Discovering the Real Jesus in Monroe

I just read Brian Welch’s book Save Me From Myself. Brian was lead guitarist for the band Korn.

I was, to my surprise, deeply moved by this book. Welch’s description of his drug-and-sex saturated life on tour with Korn is straightforward and non-demeaning. The simplicity with which Welch writes, even though the language is rough and real, is compelling. Anyone who reads it will conclude that such a totally addicted ego-centric prisonhouse of existence is truly empty.

Welch doesn’t write as a victim but as one who finally takes personal responsibility for his own life choices. He doesn’t blame his parents or his friends or anyone for the hell he found himself in. This is important, because a “victim mentality” is part of the prison. When the prison chains are finally broken off Welch’s heart the result is moving and believable. From being a full-meth-addict, a money addict, and a porn addict, Welch now walks in freedom from all of these and more.

By 2004, Welch was deeply depressed and suicidal, and thought about taking his life as a way of relieving his phenomenal inner pain. ”My life was crumbling. I needed to get off drugs. I tried a couple of rehabs, but that didn’t work.”

One day a Christian friend sent Welch an e-mail suggesting he read Matthew 11:28, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This touched Welch so much that, later, he got the verse tattooed on the back of his neck.

The subtitle of Welch’s book is called How I found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, and Lived to Tell My Story. He writes: “I had been filled with anger, confusion, hate, selfishness, greed, you name it. When God revealed himself to me, it was a supernatural peace and love that was so far higher and beyond anything you can experience on earth,” he said. “I knew it was God. I knew it was him revealing heaven to me, eternal life. He poured out his love into my heart, and I was instantly changed in that moment. I mean God became so real to me. He’s irresistible.”

Save Me From Myself is currently #18 on the New York Times best-seller list. Warning: it’s R-rated for some language and description of Welch’s before-Jesus days.

Brian’s web site is here. You cann access his interview with Paula Zahn there.