Post-natal depression, a marriage threatening to fail and fall-out from the lousy choices I'd made to fix my world, had me in a pit of despair. I was 29 and on a chemical roller-coaster of antidepressants and tranquillizers. At 17 I'd kicked out the 'churchianity' of my youth, despising it as a meaningless ritual for respectable people, and left home for London.

But now I was desperate, hungry to do life in a better way. An invitation to a weekly bible group where my boys were cared for and the women glowed with love, disarmed me. For a year I attended, keeping my distance from the 'goody-goodies' as I perceived them, but unable to stay away. They spoke of Jesus as their friend, talking to Him and receiving His help for their lives.

A year later found me at the end of my rope. A phrase came into my mind: 'You don't have to go on like this'. It came as a revelation and I knew by then that all I had to do was surrender. So I simply asked God, if He was real, to take my life and help me. There were no angelic voices, bells or visions, but a light went on in my life and I began to experience being loved for who I am in a powerful way. I fell in love with Jesus, the bible and His people.

25 years on, I have proved Him to be true through painful trials and much joy. Jesus saved our marriage and gave us a foundation upon which to raise our boys. They learned how unique and special they are, with a purpose and destiny that only they can fulfil. As grown men, having charted their own spiritual journey for themselves, they too now know Him.

I commend this living Jesus to you too - Vivien.

Vivien and her husband are enjoying their retirement down here on the South Coast.

How do you face your worse nightmare?

What happened to Paula must be every parent's worse nightmare. Her four year old daughter had a cough and cold like her other children but it deteriorated, and she was rushed from one hospital to another, eventually ending up in intensive care in Southampton General fighting for her life.

Listen to Paula's story

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"Nothing you do could make me love you less"

In his own words, Dan "made quite a mess" of his life in the last seven years. He did things he's "not so proud of" now.

How do you deal with regrets and move on in your life? Hear Dan's story and find out.

Listen to Dan's story

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