I was raised in a Christian home, but I was never truly interested in being a Christian myself. All church ever was to me was another wasted Sunday that could have been better spent on the river fishing with my dad.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a void in my life that left me feeling anxious and depressed all at the same time. Starting at the age of 13, I started trying to cover up this void with vices like alcohol, marijuana, and eventually pills. By the time I graduated from high school, I had a scholarship for academics to Boise State University. I was an all-state middle linebacker, and I was fully addicted to oxycontin.
In August 2008, I started college at Boise State, and I also started my first outpatient rehab. For the next six years, I tried everything in my power to stay sober. I went to several different inpatient and outpatient rehabs, but I was barely able to slow my addiction down. No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I could not stay off drugs for more than a couple of months. No matter how long I stayed sober, I still had a void that I could never seem to fill.
In March 2014, I was at my lowest point. I found myself severely depressed to the point of suicide, and I truly believed there was nothing left to live for. I was addicted to heroin and meth, and I saw no way out. On March 13, 2014, I checked into Adult and Teen Challenge, completely broken and without any hope of successfully completing the year-long program.
But, God had a different plan. Three weeks into the program, I got down on my knees at Brownsville Assembly of God and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. For the first time in my life, I felt like that void was finally filled. Now when I cry out for help, I get relief that can only come from my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. My life is now full of joy, and I have every reason to live. Now, I live for the Lord and I do as James 5:13 tells us to do, “when I’m in trouble, I pray, and when I’m happy, I pray”. There is hope, and this hope is Christ Jesus.