Sally Baynton
Confessing my sins freed me from shame and guilt, replacing them with His mercy and grace.
“Before coming to the Springs, I was much like those Jesus referenced in Matthew 7:21-23, outwardly religious but without a personal relationship with Christ. I attended church, prayed, and sought to be a good person, believing this secured my salvation. Growing up, we attended church every Sunday, I was christened as a baby and confirmed in junior high. However, the denomination we attended did not do a good job of gospel clarity.
“College brought a new chapter when I married at 21, but less than two years later, my husband left me for a high school student. The betrayal crushed me, reinforcing feelings of inadequacy. Though I sought counseling through the church and tried to move forward, the pain lingered. Struggling with self-worth, I battled bulimia, anorexia, anxiety, and perfectionism, constantly seeking approval and believing thinness equaled desirability.
“Six years later, I met and married a wonderful man, and I began to pursue a master’s degree in English in San Antonio. During a class presentation, I experienced a panic attack, and a classmate suggested having a drink before speaking to calm my nerves. It worked, and soon, drinking became my coping mechanism. My dependence escalated—drinking before work, at lunch, and in the evenings. When my husband confronted me, I lied, but I knew I had lost control.
“I begged God to make me stop drinking, but my prayers seemed unheard. It wasn’t until I found out I was pregnant with our first child that I quit drinking. I remained sober for 30 years. However, decades later, I relapsed. This time, I drank secretly, ashamed and aware of my failure before God.
“In 2020, within a single week, I faced the death of my three prized pets. The grief was unbearable, and I turned back to drinking to numb the pain. My son encouraged me to be proactive rather than reactive. I began praying sincerely, finally open to God's direction. Searching for a Christ-centered recovery program, I found re:generation at the Springs.
“For the first time, I admitted my alcohol abuse and felt relief in sharing my struggle in community. James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed,”—became real to me. I was no longer hiding.
“I truly began to understand Christ’s sacrifice. Though I had known God for 60 years, I had a broken view of Him. I thought He was distant, but Psalm 100:3 revealed otherwise: “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His.”
“I learned to confront sin, recognizing that my emotions, though real, weren’t always reliable. Instead of being ruled by anxiety and anger, I sought God’s truth. My rebellion broke my heart, but I knew it grieved Him even more. Confessing my sins freed me from shame and guilt, replacing them with His mercy and grace. Immersing myself in Scripture and prayer helped me see that God delights in me. My love for Him deepened, and my desire to drink faded.
“Six years later, I met and married a wonderful man, and I began to pursue a master’s degree in English in San Antonio. During a class presentation, I experienced a panic attack, and a classmate suggested having a drink before speaking to calm my nerves. It worked, and soon, drinking became my coping mechanism. My dependence escalated—drinking before work, at lunch, and in the evenings. When my husband confronted me, I lied, but I knew I had lost control.
“I begged God to make me stop drinking, but my prayers seemed unheard. It wasn’t until I found out I was pregnant with our first child that I quit drinking. I remained sober for 30 years. However, decades later, I relapsed. This time, I drank secretly, ashamed and aware of my failure before God.
“In 2020, within a single week, I faced the death of my three prized pets. The grief was unbearable, and I turned back to drinking to numb the pain. My son encouraged me to be proactive rather than reactive. I began praying sincerely, finally open to God's direction. Searching for a Christ-centered recovery program, I found re:generation at the Springs.
“For the first time, I admitted my alcohol abuse and felt relief in sharing my struggle in community. James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed,”—became real to me. I was no longer hiding.
“I truly began to understand Christ’s sacrifice. Though I had known God for 60 years, I had a broken view of Him. I thought He was distant, but Psalm 100:3 revealed otherwise: “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His.”
“I learned to confront sin, recognizing that my emotions, though real, weren’t always reliable. Instead of being ruled by anxiety and anger, I sought God’s truth. My rebellion broke my heart, but I knew it grieved Him even more. Confessing my sins freed me from shame and guilt, replacing them with His mercy and grace. Immersing myself in Scripture and prayer helped me see that God delights in me. My love for Him deepened, and my desire to drink faded.
“Recovery is a daily battle, but my goal is more than just sobriety—it is intimacy with God. I understand now that avoiding alcohol alone is not enough. Without addressing underlying struggles, relapse or other unhealthy coping mechanisms will arise. Through the Springs’ ministries, I learned that true freedom comes from seeking God, applying His Word, and fostering healthy relationships. God has given me peace, and I’ve learned the power of community in keeping me accountable and pointing me back to Jesus.
“I am no longer defined by my past failures. Instead, I am humbled and grateful for how God has redeemed me. He has saved me through Christ’s sacrifice, filled me with His Spirit, and given me eternal life. These gifts surpass anything the world can offer. To God be the glory!”
“I am no longer defined by my past failures. Instead, I am humbled and grateful for how God has redeemed me. He has saved me through Christ’s sacrifice, filled me with His Spirit, and given me eternal life. These gifts surpass anything the world can offer. To God be the glory!”
