Abounding Hope: A Hope for Addiction Podcast

Hope for Addiction
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity

Created to equip the local church and everyday believers to think biblically about addiction and walk faithfully alongside those who struggle. God’s Word speaks to every hurt, every hardship and every broken place. Each episode connects Scripture to the realities of addiction, suffering and restoration, offering gospel-rooted hope, practical wisdom and encouragement. Whether you are a pastor, church leader, volunteer or friend, this podcast will encourage with stories of God's faithfulness, challenge how you think, strengthen how you love and help you confidently bring the light of Jesus.

  1. 2d ago

    She Came for Help. Now She Gives It. | Addiction Recovery Testimony | Hope Stories, Part 2

    When Olivia first came to Liberty House, she was seven months pregnant and didn't know where she'd go. Today she serves on staff in that same home. This is the rest of her addiction recovery story. In Part 2 of Hope Stories, John and Sonia Wolfe return to share what came after one prayer at a restaurant table: the drive home when Olivia asked John to share the gospel with her, her baptism, her graduation and first apartment, and the day she was hired at Liberty House, the day after Easter. Liz Beck, founder of Hope for Addiction, shares the moment Olivia told her, "I want to follow Jesus," and why lasting change comes only when God gives a new heart. The second half is for churches. John, Sonia and Liz talk honestly about what it takes to walk with people who struggle with addiction: counting the cost, showing up consistently, and why the only skill you really need is a willingness to be available. Who has shown up for you the way John and Sonia showed up for Olivia? Leave a comment, or email us at aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com. CHAPTERS (00:00) A Question From the Back Seat (00:32) Part 1 Recap: How They Met Olivia (03:13) When She First Arrived (04:47) "Could You Share the Gospel With Me?" (06:30) What Changed in the Program? (07:24) Her Baptism: Rivers of Living Water (10:14) "Are You Ready to Follow Jesus?" (11:55) What Does Real Change Look Like? (13:05) Graduation and a Home of Her Own (14:10) A Father's Heart (15:18) How Has Her Faith Grown? (17:07) From Resident to Staff Member (19:08) Hired the Day After Easter (20:58) What Happens at a Devotional Dinner? (23:36) Why Recovery Needs the Local Church (26:39) Why Support a Two-Year Program? (28:47) "This Really Works" (31:27) How Can Churches Help With Addiction? (33:11) Start a Ministry or Partner With One? (34:38) Why Showing Up Consistently Matters (37:55) Do You Need Special Skills to Help? (42:19) Thank You and Resources LISTEN TO PART 1 How Can I Pray for You? The Question That Changed Her Life: open.spotify.com/episode/1sQpkpnDV9ZCVvS8aEeE2r?si=v6Y6ec4JT2akg7URKst8Ew FOR CHURCHES Want to help people in your church who struggle with addiction? See how your church can partner with Hope for Addiction: hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit RESOURCES Hope for Addiction: https://hopeforaddiction.com Hope for Addiction app: search "Hope for Addiction" in the App Store or Google Play Questions or topic ideas for a future episode: aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com SCRIPTURE IN THIS EPISODE 1 Corinthians 3 · John 7 · Isaiah 33 · Ephesians 4 · Ezekiel 36 · Luke 14 · Romans 15 · Acts 26 Read every passage: https://www.esv.org/1+Corinthians+3:6-7;John+7:38;Isaiah+33:13;Ephesians+4:22-24;Ezekiel+36:26;Luke+14:28;Romans+15:13;Acts+26:16-18/ Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Abounding Hope is the podcast of Hope for Addiction, a scripture-based addiction recovery ministry.

  2. Oct 19

    Hope Stories: How Can I Pray for You? The Question That Changed Her Life

    John was at lunch with a friend when he asked his server one simple question: "How can I pray for you?" He had no idea that question would lead a pregnant woman in sober living to a home, a church, and eventually a job on staff helping other women find the same hope. In this first episode of Hope Stories - an ongoing series highlighting real testimonies of lives changed by the gospel through Hope for Addiction - John and Sonia sit down with us to share their story: who they are, the boldness behind that lunch conversation, and how they followed through in the days after. If you're a pastor, ministry leader, or believer who wants to love the hurting people around you but don't know where to start, this episode is for you. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes of the Abounding Hope Podcast. 📖 Learn more about Hope for Addiction: hopeforaddiction.com 🙏 Anchor Scripture: Acts 8:26–35 Have questions or comments? Please email aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com Music by West Coast Revival, used with permission Check out all their great music:  https://linktr.ee/westcoastrevival 0:00 How Can I Pray for You?0:24 Welcome to Hope Stories1:17 Meet John and Sonia4:46 The Day at the Restaurant7:54 The First Sunday9:19 Moving Boxes and Freedom House11:25 How God Grew Their Faith14:08 Uncle John Goes Back14:47 A Teachable Heart16:29 Liberty House and a Baby Shower18:22 Compassionate Boldness21:48 Why We Hesitate to Ask23:26 A Lesson in Forgiveness25:12 More Than a Place to Live27:33 The Prodigal Father29:20 Wrap-Up and Resources #HopeStories #HopeForAddiction #ChristianRecovery

    Hope Stories: How Can I Pray for You? The Question That Changed Her Life

  3. Oct 5

    Living It: Recovery-Culture Language and the Power to Change, Episode 15

    "Let go and let God." "Fake it till you make it." "Make amends." Recovery culture has a whole vocabulary for change — and some of it sounds almost biblical. But does it actually lead people to the power they need? In the final episode of this series, Liz Beck and Lara Kees finish working through the Hope for Addiction Biblical Language Chart, examining the process-of-change language of recovery culture and showing how each term can be reframed biblically to point people toward real transformation in Christ. Terms covered: Higher Power, Moral Compass, I need to fix this, Amends, Forgive yourself, Intervention, Tough love, Fake it till you make it, Let go let God. 📥 Download the free Biblical Language Chart: https://www.hopeforaddiction.com/podcast#chart Get the FREE church toolkit: hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit Have questions or comments? Please email aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com Music by West Coast Revival, used with permission Check out all their great music:  https://linktr.ee/westcoastrevival

    Living It: Recovery-Culture Language and the Power to Change, Episode 15

  4. Sep 21

    Naming the Struggle: From Labels to Biblical Identity, Episode 14

    "I'm an addict." "I'm in recovery." "It's a generational curse." These are the labels people carry — sometimes for decades. But what does God actually say about who you are? In this episode, Liz Beck and Lara Kees work through the identity and diagnosis language of recovery culture and hold each term up against Scripture — replacing labels that lead to hopelessness with the biblical truth that opens the door to real, lasting change. Terms covered: I'm an addict / in recovery, Normies, Generational curse, Character defect / Disease, Codependent, Triggers, Recovery, Spiritual experience. 📥 Download the free Biblical Language Chart: hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit Have questions or comments? Please email aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com Music by West Coast Revival, used with permission Check out all their great music: https://linktr.ee/westcoastrevival #AboundingHope #HopeForAddiction #BiblicalLanguage #AddictionRecovery #ChristianPodcast #GospelCenteredRecovery #ChurchAndAddiction #BiblicalCounseling

    Naming the Struggle: From Labels to Biblical Identity, Episode 14

  5. Sep 7

    Why Words Matter: Building a Biblical View of Addiction, Episode 13

    The recovery world has its own language — triggers, higher power, character defects, amends — and much of it has quietly made its way into the church. But what if the words we're using are actually pointing people away from the only real source of help? In this episode, Liz Beck is joined by Lara Kees (church liaison and biblical counselor at Hope for Addiction) to ask: does it matter what words we use when we talk about addiction? They explore: Why churches and counselors often default to secular recovery languageHow biblical language connects people to Scripture — and to GodWhy only Scripture can reach the "thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12)Two terms from the H4A Biblical Language Chart: Higher Power and Addiction This is Episode 1 in a 3-part series on biblical language for addiction. 📥 Download the free Biblical Language Chart: hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit 📧 Questions? aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com 🌐 hopeforaddiction.com Music by West Coast Revival, used with permission Check out all their great music: https://linktr.ee/westcoastrevival #AboundingHope #HopeForAddiction #BiblicalLanguage #AddictionRecovery #ChristianPodcast #GospelCenteredRecovery #ChurchAndAddiction #BiblicalCounseling

    Why Words Matter: Building a Biblical View of Addiction, Episode 13

  6. Aug 10

    How the Church Brings Real Hope, Episode 12

    Every Sunday, families sit in our churches carrying burdens no one can see, navigating psychosis, addiction, exhaustion, and grief. In this final episode of the series, Liz and Deborah Geesling get practical: what families in crisis actually need from the church, common mistakes churches make, how to maintain a relationship with someone experiencing psychosis, and what faithful long-term presence looks like. We also address whether the gospel still speaks to someone who struggles to reason, and how to share hope without offering empty answers. For pastors, small group leaders, and anyone who wants to love a struggling family well but doesn't know where to start. Resources for Churches: https://www.hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit Resources for SMI: https://p82homes.org Support Kenny's Home: https://www.p82homes.org/kennys-home

    How the Church Brings Real Hope, Episode 12

  7. Jul 27

    Psychosis, Systems and Addiction, Episode 11

    Drugs are more potent than ever, and we're seeing the effects in the form of increasing psychosis and serious mental instability. In this episode, Liz and her guest, Deborah Geesling, explain what psychosis is, what it looks like day-to-day, and why drug-induced psychosis is becoming more common. We discuss the difference between the brain and the mind from a biblical perspective, how Christians should view someone whose thinking is impaired, and practical guidance for families navigating these moments. We also address common questions: Is psychosis demonic? Does sanctification still happen? Where does a family turn for help? Grounded in 2 Corinthians 4:16, this episode equips pastors, church members, and caregivers to respond with wisdom and compassion. Get Individual and Church Resources: https://www.hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit Resources for SMI: P82 Project Restoration https://p82homes.org Have questions or comments? Please email aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com Music by West Coast Revival, used with permission Check out all their great music: https://linktr.ee/westcoastrevival

    Psychosis, Systems and Addiction, Episode 11

  8. Jul 13

    When Your Family Enters the World of Serious Mental Illness, Episode 10

    What happens when a family member is diagnosed with a serious mental illness and where is the church when it does? In this episode, Liz sits down with Deborah Geesling, founder of P82 Project Restoration, to hear her family's firsthand experience navigating serious mental illness (SMI). Deborah shares the early signs something was wrong, the grief and confusion that followed a diagnosis, the impact on her marriage and family, and the role the local church played. Deborah also shares how God used that suffering to launch a ministry supporting families and churches walking through SMI. If you're a pastor, caregiver, or family member quietly struggling, this episode is for you. Get Individual and Church Resources: https://www.hopeforaddiction.com/toolkit Resources for SMI: P82 Project Restoration https://p82homes.org Have questions or comments? Please email aboundinghope@hopeforaddiction.com Music by West Coast Revival, used with permission Check out all their great music: https://linktr.ee/westcoastrevival

    When Your Family Enters the World of Serious Mental Illness, Episode 10
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Created to equip the local church and everyday believers to think biblically about addiction and walk faithfully alongside those who struggle. God’s Word speaks to every hurt, every hardship and every broken place. Each episode connects Scripture to the realities of addiction, suffering and restoration, offering gospel-rooted hope, practical wisdom and encouragement. Whether you are a pastor, church leader, volunteer or friend, this podcast will encourage with stories of God's faithfulness, challenge how you think, strengthen how you love and help you confidently bring the light of Jesus.

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