Feb 15th, 2024: Suffering from Addictions

Working with people with addiction has been a part of my life. Addiction has many faces: alcohol, drugs, food, pornography, smoking, and more. Most people would either deny or suffer from their addiction quietly.

Addiction destroys our life direction and purpose. We eventually isolate ourselves and that impacts our connection with others. People of faith suffering from addiction will feel empty because they feel disconnected from their convictions. It can be a cause for severe depression.

Some folks have found meditation and prayer helpful. Somehow, by allowing God to have our attention, it helps us see beyond the walls of slavery caused by addictions. We also need to face our self-hatred. Self-hatred leads to despair and death. There is no light on that path of life.

It is a myth that we can deal with addiction alone. We need to have a supportive and affirming community. The road to recovery tends to take place in the context of a loving community.

"...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7