Sarah Jones-Rollason | From Shame to Redemption

There was a time in my life when I didn’t think I would make it out of addiction. I had consequences I couldn’t undo. Pain I didn’t know how to face. And a life that felt completely out of control. Sobriety didn’t come easy. And it didn’t fix everything. But it led me somewhere I never expected— to Christ. Not in a perfect, put-together way… but in the middle of the mess, the consequences, and the rebuilding. That’s where everything started to change. Not all at once. But deeply. I wrote about this part of my journey here ↓ substack.com/home/post/p-19… If you’re struggling—or wondering if change is even possible— you’re not alone. #FromShameToRedemption #AddictionRecovery #Faith #Sobriety #ChristianRecovery #FaithInGod #TrustGod #GodsPlan #ChristianRecovery #JesusSaves #WalkByFaith #FaithOverFear #GodsGrace #BiblicalTruth

I kept things hidden for years. My DWI. Losing my license. Debt I didn’t want to face. Even things in my marriage I tried to cover up. Trying to keep it all together was exhausting. What I thought was protecting me… was actually keeping me stuck. This is what I’ve learned about the weight of secrets—and how freedom really begins. 👇 open.substack.com/pub/s2rministr… #AddictionRecovery #FaithBasedRecovery #ShameAndHealing #BreakingTheSilence #TruthAndFreedom

Not every death looks the same. Not every recovery looks the same. But both will teach you this— you were never in control to begin with. God is. s2rministries.substack.com/p/held-in-ever… #Truth #Faith #Recovery #Sobriety #Grief #GodIsInControl #Healing #Hope

There’s truth here—but it misses something deeper. If your identity was built on a title, then yeah… this shift will feel like a loss. But identity was never meant to come from what you do—it comes from who you are. Scott Adams talks about “talent stacking”—not being great at one thing, but being decent at several things that combine into something unique. That fits this moment. Be flexible. Learn broadly. But even that isn’t the foundation. Because you can stack skills and still feel empty if there’s no anchor underneath it. I’m 58 and still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up—and I’m okay with that now. I’m not chasing a title. I’m living God’s purpose for my life. Addiction is what I’ve known and lived through. So now, that’s what I use to help others. That’s not a noun. That’s a calling. AI can replace tasks. But it can’t replace lived experience or purpose. When the labels fall away… that’s what’s left.

Eric Weinstein just described the end of the mapped life. For ten thousand years, humans had to earn the right to exist. Pick a noun. Become the noun. Die as the noun. Accountant. Teacher. Radiologist. The box had a name. You climbed inside and stayed until retirement or death. Weinstein: “Every occupation that is named is over.” Not automated. Not replaced. Named. You picked a noun. It told the world who you were. Then it told you who you were. If your future has a title your parents recognize, that future is already dissolving beneath you. Weinstein: “A tsunami of a lifetime is coming and nothing your elders have seen is gonna prepare you.” People hear this and assume it’s about unemployment. It’s not. It’s about identity. The machines aren’t absorbing tasks. They’re dissolving the categories we built ourselves around. You spent your whole life becoming a noun. The noun is about to stop existing. When the label disappears, what’s left of you? Weinstein: “Get flexible. Get good on a bunch of different stuff. Learn how to think across disciplines.” Stop being a noun. Start being a verb. But the most important thing Weinstein said has nothing to do with strategy. It touches something much older. Something closer to the bone. In a world where AI is world-class at everything, what is the point of a human being? Weinstein: “I think you should be able to just have a life. I have a golden retriever. I don’t know that it’s the greatest golden retriever in the world.” For ten thousand years, human worth was measured by output. How much you could lift. How fast you could think. How much value you could squeeze from a single day. We trained ourselves to think like machines because machines didn’t exist yet. Now they do. And they will be better than us at every measurable thing. Most people hear that and feel terror. They should feel something closer to relief. When a machine can do it better, the metric dies. When the metric dies, the cage opens. You were never supposed to be a spreadsheet. You were never supposed to justify your breath with a job title. Your golden retriever doesn’t optimize. It doesn’t produce quarterly earnings. It doesn’t prove it’s worth to anyone. It just lives. And you love it anyway. That was always the offer. We just couldn’t afford it. Now we can. We spent ten thousand years trying to prove we were machines. The machines just arrived to tell us we never had to be.

This hit different for me because I’ve lived that cycle. Not just “busy”… but survival mode. Wake up already behind, put out fires all day, carry the weight of yesterday, and go to bed hoping tomorrow won’t hit as hard. That loop doesn’t just exhaust you—it slowly convinces you that this is all life is. I remember when my life revolved around addiction, shame, and just making it through the day without everything falling apart. I wasn’t running toward anything. I was running from everything—my past, my choices, even myself. And here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud: You can get sober… You can fix some things… You can look “okay” on the outside… …and still be stuck in maintenance mode. That’s the real trap. What changed for me wasn’t just removing what was destroying me—it was finally finding something worth living for. For me, that became Christ. Not religion. Not routine. Not checking boxes. But purpose. A reason to wake up that wasn’t tied to fear, survival, or proving anything to anyone. Because without purpose, life really does become exactly what this describes—just managing problems until time runs out. But we were created for more than maintenance. More than survival. More than just getting through the week. There is a kind of life where you actually feel grateful to wake up… not because everything is easy, but because you know why you’re here. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 If you feel stuck in that cycle… you’re not crazy. But you’re also not meant to stay there.

Elon Musk just diagnosed the disease no one admits they have. Life has become a triage ward. Pay the bill. Dodge the crisis. Survive the week. Repeat until dead. Musk: “Life cannot just be about solving one miserable problem after another. That can’t be the only thing.” Most people can name every problem they are running from. They cannot name a single thing they are running toward. That is the disease. You did not lose your purpose. You replaced it with maintenance. Musk: “There need to be things that inspire you. That make you glad to wake up in the morning and be part of humanity.” Glad to be part of humanity. When was the last time you felt that. Not relief. Not distraction. Not the dull numbness of a weekend burning down to Sunday night. Actual gladness that you exist. Most people cannot answer that question. Not because the answer is painful. Because they have never been asked. We have spent decades staring at the floor. Sweeping the same dirt into the same corner of the same room. Musk quotes Tsiolkovsky: “Earth is the cradle of humanity, but you cannot stay in the cradle forever.” The cradle is warm. The cradle is safe. The cradle is small. And a species that refuses to leave it is not being cautious. It is dying slowly in the only room it has ever known. Musk: “It is time to go forth, become a starfaring civilization… and expand the scope and scale of human consciousness.” Look up tonight. Billions of galaxies. Trillions of stars. An ocean of light stretching 93 billion light years in every direction. And one tiny wet rock figured out how to wonder why it exists. We are not passengers on this planet. We are the universe waking up. And right now the only conscious thing in the universe is trapped in one room arguing about the electricity bill. The problems will never end. There will always be another fire. But you were not built to fight fires. The universe was dark for 13.8 billion years. Then it opened one eye. You.

This hit different for me because I’ve lived that cycle. Not just “busy”… but survival mode. Wake up already behind, put out fires all day, carry the weight of yesterday, and go to bed hoping tomorrow won’t hit as hard. That loop doesn’t just exhaust you—it slowly convinces you that this is all life is. I remember when my life revolved around addiction, shame, and just making it through the day without everything falling apart. I wasn’t running toward anything. I was running from everything—my past, my choices, even myself. And here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud: You can get sober… You can fix some things… You can look “okay” on the outside… …and still be stuck in maintenance mode. That’s the real trap. What changed for me wasn’t just removing what was destroying me—it was finally finding something worth living for. For me, that became Christ. Not religion. Not routine. Not checking boxes. But purpose. A reason to wake up that wasn’t tied to fear, survival, or proving anything to anyone. Because without purpose, life really does become exactly what this describes—just managing problems until time runs out. But we were created for more than maintenance. More than survival. More than just getting through the week. There is a kind of life where you actually feel grateful to wake up… not because everything is easy, but because you know why you’re here. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10 If you feel stuck in that cycle… you’re not crazy. But you’re also not meant to stay there.

@XRPArmyNews1 @SSB_Rick That’s an amazing accomplishment. I don’t think I’ll make it that long since I’m almost 60 but everyday it gets easier and easier and part of my healing does include a Women’s weekly AA group where I can get grounded and reminded of those just starting off.

@S2RMinistries @SSB_Rick Not been my experience at all! But I am 35 days away from 42 yrs practicing these Principles in my life daily. If ya don’t know….obvious one can’t say. So zip it maybe? These are the Principles I live by…and some of the Promises they delivered. Scott P 5/22/84

Sobriety culture has a toxic side nobody wants to talk about. The moment you get sober everyone acts like you’re fixed. Like the drinking was the problem. It wasn’t. The drinking was the solution you found for pain you didn’t know how to carry. Take away the bottle and the pain is still there. That’s why so many people relapse. Not because they’re weak. Because nobody helped them with the actual wound. Getting sober is step one. Healing is the whole staircase. We celebrate 30 day chips but don’t talk about the trauma underneath. That needs to change.

Yesterday, I sat in a room with a group of believers… waiting as someone we love prepared to take her final breath. It sounds heavy. Maybe even uncomfortable. But what I experienced wasn’t fear or sadness in the way you would expect—it was peace. There was a time in my life when I was terrified of death. I used to stay awake for days because I was afraid of where I might wake up if I didn’t. But sitting there yesterday, something became so clear: This life is not the end. It’s the crossing. I wrote about what I witnessed, what God showed me in that moment, and how everything we hold onto here fades in the face of eternity. If you’ve ever feared death, questioned what comes next, or wondered what really matters… This is for you. #Faith #Heaven #Eternity #Jesus #Recovery #Testimony #ChristianTwitter #Hope open.substack.com/pub/s2rministr…

For the believer, death is not the end. It’s not something to fear— it’s something to understand. Because what looks like an ending in this world… is actually the beginning of eternity. There was a time when I didn’t see it that way. When life felt fragile, uncertain, and defined by what I could see and control. But through recovery— through loss, consequences, and rebuilding— I came to understand something deeper: This life is not all there is. And the hope we have in Christ is not temporary. It’s eternal. Jesus didn’t just come to change our circumstances. He came to give us life— real life— that goes beyond this world. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die.” — John 11:25 “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” — 1 John 5:11 So death doesn’t have the final word. Christ does. And because of Him— what comes next is not darkness… it’s eternity. #Faith #EternalLife #JesusSaves #ChristianHope #FromShameToRedemption

I used to think being a good parent meant providing. But addiction taught me something hard: You can be there… and still not be present. This morning, watching birds in my backyard reminded me what presence really looks like. There’s redemption—even in regret. 👉 [Read more] open.substack.com/pub/sarahruthj… #Recovery #Faith #Sobriety #Healing #Parenting #AddictionRecovery #ChristianLiving

@Mushroomgal8 @TrumpWarRoom @SecScottBessent E

@TrumpWarRoom @SecScottBessent i’m so sorry, but I don’t want the government holding more of my money interest free.

🚨 @SecScottBessent with a direct message to American taxpayers: "I want to encourage everyone out there watching today to change their withholding ... you will get an automatic real wage increase on a weekly or a monthly basis."

@SobersoldiersO Instead of cleaning inside, I created a sanctuary in my backyard.

Have you started your sober spring cleaning yet??! 🫧 🧼 🪣 🪥 🏡

As the day winds down… it’s worth asking: Did I use what God already gave me today? Not perfectly— but faithfully. #Faith #Stewardship

@SSB_Rick You will never regret it. Just keep asking yourself: what is/are the benefit(s) of drinking vs not.

MY FUTURE SELF THANKS ME FOR NOT DRINKING TODAY.

@docpresley2020 This applies to women as well. Great reminder of how complacency can breed apathy in our walk with God and service of His will.

I'm 71 years old. My observation is that most of my male friends in their late 40s to 50s who remained in traditional churches either died spiritually or at best hit a ceiling. Most have listened passively to endless Christian monologues for well over 20 years. If they're lucky, they get to hand out little containers of grape juice and wafers as a way to use their spiritual gifts, or maybe be a parking lot attendant. Men are just not wired this way. These men remind me of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus saying, "I've done all that was expected of me, but somehow I still feel something is lacking“ and he was right, it was, big time! Jesus gave him a challenge that was huge, in fact impossible for man, but not for God. I don't know for sure, but tradition says Barnabas was the rich young ruler. If so, he ultimately rose to the challenge, even though he at first walked away sadly. Men need these kinds of challenges. Traditional churches are 67 percent female, while relational participatory house churches are 51 percent male and 49 percent female. Why? Men need to be radically challenged to thrive. Some should conquer kingdoms, others need to receive loved ones back from the dead, still others to shut the mouth of lions. The list goes on and on. See Hebrews 11 for details. So we have two choices, walk away sadly or realize the things that are impossible with man or possible with God. The latter is the narrow way that leads to life. Rather than dying inside, choose the narrow way, while few find it, you can be one of the exceptions. You'll be glad you did ( :

@CMLBCKRecovery @HHSGov @SecKennedy Sober

The U.S. Secretary of Health just walked the halls of Camelback Recovery. We recorded a live podcast episode together. And now we’re in an official @HHSgov press release. 🇺🇸 This is what happens when recovery gets taken seriously at the national level. 🎙️ Comment “SOBER” for the episode link. #Recovery #MAHA #ILoveBeingSober

God doesn’t wait until you have more to use you. He uses what you’re willing to give Him now. “Do not despise these small beginnings…” — Zechariah 4:10 #Faith #TrustGod #GrowthMindset

After I got sober and gave my life to Christ, I spend a lot of time, like Jeremiah did, devoured God’s Word and praying. One day while praying for peace and protection in my life, I heard a distinct voice say “I Have You.” Not so much a whisper , but soft and soothing. I carry that voice everyday and know that God is always with me.

RFK Jr. gets emotional sharing his thoughts on faith and spirituality. “God talks to us in a whisper.” “The world is clamoring at us with all this loud noise and these shiny things all the time.” “The world is a very noisy place.” “We’re all a combination of both spiritual beings and biological beings.” “God is not going to intrude on our life.” “He's not going to kick down our door.” “He needs to be invited in.” “And that starts with that act of surrender.” @CMLBCKRecovery

RFK Jr. shared how he lost his brother to addiction, and how to approach family members struggling with addiction. “You're not supposed to 12-step your family.” “And I learned this the hard way when I got sober.” “I was sober about 8 months and I had a conversation with my little brother.” “And I was telling him, you should do what I've done and come in the program.” “I was saying it out of love, but I know the way he heard it was that I was judging him.” “He got angry and hung up the phone, and then two days later he was dead from an overdose.” “I learned early on… your family can't hear it from you. The only thing they can hear from you is I love you and nothing else.” “You can only hurt them by trying to 12-step them.” @CMLBCKRecovery

@SSB_Rick Welcome home to the family

My name is Chris and I’m an alcoholic. I’m 31 days sober today. I have been invisible because I got checked into a mental facility for 2 days. They got me some much needed help and put me on anxiety meds. Hopefully I can keep this streak going and alive! I’m doing a lot better today