Joy in Healing

Author: Juan De La Cruz, Jr.

This is my story of what drugs can do to you and what it can take away from you….

I was 20 years old when I started using drugs. I was at home one day, and I got into an argument with my dad. I decided to go and live with some friends from school. We had a party one night, and a few friends came over. Out of those friends, there were about 4 girls; one of them offered me “dope” and asked if I had ever done this before. I told them I hadn’t; but when I tried this drug, methamphetamine, I fell in “love.”

Every night I would get high. I would wait a few days until I came off the high to come and see my family. I knew I was addicted when all my check money from work was going to buy this drug. I struggled so much and lived at houses with trash everywhere and rats in the house, all because I wanted to get high. One of the lowest points I ever reached in my life was when I had a 2000 Pontiac firebird that I bought for $1500; and I sold it for $150, just to buy the drugs I had been craving.

I was using for 7 years and 8 months. Over a few years, I had to decide if I wanted to change that lifestyle or continue it. And you know – I love my family, especially my sister and brother. I know they care for me a lot, just like I care for them a lot. So I decided to get right with the Lord and get clean for myself and to win back my love from my family and especially trust. It took me a while to find the right way to get sober and what steps to take to achieve my goals.

At one point, I had been clean for 2 months. But I got into some trouble and spent some time in jail. Going to jail helped me understand why the Lord was with me and what gift He had given me. I wanted to know why He always saved me, and I was able to find out during the 3 months I spent in jail. God gave me a gift to help others find Jesus. My appearance looked like a gangster because I was all “tatted up,” but I was sharing God’s word with others. I was able to reach people at their level because we were the same. Now I carry myself with more pride, more casual. With the Word of God in your life, anything is possible. Now I have been clean for 7 months strong and going on 8 this month in March. I am still pushing forward, and I am ready to stay clean and serve God for many more months and years to come! I pray to the Lord every day, and it really brightens my day.

I just want to show you all who I was before and who I am now; and I want to tell you that life is hard; but if you just keep trying and don’t give up, things do fall into place, and doors do open when you accept the Lord, Jesus Christ into your life. If you are struggling with addiction or going through depression, just message me. I want to help you achieve a goal. I want to help you know God more. I want to help you to move forward.

These are some pictures of me when I was struggling with addiction versus now. I’m sober and feeling free. I’m done drowning with the turkeys and ready to fly with the eagles…. the key phrase for this month is “Don’t Give Up.” … this picture of me with the red shirt and black shirt is when I was struggling with addiction versus the other picture of me living a sober life.

You know I couldn’t have done it without the support of my workout group, the REBL squad, family and friends. I want to thank my best friend, Marcus, for not giving up on me and being there for me. I also especially want to thank my mother, Christina Gomez, for not giving up on me through my rough patch. I love all of you a lot!

My heart is so full of joy now, thanks to the Man above! The Lord, Jesus Christ, is one of a kind, and He can make things happen if you believe in Him and trust in Him. If you are willing to put your mind into something and not give up in life, the Lord will start opening more doors, and the light will be bright everyday!