. I was always fearful of going into the Hospital because I did not want to relive my past. I wanted to be free from my past. However, living in fear is not how you can be free from your past. We are lost without Jesus Christ in our lives. Sometimes, we can even put Jesus Christ on dusty shelf, never going back to that shelf.

Jesus is not met to be on the backburner of our lives. He is a living, breathing son of God that rescued us from our spiritual warfare. In 2026, while I was sitting in the hospital, I was reflecting and thought to myself “I am finally free.” I understand that at that moment that Spiritual warfare is common among believers. I thought all this time I was a bad Christian by doing my past mistakes even when I had a relationship with Jesus Christ. I also realized Spiritual warfare is always going to be part of my life in one way or another. However, we must press on. It is truly God’s amazing grace that helped me overcome my spiritual warfare, the thorn in my side as Paul put it. Jesus is truly with us in the midst of suffering. Jesus has a unique and special plan for each one of you.

Your story is not over. God has a plan for each one of you. My urge to you men, is to embrace God’s amazing grace which helps us in the midst of spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare will not go away while we are trapped in our mortal bodies. However, we have a band of brothers that can link arms with us and help us get through spiritual attack. You do not have to go through spiritual warfare alone. These life lessons helped me get through the latest spiritual attack in my life right before I came to Men’s Encounter. If I have time, there are some life lessons I learned from going through my trials in my life.

Spiritual Warfare Life Lessons with Andrew Hawkins

1)    You are not alone; Jesus is with you.  

a.     We have band of brothers that can help you go through your spiritual warfare. (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:2)

b.     Jesus can carry our burdens for us. (1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 11:28-30).

c.     Jesus is our helper. (Hebrews 13:5-6).

2)    You have changed your perspective; Jesus is with you.

a.     You are part of Christ’s suffering on the cross. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Romans 8).

b.     Your suffering is not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in Heaven. (Romans 8:18)

c.     You are child of God. (John 1:12-13; Romans 8:16-17).

d.     You are an heir of God. (Romans 8:16-17).

e.     You are loved by Christ. (Romans 8:38-39).

f.      You will not be snatched away. (John 10:28-30; Romans 8:38-39).

g.     You have the resurrection power living in you. (Romans 8:11).

3)    You will always encounter spiritual warfare. Jesus is with you.

a.     You wrestle with the spiritual realm, not people. (Ephesians 6:10-20).

b.     You are not guaranteed an easy life as a Christian. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

c.     Suffering is a form of Spiritual Warfare, (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; John 16:33).

d.     Jesus even said you will have tribulations in this world. (John 16:33).

e.     It is also truly Jesus’s amazing grace that can free us from our spiritual war-filled life. (Ephesians 2:1-10).

f.    God works everything out for Good to those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).