Raphael Zhang

Learn more about Raphael Zhang and check out Raphael Zhang’s contributions to YMI over the years.

Posts

How to Fall and Fail Better

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In my time writing for YMI, I’ve shared my reflections on my struggles with perfectionism, alcohol, and masturbation, among others. As this year comes to an end, I wanted to be able to proclaim that I have found complete victory over these struggles.

The Time I Attempted Suicide

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Pills and broken glass, tears and blood, fear and despair. It was one of the darkest nights of my life. I didn’t want to do it yet I couldn’t see how to face the next day. The pain of ending everything there and then seemed lesser compared to the pain of going on.
Experience God's freedom in from sin in life

Is Masturbation Your Master?

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“The M word.” “MacDonald’s.” These are some of the words I’ve heard people use to refer to the act of sexual self-stimulation, otherwise known as masturbation. My earliest memory of it was when I was around five or six years old.

Letter to My Past (Gay) Self

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Dear Raphael, I am you in 10 years’ time. Before I say anything else, I want you to know that you’re deeply loved by God and you’re very precious to Him. You are the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).

Why We Must Engage Both Mind and Heart

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When I was a much younger Christian, I was taught that feelings were unreliable.

Why I’m Not Pursuing Gay Relationships Anymore

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It was past midnight. I was with the guy I had liked for more than a year. We had just left a gay bar and, for some reason, started to talk about Christianity and homosexuality. We were both Christians, but he and I held different views on this matter.
Couple embracing by a pond in the woods

4 Questions God Asked Me When I Got Attached

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For some seven years of my life, I longed to be in a romantic relationship almost every single day. I imagined that a relationship would bring me someone who truly knew and loved me, and vice versa.
Woman standing alone praying

3 Things I Never Knew About Prayer

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Despite being Christian for almost 22 years, I never liked nor knew how to pray for the better part of those two decades. I’d always think, “Why do I need to pray when God already knows everything?”
Illustration of a lady facepalm

5 Reasons Why We Should Repent Again and Again

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The more I came to understand what repentance really is, the more I realised that it is, in fact, a wonderful gift by God to us. Here are some reasons why.