16-Year Smoking Addiction Broken

I had my first cigarette when I was in secondary school. During my time in the army, I started to smoke more, and even more when I started working as a chef.

For 16 years, I would smoke at least one pack of cigarettes a day. Working in the food and beverage industry is very tiring, and I always used smoking as an excuse to take a break. We would often say that we are “taking a step outside for some fresh air”, which is ironic. As the years went by, my sense of taste slowly diminished, which became very worrying for me.

Eventually, I left my job to start my own business, but very quickly became even more stressed than before. I would smoke whenever I had a mental block.

As a Christian, I also felt that I was being a bad testimony to my staff. I tried quitting many times, but I failed. I felt defeated and smoked even more. I was also afraid that if I quit, I would lose my focus at work or the chance to mingle with my team while they smoked. Over time, I gave up trying to quit.

However, as I listened to testimonies in church, I knew that our heavenly Father wants us to enjoy victory in life. I started listening to Pastor Prince's sermons on Gospel Partner every day, and I felt Jesus becoming more and more real in my life.

I started to partake of the holy Communion before starting my day. At the same time, I would ask Jesus to show me His grace and favour. I began to realise that my Father in heaven has a grand plan for me, and Jesus is on my side for absolutely everything in my life. Gradually, I began to see His grace and favour in my business, health, and relationships.

One day, when I was smoking with my team, I told them that I didn’t feel like smoking any longer. I wasn't even trying to quit, but since then, the Lord Jesus has broken this addiction that had kept me bound for 16 years!

Now, I taste and smell better, and I enjoy my food more. I no longer feel the need to relieve my stress through smoking. In fact, I am enjoying a greater peace after becoming more cognisant of my Lord Jesus in my life. Today, I look forward to discovering the Word through Pastor Prince's messages.

Thank You, Jesus, for taking away my addiction to smoking and filling my life with peace and purpose. Thank you, Pastor Prince, for preaching the gospel of grace.

Justin Foo from Singapore