I struggled with a drug and alcohol addictions since I was in college. It got so bad and out of control that I even began using cocaine when I drank.

I grew up in a very religious family and I would beat myself up emotionally whenever I failed. Whenever that happened, I would get drunk and use cocaine. Condemnation would lead me to drink and take drugs again and again so the cycle was non-stop. I would pray, speak in tongues, and read the Bible until I was blue in the face. I also tried hypnosis, herbal remedies, and other types of methods. But nothing worked.

I began to read Joseph Prince’s books and believed the message about Jesus setting us free from every sin, that God doesn’t remember our sins against us, and is not angry with us but loves us. I used to believe God was punishing me for drinking so much by allowing me to be addicted to cocaine. So I would get very angry with God. This was how I was raised—to see and fear God as a taskmaster, and not to see Him as a loving Father. I was never taught to believe in the unlimited grace and perfection of Christ.

After ten years of going no longer than two or three weeks without drugs, I can now report that it has been a few months since I last used cocaine. It was a gradual process, but I feel at peace and healed. Also, I used to be in debt but I now have savings in my bank account. I used to be single and couldn’t hold down a relationship with a girl but I now have a girlfriend whom I care deeply about.

I am so blessed and so grateful to the Son of the living God. He has not only delivered me from the snare of the fowler, but also restored double to me! Confessing “I am the righteousness of God in Christ” and “thank You, Jesus, that by Your stripes I am healed” has helped me. Hallelujah!