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When I was a teenager, there was a time when I lived in a rough area

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

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‘When I was a teenager, there was a time when I lived in a rough area and started to go home from school on my own. I went on the bus.

I went to the Church of England school. We had a brown uniform. Other kids got on who had a black uniform. We weren't as cool as them. It was a time in my life when I was a bit scared most days. The other kids would demand to sit at the back. Someone's phone got stolen. They were quite aggressive. It put me on edge.

It's also the most vivid example of a Bible verse speaking to me. I read Psalm 27. It says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” That would come to me and I would feel relaxed.

I've been trying to memorise more Bible verses like that over the last two or three years. One of the ones that I've learned is 2 Timothy 1.7. It says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

I felt insecure when I joined a new four-a-side football team recently. I would be playing with new guys, getting to know these new lads and wondering what they would feel about my football skills. So I reminded myself of that verse. I prayed it on the way to my first match. Praying this verse, remembering it, absolutely helped. I'm enjoying the football, but it's a lot of running with just four of us.’

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