Jill's Story

I absolutely love that God blessed me with a cheerful outgoing personality.  I enjoy living life to the fullest, always giving out plenty of smile and hugs! But due to deep rooted feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem, I've been a full-time people pleaser for as long as I can remember.

Throughout my life I've walked through the darkness of abuse and divorce, and the joys of marriage and raising children.  However, behind the tough exterior and big smile was a crippling fear that I wasn't good enough.  Not even close! The fear of failing and letting others down would literally paralyze me at times.  I found myself turning to alcohol when I felt overwhelmed, less than or anxious.  Attempting to drink my fears away only created more anxiety, doubt and shame.  Self-pity became my best friend.  This was an ugly cycle that I repeated many times until I knew I'd had enough.

A year ago it all came to a head for me: I had just received an OWI, my marriage was in shambles and our children were suffering.  I couldn't subject my family and myself to this destructive pattern any longer.  Something had to give - I needed to step up and take action, but I was scared.

The minute I heard about Teen Challenge, I knew it was where I needed to be. I was especially intrigued with the fact that it was a Christian based program.  For I knew full well if I didn't get my life straight with God nothing in my life would change.  

To say that I drug my heels getting here would be a huge understatement, but once I arrived at Teen Challenge I experienced what I can only describe as a miracle.  For the first time in my life, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace.  I knew right away that God loved me for who I was; not for what I could do or who I could please.  I only needed to please Him, not the world.

During this past year, I feel like I've experienced a complete "soul cleansing" which has left me feeling clean and new! Digging deep and uprooting past hurts, lies and misconceptions has allowed me to blossom and feel more free than ever!  My children responded immediately to their mom's new found freedom from bondage.  My husband and I have experienced amazing restoration in our relationship and have a marriage that I have never dreamed possible.  This has truly been a year of restoration for all of us.  God is the almighty healer of all things and I consider myself, my family and my life a testament of his precious love and grace

Without Him, I was my own worst enemy; with him, I've got it all! "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)