Addiction is a heartbreaking and debilitating disease. Any addict will tell you that they don't wish the pain they are going through on others. Addiction can really trick those into thinking that their life is meaningless, hopeless, and not worth living.
God however has something very different to say to addicts. God wants to empower addicts to feel in control of their lives and overcome the reigns of such a vicious disease. The road to recovery is a difficult and long one, but it's not impossible.
If you are a struggling addict than these words from the Lord may help you find peace and get you started on your road to recovery.
“You are not a failure.”
Often times, addiction is associated with idolatry because the addict is putting the drug first and foremost in their lives, instead of God. The inability to shake the drug off by themselves can make addicts feel weak. When they are offered help, they feel so guilty about the terrible things they have done that they do not feel they deserve a chance at a new life. They think they are failures and cannot live up to God's standards, so what is the point of even trying?
God does not see addicts as failures with no hope ahead. God sees addicts as His struggling children and only hopes that He can help them overcome the pain of the disease. Even if the person has tried to get clean before and relapsed, God is still there cheering them on. God understands that the journey to healing is messy and difficult, and He believes that anyone can overcome it. You are not a failure.
“You are not alone.”
Matthew 11:28 says "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Jesus promised to help us out with our troubles and give us the strength to overcome them. Recovery is a hard process, and there will be times where you feel that you can't keep on going. God, though, believes you can be healed. Even when you want to quit, God is standing next to you giving you that extra little push. Instead of falling back into the arms of drugs, addicts can start finding peace in their ability to fall back into the arms of God. You do not have to walk this journey alone. Deuteronomy 31:8 reminds us of this by saying, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
“I will always love you.”
While all Christians want to stay as far away from sin as they can, there is no doubt that we are going to make mistakes. We are going to make a lot of mistakes, in fact. That does not mean that God will not continue to love you with all His heart. Jesus died on the cross for you. That type of love isn't one that will vanish over a drug addiction, no matter how bad things get. While it can be hard for friends and family to stay in contact with a drug addict, for God it's not an issue. His love for you is not going anywhere. Remember John 3:16 which says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
“I want to help you.”
Jesus spent His time here on earth helping those that needed it the most. Matthew 9:12 says “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Jesus spent His time, resources and energy into helping those that were the sickest. Others at the time were offended that Jesus would give such time to the sinners and the broken, but Jesus knew that these were the people that needed love and kindness. Jesus also wants to sit down and help you. He doesn’t see you as a bad person and wants to meet you right where you are. You do not need to clean up for Jesus to receive His blessings. For Jesus, it’s His job to clean you.
“I will not be angry with you.”
Jesus never went around screaming at others or calling them sinners for the terrible things they had done. Jesus would meet them where they were and ask them if they wanted to be free, wanted to follow Him, and wanted to repent for their sins. God will not get angry with you, either. He will not belittle you for falling into the cycle of addiction. Instead, He will show you compassion and grace. In treatment programs, it's known that loving confrontation is the best path to lasting results. While you have to confront the truth about your addiction and deal with the trauma that surrounds it, you can do so in an environment that is peaceful, loving, and compassionate. Confrontation done properly challenges one’s perspective by offering an opposing point of view.
Addiction is a terrible disease that takes the lives of many of God’s children every year. Addicts, however, do not have to live their lives in this way. The Bible is a great resource to start learning about their addiction and how to overcome it. They have a unique opportunity to find God’s love, grace and mercy in a way that can transform their lives forever. God really can heal those that are broken and empty, but we have to seek Him out.
