The senior worship pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, Brian Johnson, shares his life-changing personal testimony about overcoming anxiety. Not too long ago, he experienced severe panic and anxiety for six whole months. But despite everything he went through, God displayed His goodness to Pastor Brian’s life.
The worship pastor shared his experience in one of his sermons at Bethel church and just authored his book about his journey, When God Becomes Real.
He went through the darkest part of his life in July of 2016. And because of that moment, he realized that he needed God to become more real than ever before!
“… I got to the point when my heart started raising and I remember saying, ‘I just can’t do this, I can’t do this’. I’m freaking out and the ambulance came and they put me up to oxygen. And they took me to the hospital. I remember telling my kids before I went to the hospital… ‘This is when God becomes real’”. Pastor Brian shared in one of his sermons.
The father of four and the husband of Jenn Johnson, a lead worship pastor of Bethel church, shared what he wonderfully experienced during his 6-month nervous breakdown. He encountered God in a most unique and special way. He also learned a very important lesson that he shared to the congregation.
“Consider it a gift even when you’re faced with circumstance where God is the only answer,” he said.
“…Because most people never get to experience a level of pain deep enough where God becomes their only hope and answer. There’s no drug, there’s nothing that can mask that type of a pain… When your at your end and God is the only answer, lucky for you because what’s gonna happen is you’re gonna enter into a time of deep surrender and healing and your ministry will start out of that. And it will be pure,” Pastor Brian added.
He wrote about his story in his new book, When God Becomes Real. He wants to make his life an example and encourage everyone who is going through anxiety and depression. On top of the book, Pastor Brian also wrote songs that reflect what he went through.
Two of those songs are “Living Hope” and “I Won’t Forget”which they uploaded in Bethel music’s YouTube channel. Millions of people were inspired by the song and it became a beautiful blessing to everyone.
Pastor Brian’s testimony is a wonderful reminder for all of us. God will never leave us. He is faithful enough to rescue us from the darkness. We just need to hold on and have faith. We may experience dark moments in life, but always remember that God will always hold your hand and He will never let you go.