My name is Tyler and I am a believer who struggles with addictive behaviors. I grew up in a Christian family and we were church goers for all things church. Youth groups, Weds night dinners and teachings and of course Church retreats. I have no excuse for falling away as I did and spending 23 years in active addiction. I was and athlete and played all sports and lettered in 2 varsity sports in High School. I liked the attention it gave me. I also was an attention seeker. I still struggle with that. One of the things it led me to was following a crowd of people I thought was cool. They were also rebels and at that time called Hippies! Weed was the main thing they used to get high and I tried it. It led to other things to experiment with and I did. I eventually went to college and found a different and easier to obtain drug in alcohol. It led me to being arrested and nearly kicked out of school.
I did however graduate and then moved to a sales job where money was decent, and drugs were easier to get. I fell in to that crowd again. I was a successful salesman for many years. The drugs finally took over my life and it led me to losing everything I had. As I look back, losing everything is what I truly needed to become the man I am now...broken and pieced back together with the help of Jesus and recovery. Recovery led me to Christ, and worship, and a lifestyle that is so much more fulfilling than hiding from the law and living in the dark with no hope or money to turn on the lights.
Discovering Celebrate Recovery in 2004 gives me a gratitude for a program that has allowed me to find true freedom! I can do anything through Christ that strengthens me! I can and do walk with Him each day in freedom from addiction and many of the hurts and habits that kept me from knowing him and what love really is.”
Thanks for letting me share. Tyler
