From fear to faith: Justin’s miraculous transformation
Justin Singh, transformed thanks to the grace of God and the Salvos. (Photo Provided by Captain Di Gluyas)
After battling alcohol, drug and gambling addictions, Justin Singh reflects on what life was like before he became a Christian through The Salvation Army’s Recovery Services.
“Life was hell… I never fitted in anywhere and I wanted to be accepted, once I got accepted by the crowd it all went from there,” he says.
Starting from the age of 12, Justin lied and manipulated others to feed his growing addictions, the whole time living with fear in his heart.
“I was drinking, drugging and gambling, so money didn’t stay in my hands long and I was unable to pay rent… I was homeless a number of times,” he says.
After 17 years of addiction, he tried to recover, spending time at The Salvation Army’s detox centre in inner Sydney. But despite his efforts, Justin kept falling back into the old cycle of addiction until finally he got “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” as he puts it.
“I knew it was my time. I don’t know, I just felt it. I’d had enough. I’d done everything I’d wanted to, I’d been to nearly every nightclub, I’d drunk nearly every alcohol there is, I’d taken nearly every drug there is. I’ve been around, I’ve got a criminal record, and there was nothing more for me to do.
“I was living in a homeless refuge and at times I was actually on the street… nothing good came of anything I did”
After detoxing for the second time Justin entered The Bridge program at The Salvation Army’s William Booth House and this was when the real change began.
“I had this feeling inside my heart, that God lived there… it seemed like I literally took my old heart out and put it on the floor of William Booth House knowing that I won’t get hurt … I found God throughout the whole process and things started to change.”
After that first experience of God at William Booth House two years ago, Justin has remained connected with The Salvation Army and has begun to understand more about Christianity and his new life in Christ.
“There’s a trust there now, I know God wouldn’t do anything to hurt me … I trust Him … I know that everything written in the Bible is true … God is teaching me a new way of living where I don’t have to lie about anything, for any reason.
“He’s given me faith, He’s given me hope … He’s given me a reason to live.”
Now free from past addictions, Justin attends The Salvation Army in Penrith, trying to live in a way that brings glory to God. He is engaged with a nine-month-old baby and a 13-year-old stepson.
In a time of prayer and stillness while seeking direction for his future Justin says he felt called to one day become a Salvation Army officer: “I want to join The Salvation Army, because through The Salvation Army I have found life… I’ve found God.”
No longer living with fear in his heart, Justin encourages anyone struggling with addiction to “let go and let God in – let go of everything you know to become a new person.
“Do the program, and watch – it works!” he says.
Comments
I'm so proud of you bubble I love u so much u r so amazing xxxxxx