John Crist, a Christian comedian who’s been rebuilding his life after making “a lot of poor choices,” told Sadie Robertson Huff he clung to hope during his darkest time. Though Crist felt like an “outcast” whose story was over, God gave him another chance.
In 2019, the comedian faced allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment from five women, leading to his tour being canceled. Crist also struggled with addiction but has been sober for five years now. After completing rehab and returning to social media in summer 2020, he said he felt an “unbelievable amount of love” and “undeserved” support.
During an episode of Huff’s podcast titled “From Rock Bottom to Recovery,” Crist told listeners he’s “had to sit with the consequences” of his poor choices. “I don’t want to skirt responsibility,” he added, without going into detail.
The comedian, whose YouTube show “Emotional Support” has been viewed more than 2 million times since Feb. 18, said his performances are now “a thousand times more sincere.”
Amid Darkness, John Crist Dared To Hope
John Crist, 41, grew up in a large family in Atlanta, with a pastor father and a homeschooling mother. During the 2010s, his comedy career took off, and he eventually moved to Nashville.
As he has mentioned before, Crist said he was in a “very dark place” in 2019 and “wanted to end my life.” He told Huff he saw no way forward and no future. But gradually he allowed himself to take baby steps of hope, thinking about simple pleasures such as eating Chick-fil-A and playing golf.
Although Crist didn’t think he’d ever return to the stage, he knew he could at least be alive. He compared the situation to that of a prisoner of war. Just hearing that someone will eventually come to your rescue can help you “endure an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering,” Crist said.
Quoting Hebrews 12:2, Huff pointed out that “Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the hope of heaven, and that we would get to join him.” Even if our circumstances don’t improve here on earth, she said, “There is a hope of heaven and that the Holy Spirit is going to help me right now. He will be the strength in my weakness.”
John Crist: Life Is ‘So Much Better’ With Jesus
Receiving grace after his public failures “kind of flipped my whole faith,” John Crist admitted. It was a contrast to the works- and performance-based teachings he had grown up with, where churches banished people for getting divorced and youth groups banished teens for getting pregnant. “Everybody knew everything about me, and they were like, ‘We love you,’” Crist recalled in amazement.
