When drugs or alcohol become a regular part of our daily
routine, or we require them to cope with life, we likely have a chemical
dependency (addiction.) No matter what the cause of our addiction, as
Christians we can call on God to forgive us and help us heal. Our healing, and
forgiveness comes from God when we ask for his forgiveness; we just confess our
weakness to that which stands between us and Him. We repent from using drugs or
alcohol confessing the use of them as our denial of God’s mercy and grace in
our lives. We confess we need God’s help because we cannot refrain from using
them on our own. God will then forgive us.
Our confession will not necessarily eliminate our desire for
these chemicals. We will need to work daily on our temptation and learn how to
resist how the flesh cries out for drugs and alcohol. Our deeper emotions must
be healed. What drugs and alcohol have supplied as coping resources will have
to be unlearned. With God’s help you can
do it! Surround yourself with godly people and get involved in activities that
include teaching from the Bible. Become involved in church and seek
relationships with mature Christians who will pray with you. They will be your
support group and provide the sincere encouragement you will need. Stop seeing
those whom have tempted you in the past in your addiction, they are destructive
in your recovery process.
There are those who may need a more formal rehabilitation
process, one that provides professional assistance in establishing a solid
foundation for chemical dependency recovery. God uses different methods for
helping us be healed. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for His help in your healing
and seek His chosen professionals.
I am very thankful we
have a merciful God who will help us,
forgive us, and heal us! Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you
who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”
(Matthew 11:28).