it takes what it takes to find God Recovered by Robby Gallaty

Sometimes you read a book and can’t help but wish it was you that had written it. Sometimes it’s because of the writing itself- the beauty of how the words are put together, and sometimes it’s for the experiences that you can relate to which are narrated in those words. Other times it’s just because of the message of hope that is conveyed, a message that so many people need to hear.

Robby Gallaty is a pastor and the author of several books pertaining to leading and growing a church., I’ve read and enjoyed some of them. But his latest book—Recovered: How an Accident, Alcohol and Addiction Led Me to God (with Rob Suggs, B&H Publishing, 2019)—is one of those books that I wish I had written. The words are put together in such a fashion that I was drawn deeply into the story. Much of his story, changing names, dates, and places, could be my story, and there is definitely a message of hope for those who are struggling with addiction.

Many people see addicts and alcoholics as the stereotypical loser. Broken family, generational poverty, low IQ, influenced by gangs and all sorts of undesirables. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Gallaty’s family was and is involved in his life, they lived a comfortable life style, he’s intelligent and well spoken, and had good influences in his life—many of which he chose to ignore.

As a functioning addict, Gallaty was able to maintain the important relationships in his life. He was a successful at a number of jobs, and made friends easily. But he was involved in an accident, and the pain pills that he was prescribed led him down a path on which he could have gotten lost, with no hope of being found.

But God was at work in his life, even before he knew that he was lost. This book tells the story of how a young man became ensnared in the trap of addiction, and how God found him.  As you read the book you become aware of how Great a God we have, One who can take the most unlikely of candidates, very broken man, and restore him to wholeness and then use him to impact huge numbers of people through his books, his preaching, and by telling his life story.

I’ve already recommended this book to several people who are in recovery and struggling with the idea of a Higher Power, God who could love, save and restore them regardless of what they have done. I also serve as a chaplain for a recovery program, and I see this book as an added-value resource which can be used to demonstrate key concepts.

Definitely a 5-star rating                                                                                                                                                                

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as a member of their bloggers’ program.