A new dawn breaking through darkness symbolizes the hope and new beginning found in God. When facing the desperate struggle of substance abuse addiction, it can feel like stumbling in the dark with no way out. In those moments of despair, the first place to turn should be God—the One who brings light to our darkness. This is not just a cliché or sentimental advice; it is a theologically grounded truth backed by Scripture and countless testimonies of transformed lives. God’s power to heal, restore, and deliver is unequaled, offering hope when human strength falls short. In this post, we will explore why turning to God first is vital in addiction recovery, supported by specific Bible passages and real-life stories of freedom. We’ll also discuss how faith, repentance, prayer, and community work together in a God-centered recovery journey. Through an encouraging and pastoral lens, let’s see how God can break chains and lead anyone willing to trust Him into lasting freedom.

God’s Power to Heal, Restore, and Deliver

The Bible reveals God as a healer and deliverer who specializes in redeeming broken lives. Scripture affirms that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26) – no bondage is too great for Him to break. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus healed lepers, gave sight to the blind, and even raised the dead, demonstrating divine power over every affliction. In the same way, God’s power extends to healing addiction and the underlying wounds of the heart. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah’s mission “to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners”biblehub.com. Addiction is a form of captivity – a prison of destructive habits – but God declares freedom for those held in bondage. Jesus echoed this when He said, “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36)billygraham.org. No matter how long someone has been chained by substance abuse, God is able to set them free completely and miraculously. He promises, “call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me”biblestudytools.com. This assurance of deliverance and restoration is a solid foundation for hope. God not only has the power to break physical cravings and dependency, but also to heal the soul – forgiving guilt, breaking shame, and renewing purpose.

God describes Himself as the Great Physician (Exodus 15:26) and throughout Scripture we see His heart to restore His people. “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” God spoke to Israel (Jeremiah 30:17). To the one crushed by addiction, God offers total restoration – not just sobriety, but wholeness. He can restore years lost to drug or alcohol abuse, as Joel 2:25 suggests: “I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten.” Those who turn to God often find that He not only frees them from the substance, but also redeems their story, using their past struggles to help others. The Bible is filled with stories of God taking what was meant for evil and turning it for good. When addiction shatters a life, God is able to pick up the pieces and craft them into a testimony of grace. Turning to Him first allows His redemptive work to begin at the very core of a person’s being.

Why Turn to God First in the Battle Against Addiction?

Why should God be the first place we turn, rather than a last resort? The short answer is: because only God can address the deepest roots of addiction. Substance abuse is often fueled by spiritual and emotional voids – pain, trauma, loneliness, a search for meaning – that no human solution can fully cure. Turning to God invites Him to fill those voids with His love and truth. Jesus issues a personal invitation to the weary and burdened: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… you will find rest for your souls”biblestudytools.com. This “soul-rest” is something no pill, drink, or therapy alone can provide. God offers the inner healing and peace that quells the turmoil driving an addict toward substance escape.

Moreover, God’s strength is greater than our willpower. Many struggling with addiction feel powerless to resist cravings. The Apostle Paul admitted, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Romans 7:18). Our human resolve alone is not enough – but God steps in with His almighty strength. “None of us is strong enough to overcome temptation in our own strength, but God will give us the strength”billygraham.org. The Bible promises that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out”biblestudytools.com. In other words, God Himself provides the escape route and the power to take it. Turning to Him first means tapping into an infinite strength to do what we cannot do alone.

Another reason to seek God before all else is that addiction is not only a physical or mental battle, but a spiritual one. There is an enemy of our souls who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10), and addiction is one of his weapons. We need the protection and deliverance only God can give. Scripture instructs, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)biblestudytools.com. Note the order: first submit to God, then you can effectively resist the enemy’s temptations. Making God your first refuge places you under Almighty protection. When you turn to Him, He fights for you. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). By contrast, if we attempt recovery purely on our own or even through secular programs without acknowledging God, we may be neglecting the spiritual dimension of the struggle.

Finally, turning to God first sets the tone for the entire recovery journey. It puts first things first: seeking “his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33) as the foundation, trusting that He will provide all other needs (support, treatment, physical healing) in their proper place. God should not be an afterthought or a backup plan; He is the Source of life itself. When we prioritize God, we position ourselves to receive “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). In practical terms, this might mean that before pursuing any program or therapy, a person makes the conscious decision to pray and surrender the situation to God, asking for His guidance and aid. By doing so, they invite God to lead them to the right resources and give them favor in the process. Many have found that once they put God first, doors open and breakthroughs happen that seemed impossible before.

Key reasons to turn to God first:

• God offers what no one else can – true inner healing and peace: He heals the heart and gives “rest for your souls”biblestudytools.com, addressing the root causes that drive addiction.
• His strength overcomes our weakness: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) becomes a reality when we depend on His power.
• God provides a new identity and purpose: Instead of being defined by addiction, we become “a new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) with a hopeful future and calling.
• He forgives and frees us from guilt: Through Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins – including substance abuse and the harm it caused – can be forgiven. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us” (1 John 1:9). This lifts the shame and self-condemnation that often fuel the cycle of addiction.
• Spiritual protection and deliverance: God breaks the spiritual chains of bondage and equips us to resist temptation. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). When God is for us, nothing can stand against us.

Faith and Repentance: Beginning the Journey to Freedom

The journey to freedom begins with a step of faith and repentance. Faith, in this context, means placing your trust in God’s power and love to rescue you. It’s believing that Jesus died for your sins and rose again, and that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). It is faith in Jesus that brings the new birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers change from the inside out. This spiritual rebirth gives a person the strength to start breaking free, as they are no longer fighting alone – God is now at work within them. One former addict testifies to this reality: “She asked me if I knew Jesus… She led me in the sinner’s prayer. That moment, the urge for alcohol and drugs vanished from my mind”pastors.com. In an instant, through a simple act of faith and calling on Jesus, the chains of craving were broken. Not everyone’s deliverance is that immediate, but faith in Christ consistently opens the door to God’s transforming power.

Hand-in-hand with genuine faith is repentance. Repentance means having a change of heart and mind, turning away from sin and toward God. It involves acknowledging the addiction honestly, admitting one’s inability to overcome it alone, and sorrowfully turning to God for help. This humility and honesty are crucial. In recovery terms, it mirrors Step 1 of the 12 Steps (“we admitted we were powerless… and that our lives had become unmanageable”) and Step 3 (“we turned our will and our lives over to the care of God”). The Bible has taught this principle all along: “Submit yourselves to God… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:7,10). God’s Word promises that when we repent, He is merciful and quick to forgive. “Return to the LORD… for He is gracious and compassionate” (Joel 2:13). Repentance clears the way for God’s grace to flood in. Rather than wallowing in guilt, repentance allows us to receive God’s forgiveness through Christ and to leave the past at the foot of the Cross.

A beautiful biblical picture of repentance leading to restoration is the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24). The wayward son hit rock bottom – much like an addict who has lost everything – and finally decided to return to his father’s house in humble repentance. Instead of anger, he met his father’s embrace and celebration. This is how God responds to us. When someone turns from their sin and runs toward God, God runs to meet them with open arms. He celebrates each step toward recovery and offers a fresh start. “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through faith and repentance, the slate is wiped clean and a new chapter begins. Many Christian recovery ministries intentionally start by leading participants in a prayer of surrender to God, because making that U-turn in your heart is the critical first move. As one Teen Challenge graduate put it, “At Adult & Teen Challenge, I completely surrendered to God… And He healed my family!”tcnewengland.org – not only was he set free, but even relationships were restored once he humbled himself and gave his life to Christ.

The Power of Prayer and God’s Word in Recovery

Once the journey has begun, prayer and Scripture become lifelines that maintain and strengthen one’s recovery. Prayer is our ongoing connection to God, the source of power. Through prayer, we invite God’s help daily – or hourly – in the struggle. The Bible encourages us to “cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Rather than fighting cravings with sheer willpower, a believer can cry out to God for help whenever temptation strikes. “Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you,” God promisesbiblestudytools.com. This is an invitation to bring our struggles honestly to God in prayer. Nothing is too small or too ugly to talk to God about – including the shameful relapses or the painful cravings. He already knows, and He wants us to ask for His deliverance. Regular prayer builds spiritual resilience; it recenters our focus on God’s strength rather than our weakness. As one recovering addict shared, “Every day, I pray and remind God that whatever He wants me to do, I will do it.” This daily surrender in prayer keeps a person reliant on God’s guidance and power, one day at a time.

Equally important is immersing oneself in God’s Word (the Bible). Jesus, when facing intense temptation in the wilderness, responded to Satan by quoting Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11), showing us that God’s Word is a powerful weapon against lies and temptations. The psalmist wrote, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Filling our minds with Scripture renews our thinking and pushes out the deceptive thinking that sustains addiction. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2)biblehub.com. Recovery involves a transformation of thought patterns and behaviors – something the Bible, applied daily, can accomplish by the Holy Spirit’s power.

Many people in faith-based recovery describe the Bible “coming alive” to them. Verses that they maybe heard before suddenly resonate deeply with their situation. For example, a person grappling with hopelessness might discover Jeremiah 29:11 and realize God has “plans to give you hope and a future.” Someone wrestling with fear or insomnia might find comfort in Psalm 91’s promises of God’s protection. Importantly, Scripture also convicts and instructs – it might lovingly challenge an addict to let go of old friends or habits that trigger use (“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33), or to make amends to those they’ve hurt (“confess your sins to each other… that you may be healed” – James 5:16). By applying biblical truth, one begins to rebuild life on a solid foundation. Celebrate Recovery and similar programs incorporate Bible verses into each step, because “the Bible holds the keys to life” as one Celebrate Recovery participant notedpastors.com.

Prayer and Scripture often work together. Through prayer we speak to God, and through His Word He speaks to us. This two-way conversation nurtures a real relationship with God, which is the heart of lasting recovery. In the context of addiction, prayer can be as simple as “Help me, Lord” in a moment of temptation, and then recalling a verse like “God is faithful… He will also provide a way out”biblestudytools.com as the answer He’s given. Over time, these spiritual disciplines rewire a person’s default response to stress or cravings: rather than reaching for a drink or a drug, they learn to reach for God. And God is faithful to respond. He honors even the weakest prayer of a person who is seeking Him.

The Role of Community and Accountability

While our relationship with God is personal, recovery is not a solo journey. God often works through community and accountability as instruments of healing. Turning to God first leads naturally into turning to God’s people for support. The Church (in the broad sense, including local churches and Christian recovery groups) is meant to be a healing community where burdens are shared. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Addiction thrives in isolation, but freedom thrives in fellowship. By involving other believers – whether a pastor, a mentor, a support group like Celebrate Recovery, or an accountability partner – the struggling person gains prayer support, encouragement, and wise counsel. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that “two are better than one… if either falls, one can help the other up.” In recovery, when someone stumbles or feels weak, a brother or sister in Christ can help lift them back up, reminding them of God’s promises and their progress.

Faith-based recovery programs capitalize on this principle by creating safe, supportive communities of people with shared struggles. For instance, Celebrate Recovery groups meet regularly in churches around the world, providing a space where people can be open about their hurts, habits, and hang-ups without judgment. These meetings typically include worship, prayer, lessons from the Bible, and small group sharing. Participants often say they finally felt understood and no longer alone in their struggle. One man, Dave, initially thought Celebrate Recovery was just a social club, but after attending he realized “I was not alone and was not a bad person… Celebrate Recovery helped me realize that I was not the only one who struggled”pastors.com. He also “discovered Scripture that related directly to the issues he was facing” in those meetingspastors.com. The sense of belonging and understanding in a Christ-centered group breaks the lie that “I’m the only one” and combats the shame that isolates people.

Similarly, Teen Challenge (now often called Adult & Teen Challenge in many regions) is a residential program that immerses individuals in a 24/7 Christian community. Residents follow a structured schedule that includes chapel services, Bible classes, work duties, and group counseling. Living in this environment for 12-18 months provides constant accountability and support. The results are often remarkable. Many who graduate testify that the brotherhood/sisterhood they found in the program was critical to their success. They learn to form healthy friendships and experience the love of the family of God. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” In practical terms, this might mean a roommate who will pray with you when you’re craving, or staff who gently correct you when you’re slipping into old thinking. God uses people to help shape and strengthen us on the road to recovery.

Another essential aspect of Christian community is accountability. Inviting trusted others to ask the hard questions and keep you honest greatly reduces the grip of addictive behaviors. It’s biblical: “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). There is healing in bringing secrets into the light with a safe fellow believer who will pray for you and hold you accountable. For example, a person struggling with alcoholism might have a sponsor or mentor from church whom they check in with daily, discussing victories and temptations openly. Knowing someone will ask, “How are you handling your sobriety this week?” can be a strong motivator to stay on track. More importantly, that person can remind you of God’s faithfulness and encourage you when you’re weak.

The Church’s role is also to offer practical support – meals, rides to meetings, help finding a job or a stable living situation – all expressions of God’s love through human hands. When someone turns to God, they gain not only a Heavenly Father but also a spiritual family. Embracing that family and staying connected to it is a major protective factor against relapse. Indeed, studies and experience show that those who integrate into a supportive faith community have better outcomes in recovery than those who try to go it alone. The bottom line: we need each other, and God designed it that way.

Real-Life Stories: Faith in God Breaking the Chains

Perhaps the most compelling evidence of why God should be first in addiction recovery comes from the real-life testimonies of men and women who have experienced His deliverance. Across countless Christian recovery ministries, the refrain is the same: God did for me what I could not do for myself. Let’s look at a few examples that illustrate the transformative power of faith:

• Roland’s Story (Celebrate Recovery): Roland grew up amid abuse and began drinking at age 12, eventually spiraling into decades of alcoholism and drug use. His life was, by his own admission, a wreck – jail, rehab, homelessness, broken relationships. But even when Roland felt far from God, God never gave up on him. In 1983, Roland finally surrendered. An elderly woman he met under a bridge led him in a simple prayer to accept Jesus. “That moment, the urge for alcohol and drugs vanished from my mind,” Roland recallspastors.com. He was instantly set free from an 18-year addiction. Roland has remained sober ever since – over 33 years and counting by God’s grace. “God has delivered me from alcoholism and drug addiction for 33 years, and I am grateful for what the Lord has done in my life,” he sayspastors.com. Roland went on to become a leader in Celebrate Recovery, sharing his testimony to encourage others. His story shows that God’s deliverance can be immediate and complete – the chains fell off in a moment of faith – and that God can keep someone free for the long haul. What medicine and willpower couldn’t do in decades, Jesus did in an instant. Roland’s first turn toward God became the turning point of his life.
• Dave’s Story (Celebrate Recovery): Dave was a high-functioning professional whose life fell apart after a divorce. He drowned his pain in alcohol for ten years, sinking to frightening lows (waking up in the street, physical collapse, etc.). In a moment of desperation, Dave prayed, “God, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it,” and finally sought help. He spent a month in rehab and then, at his son’s urging, walked into a Celebrate Recovery group at church. There he found not only support but the reason behind his sobriety – a relationship with Jesus Christ. Dave realized that “there is no problem too great or small for God, and that the Bible holds the keys to life.” He says “his relationship with Jesus helps cure addiction better than any medicine,” and that the Christ-centered program “engages biblical Scripture and a relationship with Christ to give healing and hope” to people like himpastors.com. With Jesus at the center, Dave reclaimed his life. As of the telling of his story, he was sober, joyfully following God’s will each day, and full of hope and purpose instead of despair. His testimony underscores that beyond sobriety, it is knowing Jesus personally that brings true healing – something no conventional treatment alone could offer.
• Justin’s Story (Teen Challenge): Justin grew up with faith but drifted in his teens and fell into heavy drug use. By his mid-20s he had lost his family, become homeless, and was utterly broken. In his rock-bottom moment, Justin reached out for help and was pointed to Adult & Teen Challenge, a Christian recovery program. “We contacted Adult & Teen Challenge, and that’s where I found God, and everything clicked,” Justin shares. He entered the program and encountered God’s love and truth there, which transformed him from the inside. “I graduated from the program in November 2019 and have been free from addiction ever since,” he testifiessvtc.info. A key verse for Justin was Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – and indeed his mind and life were renewed. After surrendering his life to God, Justin found everything falling into place: “God has been with me every step since I surrendered it all to Him”svtc.info. Today he is a devoted husband and father of three, living the life he never thought possible. He says, “God is so good, and I am so thankful for five years of freedom!”svtc.info. Justin’s turnaround illustrates how faith in God coupled with a supportive program can rebuild a life from ruins. By putting God first, he not only broke free from drugs but also found purpose, stability, and joy.
• Stories from Adult & Teen Challenge: Justin is just one of thousands of Teen Challenge graduates. The consistent theme in their testimonies is the combination of faith + surrender + hard work leading to freedom. For example, one graduate named Maurice said, “Adult & Teen Challenge helped me see that addiction is not a life sentence, and that with faith and hard work, it is possible to overcome addiction!”tcnewengland.org. Nicole similarly shared, “The faith-based approach of Adult & Teen Challenge gave me the spiritual foundation I needed to overcome addiction and start a new life.” And Barry testified, “Thanks to Adult & Teen Challenge, I have rediscovered my love for life and my faith in God, and have been able to leave addiction behind!”tcnewengland.org. These are not just feel-good anecdotes; they point to a consistent reality: when individuals truly turn to God and apply themselves to the process (therapy, steps, lifestyle changes), God meets their faith with His power. Time and again, those who were once hopelessly addicted declare, “God set me free!” – a freedom that often eluded them until they invited God into the struggle.

Celebrating restoration: A former addict reunited with his family, a living testament to God’s healing power. Through faith-based recovery, broken relationships can be mended.* These testimonies also highlight that God’s work doesn’t stop at the individual – it overflows to restore families and communities. Addictions often wreak havoc on marriages, parent-child relationships, and friendships. But when a person turns to God and is transformed, those around them also feel the impact. As one Teen Challenge graduate rejoiced, “I completely surrendered to God… and He healed my family!” Marriages have been saved and families reunited thanks to God’s intervention. The ripple effect of one life changed by God can bring healing to many others.

Faith, Hope, and Love: The Heart of Recovery in Christ

In all these stories and principles, one truth stands out: God cares deeply for the addicted and has the power to redeem any situation. Turning to God first is essentially about turning to the source of faith, hope, and love that we all desperately need. Faith provides the confidence that “God is for us” and that His power is actively working on our behalf. Hope is the anchor that keeps us from giving up, knowing that “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame”biblestudytools.com because our hope is in God’s love. And love – God’s unconditional love – is the greatest healing force. Many addicts carry deep self-hatred and believe no one could love them if their true condition were known. But God proves His love in that while we were still in our mess, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Experiencing that forgiving, accepting love empowers a person to love themselves and others, breaking the destructive cycles of shame.

A recovery journey centered on God is not necessarily easy or quick. There may be stumbles and difficulties along the way. But the difference is that now you have a foundation that cannot be shaken. God’s presence remains constant, His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient for every challenge. “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast”. That promise in 1 Peter 5:10 captures God’s heart: to personally restore and strengthen the one who trusts in Him. Over time, the once-addicted individual often becomes a beacon of hope for others, pointing them to the same God who rescued them. It’s not uncommon to see former addicts serving in ministry, recovery leadership, or simply being an encouragement to others still struggling. God turns our mess into a message.

If you or someone you love is dealing with addiction, the most important step you can take today is to turn to God in prayer. He is listening, and He is ready to help. Reach out and say, “God, I need You. I can’t do this on my own. Please help me and show me the way.” Then take that next practical step as He leads – whether it’s contacting a Christian recovery program, opening up to a pastor or trusted friend, or attending a support group. As you do, remember that you are not alone and you are dearly loved by your Heavenly Father. The road to recovery may be long, but every journey begins with one step. Make that step a step toward God. He will not fail you. Countless people have found freedom by doing just that, and their lives echo the words of Scripture: “I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry… He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:1-3). God can do the same for you. Turn to Him first – your hope, healing, and new life await in His loving hands.

References: The transformative role of faith in addiction recovery is well documented through Scripture and personal testimonies. Biblical promises of deliverance (e.g., John 8:36, Psalm 50:15) affirm God’s power to set people freebillygraham.orgbiblestudytools.com. Celebrate Recovery and Teen Challenge testimonies illustrate these truths in action – from Roland’s immediate deliverance from substance abuse through a prayerpastors.com, to Dave’s assertion that a relationship with Jesus brought healing no medicine couldpastors.com, to Justin’s life restored by surrendering to God at Teen Challengesvtc.info. Many have echoed that with faith and hard work, it is possible to overcome addictiontcnewengland.org, as God provides strength and a way of escape in temptationbiblestudytools.com. These sources collectively reinforce that turning to God is not only theologically sound but practically effective in breaking addictions’ hold and leading individuals into lasting freedom.

The Only One Who Can Truly Deliver

The Bible speaks clearly: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Addiction is a form of captivity, but Jesus came to proclaim freedom to the captives (Isaiah 61:1). Turning to God first invites His divine power to do what no human solution can—heal the root cause.

God doesn’t just treat symptoms; He restores the soul. “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” He says in Jeremiah 30:17. Many who struggle with addiction also wrestle with guilt, trauma, and shame. Only God’s grace, offered through Jesus Christ, can wipe the slate clean and start a new chapter.

Why God First?

Turning to God first isn’t about ignoring practical help—it’s about building recovery on the only foundation that cannot be shaken. He offers:

• Spiritual strength to resist temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13)
• Healing for broken hearts (Psalm 147:3)
• Forgiveness and renewal (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• A new identity in Christ, not as an addict, but as a child of God

Recovery begins with faith and repentance—acknowledging our need for God and surrendering our will to His. Jesus offers rest for the weary soul (Matthew 11:28), and countless lives have been transformed by taking that first step toward Him.

Real-Life Stories of Redemption

Roland, an 18-year alcoholic, was homeless and lost when a stranger prayed with him under a bridge. That moment, the urge for alcohol and drugs vanished. Over 30 years later, he’s still free—by God’s grace.

Dave battled alcoholism for a decade. In desperation, he turned to Jesus and joined Celebrate Recovery. Through Scripture and a relationship with Christ, he found healing that no medicine could provide.

Justin fell into drug addiction and lost everything. Through Adult & Teen Challenge, he surrendered to God and experienced lasting freedom, a restored family, and a renewed mind. “God has been with me every step since I surrendered it all to Him,” he says.

These stories echo the same truth: what therapy alone could not do, God accomplished when He was placed first.

The Role of Prayer, Scripture, and Community

Recovery isn’t meant to be walked alone. Prayer invites God’s strength daily. Scripture renews the mind and replaces lies with truth (Romans 12:2). Christian community offers accountability, love, and support—because healing happens in relationship.

Groups like Celebrate Recovery and Teen Challenge are living proof that when Christ is at the center, broken lives are rebuilt. They provide spiritual tools and safe spaces to walk in freedom. “Confess your sins… and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Begin with One Step Toward God

God doesn’t promise an easy path, but He promises His presence, power, and peace. “Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15). Make God your first step—through prayer, confession, and surrender. He will not fail you.

He turns broken stories into testimonies of hope. If you’re ready for freedom, don’t wait—turn to the One who sets captives free. Your new life begins when you place God first.