Jesus & Seltzer

As featured on 700 Club & NPR

Actor Hits Rock Bottom But, Successfully Climbs Higher With The Help of God, Step Programs & Sheer Determination 

Jesus & Seltzer 

by Jason Umidi

Sobriety has a wonderful way of bringing all things into the light if you’re willing. Light! Such a simple and yet profound state of being.

Detox finally opened the door for sustained sobriety for actor Jason Umidi. On January 10, 2012, he began his sober journey. Gone are the mornings of regret and the feelings of shame no longer haunt him. Instead, gratitude for a life that’s been redeemed and restored permeates his entire being. The truth as he was experiencing it reminds him that he can’t keep what he doesn’t give away. This life of service is a beautiful reflection of the grace that Jason received. His sobriety requires him to live in the moment, his faith asks him to love as he has been loved and his spirit says, “here am I send me”.

Wherever you’re at in your personal journey may you find the Hope that is only found in relationship with your higher power or God.

After being clean and sober for a couple of years Jason was looking to share his personal journey on Facebook in hopes that someone might be encouraged by his story. This developed into popular short blog posts about addiction, recovery, and hope, known as “Today’s One Minute Reads.” Jesus & Seltzer is Jason’s curated collection of his posts along with quotes by famous people that inspired him to become a better person. 

MEET JASON

Today, Jason is a recovery coach who guides others to seek togetherness, authentic relationships, community., transformational conversations., and personal growth. He works with individuals to hear their perspective, their struggles, their victories because someone needs to hear their stories. 

As a pastor’s kid who grew up in the church, I’ve had my fair share of Sunday services. However, none of them prepared me for the disappointments in life. We all have them, right? The relationship that didn’t work out. The dream job that never materialized, loss of your health or the death of a loved one. For most, it’s simply the dreams that never came into fruition.

Church and its collection of “do’s & don’ts” for how to live your life didn’t soothe my broken soul. My faith faltered during my personal struggles, as the chronic pain from 5 spine fusion surgeries overwhelmed me and my bipolar depression left me empty and dead within. Instead, I found alcohol and prescription opioids & fentanyl to be a much better comfort.

What I couldn’t foresee at the time was that this rabbit hole I had gone down would hold me captive and in bondage for decades. Addictions will rob you of everything. Relationships will fail, your livelihood will be taken, finances will collapse and if you’re lucky to cheat death you will most likely end up alone.

I stopped asking the “why’s” years ago. Gone were the conversations with the God of my youth and as I struggled alone in my inner darkness, I believed the lie that this life was no longer worth living. This is the enormous cost of addictions. Lives are ruined, hearts are broken, and your sanity turns against you. How does one find their way back? Grace? Luck? Self-Discipline? Perhaps a mixture of all three.

"Gratitude for a life that’s been redeemed and restored permeates my entire being."

Wherever you’re at in your personal journey may you find the Hope that is only found in relationship with Jesus. Call out to the God of your understanding and hear this, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.