Faith and healing

Someone created a post on the chronic pain forums blasting religious people and said that this was not the place to post such things. I can only assume that it was in response to an earlier comment I had made on a DS member's post where I quoted a scripture. In it, Jesus basically said to find rest in him. I posted the comment only because I find comfort in His words, and wanted to spread that comfort. 
However, it seems that the atheists (for the most part) on this board took affront to it. Well, too bad! I have every right to my beliefs as they have to theirs. They chose to have a faith where there is no God. I know that there is a God and I place my trust and comfort in Him. Who are they to tell me or anyone else that we cannot express our faith?
This person also said that "religion" has no place in chronic pain or depression. She/he is absolutely wrong. There have in fact been studies showing that having a religious background actually increases the chances for recovery. 
Personally, I'm sick and tired of these snobs telling me what I can and cannot say. This is still America and we are still free. I am not preaching to anyone and have not done so, but if I wish to tell someone about how I've been comforted, and want to share that comfort with someone else, I will do so. 
It is not my "faith" that has gotten me through the rough times, it is the very active work of the Lord Christ Jesus who has calmed my soul during the storm. When I had nothing left and could not go any further, Jesus showed me the way and led me through.
I was not always a Christian. I didn't become one until the age of 19. Before then I was godless. I was an atheist. But I knew deep down that there was something supernatural, something more than what the eye can see, that atheism was not the answer. So, I began my search. I ended up becoming a pagan - a neo-druid actually. I have experienced things that have no description, that none would understand unless they experienced it themselves. I discovered that the spiritual word is indeed quite real, and I experienced real power - and real fear. 
But I experienced a greater power, and that power came from Christ. That power released all the guilt and hardship from my shoulders. All the horrible things I did in the past were gone. I no longer had to hang my head in shame or be defensive over the fact of how many people I hurt, those I used, and those I abused. I was forgiven. And the hate that controlled my soul for so many years was replaced with love - a strong love for everyone. I experienced healing where my addiction to meth was instantly removed. I saw people's lives changed.
One person I know was named Izzy. He was a former Hell's Angel's enforcer. For those of you who don't know what an enforcer is, they are the people who carry out the dirty work of the gang. They even kill people if it is necessary. Those who leave the gang, specially people like him, risk death by the same people they called "brothers." Well I saw Christ change the life of this huge and powerful man who was filled with hate. I saw this man turn into a gentle giant with a love for the Lord. I've seen drug addicts become different people. I've seen people caught up in witchcraft and spiritism change into different people. I've seen demons flee at the name of Jesus. I have witnessed real power - the power to change lives.
Yes, I am a sinner. I struggle with it every day. I get angry. I deal with lust. I deal with bitterness and frustrations. I struggle with life. I am far from perfect. But all of this brings me to the daily revelation that I am a desperate sinner in need of Jesus' saving touch. My sins are forgiven, and Christ is working constantly in my life to make me into His image. I am no longer the violent man I once was. I am no longer filled with hate. I no longer look towards life without hope. I am able to love - truly and purely. And most importantly, I am able to forgive others... truly forgive, not just by word, but in my heart. God has a lot more work to do in my life - a lifetime of work actually. But in my moments of deepest despair, I can call out and have peace, not because my situation has changed. Not because I am miraculously healed physically, but because the Spirit of the Lord calms my soul and He comforts me. He lets me know that He has not abandoned me and that He never will. 
So when someone calls out in despair, when the world seems to be crashing down around them, when it seems to them that there is nowhere to go, of course I will try to comfort them in the best way that I know how, by sharing Jesus with them, even if it's just a single short verse. I do not do this in an attempt to "convert," but simply because I truly want them to find the same peace that I have. For me to not to do so would be incredibly selfish and hateful. 
Jesus has no place on DS? I disagree. What has no place on DS is hopelessness and despair, because trust me, I know there is a place to go.
I had a horrible childhood. I was abused both physically and emotionally. I was sexually assaulted. I was beat up routinely in school. I ended up dropping out and living on the streets. I became a fighter, and full of anger. I hurt anyone who looked at me wrong. I did and dealt drugs. I used women. I was on the road to an early death. I conversed and fought with demons. But I was saved. My heart was miraculously changed, and it was not anything I did other than to confess with my mouth that Jesus is God. I believed in my heart that He died on the cross for my sins, and that He was raised from the dead three days later. I asked Him to forgive me and asked Him into my heart. Jesus listened, and He saved me.On this resurrection Easter, there is indeed a place for Jesus on DS.  For Jesus is the great healer. He comforts us, takes away our wounds, and most importantly, changes us from the inside out. I will not be quiet and will continue to share the comfort and peace that I have found, because I do care for every one of you. If I didn't, I wouldn't bother.
I have found a source of strength that is beyond any pill, that is beyond any man's simple words. It is more than just "belief," but instead is an active and powerful God working in my life. The evidence is all around me. Not only that, but I do have a personal relationship with the Lord. His small quiet voice leads me through the storm, He touches my heart, and He teaches me. It is nothing I have done other than to confess who He is.You are free to continue in your faith that there is no God. That is your free choice. You can go on believing that you are alive because of some astronomical chance caused some goop to form in a puddle. You can believe that contrary to all known laws, mutations caused information to increase, and eventually you were formed.  You can believe that there is no purpose to life other than what you make, and you can believe that when you die, that's it, that there is nothing else. You can continue to believe that when you are dead, you will go into oblivion and be no more. You can continue to believe that all this life will bring you is suffering and pain. But not me.I don't believe, I know that God exists.  Not only that, but I know He created me with a purpose, that He knew my name before I was even formed in the womb. I know that I am deeply loved and cared for. I know that this life here on Earth is only temporary, and that this pain and suffering is only a passing season. I know that I will be given a new and perfect body where there will be no more disease. I know that I will be alive for eternity. Of these things, there is no doubt. I have a hope, a blessed hope because I have something to look forward to. Yet even more, until that time comes, I have a Helper right now who is constantly with me, who enables me to get through this life, that when the walls seem to be closing in, and my life looks to be falling apart, He will be there, and He will get me through it. He has before, He's doing so now, and He will continue doing so. It is your choice - live without hope or live with it. I have made mine and I will not force you to make yours. But never tell me that I cannot express my joy, or attempt to comfort others in the same way I have found my comfort. Never.  My Lord is alive. He is risen. He has conquered sin and death. He is Savior.