By Kayla DeKraker
Comedian John Crist celebrated five years of sobriety in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the very city where he went to rehab.
“Last November the 6th, I just celebrated five years sober, so it’s a miracle,” he began.
Because he stayed in Hattiesburg for an extended period of time, people began to realize why.
“I think everybody started to know what, how, why I was in Hattiesburg. And everybody in the city was so kind to me and…there were people that were like coming up. I remember like pastors would come up to me like slip me their number. They’re like ‘If you need anything let me know,'” he said.
While in rehab, Crist developed friendships with other men in recovery for addiction, and they continued to encourage each other in a group text once they got out of rehab. Crist explained that, sadly, not everyone stayed sober.
“One of these guys after about a couple months, he dropped off the group text, and then we knew. If you’re an addict or you know anyone with addiction, you know what that means,” he explained. “That they’ve gone back out, you know? It just makes me sad to even say.”
Crist choked back tears as he told the story.
“We eventually got like an obituary that he had passed away, and I’ve never forgot that because he relapsed or whatever, right, and he didn’t want to come back into the group text and say that he had relapsed or that he failed.”
Crist added, “I always say addiction did not kill him; it is the shame that killed him.”
“Whatever was whispering to him, ‘If you got back into that group text and all those other guys that are sober, if you told them they you relapsed that they would make fun of you, that they would be embarrassed of you, that you’re a failure,’ he explained. “And it was the devil that whispered to him so loudly that he couldn’t overcome it.”
Crist is grateful he’s sober and healthy today. Once again, he choked back tears as he thanked the city that helped him heal: “I said if I ever came back to Hattisburg that I would tell you all thank you; you might have saved my life.”
Related: John Crist Opens Up About Addiction to Fame
Crist’s performance in Hattiesburg was part of his “Jokes For Humans” comedy tour, which lasts throughout the rest of the year.
The comedian previously opened up about a scandal that led him to a really dark place.
“I wanted to commit suicide. I was in rehab for four months,” he revealed.
Despite being in such a dark place, Crist acknowledges it needed to happen in order for him to find healing.
“The only thing worse is if that had never happened to me,” he said. “Every time I had like a sold-out show or anything I did on television…I thought that if everybody knew the truth about me that all of these people would hate me.”
He added, “In that whole rehabilitation process, I found out there’s a God that loves you, and He cares about you, and He’s not mad at you.”
Romans 8:1-2 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
As Crist emphasized, shame will try to take us down, but God does not bring shame. If you are struggling, Jesus will not shame you but rather open his arms wide to welcome you and help you heal.
Read Next: Christian Comedian John Crist Opens Up About God’s Love After Scandal
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