Helpless, Homeless, and Hopeless | A Hope Is Alive Impact Story

Helpless, Homeless, and Hopeless | A Hope Is Alive Impact Story

This story is from Jackie Matlock, who currently works as an intern for Hope is Alive and recently celebrated 14 months of continuous sobriety.

A Chaotic Beginning

Helpless. Homeless. Hopeless. That may be how part of my story started; however, that is not how this book of my life will end.

The early years of my life can be summed up in one word: chaotic. Physical, psychological, and sexual abuse caused PTSD, and I quickly developed a distortion of reality. Escaping reality seemed vital—it felt like the only way to survive.

I experienced what it was to be blackout drunk for the first time at the age of six and began smoking marijuana at the age of twelve. By fifteen, I tried my first hard drug. At that point, I had begun to write my own story.

Even though I had been told using drugs was wrong, it felt right. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

The Depths of Addiction

As the years went on, I was confident my addiction would kill me—and I was okay with that.

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Surrendering to Life

When I walked through the doors of Hope is Alive, I surrendered. I wanted life. But how could someone like me have a good, normal, and full life?

Romans 3:24 says, “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” What an amazing concept.

As I allowed grace to fill my life, I began to understand that God had a plan for me. Jeremiah 29:11 promises, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

For the first time in a long time, I felt something I had not felt in years—hope. Hope for a better future than I could have ever imagined.

Living with Hope

Today, life brings daily challenges, but I can face them with hope. I still encounter adversity every day, but with the help of Hope is Alive, trusted leaders, and mentors, I have begun to live out God’s calling for my life.

For the first time in a long time, hope is alive in my life.