The Demonstration of Grace | A Hope Is Alive Impact Story

The Demonstration of Grace | A Hope Is Alive Impact Story

This story is from TJ Tomlin, who works as a Regional Outreach Coordinator for Hope is Alive and who recently celebrated three years of continuous sobriety.

Early Years and Success

I started drinking pretty heavily in college, a habit that continued after graduation and well into my adult years. Right after college, I married Dawn, the love of my life, and spent 17 years as the owner and operator of my own MMA gym, training and competing regularly.

My gym became very successful, but at a cost. I neglected my family and ended up addicted to opiates after many injuries and surgeries. During that time, I would have told you I was a believer, but the way I lived said otherwise. I was one of those professing Christians who lived in a way that didn’t represent Christ at all.

Addiction and Collapse

The opiate addiction became worse and worse over time. Eventually, I became a lying, cheating drug addict, leaving behind a wake of destruction in my life and the lives of those around me.

Just under four years ago, it all came crashing down. I was caught in infidelity, and my wife was deeply hurt and scorned. My opiate use and addiction were now public and out for the world to see.

A Demonstration of Grace

Two years before she caught me in adultery, God had already started working on Dawn. She found a true relationship with Jesus, began attending a regular women’s Bible study, and started working on her past trauma. She also stopped drinking and began pursuing her own sobriety.

I was too consumed by my addiction to notice, but her deep relationship with Jesus prepared her for what was to come.

A couple of days after catching me in adultery, Dawn looked me in the eye and told me that Jesus loves me and forgives me, and that she loves me and forgives me as well.

At that moment, I immediately surrendered my life to Jesus. Her demonstration of the gospel brought me to Christ, and since that day—April 14, 2021—I have been sober.

A New Life in Christ

I checked into a 90-day treatment facility and never looked back. Jesus is now the center of my marriage and my life.

I recently sold my MMA business and committed my life to ministry, now working full-time for Hope is Alive. I owe my sobriety and my life to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.