Ron's Story of Leaving Pain Behind

In 2022, Ron's life was upended in ways he could hardly have imagined. He faced an intense period of hardship, losing almost everything that anchored his life. The divorce of his parents left him with the responsibility of helping his mother, who was unable to work. Caught in a dire situation, Ron had to put his education on hold for two years and worked multiple jobs to support his family. “I don’t know how I managed to do it,” he admits. “It wasn’t me—it was God.”

During this time, Ron's anger and resentment led him to seek comfort in unhealthy ways. He struggled with feelings of bitterness towards his parents and turned to alcohol as a means of escape. Additionally, he found himself in a relationship that he knew wasn’t right, making mistakes that only compounded his troubles. Ron knew these distractions were unhealthy and he had to put a stop to it all. “I had to get my life together,” he said. “I couldn’t keep running to things that weren’t from God. I needed to turn to God.”

In a moment of desperation, Ron made the difficult decision to move out for his own safety. He packed his belongings late into the night and reached out for help, calling a friend from Sugar Creek at 4 a.m. “I didn’t know who else to turn to,” Ron says. “I just needed a place to stay, even if it was just a couch for a while.” Ron's Sugar Creek friends quickly surrounded him with help and support. They found him a place to stay with a compassionate host just eight minutes away. This was the beginning of Ron's journey towards stability and healing.

Throughout this challenging time, Ronald found immense support from The Collective, the young adults ministry at Sugar Creek Baptist Church where he volunteers. “The Collective has been my backbone and support team,” he says. “They’ve helped me keep God in my frame of mind, reminding me that despite what I go through, God is always with me.” The help from his Sugar Creek community went beyond emotional support. Ron received help securing a job, finding a car, and help taking steps to rebuild his life. More than anything, he found people who genuinely cared and stood by him.

Ron's story may be just like yours. When life hits hard, we start looking for comfort but often end up just numbing the pain. Ron quickly saw that these decisions were only leading him to deeper levels of pain, isolation and loss. He also discovered that God had never left His side. God used Ron's friends and his church community to provide a life-line back to health. Are you wrestling with the pain of life and can't find lasting comfort? We want to be the life-line God uses to lead you to healing and hope. If you're ready, click here and let us help you discover your next steps.