There was a time in my life when everything I had built came crashing down. The image I tried to hold together—the life, the success, the control—crumbled under the weight of addiction, shame, and brokenness. I was left standing in ruins, wondering if anything beautiful could rise from what was left. That’s where this journey began.
I’m writing a book called Rising from the Ruins: A Story of Addiction, Redemption, and Unshakable Hope. But this isn’t just a memoir. It’s a message. A movement. A mirror for anyone who’s ever looked at the wreckage of their life and asked, “Is it too late for me?”
The answer? No. It’s not too late.
Before anything can be rebuilt, the ruins have to be recognized. That’s why the foundation of this book is the R.U.I.N.S. Framework—a process God walked me through to find healing, freedom, and purpose:
- Recognize the Ruins
- Unload the Weight
- Identify the New Identity
- Nurture the Foundation
- Share the Redemption
We don’t skip the rubble. We walk through it. Because that’s where God does His deepest work.
I didn’t want to write a book that just talks about rising. I wanted to write about what happens before the rise. About the moment when everything falls apart. About the decisions we make in that darkness that lead to light. That’s where the true transformation happens—not after the dust settles, but when we choose to stand up in the middle of the mess and surrender.
That’s what this book is about.
The Future I’m Building With This Book
This isn’t just a story from the past. It’s the start of a bigger vision:
- A keynote message that will challenge audiences to own their scars, not hide them.
- Small group resources and devotionals that walk people through the RUINS Framework in a practical, life-changing way.
- A stage-to-page mission, where I continue telling my story through speaking, podcasting, and mentoring—because scars speak louder when they’ve been surrendered.
- A legacy for my family, for those still struggling, and for those ready to rise—but don’t know how.
I believe this book will reach people in their darkest places. The ones who are still stuck under the weight. The ones who feel disqualified. The ones who feel like they’re too far gone.
You’re not.
If You’re Standing in the Ruins…
You’re not alone. You’re not forgotten. And you’re not finished.
God’s not intimidated by your brokenness. He sees a blueprint in the rubble.
This book is for you, and I can’t wait to share it with the world. We’re not rising in spite of the ruins—we’re rising because of them.
The ruins don’t disqualify you—they prove you survived what tried to bury you.
Let’s rebuild together.
—Chris Benton
Aspiring Author of “Rising from the Ruins”
