More than anything, I want to assure you that God not only exists, but He loves you and wants to help you get on the right path. In fact, He cares about you even more than your parents do (or anyone else, for that matter).

How do I know this? I know it because 2,000 years ago God came down from heaven and became a man — and that man was Jesus Christ. Why did He come? He came to show us that God loves us, and He did this not only by helping those who were hurting but by sacrificing His life for our sins. If you had been the only person on earth who needed to be forgiven, Jesus Christ still would have died for you. God loves you that much! The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16).

What difference can Christ make? First, He’ll take away the emptiness and hurt that you’ve been trying to dull with drugs. Instead, He’ll give you a new reason for living and fill you with His presence. Second, He’ll give you a new love for others — and for yourself. In addition, He’ll help you fight temptation as you turn to Him for strength. Ask Him to come into your life today — and He will.

Christ also will help you in practical ways. For example, He’ll give you new friends — Christian friends to help you do what’s right instead of pulling you down. May God bless you.