Misty Loman’s mugshot progression is tragic but her story shows, “prayers really work.” Her story proves it’s never too late to turn to Jesus.

We all have that loved one, that one person struggling with substance dependency in our lives whom we are begging God to save. For some, dependency began with poor choices. For others, it was a way to escape pain. And for some, it was because they felt utterly lost.

For Misty Loman, it was all of these things.

Misty turned to harmful substances because she wanted to escape the consequences of her past decisions and the inner battles she was facing. She also sought relief from a serious autoimmune condition that caused her body to attack itself. While substance use intensified the visible decline seen in her mugshot progression, the severe health condition she was battling also contributed to the drastic changes in her appearance.

Misty was in such a dark and deep place that she didn’t think there was any way out.

After losing a son at birth, Misty felt she could not endure any more pain. She tried to be a good mom to her two older sons, but she later experienced the heartbreaking loss of a set of twins as well.

As if that grief wasn’t enough, she also lost her home, her car, and her health. She had been diagnosed with cancer, lupus, and scleroderma, a condition characterized by the hardening of the skin.

“I was broken, mind, body, and spirit. I saw no way out. I didn’t want to wake up. I lost everything. I was without a home. I had lost my kids. I truly felt like I had lost myself,” Misty said. “I had no plans. I was going to keep numbing the pain until my time ran out. Doctors didn’t give me much time, and I spiraled out of control. I was so depressed. I didn’t want to wake up. I lost all my hair, it got really bad. I lost my kids. I was homeless. I was at rock bottom.”

While she kept returning to substance use, her family turned to Jesus. They prayed and didn’t lose faith even though Misty had been jailed fourteen times and served time behind bars. Those who understand the ups and downs of dependency know the pain, fear, and disappointment when someone you love relapses and you wonder if they will ever break free.

But Misty’s story is a reminder to never lose hope because one day, sobriety can become everything when your loved one partners with God to overcome their dependency.

Misty’s life wasn’t going to end in chains. God had a different story. Captured in booking photos that went viral, you can see the prayers of her loved ones working from the inside out.

The photos of Misty Loman show every difficult step of her journey. Those images show how she went from a vibrant woman to someone consumed by substance dependency who barely looked like herself. But God breathed His promises into her life. Looking back at her transformation shows how devastating dependency can be — and how powerful prayer can be. As she took recovery one day at a time, God gave her renewed strength every morning.

She is now twenty-eight months sober. She says if you have a loved one trapped in the world of substance use, when they reach their lowest point, the only direction left is upward — and toward Jesus.

“If you are struggling and you see no way out and your mind, body, and spirit are broken, just ask God,” she says. “Prayers really work. They really do. I’m living proof.”

Misty’s story is one of restoration. She has a home, she has her children, and she walks hand in hand with the God who set her free.

May we all think of Misty Loman and how God restored her life when we are worried about our own loved ones. Who God sets free is free indeed.

“So now, I will break his yoke bar from upon you, And I will tear off your shackles.” Nahum 1:13