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Standing at the Turning Point |
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Article by
Tom Gilbert
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)
Various books
available at our e-store
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
Hooked
on the Net Internet addiction
resources
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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Recommended
Reading
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PSALM 25:16-18 |
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"Turn to me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins."
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