General

“I’m George, and I’m a grateful alcoholic,” the 70-something said before sharing at an AA meeting. At first, I thought I misheard. Alcohol had ruined my life and nearly killed me—how could anyone be grateful for it? But George said it again at the next meeting, and again after that. Finally, I cornered him to…

We’ve been exploring different domains of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), a powerful framework for healing after trauma. Our culture is saturated with messages about PTSD. Books, counselors, medications, and alternative treatments promise relief, often at a high cost. While these can help, many people continue to suffer from PTSD for decades without true healing. One of…

The Bible is filled with stories of trauma and hardship becoming the foundation for new strength and power. Yet in today’s culture, these stories are often dismissed as ancient myths. In reality, God still uses weakness to develop new strength—and building personal strength in recovery is one of the clearest ways we see Post-Traumatic Growth…

When trauma leaves its mark, it often feels impossible to move past the pain. In my years as a physician—especially the last ten spent in a mental health facility—I’ve heard countless stories of suffering and injustice. A common thread runs through them: the struggle to move forward when life feels deeply unfair. I know this…

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit in at church—or even that you’re not really wanted there—you’re not alone. In my work in addiction, I hear this all the time. People tell me they grew up with some kind of religion, but when life got messy, they felt like the church didn’t want them…

Recovery from addiction is more than surviving—it’s about growing. In this post, we’ll explore how Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) reshapes the recovery journey, moving from simply being “in recovery” to flourishing in faith, resilience, and purpose. What “Being in Recovery” Usually Means in Addiction Recovery Most people who seek relief from the bondage of addiction often…

Many years ago, I recognized that I was unable to quit drinking on my own. I had heard that Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) worked for many people, so out of desperation, I went to a meeting. At that meeting, a man received his 30-year sobriety coin. I thought to myself, “Why are you still coming to…

I recently had the chance to join Greg Kelley on the Let’s Go 360 podcast. It was a really meaningful conversation—and not just because we talked about addiction and recovery. We talked about what it actually looks like when someone turns their life around, and how the Church can show up for people in the…

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at the national conference for the Christian Medical Dental Association (CMDA) on how to support people going through 12-step recovery for addictions of all kinds. It was great to be at a conference where 1200 professionals could proudly bow their heads and give thanks to their savior, Christ…