A Broken Mind Restored

An ambulance rushed Michael Smith to the hospital emergency room. Unconscious from a dangerously toxic drug overdose, the 23-year-old had only hours to live.

Fortunately, the quick-working medical staff was able to revive him, but his recovery was long and painful. For days afterward, Michael suffered intense hallucinations. His brain, liver, and kidneys were seriously damaged. His short-term memory was also destroyed.

Michael’s worried parents placed him in a Christian-run drug rehabilitation center. He loathed being in a religious environment, so a few days later he escaped. But when he informed his parents, his father promptly took him back.



Although Michael was raised in a Sabbath-keeping home, he had turned his back on those beliefs. By the time he was 16, he had already run away from home and had become addicted to drugs and alcohol. As a result, Michael often woke up in jail or the emergency room from overdoses. “I was an emotional wreck,” he says.

Early to Rise with Amazing Facts

At the drug rehab center, an employee asked Michael if he wanted to study the Bible with him. “I had no interest and no inclination that the Bible had anything for me, but I agreed.” Yet as Michael listened, things suddenly made perfect sense. “It was like a flood of light filled my mind. I was convicted that the Bible was real. I called my parents and apologized for being a terrible son. Our relationship has been restored since that day.”

The rehab center also had Amazing Facts’ The Prophecy Code series. Michael began waking up at 4 a.m. to read the Bible and watch the presentations. “I would sit two feet away staring at the screen. I had no idea what Pastor Doug was talking about. I just knew that I liked it. My mom had tried to read me The Richest Caveman as a kid. I finally made the connection that this was the same person.”

During the next month, as Michael continued to study and learn, God miraculously restored his mind. His sanity and short-term memory came back. When Michael returned home, he spent entire days reading the Bible. Gradually his understanding also returned. In December 2003, Michael was re-baptized at an Amazing Facts prophecy series conducted by evangelist Eric Flickinger.

One Sabbath, while visiting his parents’ church, Michael noticed a familiar face staring at him in shocked amazement. He was equally stunned because it was his former drug supplier. As Michael approached, they both blurted out, “What are you doing here?” Mon explained that he’d been watching Amazing Facts’ programs for years on a Christian network. He’d wanted to come to church for a long time but never felt ready. This was his first Sabbath! “I’m so happy you got your life straightened out,” Mon said enthusiastically. “I’m happy you found the Lord.”

“It was amazing to hear him talk like this,” says Michael, “and to know he’d cared about me. I’ve known him since I was 17, and we never talked about spiritual things before.”

“The Lord has been so good to me. I don’t deserve it. My life has never been boring, but since my conversion it’s been intense and exciting.”

Amazing Facts is a non-profit, donor-supported ministry.
We greatly appreciate your prayers and financial support.
Comments

When you post, you agree to the terms and conditions of our comments policy.

If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. Due to staff size, we are unable to answer Bible questions posted in the comments.
To help maintain a Christian environment, we closely moderate all comments.

  1. Please be patient. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. Comments made on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday may not be approved until the following Monday.

  2. Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked.

  3. Comments containing URLs outside the family of Amazing Facts websites will not be approved.

  4. Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved.

  5. Comments off topic may be deleted.

  6. Please do not comment in languages other than English.

Please note: Approved comments do not constitute an endorsement by the ministry of Amazing Facts or by Pastor Doug Batchelor. This website allows dissenting comments and beliefs, but our comment sections are not a forum for ongoing debate.


Need assistance? Please give us a call at 877-506-1751 or e-mail us at PartnerRelations@AmazingFacts.org. Please note our office hours are Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 6:00pm Pacific Time. You can also print this form and mail your donation to Amazing Facts, PO Box 1058, Roseville, CA 95678. Please remember Amazing Facts in your will or trust.