Fifteen years ago, Sister Chen worked in a startup company, dedicating herself to her work for career advancement and a more comfortable life through hard work.
Despite leading a stable life and finding fulfillment in her work, she recalled, "At the time, I wanted something to believe in, but I didn't know what. I just felt that life should have a guiding principle."
Boss's Guidance Sowed the Seeds of Faith
As Chen sought a "standard of life," she often heard her boss, an entrepreneurial mentor, referencing the Bible during company meetings and sharing messages of faith. Although she didn't fully understand these messages, she occasionally found them to make sense yet also confusing, as they seemed to contradict secular values.
Therefore, she began observing her boss's life and noticed positive changes in her family, particularly in the child's education. One day, her boss introduced her to a Christian mothers' gathering, where Chen discovered that the educational philosophies shared by these mothers aligned closely with her own needs. That day, she decided to believe in the Lord.
However, while she embraced Christianity, she initially regarded it as a religion, thinking it was a constraint. Attending church became more of a routine task for her, and faith wasn't truly integrated into her life.
Facing Betrayal and Debt, but Transformed by the Holy Spirit
However, Chen's Christian life was far from what she had expected. Though she continued attending church, she faced career setbacks and fractured relationships, and was ultimately pulled into financial ruin by the very boss who had once led her to Christianity. Coupled with her own business losses, she was burdened with a debt of 500,000 yuan. She lamented, "I regarded my boss as a mentor—how could she push such an unfair burden onto me?"
By 2014, Chen had no idea how to face her life, family, or future.
In the early days of her faith, her spiritual life was only about attending Sunday services. She mocked, "Although I was baptized and went to church regularly, I didn't understand the truth, never read the Bible, and barely knew Jesus."
With nowhere else to turn, she could only go to church. Almost every morning, she would arrive early to read the Bible and pray. If others were listening to sermons or studying, she would join them.
One day, as usual, among many sermon videos, the congregation selected one to watch. As everyone listened in silence, a quiet sob broke the silence. Gradually, the sound grew into uncontrollable weeping, drowning out the message. The one crying was Chen.
"In that moment, the Holy Spirit struck me. I realized I was a sinner and began to weep uncontrollably. That was when I truly confessed and repented," she recalled. "I thought I was accompanying others to listen to the sermon, but actually, they were the ones accompanying me."
Stepping Out of Darkness, Finding Hope in Crisis
Chen found herself in pain and darkness, without hope, yet she also experienced miracles and God's faithfulness. "I witnessed many miracles, including being healed from illnesses, and some of my debts being resolved in ways. I still have no idea how it happened," she shared.
During this time, Chen received many high-paying job offers, which were quite tempting given her heavy financial burden. She struggled with the decision, eager to pay off her debts quickly. Yet, deep in her heart, she heard a voice saying, "You must come before God in peace."
After coming to faith, though leaving her previous job, Chen remained eager to share the gospel with those around her. One day, an employee who had once heard her preach recommended a new store to her. Unexpectedly, this store took over many of her former clients, saving her from further financial losses and significantly easing her debt burden.
However, some clients did not accept the transfer, forcing Chen to sort through their contact information once again. One by one, she picked up the phone and made the difficult calls, explaining the situation, admitting her failures, and assuring them of her continued service. Over time, the calls stopped, and the clients gradually faded away.
Chen's financial crisis was also entangled with marital conflicts, leaving her emotionally drained and sorrowful. Fortunately, she liked to sing and often sang hymns to praise. As she sang, a sense of joy gradually filled her heart. "Without realizing it," she said, "I was healed through worship, and was not so depressed."
God Lifted the Burden as Husband Converted
In 2019, the burden of over 500,000 yuan in debt was completely lifted by God. Filled with gratitude, Chen said, "The debt has been fully repaid, yet not a single penny came from my own efforts, which was entirely God's work."
Due to prolonged arrears, her former company was sued twice. In the end, the court enforced compulsory execution, requiring her boss to take full responsibility. After the second lawsuit, Chen faced the possibility of losing her only home to auction. In desperation, she filed for divorce, unwilling to burden her husband with her financial struggles.
Unexpectedly, her husband stood firmly by her side, telling her that he was willing to face the debt together. Deeply comforted, Chen saw this as God's protection over both her and her marriage during her most challenging time. "In the past, my husband had hurt me in many ways," she admitted. "All I could do was endure and pray—I had no other way."
Eight years after Chen first came to faith, her husband took the initiative to attend church. He completed two months of seeker's class and was baptized. Just three months later, God helped them clear all their debts.
Chen spent fifteen years witnessing that "God intended it for good." Leaving the workplace where she had once strived so hard, she now serves full-time in the church, finding joy in her ministry.
"I can't tell exactly when the Lord transformed me, but I know I received His love and want to respond to it," she shared. "I think of so many individuals still searching for a way out of the darkness, longing for comfort and companionship. Their needs are the direction I need to strive towards."
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Poppy Chan
