Joe’s powerful story and a song by Maverick City

A moving response to the song Gratitude/Worthy of it All /You’re Worthy of My Praise (feat. Brandon Lake & Natalie Grant) from the album A Very Maverick Christmas

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I love this song so much.

I have been so broken my whole life. Grew up poor, in homeless shelters, unstable family, street violence, drugs, and alcohol, eventually ended up in prison for three years.

Through it all, I rejected God even cursed at Him 🙁 Then when I was 26 I began to struggle with mental health. It started with panic attacks. Then depression. I soon began to have manic episodes. I completely lost myself and every day was a struggle to live. I was attacked with daily suicidal thoughts and began to plan it out.

I was hospitalized and had to do an outpatient program. There, I met a girl who is now my soon-to-be wife that was struggling with mental health as well so we clicked instantly. Thankfully her mom is a devoted Christian and brought us to church and the Spirit just hit me and my faith was restored.

It took me a while to rid myself of worldly things and I still struggled with manic depression. But once I finally was baptized in March 2021 my manic episodes completely stopped and I no longer struggled with anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

About a month ago one Sunday, I was at church worshipping and had a glimpse of my old broken self locked in my room battling suicidal thoughts. I can see myself tossing and turning in bed just wanting to die but sitting on the edge of my bed I can see Jesus Christ making sure I didn’t hurt myself. That day God revealed to me that He was with me through it all. Even when I cursed Him, He still chose to love me.

How great is Our Father in heaven! I will never stop showing Him gratitude. That’s why this song touches me so much because I can really appreciate how faithful He is and will always be.

I love you Abba!