Hey Guys, hope your well.... as you can see from the title, I wanted to take the opportunity to explain my story as an Ex Gambler and a Christian!
I have been Gambling free for 6 months now, which in a gamblers world is a milestone, I am so grateful for my support network and mostly grateful to God. For those people who don't have a faith, please don't put hate in this thread, I am not going to judge (Why would I judge anyway, as an Ex-Gmbler) so please don't judge me, or spread hate on people with a faith.
Faith has healed me, I feel strongly about gambling being a Sin, and in my eyes I have sinned.
I started to Gamble at University, I was studying Nursing at Northampton! Was a hard course, but loved every minute. I struggled with my social life due to the course being full time, each year went from Sept- Aug wasn't like other Uni course, where they had long holidays, so was on my own quite a bit, and was having personal issues with my sister.
My sister and I grew up close, and when she was 18 she turned away from the family, left us and met a man who posed as a Christian online and was actually a Muslim, and converted her. Now we as a family don't have an issue with her changing religion but the way it was done, was wrong. It was done through lying, and didn't sit well with us, anyway my Sister and I are adopted but we are blood related, and I took her leaving hard and verbally abusing our adopted parents who raised us from 2 years old. Every phone call I got from my sister was verbal abuse by her, she was also being abused my her husband, physically and verbally, there was nothing we could do, police couldn't do anything unless she actually said to them she wanted out of the abusive relationship, which she didn't... Anyway, long story short my coping strategy was to Gamble.... Over 10 years of gambling I have spent well over 50k possibly more... with breaks in between, with each break I would always think next time I gamble I will do it better, I will have more control it will be ok.
Not this time...……..
The last gambling session was on the 27th March 2020.... 6 months yesterday! The last 6 months has been such a release for me, although my finances have of course taken a hit, my life is on track....a life with my family and of course God.... I have slept so well over the last 6 months, but the early hours of the morning on the 27th Sept (6months on from my last gambling session) I tossed and turned, just couldn't sleep at all! I didn't realise until I looked at my clock and saw it was the 27th Sept that it was my first proper Milestone and it was the exact time when I usually get paid on the 27th of each month (02:30) it dawned on me why I couldn't sleep. Anyway, over the last 2 weeks had been listning to lots of Christian music and found a brand new song, the words just hit me...….. Pretty sure every Christian who has done what I have done, will feel moved about this song...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo
Please copy and paste the link to the Song "Who you Say I am" from Hillsong…. The words are just...powerful!!
The point of this thread, I want to hear from other Christians who have gambled, and want to talk, or share their story.... I want a friendly thread where people are supportive and Kind.... All the best to you...
Jonno
Well done Jonno, That was a fantastic read and I can relate to much of it.6 months gamble free is a great effort and I’m sure there will be plenty more milestones ahead.
Although a Christian, I’m not a practising one and without getting too deep, the GA’s view of their being a higher power that can help you sat ok with me. Often people would immediately take the view it was a religious thing but it’s not necessarily. Whatever people’s beliefs I think it provides strength if people can focus on something or someone that gives them a focus and strength.
Lockdown has been a tough time gamble wise for me and I only wish I could have got support earlier, especially when I was winning, as I would feel that bit better if I could go through recovery again having not blown a goood portion of money aid had built up but there’s no going back now and I can only look forward.
Hello , many years ago I gave my life to christ , at the time I was gambling £200 a day on fruit machines and that was 35 years ago , for a while I stopped but then restarted and it was only the support I recieved at church as well as the support I recieved from gamblers anonymous that enabled me to stop . I have been a christian for 35 years and have also attended a pentecostal church I just hope you dont lose your newfound faith if you do start again because stopping gambling isnt the result of a miracle but is the result of a life long battle god bless
Ahh thanks for the replies guys.
San: I have certainly believed for many years, but been a while since I practiced as such, that was until 6 months, where I have really tried to be a better person. It is so hard.... especially in lockdown, if you ever need to talk please do. I have spoken on WhatsApp to several people on here over the last 6 months and it reassures me that we support each other 🙂
Stephie: Thanks for your reply, I am so pleased you found support in church, that's reassuring as some churches do judge, so glad you found a good one that hopefully brings joy and comfort to you.
I guess for me though I don't see it as a "New Found faith" as I have been a church member as a child, and always had a belief, just it went on pause for a while, but its very bright now, whilst I agree in some areas its a life long battle, I don't believe this the case for everyone, we are after all individuals, and I do believe some of us can get better for the rest of our lives. When I was in between gambling and quitting, I would always just say to myself next time I will do better, but I don't feel like that this time, its different, I personally think God is helping me there, guiding me back to the correct path, its been a rocky 10 years for me, I see my 30's going much better than my 20's!! 🙂
If you guys ever need support, do message, always happy to listen..... 🙂
Jonno
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