Author: contributor

Matthew 9:2-6 ESV reads, “And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’ And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—he then said to the paralytic—’Rise, pick up your bed and go home.’”

The verse above serves as a reminder that Jesus not only forgives, but heals as well—as the paralyzed man is able to walk again. In relation, it is only through faith based recovery that we are able to gain the knowledge of such, and come to the realization that we aren’t alone. For, God is with us, and walks beside us, as we persevere on the rocky trail.

In turn, all that Jesus does for us is truly amazing. For, when we are sick, we are made well—and in our modern day we’ve come so far as to have medicines and hospitals to contribute in making us better. However, we must remember that these are all things God’s blessed us with, as he has given us each certain gifts—and/or talents.

As a result, if we let ourselves be led by faith, (just as the people who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus) and not our own will, God begins to bless our lives in so many ways. As we submit ourselves to Him—and His abundant love—the addictions which are currently faced with, or once were, are stripped away. Then, in the midst of our broken state He makes us whole—by placing unexplainable joy and peace in the midst of our affliction.

In conclusion, never doubt him (as some as the scribes had done), but instead let his word be known, and his love and healing fill your very being. It is through such (faith based recovery) that the anger that resides in you—which has been bottled up over the hours, months, or years of addiction—can finally be replaced. “God doesn’t have it out for you, he has a heart for you.” So don’t let the one person you need, be the one person you push away.

Dark brown liquid taints the surface of my lips with remorse—while the neck of the laden glass bottle, causes a searing sensation to trail the hollow of my throat. My stomach swims in synchronization with its contents, and numbness lingers, ultimately obtaining its place. I refill the sharp silvered flask, and swig down “ease” and “clarity”, as the clock reads 4:02 (A.M)—yet, even interpreting such is a strenuous activity through my fog-filled vision.

I’d drink, I’d sleep, I’d wake, I’d rise…and the cycle would run on repeat. In my fault tears would fill my eyes, and the hollow organ beneath my chest would beat fiercely between my lungs—threatening to escape. I’d seek out clarity in all the wrong places—but through my broken state, I found it all again through God.

In relation, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV) reads, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God is always present in the midst of our sufferings—and as we look to Him in faith—we not only find confidence in His capabilities, but contentment through His love. And even as we further develop in our relationship with Him, we still have yet to grasp the smallest sliver of His care, and the great extent to which He loves. However, as we gain a basis for comprehension, we begin to find ourselves lost in Him, rather than in that of our addiction(s). For, as we put our trust in Him, He overcomes us, but when we put our trust in that of our flesh, it consumes us.

Ultimately, we all struggle with addiction—in one form or another—but as we look to God, we find Him change our desires to line up with that of His. Even so, we all have moments in which we struggle, but during such, we are made strong through His spirit—and begin to feel hopeful, not hopeless.

Therefore, don’t let addiction overthrow you, instead let God overcome you. For, “…if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you… (Matthew 6:30 NLT).” Even during the times in which you fall, you will rise once more. For, as Christ overcame that of the world, so can you if you put your trust in the substance of your savior.

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God cares about the hearts of addicts because he wants to aid us, and contribute in our well being. The verse below serves as a reminder of such, and reads as follows, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber (Psalm 121:1-3 ESV).”

However, when we’re faced with great difficulty (such as this), we lose perception of God—even when he’s standing right in front of us. In the midst of such, many of us may feel abandoned—and find ourselves escorted (hand-in-hand) by isolation. Yet, in the center of such—we fail to understand that, “God doesn’t have it out for us, he has a heart for us.”   

In addition, the word “us” applies to all of creation. For, no matter our mistakes, desires, and addictions we are forgiven through Him—as we come to Him with a heart full of faith. In relation, Luke 5:32 NLT reads, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Through the verse above, we see that no matter our faults the Most High still adores us, and isn’t ashamed to be seen with us—as Christ is “the friend of sinners.” In turn, there are—and/or will be—times in which we struggle to carry out that which is right, as our flesh tempts us into transgression (but the spirit leads us to that which is just).

Furthermore, addiction is just one pain (among several) that many of us are faced with, but it doesn’t demean our worth. For, through God, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Therefore, we have nothing to fear, but God himself, and as we do so we begin to realize the extent to God’s love as “height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39 ESV).” It is only then that our spirit begins to surpass that of our flesh, as the weight of this temporal suffering doesn’t compare to the weight of God’s grace.

Ultimately, where the flesh is limited, the spirit is boundless. Where man’s love is selfish, God’s love is altruistic. And where man’s love fails, God’s love prevails. Therefore, when we’re grounded in faith—a sturdy foundation—we find ourselves uneasily swayed by the waves of the raging storm (addiction), and instead blanketed in the benevolence of God’s healing.

Jesus took blood soaked clothes—in exchange for our tear soaked pillows—so that sin, and burdens, wouldn’t bind themselves on the backs of others. Yet, despite the suffering, He rose three days later—in all His glory. Such an instance, not only illustrates the Lord’s ability to overcome the world—but accentuates our capability to conquer temporal sorrows—when we invite God into our recovery.   

As a result, we must be resilient in times of tribulation—and have faith in God’s favor—for we are a work in progress. Consequently, we may not see quite clearly at first, but through our savior we are able. It’s through such that we are healed and gain clarity of God’s path for us. However, we can’t grow discouraged by “blurry seasons”—in which we are faced with addiction—but instead look forward to the future.

Mark 8:23-25 ESV serves as a reminder of such, as it reads, “And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him; ‘Do you see anything?’ And he looked up and said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees, walking.’ Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”

The most beautiful phrase within this scripture is as follows, “And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village…” For, it depicts the significant amount of trust that the man had for Jesus. The man wasn’t definite as to where he was going, but had no doubt in the healing of his Savior—and was willful to His direction. He put aside his own understanding—and through doing such—his faith made him whole. In turn, even as we falter, our weaknesses shape us; for, God restores the old to new, and places remedy in the midst of our addiction(s)—as we turn to him in our most difficult hour.

In conclusion, we must find clarity and understanding in the presence of your creator—and let our sight be restored through God’s omnipotent love. Act accordingly, and don’t let all you are now, withhold you from all that you are meant to be. Furthermore, don’t be discouraged by your imperfections, but encouraged by your progression, as you remain humble and confident in God’s care—and deliverance.

Matthew 18:12-13 ESV reads as follows,”What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.”

In relation, When we’re lost through addiction, we’re are found again through Christian rehabilitation facilities. For, it’s through such that we rely on God’s strength, rather than that of our own. The verse above illustrates what happens when we attempt to be lead by our own will, instead of seeking guidance through God. In doing so, our flesh directs us down a path paved of pain—which could have been avoided otherwise. But, when we put our faith in God—in times of physical defeat—we can begin to take heart in knowing that no matter the obstacle—God’s plan for us knows no bounds.

Furthermore, effective healing doesn’t only take place through one physically, but spiritually. For, Psalm 73:26 ESV reads, “My flesh and my heart may fail,  but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Therefore, our spirit can overcome that of our bodies; for the state in which its in is most important. As a result, we are placed in an environment in which we not only grow in strength (physically)—but in our faith; we begin to find peace unlike any other, and see ourselves as more than just victims, but as conquerors. It is then that we are not only found as sheep (physically), but found as sheep (spiritually), as we begin to piece together God’s purpose for us—and find the might through God to not only heal, but to endure.

In conclusion, some of the decisions we make are irreversible—but we have the option to choose a faith-based road to recovery—through an effective rehab facility. Those faced with addiction can find successful recovery through various forms of rehab, but the treatment is much more powerful when we allow the one who created us, to be the one who treats us—as he knows what remedy we need best. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and knows the weaknesses of our flesh. In turn, “each morning you arise you have a choice to walk with God, or walk with the world.” I pray you always walk with God.