The Good
This is a story about an addict (let’s call him Mike) who moved through several rehab centres before finding one that truly helped him. It was at this centre that he turned his life around, gained the trust and respect of his peers, and eventually took on the important role of “house father,” where he was responsible for managing the centre.
The Bad
Taking all the positives from the recovery and steadily working his way into a leadership role, there’s a small ‘negative’ to note. He had no prospects for growth and wasn’t earning an income—despite having no expenses since everything was covered by the centre. However, this wasn’t really on his mind because he was doing well. Sadly, the stress of wanting to perform at his best and managing difficult residents wore him out, leading to a relapse.
This news was really upsetting for everyone. They were proud of his progress and saw him as a shining example of how change is possible — showing how even the life of an addict can be transformed. But then, he fell again. One day he was there, making strides, and the next, he was gone—transferred to another facility to begin the journey anew.
The Better
During this period, he began to see that although he had worked his way into a leadership role, the future looked uncertain unless he was willing to make a change. The truth is, he was comfortable—perhaps you can understand why—and when we’re comfortable, we tend to stay in familiar places, making the future seem less intimidating (the devil you know).
The Lord has greater plans for you. Sometimes, when we become too comfortable in our routines, we might miss His call to that brighter future. Whether it’s due to fear of the unknown or just laziness, it doesn’t matter—sometimes life nudges us through setbacks like relapses to awaken us to new possibilities. Mike has taken some time to reflect on his journey of recovery and realised there’s more to life. This has inspired him to stay committed to the program, clear his mind, and move forward on the path the Lord has laid out. Now, his future looks brighter with the promise of wonderful things yet to come.
There is always a positive to be found in a negative; you just need to look for it. You are never alone.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible
#HOPEservedHOT