Q175_111126 Eph. 1:18 Pray That Your Eyes May Be Opened To The Riches Of Christ!

Q175_111126 Eph. 1:18 Pray That Your Eyes May Be Opened To The Riches Of Christ!

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This episode of *How it Happens with Colin Cook* centres on how a fresh understanding of the Gospel can ease the crushing pressure that often fuels addiction, especially for those weighed down by religious perfectionism. Colin reflects on nearly 70 years of Christian life and 29 years behind the microphone, sharing how strict legalism once left him mentally and emotionally unwell.

He explains that believing you must "keep every law perfectly" or risk God’s rejection can create intense spiritual anxiety. For many, that turmoil becomes so severe that they turn to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, or obsessive worry as a way to escape. As he bluntly puts it, "addiction is not simply a drug of choice.

It's a state of mind." The turning point in his story came through studying the book of Romans, where he was stunned by the idea that "God justifies the ungodly" who trust in Christ. At first it seemed too good to be true, but over time this message of grace reshaped his faith and his work with people in addiction.

Colin stresses that salvation is God’s initiative, not a fragile human choice, and that God “hunts us down” like a good shepherd, even when we feel lost, unworthy, or far from church. Drawing on Ephesians 1:18, he prays that "the eyes of your understanding" may be opened to the riches of Christ, especially if you feel stuck in bad habits or crushed by guilt.

The style is warm, candid, and gently challenging, aimed at anyone whose addiction is tangled up with fear of God or religious baggage. If you’ve ever wondered whether grace could still apply to you after everything you’ve done, this conversation might be the reminder you need to keep hope alive and take one more step towards freedom.