When we understand how deeply God loves us, everything changes. His love, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, enables us to love ourselves - not with selfishness, but with the grace to embrace who we are in Him. 

And from this place of freedom, we can love others - tolerating differences, showing patience with imperfections, and accepting others just as they are. This is the essence of a spiritual democracy, a unity that transcends divisions. 

That same love empowers us to love our heavenly Father with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. On our own, our love falls short. 

But through Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life, we are spiritually resurrected. Not when we die, but right here, and right now. He reconciles us to the Father, enabling us to enter into the fellowship as His sons and daughters that we were created for. 

This is the heart of the gospel and the best way to describe the reason I want to empower others to Detox with Jesus: Christ died so we could live - not just survive but thrive in the fullness of His love. 

I have met many addicts who think the only way out of their pain would be to physically end their life on this earth, but they reassure me that they don’t want to “die”, they just don’t know how to “live” without alcohol, or drugs, or whatever addiction they are struggling with that keeps them in a cycle of pain and defeat. 

On April 25, 1980, I had a personal encounter with the unconditional love of God that changed me forever. These are the words He spoke to my heart that day: “I am your heavenly Father. I am the one who gave you your name, not your parents and not your brother. You are my child. I formed you in your mother’s womb. I gave you your gifts, your talents and your personality. All I have ever wanted you to be is “yourself”. I have a purpose and plan for your life that can only be accomplished if you choose to be the person I created you to be. If not, you will miss it entirely. I will place a burning desire in your heart to be My disciple and I will give you the power to do whatever I ask you to do. I love you more than any earthly Father ever could.

I have so much to share with you! So fasten your spiritual seatbelt, my friend, it’s going to be an amazing journey as we take the hand of God and walk with Him, one step at a time, one day at a time, while unlocking the secrets of His heart. 

My website is called IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW ...  https://www.susanhopkins.ca 

To Love and Be Loved A Personal Journey Out of Codependency and Into God’s Embrace

Synopsis: 

This book tells the true story of a woman who spent years trying to be “good enough” for love. Growing up with pain, rejection, and emotional confusion, she learned to survive by taking care of others, losing her own voice along the way. In adulthood, this led to relationships marked by control, fear, and codependency — always reaching for love, yet never finding rest. 

But everything changed when she encountered the unconditional love of God. 

To Love and Be Loved is a gentle, honest, and hope-filled invitation for anyone who has ever felt unseen, unworthy, or afraid to be themselves. Through personal reflections, life experiences, and moments of deep awakening, the author shows how God patiently heals the heart, rebuilds identity, restores dignity, and teaches us the simple, beautiful truth: 

You are already loved. You are already enough. 

And you were never meant to do life alone. 

This book is for: 

  • Those who have experienced emotional or relational brokenness 
  • Anyone who struggles with people-pleasing or codependency 
  • Those searching for real love that does not demand perfection 
  • People curious about God but hesitant because of religion or judgment 

It is a story of learning to trust again, to breathe again, and to be held by the One who knows us completely — and loves us still. 

Silhouette of a woman joyfully dancing in a rustic doorway.
Get Your Copy Here
Book cover titled 'My Journey to Freedom: Book One' with subtitle about abuse and personal encounter.

MY JOURNEY TO FREEDOM [BOOK ONE]

Why is it that one day something snaps inside and a spouse, employee, parent or teen just walks out the door and never looks back? That day wasn’t any different from yesterday, or the day before, or the month before. They’ve grown numb to the put downs, sarcasm, demeaning, belittling, hurtful, hateful words. So why me? Why today?
 
I was bone-weary tired. Tired of never being “good enough”. Tired of trying hard to be the perfect daughter, mother, wife. I tried even harder to be a
Page 6 of 12 “good” Christian. I couldn’t seem to meet anyone’s expectations, let alone my own. Today I just couldn’t do it anymore. “If this is Christianity,” I shouted in anger, “then I don’t want it. I just can’t try and fail one more time.” My world came crashing to a halt. It felt as though a weight had been taken off my shoulders and I didn’t know why. There were no more words, just incredible peace ...
 
Please join me as I share My Journey to Freedom from:
  • abuse, emotional, verbal, psychological and spiritual
  • co-dependency, my needs and wants never mattered
  • faulty beliefs about Christianity, God’s love, submission
  • religion to relationship
  • trying to trusting
  • true freedom
Christianity, as God intended, is a life of rest, abiding in Christ and He in us through the power of the Holy Spirit; a life of abundance where you never have to worry because He provides everything you could ever need or want. "All I want you to be is yourself," He said, "or you will miss your destiny."

MY JOURNEY TO FREEDOM [BOOK TWO]

Do you want to stop feeling guilty, live free from the pain of shame, and end the vicious cycle of trying to be "good enough"? Then this is a book that will
Page 7 of 12 help you do exactly that! You will also learn that your most meaningful strength comes from your most shameful weakness! So, it’s okay to be YOU.
 
In fact, here's just a sample of what you'll discover:
Just let God love you (you don't have to change anything, His love will change you from the inside out).
 
You don't have to do anything to earn God's love (you are loved for who you are, where you are and as you are).
 
When you experience this love, then you will love as He loves (they’ll know we are Christians by our love).
 
Will you join me as I share My Journey to Freedom from:
  • guilt - feeling bad that I have done something wrong
  • shame - feeling bad about “self”; inadequate, worthless
  • trying to be “good enough”; always failing, trying harder
  • to living and resting in the unconditional love of God
“Susan, it is good to measure yourself by Me and how I lived My life - one with Holy Spirit, focused on My Father’s will. It is not good when you focus on your failings, frustrations and problems. That is the secret to overcoming all of the things that upset you, live as I lived. Everything else will sort itself out.” Jesus
Book cover titled 'My Journey to Freedom, Book Two' with a motivational subtitle.
Cover of a workbook titled 'Hey God, I'm Ready to Listen' with a lion image.

WHAT IS THIS eCOURSE ABOUT?

Speak God, I'm Ready to Listen - Introduction 

Are you yearning for a deeper connection with God? The beauty of stillness and reflection can lead to transformation, and we want to help you navigate this sacred space. Share in the journey of capturing God's words in your red-letter journal, while connecting with others on this faith-filled adventure. Embrace the "Speak God, I'm Ready to Listen" experience as we learn from each other how to discover and discern the voice of God. 

ARE YOU READY TO LISTEN? 

Have you ever felt invisible, like you were never seen or heard? Did you feel that your needs and wants were not important to those closest to you? Has communication been a one-way street where you were told what to think, to feel, to say and to do? If so, then you may have found your self-worth in loving others, and even God, without expecting to be loved in return. 

It's time to discover how much your heavenly Father cherishes the treasure of YOU. He has a purpose and plan for your life and all He wants is for you to be the person He created you to be. He sees you. He hears you. Your needs and wants matter to Him. Communication with Him is a two-way street. Hear Him say: "You have loved ME well, you have loved OTHERS well, but you have not yet loved YOU the way that I love you." 

We learn best by "doing", so I'll show you how to: 

… clear your mind and heart from distractions … discover, then stay tuned to God’s frequency … expect the unexpected at all times … come to Jesus to receive, learn and grow … let go and trust that God will take care of you … create your very own red-letter journal 

If you hunger to know how to hear the voice of God, our Father who lives in heaven; if you desire to develop an intimate and trusting relationship with Jesus, His Son; and if you want to be confident that you are being led by the Holy Spirit of God, then this interactive forum is for you. Are you ready to listen? 

I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about my journey.  If you'd like to explore my testimony, discover my books, or learn more about the experiences that led to the creation of Detox with Jesus, I'd love to welcome you to MY PERSONAL WEBSITE.

🌐 Visit SusanHopkins.ca

If you’d like to be connected to a volunteer with DETOX WITH JESUS dedicating their time and talents to the following areas of interest, please use the contact forms on these pages:

• Our Stories – to share your testimony or personal journey
• Meetings – to attend or start a local or online group
• Many Hands – to get involved or offer your help
• Contact Us – for general inquiries or prayer requests

 

Every message matters. I believe God brings the right people together at the right time, and I look forward to hearing from you.