The chains of addiction were broken

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By Jon Thompson 

I have been delivered from an addiction. And I'm very grateful for that.

In 2015. I had a job that I really liked, which hasn't happened very often in my life. And before I had this job, I was driving a truck working 70 hours a week.

So when this job came about, it was a blessing. I was able to get off the road, I spent more time at home.

Then in 2016 the company I worked for reorganized, so I went from management to a grunt to a nobody. And during this process, I didn't realize how much this was affecting me emotionally and mentally.

Up to this point, I mainly dealt with my emotions and anxiety by acting out with unhealthy behaviors. So that's what I did, until 2017 when it blew up. 

I found out that everything that I had been dealing with for the last 40-some years actually was an addiction. I had no idea. 

Confronting addiction 

I didn't know what to do, so I just went into cleanup mode. I did everything I could do. 

I signed up for Celebrate Recovery, I found a therapist, I went to a small group, I did everything I thought I was supposed to do to help me get fixed. 

I knew if I didn't fix this problem, I was gonna lose my marriage, my kids, my grandkids.

I kept on checking off boxes in my 12 step class, thinking, “Hey, I'm doing good.”

I started The Ultimate Journey, and that was the game changer for me. That’s where I met the Holy Spirit in a way I'd never, ever imagined.

He took me back as able to reconnect to my childhood, I was able to reconnect to my inner child, to be able to understand what happened to me as a kid and being able to understand where Jesus was. 

Then in September 2017, it blew up again. I realized that I was not in recovery. I had not been sober for seven months, I was still acting out, I was still doing all my old behaviors, I just hid it better. 

Songs of praise filled the car

Things started going better, and it’s been better.

Earlier this year, I was driving back from St. Cloud, Minnesota, and I was sitting in silence. I realized that the silence was not helping at all, so I plugged my phone into the car.

I just found one song after another, and I had a phenomenal worship service with Jesus. He put together a playlist for me, just song after song after song. 

The words rang out:

 “I am free.”

“The chains are broken.”“I am loved.”

Everything that I had been wanting.  Finally, the Zach Williams song came on, “Fear is a Liar.” The chorus just struck me: 

“Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears / Let Your fire fall Your love is all I feel.”

A moment of trust - and peace 

The Holy Spirit fell in the car. I just sat there, and at that very moment, something struck me to the core. Nothing like that had happened to me before. 

I had total, unbelievable peace. 

I knew that if anything happened to me at the moment, I was going to be alright. I had a deep understanding, a deep feeling inside. I understood that God loves me. 

I don’t have a job right now, but that’s okay, because I know we are going to be okay. 

I have unshakable peace.

I want to give Glory to God for everything he has done for me, because if it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t be here right now. And I want to give him thanks for that.

Jon Thompson lives and works in Central Iowa and works as a truck driver.

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Editorial note: This story was edited and verified according to our editorial standards.

Disclaimer: Faith Storytellers publishes personal testimonies to inspire and encourage. These stories represent the individual experiences and beliefs of the author. They are not intended to serve as professional medical, mental health, financial, or legal advice. We encourage you to seek the counsel of qualified professionals for any health, psychological, or professional concerns.

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