How A Free Bible Became My Anchor

My name is Wang Qiuhua. I live in a small village in China. For years, I only heard preachings of the Bible during church services. But at 53, I received my own Bible. It was a gift from my church, supported by the United Bible Societies. I am thankful to have my own Bible to read anytime and anywhere I want.

Before I started reading the Bible, I would quarrel with my husband and struggled to get along with his family. But one day, I read Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Those words struck me deeply and I sought to embody Christ’s humility. Slowly, I began to change. I stopped arguing and started praying instead and my faith grew.

Then came a big decision. My husband had to move to another area for work. But someone needed to stay and care for my elderly mother-in-law. I was torn. I prayed and trusted God to guide me. In the end, I stayed home. It wasn’t just out of duty. I had a heart full of peace. God’s Word had taught me to trust Him completely.

When the Covid-19 lockdown happened, God’s Word became my anchor. Every day, I opened my Bible to find comfort and strength. One particular chapter that spoke and reassured me was Psalm 91. It reminded me that God is my protector, my refuge. “God’s Word is the truth, and it is alive,” I often told myself. It gave me peace, strengthen my faith, and helped me manage challenging family relationships.

The Bible also changed how I saw money and relationships. “In poverty or wealth, everything is in the Lord’s hand,” I am reminded every time I read the Bible myself. God’s love filled my heart. I wanted to share it with others. Even though we didn’t have much, I opened our home to my sister-in-law. I reached out to the sick neighbours.

Today, I am thankful for God’s presence in my life. The Bible has set me free. My personal copy of the Bible is more than a book. It’s a source of life and has helped me live out its truths, sharing God’s love and rejoicing in His transformative power.