JOY Stories
Andrea
Finding Power in Jesus
After my husband and I divorced, I tried to move on with my life with my sons. I went back to school, had a gastric bypass to change my appearance, and moved to a different state. On the outside I looked professional, educated, and loving to my children. On the inside and behind closed doors, I was an abused alcoholic who struggled with abandonment issues, depression, and anxiety.
Eventually, I got a DUI and began going to AA. It was there I met Kyle. We did not surrender everything to God and both relapsed. It was around this time that I received word that my father was dying of cancer in Georgia. We decided to go and care for him, my sister who has Downs Syndrome, and my mother who was in declining health. Moving back made things worse. After dad died, my husband and I continued to care for my mother and sister. While we were living with them and working from home, our addictions got worse. The vicious cycle of addiction and codependent behavior took me into a depression that was darker and deeper than I had ever known.
I believe it was all part of God’s plan now. We decided to attend Celebrate Recovery. However, it became apparent that we could not succeed in recovery together. We had to complete our individual paths in recovery. I finally surrendered everything to God. Thankfully, Kyle did the same.
He and I say there are three miracles in our recovery - me, him, and our marriage. We could not be where we are today had we not gone to any lengths individually to put off our old nature and ask God to equip us with a new one. Today we serve wherever we can at our church and help others in their sobriety. God continues to bless our lives and marriage as we seek him daily.
I had struggled so much I barely wanted to wake up and do life. Today I wake up excited to see what God has in store for me and whom I can serve. I was a fool who followed fools until I gave up my foolish ways completely and became not just a believer in Christ but a follower. If you are seeking peace, freedom, healing, and a new life, you can find the power in Jesus. Surrender to Him with complete abandon and follow Him in EVERY aspect of your life.
Photos for Andrea
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