Secrets to Sobriety

Young met Tina one day while he was playing video games in his friend’s garage. She just happened to walk in and stand right in front of the TV, blocking his view. As their relationship grew, on the surface, life appeared to be great for the couple. In reality, Young and Tina were living a secret life of partying and doing drugs that was destroying them.

“When the drugs were plentiful, our life was good. But when the drugs were hard to get, our life was bad,” Young recalls. Tina was getting tired of the ups and downs. She began attending Saddleback without Young whenever she hit a low. Each time, she heard Pastor Rick teach a message that she felt was specifically for her. And from those messages, she felt God’s calling for a greater purpose in her life.

Tina decided to stop using drugs, start following God, and end her relationship with Young. When she shared her decision with him, Young knew that he didn’t want to lose her. “I loved her more than I loved my drugs,” he says. Young promised Tina that he would get clean and do whatever was needed to save their relationship.

After becoming engaged, Young and Tina went through pre-marital counseling at Saddleback. That was where they were encouraged to join a small group — one of the best decisions they say they ever made. Not only did the group share Bible studies, they also enjoyed spending time and doing life together.

Tina’s act of faith in getting sober not only helped Young to walk away from drugs, it also led their drug dealer to get sober. He just happens to be Young’s best friend — the same person who introduced Young to Tina while they were playing video games that day. Today, he’s also a part of their small group.

Looking back, Tina is amazed at what God has done in their lives through Saddleback and their small group. “I’m really excited to see what he has in store for us next!”

Life is not meant to be lived alone. You were created to experience life with other people, and that’s why we encourage you to get into a small group. Click here or visit saddleback.com/smallgroups to find a small group or start one of your own.