Mikala W. Diagnositc | The Kure To Christ

Mikala W.

Diagnostic

RELENTLESS RESILIENCE

DISCOVERY MOMENT: WHAT WAS THE TURNING POINT OR "EUREKA MOMENT"

THAT LED YOU TO CHRIST?

I worked so hard to move out and live on my own. The first two years were spent unlearning the trauma-bonded lessons my family had taught me. The next steps involved realizing that what I was doing wasn’t benefitting me in any way. During that time, I developed social anxiety, depression, OCD, and bipolar disorder—all within a year of trying to navigate life without talking to God daily.

I never stopped believing in God, but I lost faith in the church and what it was teaching. In my naivety, I turned to horoscopes and followed the trends, but they only left me feeling more confused. I often tried to force my life to align with the tarot readings I listened to, and every time, it backfired. I was already miserable enough, and I strongly believe that my misery stemmed from not having God in my ear every day. I felt like I had God on one shoulder and the devil on the other, and without clarity on God’s voice, it became easy for the devil to disguise himself as Him.

One day, I became so sick of struggling and feeling exhausted. I had lost all lust for life. Despite my success, I was depressed and unable to enjoy it because I was constantly waiting for what was coming next, rather than living in the moment. I firmly believe this mindset came from watching horoscopes, which falsely predict the future. In contrast, prayer heals your past trauma, helps you appreciate the present, and protects your future by keeping you obedient to God.

I grew tired of being anxious and unable to enjoy life in the moment because my focus was on the future instead of God.

LAB RESULTS: HOW HAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED SINCE ACCEPTING CHRIST? WHAT "RESULTS" HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED IN YOUR LIFE OR SPIRIT?

Being raised in a church, you often assume you can’t drift too far from Christ because He has always been around you. However, as a child, I wasn’t attending church to build my own relationship with Christ—I went because my mother forced us to attend, with the threat of punishment if we didn’t.

Returning to church as an adult and choosing to be rebaptized was a decision I made entirely on my own. One night, I literally couldn’t sleep. I kept hearing God telling me to stop just watching sermons online and that it was time to start fellowshipping. I had been longing for friends who could support and uplift me in the same ways I show up for others. I realized that if I wanted to change my habits, patterns, and social circles, I had to start chasing God instead of chasing temporary comforts. That night, God wouldn’t let me sleep until I committed to finding a church to attend the next morning.

Since I returned to church, I have cried every single day—tears of gratitude and emotional release. The moment I walked into the church, I immediately heard God say, “Welcome home, my child.” It was a moment of overwhelming love and reassurance.

I’ve noticed the devil trying ten times harder to attack me, especially through my health, but my relationship with God has grown so strong that the devil’s attempts are ultimately futile. Life hasn’t necessarily gotten easier, but I now have the ultimate weapon on my side: my relationship with God.

The way I carry myself has changed. I no longer tolerate things or people that aren’t aligned with God as much as I used to. While my circumstances may not have become more peaceful, I feel a deep sense of peace within myself.

EXPERIMENTING WITH FAITH: WERE THERE ANY STEPS OR TRIALS YOU TOOK IN YOUR FAITH JOURNEY THAT BROUGHT YOU CLOSER TO CHRIST?

Yes, I got rebaptized to renew and publicly declare my faith in Him, but for about a year before that, I had already begun making changes. I stopped watching horoscopes, threw away anything that wasn’t tied to worshiping Him, and gave up all bad habits. I did a complete detox and purge of anything that wasn’t meant for me. One day, I simply woke up and was over the life I had been living.

The first step was realizing that what I was doing wasn’t benefiting my quality of life. The second step was finding the strength and consistency to actually quit and change my ways. I relapsed a few times, but even then, I didn’t enjoy what I used to do anymore. Eventually, I reached a point where I was completely done, with no remorse or sadness about leaving that life behind.

I started reading the Bible to gain my own understanding of it because I had previously been skeptical due to the false teachings of many churches. I became intentional about the music I listened to, the shows I watched, the habits I maintained, the company I kept, and even the foods I ate. All of these changes brought me closer to God.

TEST TUBE OF HOPE: IN WHAT WAYS HAS CHRIST PROVIDED YOU WITH HOPE OR PEACE DURING CHALLENGING TIMES?

Simply keeping Him in my ear, even if it’s just as background noise, has made such a difference. I listen to sermons, faith-based podcasts, and Christian music. I love watching movies about Him, volunteering at my church, and completing devotional journals. All of this has brought me peace because I know that wherever I am, I am with Him. God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear or anxiety, so instead of accepting the mental health labels that doctors try to place on me, I have been rebuking them.

When I feel anxious or depressed, I pray to God or open my Bible. I pray until I fall asleep or until I feel the anxiety lifting from me. He provides me with peace through messages in scripture, music, and fellowship. He also helps me by having me help others. Often, He speaks through me for the benefit of others, and I always learn a lesson from what He has me teach them.

HEALING PROCESS: WHAT SPECIFIC CHALLENGES OR "SYMPTOMS" DID CHRIST HELP CURE OR HEAL IN YOUR LIFE?

I truly believe that giving my life back to Christ has helped me stop having so many anxiety attacks. While my health is currently the worst it has been in a long time, I feel mentally stronger and more capable of fighting back.

I was recently re-diagnosed with Sickle Cell, and although I feel sadness about it, I can’t help but see the positive side. I was blessed with 15 years without Sickle Cell, which is something many people never experience—not even for a day. Now, I feel honored to be in this situation because I know that everything works for His good. He has given me countless ways to help, heal, and bless others in similar circumstances. God has shown me how to use what’s hurting me to help heal others, and in doing so, I find healing for myself. I know I am here on this earth to be a caregiver and an educator for His kingdom.

Since shifting my mindset from being a patient to being a healer, I’ve experienced so many positive changes. I have more energy, new opportunities have been pouring into my life, I feel less pain, less heartache, and—most importantly—that once-empty feeling is now being filled by God.

I am so grateful that He is not only my Father but also my provider, friend, confidant, and so much more.

CATALYST FOR CHANGE: WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?

I would say God Himself called me back. All of a sudden, I felt an overwhelming urge to return to Him after becoming tired of feeling disappointed in my life. I realized that I was only ever sad, anxious, or depressed because I was trying to handle all my problems on my own—without God and without a Christian community.

For about a year, it was just me and God. I spent that time watching sermons and doing devotionals, but I still didn’t feel completely at peace until I started physically going back to church for the fellowship. Community is so important, and Kaylin, your willingness to share your faith and testimony encouraged me not to keep my journey to myself. Sharing our experiences can truly help others find Christ, whether for the first time or once again.

ONGOING RESEARCH: HOW ARE YOU CONTINUING TO GROW IN YOUR FAITH AND STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST?

I am growing my faith by studying the Bible more in-depth and intentionally holding myself to the standards of a Proverbs 31 woman. I want to represent Christ in everything I do, both inside and outside of the church, through fellowshipping, volunteering, and learning as much as I can about Him and myself through Him.

I have also been working on many exciting projects for the children in His kingdom. As a full-time nanny and early childhood educator, I know I cannot be a teacher in Christ if I don’t remain His daughter in Christ. I don’t take these gifts and opportunities for granted.

God has been so good to me, and I’ve known since I was a child receiving my transplant that my calling involves working with children, especially sick children. The closer I grow to Him, the clearer His plans for me become.

WHAT SCRIPTURE OR MESSAGE HAS BEEN A GUIDING "FORMULA" FOR YOU IN DIFFICULT TIMES?

2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Peter 4:31, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, Hebrews 11:6, 1 Peter 2:9, and John 3:13-15