Addictions and Hope

Addictions and Hope

The song I played on Sunday is by Rascal Flatts and is called "I Won't Let Go". It can be found on various video resources for free viewing, including youtube and the following on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/22825335

If you would like to consider how the 12 Steps of AA relates to biblical verses I suggest you go to this link: http://christpres.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/celebrate-recovery-12-Steps.pdf
I mentioned this on Sunday. My belief is that it is important to claim our common humanity and model for the addicted qualities utterly consistent with our Christian tradition: humility, candor, and openness about our own flaws, wide and joyous embrace of God's mercy.

Ministry to families and loved ones of the addicted:

You didn't Cause the addiction

You can't Control the addiction

You can't Cure the addict by your efforts

Recommendation for further reading of those NOT offended by explicit language, the book I quoted from by Nadia Bolz-Webber titled, Pastrix.

Prayer resources

If there is anything that struck me in preparing the message on addiction it was the incredible transformation required for the addict to go from being slammed by their addiction to a healthy and coherent lifestyle.

Addicts are often fighting on multiple fronts: 

• genetics (50% of addicts are lean genetically towards addictive behaviors)
• culture, upbringing, lack of learned life skills
• unresolved anger and resentment, vulnerability
• brutal and graceless theology embodied by the "religious" people in their lives who use scriptures to beat them up while masking their own flaws
• egocentrism masked as wisdom
• actual inability to look at their lives with honesty
• AND THE FACT THAT THEIR ADDICITON MAKES THEM INCREASINGLY LESS ABLE TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE ABOVE!

Therefore, if you are going to enter into prayer for addicts and their loved ones, you'd better know that you are signing up for long-term often excruciating process. You will need every ounce of your prayerful tenacity! Here's a good place to start:

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Other Scriptures to consider and pray through if you are facing an addiction:

Rmans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (KJV)

Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:9a “But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (NIV)

Isaiah 41:10
“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (NLT)

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

Let me know how I can be helpful in this.

Blessings

Pastor Chris