Celebrate recovery

I grew up in a very dysfunctional family surrounded by different forms of abuse and codependency. I grew up feeling damaged and unworthy and, therefore, engaged in very unhealthy relationships that validated the belief that I wasn't good enough. God used Celebrate Recovery and the 12-step biblical program to help me process my pain and heal me through the power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.

I grew up in church, but my life felt empty because I didn't have a personal relationship with Jesus. At the age of 10, I was introduced to pornography, which filled me with shame, guilt, and fear. When I came to Celebrate Recovery, I heard my soon-to-be Sponsor's testimony and knew I wanted what he had. The power of discipleship, confession, and vulnerability in a men's small group set me free from condemnation, fear, and shame. At Celebrate Recovery, I found a family and a road map to Jesus. Today, I'm free from my past addiction, and now I can bring hope to others by sharing my experience, strength, and hope.

It seemed for years, I battled against lust, desiring things that were not good choices, such as buying new and shiny things. Sadly, after the loss of my wife, I fell into seeking affection in the wrong places, and I felt I couldn't break free. But then, at Celebrate Recovery, I found the steps, principles, accountability, and healing to help keep me on the path of life God has chosen for me. And now, with others who attend, we gratefully encourage each other in our recovery from hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

I grew up believing that I was unworthy and unloved. I chose men who gave me the attention and love that I didn't feel toward myself. Then, I began using drugs as a way to fit in and find relief from my feelings. Through Jesus and Celebrate Recovery, I learned how to live life on purpose! God helped me get my life in order so I could share his message of love with others!

I was raised in an alcoholic home where I suffered neglect and physical and mental abuse. I grew up with feelings of never being good enough. Because of the shame and guilt, I was very insecure. I sought approval and validation in all my relationships. In 1993, I came to Life Church, where I found the true meaning of a family; even though we are not perfect together, we're made whole in Christ. In 2011, I began to work on a 12-step and 8-beatitudes program at Celebrate Recovery. In this, I found the tools to grow in my relationships with myself, God, and others. God has done so many miracles in my life through the principles found in Celebrate Recovery. Now, I get to give back by serving on Friday nights.

Even though I grew up in a Christ-centered home, I took on perfectionism and people-pleasing, which evolved into codependent behavior. This behavior led me to numb my emotions and fears by binging food. Through the 12-step program of Celebrate Recovery, I am learning to live life on life's terms. The only person I have to please is God Himself. Celebrate Recovery has taught me that through Jesus Christ, there is FREEDOM from hurts, habits, and hang-ups.

I grew up in a broken home with a single parent and five children, me being the youngest. I experienced rejection, abuse, bullying, and abandonment. These traumas and experiences altered my belief system in a way that caused me to play the victim, feeling unworthy, guilty, and ashamed. I learned at an early age how to perform to get what I needed, seek approval and validation from others, and be codependent. God has used Celebrate Recovery and the 12-step biblical program to help me become aware of my emotions healthily and learn how to have a safe space to share these troubles while also obtaining freedom and peace. This would not have been possible if it had not been for the power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ.

Several years ago, the Lord let me hit rock bottom. I lost almost everything—things that I thought were important but really were separating me from God. The Holy Spirit led me to Celebrate Recovery, where I am working my steps and rebuilding my life based on God's truth. I'm learning to live one day at a time and trusting that He will make all things right when I surrender to His will.