{"id":3401,"date":"2025-03-07T18:35:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T18:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uckg.org\/lifeshift\/?p=3401"},"modified":"2025-03-10T14:03:44","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T14:03:44","slug":"a-life-shift-that-reconnected-me-with-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uckg.org\/lifeshift\/a-life-shift-that-reconnected-me-with-god\/","title":{"rendered":"A Life Shift That Reconnected Me with God"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

From a young age, I attended the Universal Church with my family in Portugal, but I never really committed to God. As a teenager, I fell in with the wrong crowd, drinking and sleeping around. Eventually, I stopped going to church altogether.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

I became consumed by worldly pleasures, staying out late and worrying my mum, who would pray for me. As the older son, she always reminded me to set a good example for my younger brothers, but I didn\u2019t. I often left them at home while I went out, which angered her. Drinking became a daily habit, and I\u2019d stay out until I was sober enough to go home. I also became a womaniser, pursuing any girl, regardless of their relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My mum worked as an assistant who helped at the church, and sometimes I’d return from parties just as she was leaving in her uniform. I cared more about fitting in with my friends than anything else. When I didn\u2019t have enough money, I\u2019d steal from her purse and later from shops. It\u2019s embarrassing to think about now, but I was blinded by peer pressure. I became a troublemaker, and the police were often involved. I had friends from the UK who would come to Portugal on holidays and they seemed to have it all, and I wanted that too, so I moved there. I continued my old lifestyle, but soon felt something was missing. I decided to revisit the Universal Church, and gradually, things began to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t immediate, but over time, I found the things I once enjoyed now made me uncomfortable. I focused on the services, reflected on the Word of God, and let go of negative habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the best decision I could have made, as now I know that God is with me, and having His presence changed my life. This was truly a life shift for me. Today, I understand my purpose in life. I\u2019m free from those old ways, I\u2019m happy and helping others going through the same struggles I faced. I also have a blessed relationship with my family, and my mum’s prayers that her older son would be a good example have been answered.” \u2013 Lucas Costa<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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