Restless to Restful

The first time I received a request to admit Michael into our program I hesitated. Several mental health issues and the long history of extensive substance abuse seemed to make the challenge even greater, but he was requesting help - he was nervous and so was I. We learned that he could be very intimidating when irritated or frustrated, however never aggressive and so we decided to accept him in our program  (Butler Creek has zero tolerance for violence). After all, he himself was taking initiative seeking help, having the desire to change and not to use substances anymore to self-medicate. But most importantly we also knew that God was going to bless his efforts and looking back I’m so glad we took him in and got to know his story.

So let me give you a small glimpse into Michael’s incredible story:

Michael never knew his father as he committed suicide in front of his mother while she was still pregnant with Michael. As a child he struggled with ADHD and was put on medication at an early age. Besides ADHD he also developed insomnia relying on several tablets of Benadryl to help him fall asleep by the age of 13. As a teenager he became a heavy user of substances and overdosed at the age of 21, leading him to leave the air force.

Mixing driving and substance abuse eventually caught up to Michael. He was in a tragic car accident where he lost his closest friend. Although Michael’s life was miraculously spared, the trauma of losing his friend and his own near death, led to Michael developing PTSD. However, in spite of these challenges God was still working in Michael’s life.

While serving his time in jail due to the accident, Seventh-Day Adventist Prison Ministries had the opportunity to meet Michael and share the good news of the gospel. He was deeply impressed by the dedication of the volunteers and their sincere care towards the inmates. Nevertheless, several years pass after his release before he enters an Adventist church. Michael and his family were welcomed with loving and open arms and it is here when his Adventist coworker shared with him about Butler Creek.

So, in October of this year Michael took a leap of faith and entered our 21-day Victorious Living Program. He had to face significantly high periods of anxiety, constant restlessness along with hives. These were just a few of the obstacles Michael had to overcome, but he was determined to conquer with Christ as His helper.

Michael's story is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and patience toward us and it was a call for the staff here at Butler Creek to take the same lead of faith and walk this road with Michael and we are so happy that we did. We were reminded once more that in helping others we are ever receiving a double return on such investments.

Through prayer, God’s profound but simple remedies that included water treatments, activated charcoal, herbal teas, exercise and a two-meal per day plan, he was able to fully detox, regain his sleep and even start dreaming again!!! This was truly amazing as Michael reported that he had not experienced the kind of restful sleep that allows the brain to dream in over 20 years.

Michael and his wife Stephany are expecting their 4^th child, and he wants to continue to be a better father and teach his children by example.

As we recount the blessings of this year, we have but to acknowledge that the greatest miracles that Christ does is that of transforming lives.