I’m writing this in response to the story Edward shared — the one about him sleeping with a girl under a tree. Many people in the comments seemed comfortable with him mixing Christianity with other gods. Some even quoted, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar,” completely twisting the meaning of that verse. So, I decided to share my own story.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP CHANNEL TO RECEIVE ALL STORIES IN YOUR INBOX

There’s a troubling pattern I noticed in my family, particularly from my mother’s side. Their marriages always seem to end in problems. Many of her siblings never married, and those who did are either on the verge of divorce or already widowed. Out of my mum’s eleven siblings, not a single one has a stable marriage.

The second pattern is poverty. Nobody in the family seems to rise. Everyone struggles to make ends meet. It’s not because they’re lazy, far from it. They have moved from one job or business to another, yet everything they touch fails.

Out of curiosity, I asked some questions. What I learned was that my great-grandfather made an agreement with a deity. Since then, from his children down to his great-grandchildren, the same pattern has continued.

I began noticing this after secondary school. I didn’t even think I would go to university because there was no money. But by God’s grace, I passed my exams and gained admission. Paying my initial fees was a battle. We begged everyone we could. After we paid for the first year, I didn’t know how I’d continue. So I decided to work and save for my second year.

But then the family pattern kicked in again. Nothing I did prospered. I learned a trade, but customers never showed up. Those who did would make promises and disappear when it was time to pay. Eventually, I found a salesgirl job, but throughout the time I worked there, no one bought a single thing. Customers would come, test the products, make excuses, and leave without buying. Even my madam’s regular customers stopped coming. That’s when I realized I was the problem.

I became terrified because I was on the verge of dropping out of school. I went to different pastors, but none could offer a lasting solution. Then I learned that one of my aunties and two of my uncles had tried to challenge the deity. My aunt died mysteriously. One uncle was sent to the village to perform rituals, but he also died. The other became terminally ill.

I wanted my story to be different. I needed to break free, but I didn’t know how. One day, I broke down in my room. I cried and prayed, “God, please help me.” I remember sitting on my bed the whole day, repeating those same words. And you know what? God came through.

READ ALSO: My Wife Can’t Cook But Wants Her Mom To Cook For Us So We Pay Her

My point is, instead of running from pastor to pastor, I decided to seek God for myself. I read my Bible, studied Christian books, and prayed fervently. My relationship with God grew stronger, and through Him, I was delivered.

Today, I am a graduate. I paid my way through school. Now, I have a successful business. I’m the first in my family to break free from that generational pattern. My family couldn’t believe it. My story became a testimony. My father’s faith in God increased, and guess what? He too has broken out of that curse.

For the Christians reading this, remember the verse: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”The answer is yes.

Does Marriage Benefit Men More Than Women?

To Edward, I want to say this: the devil never gives free gifts. He offers one hand and takes both of yours, plus your legs and eyes. You didn’t have to go to the village to fight that battle. It’s unfortunate he had wrong counsel. I don’t blame you though. I know you acted on the knowledge you had. But please, don’t leave this battle for your children. The devil doesn’t give free gifts.

You must rise and fight with the Word of God. Go on your knees and fight for your children and generations after you. Let them not inherit whatever you gave to that deity to bear them. Break that chain now, so your son and daughter can walk free.

—Emmy

This story you just read was sent to us by someone just like you. We know you have a story too. Email it to us at [email protected]. You can also drop your number and we will call you so you tell us your story.

#SB