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Standing at the Turning
Point
A Christian Way to
Deal with Addictions |
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Article by
Tom Gilbert © livingthesolution.com
Unless you have experienced first hand
the devastating effects of life-threatening addictions
it is difficult to appreciate the damage. It is more than
the physical problems. These diseases include a soul-sickness.
The people in the grips of these afflictions are spiritually
ill, too. The illness can even spread to family members
and friends. They may not be addicts, but the resentment
and hurt they suffer from the abusers results in real
spiritual damage for the often innocent victims.
Alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling, eating disorders or
sexual addictions are often misunderstood. Still, almost
everyone can see the ill effects. Families have been torn
apart. Society suffers. It’s sad and depressing.
Despite the bad news, the recovery process has produced
countless untold miracles. The very process of hitting
bottom and admitting powerlessness is often the only thing
that will bring about the catalyst for true change. The
“Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous speaks
of standing at the turning point. It is the place that
all addicts must come to and finally make a choice to
either go on to the bitter end or seek spiritual help.
Why Suffer?
You don’t have to be in the throes
of addiction to choose God. However, real transformation
often comes only from suffering. It’s the way of
the cross, the redeeming death and resurrection of Christ
Jesus. It’s the paschal mystery.
If you think that comparing recovery from addiction to
Christ’ dying on the cross and rising from the dead
to be inaccurate then perhaps you’ve never witnessed
someone brought back from the depths. Lives are changed
through a real spiritual awakening produced by abandonment
to God, a thorough and fearless moral inventory, the making
of amends and a life lived in service to others.
As Christians we have a belief in a loving God who sent
Jesus, His only begotten son, to redeem us by dying for
our sins and saving us by God’s great grace. While
many in recovery programs, such as the twelve-step programs,
profess a belief in a Higher Power, not all choose to
name that Higher Power Jesus Christ or even God. That’s
ok. AA, the original 12-step program, states that it is
not a religion and makes it clear that anyone can choose
a God of their understanding. Rather than criticizing
such an approach to spirituality we can use it as a starting
point. Much as C.S. Lewis did with “Mere
Christianity”, the discussion can begin with
belief in God first, followed by belief that God cares
personally about us and sent His son to be our savior.
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A Work of
the Spirit
What Christians who have utilized
the recovery process of the 12-steps have discovered is
that the process in the steps creates a greater and deeper
understanding of God’s love and redemptive power.
There’s evidence the steps are a work of the Spirit.
At the root of all addictions, “control diseases”
if you will, is the sin of self-will. The seduction of
self sufficiency can separate us from God. Isn’t
this what has always plagued mankind? Whenever we choose
to run our lives without accepting and submitting to God’s
will for us we are headed for trouble. The trouble is
exasperated by addiction.
Anything that opens up a mind and heart to the need for
God and creates a willingness to seek God for the loving
relationship so readily available to anyone is a great
thing. It must always be encouraged. Therefore, many “hard
landings” experienced by dying addicts are often
the turning point towards eventual recovery.
It’s a Process
Recovery is a process. God working
in us to renew us and restore us to health and sanity
is scriptural. See and This process is accomplished by God working
through others. Intensive work with others who are suffering
from the same addictions is how those who have chosen
the path to recovery help maintain their sobriety. God
has always worked through people and nowhere is this more
evident than in the rich spiritual fellowship experienced
by one addict or alcoholic helping another.
The challenge for all caught in the compulsive and obsessive
behavior of addictions is to replace the seemingly pleasurable
experiences that come from drinking, drugs, sexual pleasure,
food or whatever the “drug of choice” is,
with something more meaningful…and lasting. This
is what a spiritual experience does. An inner transformation
happens as a result of confronting our negative behavior
and character defects and turning them over to God. Through
continually working and living the process self will surrenders
to God’s will. This is being “born again”
in a very real way that addicts can appreciate.
Whether you suffer from an addiction or not, the wisdom
of living one day at a time with a constant reliance on
God to help you through (not over, under or around) our
difficulties was taught by Christ. speaks specifically to this, but it is important
to read it in context with the verses before. Jesus wants
us not to focus on that which produces anxiety, worry
or fear. He knows if we dwell there we become more insecure
and will likely seek escape or comfort in what can only
let us down. Another drug, drink or dessert might grant
temporary relief, but at what price?
Perhaps the greatest awakening for an addict willing to
go to any length to achieve sobriety is the awareness
of how God works through our weakness. When you can finally
surrender and admit you are powerless you prepare the
way for God to take over. Paul celebrated this: (2 Corinthians
12:10), “For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses
... for when I am weak, I am strong”.
All of us must confront on some level the truth of our
addictions. Indeed, we all are addicts. Not all are slaves
to drugs, alcohol or sex, but we are all in bondage to
our desires, wants, ideas and pleasures. We do not have
to deny everything, but only release our attempts to control
and live selfishly. God’s grace makes this possible.
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Resources: (note:
These sites are provided for your information and we
believe them to be reputable and helpful. However, endorsement
is not implied)
NI-COR
/ NASA Recovery Network
International-Coalition for
On-line Resources
Breathing
Under Water Center for
Action and Contemplation with Richard Rohr explores
the Gospel and 12-Step Spirituality.
Alcoholics
Anonymous History: Christian Roots and Bible Emphasis
Site by Dick B., noted AA historian
Christians
In Recovery online site,
resources and sharing
Christian
Sunrise Counseling online
counseling & therapy service
Pure
Life Ministries helps
Christian men achieve lasting freedom from sexual sin
Just
Pray No Annual “Just
Pray NO!” to drugs Worldwide Weekend of Prayer
and Fasting
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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Addiction & Grace
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