Youth Recovery
What is Life Hurts… God Heals?
Life Hurts God Heals (LHGH) is specifically for students who have experienced pain or addiction including: drinking, cutting, pornography, eating disorders, troubled family dynamics, etc.
If you are familiar with 12-step programs (i.e., Alcohol Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc) then you understand the basic structure for Life Hurts God Heals. However, Life Hurts God Heals is an 8-step group targeted specifically for students in middle school through college age, and is based on the beatitudes from the Bible. This curriculum provides lifelong tools for students dealing with unresolved hurt and pain. It was written by John Baker, Doug Fields and Megan Hutchinson as a result of seeing the unmet pain of students in their youth ministry at Saddleback Church.
When and Where Does It Meet?
LHGH will meets every Monday evening at 6:30pm in the youth room (Door 8). This is a 13 week commitment with Graduation on week 14.
Who Can Come to LHGH?
LHGH is open to all 13-19 year olds struggling with addictions of any kind.
What Do I Need for LHGH?
The program is open and free to anyone who will make the commitment to go through the 13 weeks of LHGH. Every participant must have the following forms signed and returned:
Life Hurts, God Heals Parent Consent Form
What are My Peers Saying About LHGH?
“I didn’t think I had pain in my life. But then I showed up at Life Hurts God Heals and God just kind of opened the doors and when other guys in my group opened up, I realized there are things in my life that hurt too.” Jon, 15
“It started when I was eleven years old. Just one look at pornography and I was hooked. I knew it was wrong, yet it gripped my every thought. But I couldn’t tell anyone ’cause I was a pastor’s kid who even led worship! I needed help, and found it!” Jared, 16
“I was having a really hard time with my family and friends and drugs and who knows what else . . . and the people in the Life Hurts God Heals group helped me.” Allison, 16
“I went to LHGH thinking maybe just maybe someone could help me ’cause the shrinks and anti-depressants weren’t cutting it. And wow this whole experience so far has been amazing and my outlook on life has changed so much. I know I’m just beginning my road to becoming healed…” Allie, 16
“I joined Life Hurts God Heals because I got kicked out and had to live with my dad and I just wanted to start over… now I have new friends from LHGH who understand and steps to help me when I want to blow it.” Theresa, 14
“The main reason I joined LHGH is because I never have accepted myself. I’ve always thought I wasn’t good enough. I would wonder why God put me here. To get away from the pain, I would eat. Now, I am in Life Hurts God Heals and receiving steps that I can actually apply to my life to help turn my bad choices into good ones.” Steph, 18
