They say it is always darkest before the dawn and that rings true for many on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, addiction can cause people to do things they never would have done before, say things they don’t mean, and believe their life is not worth living. This is a dark place.

For the disciples and Christ’s close followers, Good Friday felt like a dark day. All hope was lost. The man they thought would save them – would be their Messiah, had been crucified. He was dead. Surely, they felt lost and full of despair. The future they had imagined was gone and the purpose they felt for the past three years had disappeared.

Before arriving at Teen Challenge, many of our clients feel similar emotions. Their future is uncertain and the present feels pretty dark. They may even feel they’ve lost their purpose and somewhere along the way, their identity died.

Good Friday reminds us that God meets us in the darkest places. Jesus took on the sins of all of humanity that day on the cross. He paid the debt for each of us so that we may live an abundant life in Christ!

We know that the story doesn’t end on Friday… Victory came on Sunday!

For those struggling with addiction and looking to break free, your story doesn’t end during those dark days. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is at work today helping men and women overcome addiction! There is hope!

The process of healing takes time and sometimes when you’re in the messy middle, you wonder if you are making progress at all. Take heart and have patience. As you grow in your understanding of who God is and your identity in Christ, you will slowly start to rebuild your sense of self, reclaim your life, and restore your relationships.

Stay the course. God is working on you in ways you don’t always recognize at first. But slowly and surely, He strips away the shame, guilt and regret and replaces it with forgiveness, truth, and grace.

The women at the tomb on Sunday morning didn’t think it was possible that Jesus was alive. They were carrying spices, ready to prepare his body for burial. But death could not hold him!

Unfortunately, those closest to someone struggling with addiction might think change is impossible. They are weary from the chaotic and hurtful journey they’ve been on. However, each of our graduates is inspiration – change is possible!

The journey to recovery is not easy and each step along the way takes courage, but for those willing to surrender their past and embrace their new identity, the future is full of possibilities.

This year, let the Easter story fill you with hope as we reflect on God bringing life from what appeared to be dead. We pray this parallel will be an encouragement if you or someone you love is looking to leave the pain of the past behind and walk in the new life God has in store.