Recover Out Loud - Heartland Recovery

Pagan to Promise Land: My Transformation through Faith and Recovery

A Pivotal Moment: Entering Heartland Women’s Recovery Program

“Brandie honey, please don’t run. You just might not make it if you do.” These were the words that my mom spoke to me as she and my dad dropped me off at the Heartland Women’s Recovery Program in September of 2021. Little did I know the transformation through faith and recovery that would take place in my life during the next year; running away from my problems (literally) had been somewhat of a profession at this point in my life. Considering that as I looked around me that day and saw nothing but corn fields for miles and miles, I thought, “Well God, you sure know what you’re doing now don’t ya?”

The Heartbreaking Reality of Witchcraft

“I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.” Ezekiel 36:24-25

If someone would have told me something like this four years ago, I would have boldly stated, “There is no way in H-E double hockey sticks!” I was a devout pagan woman living a pagan lifestyle—a “green witch” more or less—consumed with crystals and stones that I truly believed were protecting me, message bamboo that helped me track down my ‘prey,’ and splitting the clouds with one command in order to view my gleaming boyfriend, Moon (yes, the actual moon in the sky). It’s true! Such a lost soul in a world full of utter destruction.

Being so engulfed in witchcraft and deception had turned my life for the worst. I know, I know, who would have ever thought so, huh? (Shaking my head as I look back.) As a pagan, you truly believe that you are the one in control of these deceptive demons, elemental spirits, or what some people may call a ‘god’, but the most heart wrenching part of it al, is that “they” are completely in control of you…some just don’t know it, yet. An evil bitterness engulfs you. That brings us our next verse…

The Life-Changing Power of God’s Word

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove your heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

Friends, that is EXACTLY what Christ did for me! Learning how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ (ex. praying and communicating with Jesus, reading the Bible, trusting in the Red Letters) changed my life completely! It molded my heart into something new and beautiful. I learned to trust and obey. My mourning was FINALLY turning into joy! I was able to give the Creator of the universe my life issues so HE could handle them properly and I laid my struggles at the feet of Jesus. I asked Him to take my burdens, guilt and shame (SO much shame) away from me, and then trust that He did!

Experiencing Transformation: A New Heart and Spirit

“And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” Ezekiel 36:27

Say what?! Me, obey? The old me would have said, “No way.” Just ask those who knew me at the Madison County Sheriff Department.

But all praise be to God for His goodness and mercy! He did it! The LORD put His Holy Spirit inside of me and now I am forever “ruined for Christ”. (That is a good thing if you weren’t sure.) Being “ruined for Christ” is not about perfection, but surrender. It’s about continually giving your heart to God and letting Him lead!

A Call to Hope

Friends, if you or someone you know is struggling with life altering situations, please give Heartland Recovery a call at 573-633-5606 or visit the “Get Help” page this site so we can help guide you into a new way of life; a life with Jesus Christ at the center of it all. We are not perfect, but we do know that our God truly is!

Brandie Brown, HWRP Staff

To hear more of Brandie’s story of transformation through faith and recovery, click here for her video testimony.

Not Addicts. Brand New Creations.

Recover Out Loud

The Misconception of Addiction as a Lifelong Disease

In the world of recovery, we are often led to believe that addiction is a disease in which there is no known cure. Most would say “once an addict, always an addict”. Many people believe that although there is no hope of ever being set free from that identity, if you follow certain steps and modify your behavior you can achieve sobriety… but you’re still an addict. What a sad and hopeless belief system. Addiction is not incurable.

Our True Identity is Found in God

God is the only One who can determine our identity and our worth, because He is the One who created us. And you will not find the principle of “once an addict, always an addict” anywhere in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, there isn’t a biblical principle or verse anywhere that will validate or support that belief system. It’s actually quite the opposite; in Mark 9:23 Jesus said, “ALL THINGS are possible to those who believe.”

Addiction is Not the Root Problem

The secular approach to recovery says addiction is the problem. In reality, the problem is not addiction, the problem is our sin and substance abuse is simply a symptom of our sinfulness. The source of the problem lies in our belief system. What we believe about God, ourselves, our sin, and even substance abuse should be learned from God’s perspective, through the truth of God’s Word, not from the world’s view. It is only through the truth of God’s Word that we can be set free.

The Power of Truth in Overcoming Addiction

Jesus said in John 8:31-32 – “If you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” The truth is that substance abuse is just a symptom of the real problem, and when we try to treat the symptom of the problem without treating the problem itself, the problem still remains. The problem of substance abuse ends up killing us spiritually, mentally, and physically, as many brothers and sisters have lost their minds and their lives to the lies about addiction.

The Supernatural Power of Jesus to Overcome Addiction

In Matthew 14, we find the story of Jesus calling Peter out of the boat to walk on the water. When Peter stepped out of the boat, he had supernatural power to walk on the water because he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus. Those of us bound in addiction need the supernatural power of Jesus to overcome addiction, because there is no system of man that can come and heal our soul-sick broken heart, and only our Creator can give us a new name and a new life. Committing to fixing our eyes on Jesus for supernatural power looks like trusting in Him for the forgiveness of our sins, committing to His Word, daily prayer, and joining His family, which is His church.

Secular Recovery Programs Can’t Fix the Real Problem

I’ve been through countless secular rehabs and behavior modification programs, and none of these systems fixed my problem. All they did was temporarily treat the symptom, which only led to one relapse after another.

My Personal Journey to Healing Through Faith

After 20 years of hardcore meth addiction and almost 13 years in prison, God called me to Heartland Recovery and this is where I found the supernatural power to overcome addiction, by trusting and believing in the truth of God’s Word through a personal relationship with the One who Created me, Jesus Christ. God used His Word and His church to reveal Himself to me in supernatural ways, and it was the love of God through the people of God that broke through the hardness of my heart and opened my blind eyes. I have been completely delivered from any desire to use substances, as I now have something far better in Jesus. By God’s grace I have been completely substance-free for over 10 years.

God’s Plan for Our Lives: Abundant and Free

The fact of the matter is that God did not create us to be hopeless addicts. He created us to live an abundant life, not a broken life. A life that gives hope to the hopeless, and exemplifies His power to heal, save, and deliver.

A New Identity: More Than Overcomers in Christ

God says we are more than overcomers in Christ, royalty in His kingdom, children of the most High God, a people of integrity and honor, a people with a sound mind, a people of the Book, a people with supernatural power to do supernatural things to bring glory to God. World changers, planet shakers, generational curse breakers, a peculiar and holy people who make a difference in this world.
Not sober, but 100% delivered.
Not addicts, but a brand-new creation in Christ.
That’s who we are.

J.C. Morgan, HMRP Group Leader

The Scripture passage we use for our Recovery graduations comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17 which says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” You can experience the same deliverance that J.C. found. Contact us to learn more.

Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired? Tools for Your Recovery Journey

Recover Out Loud

In the journey of addiction recovery, self-awareness and proactive self-care are essential to prevent relapse. One effective tool to help you stay on track is the HALT method—an acronym for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. These emotional and physical states are common triggers for relapse, so recognizing them in yourself or a loved one and addressing them proactively can help in the journey of sobriety and long-term recovery.

Hungry – Emotional and physical hunger can trigger cravings and poor decision-making.
Angry – Unresolved anger or frustration can lead to a desire to numb pain through substances.
Lonely – Isolation can make individuals feel disconnected, increasing the temptation to use substances for comfort.
Tired – Exhaustion or burnout can diminish self-control and make relapse more likely.

The Story of Bill: A Powerful Reminder of HALT’s Importance

Consider the story of my friend, whom I will call Bill. He had several years of sobriety and seemed to have it all—a great job making $70,000 a year, a nice car, and plenty of toys to enjoy. But something was missing. After a painful divorce caused by his wife’s infidelity, Bill became increasingly isolated. He lived alone, didn’t have much of a social network, and rarely left his home outside of work. In many ways, he was a hermit. He also struggled with his weight and eventually underwent stomach stapling surgery.

One day at work, a coworker offered him methamphetamine. Feeling lonely and disconnected, Bill accepted. That one decision triggered a downward spiral. Meth led him back to drinking, and over the next few years, he experienced multiple cycles of abstinence and relapse. His physical health deteriorated further because he wasn’t taking care of himself—he didn’t follow the necessary nutritional guidelines after his surgery, which left him malnourished and vulnerable.

Bill reached out for help multiple times—to me and others—but he refused our advice. Sadly, his addiction worsened. Eventually, Bill developed alcoholic dementia, also known as wet brain—a severe, irreversible condition caused by long-term alcohol abuse and vitamin deficiency. He will now suffer from this debilitating illness for the rest of his life unless God supernaturally heals him, which I pray for daily.

Bill’s story is a powerful reminder of how critical it is to recognize and address vulnerability. The HALT method urges us to stop and assess whether we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. If Bill had been able to accept the help offered to him, things might have turned out differently.

Use HALT to Prevent Relapse: Practical Tips for Addiction Recovery

The HALT method isn’t just a concept; it’s a practical tool. Here’s how you can apply HALT to your own journey toward long-term sobriety:

Hungry: Ensure you’re eating balanced meals and staying hydrated. If you’re emotionally hungry (feeling empty), reach out to your support network rather than turning to substances.
Angry: Practice emotional regulation techniques such as deep breathing, journaling, or seeking professional counseling. Anger can cloud judgment, so managing it is crucial.
Lonely: Build a strong support system. Stay connected with family, friends, and recovery groups. Isolation can make you vulnerable, so make efforts to socialize and engage.
Tired: Make rest a priority. Lack of sleep and exhaustion can impair your judgment and make it harder to resist triggers. Establish a healthy sleep routine.

The Role of Self-Care in Addiction Recovery: A Biblical Perspective

The Bible calls us to care for ourselves as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Practicing self-awareness and intentional self-care is not only wise, it’s an act of obedience and stewardship. Taking care of your physical and emotional well-being is a spiritual responsibility that can help you maintain recovery.

Conclusion

In moments of vulnerability, take a moment to use HALT as a tool to care for yourself, recognizing the signs of being hungry, angry, lonely, or tired so that you can proactively address them and make decisions supporting your recovery. Resilience is built one decision at a time, and staying attentive to your needs can help you stay on the path to healing and freedom.

Scott Miller, HMRP Assistant Director

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is hope. The Heartland Recovery Program offers a Christ-centered approach to recovery, providing practical tools and a supportive community. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions or to connect with us.

Not Beyond Redemption

Recover Out Loud

There’s a line from The Shawshank Redemption that often comes to mind when I think of my dear friend Don Roper: “I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they’re gone. I guess I just miss my friend.”

Don was one of those rare people whose light shined brightly wherever he went. I have countless memories of him, but one that stands out is the day he shared his testimony at the Heartland Recovery Program.

Don had a long and impactful career as a warden at Potosi Correctional Center in Missouri. During his testimony, he recounted a powerful story about a man on death row. Just minutes before his execution, Don asked the man if he had any final words. His response was unforgettable: “Pray for the other inmates because some of them don’t know Jesus.”

This man, who had committed three homicides, could have said anything in his final moments. Yet, by God’s grace, his last words were a prayer for others to find salvation in Christ. As Don told this story, he wept—not just for the man’s transformation, but for the incredible power of God’s grace to save even those we might consider beyond redemption.

Don’s life was a testament to that same grace. He was a faithful servant who loved God and loved people. Every Thursday, Don would come to the Heartland Men’s Recovery Program to attend PowerBarn, our men’s service. He wasn’t just a visitor—he was a mentor, a friend, and a constant source of encouragement for the residents. His desire to serve was rooted in his love for Jesus, and he poured that love into everyone he met.

I count myself incredibly blessed to have known Don Roper. His friendship, faith, and compassion left an indelible mark on my life and on the lives of so many at Heartland. While I miss him deeply, I rejoice in knowing that his legacy of faith continues to inspire us all.

Scott Miller
HMRP Assistant Director