In Jesus’s time, things were difficult as well.  Jesus even informed his followers that there will be difficult times on this earth. When Jesus himself was stressed, he would seek time alone, away from all the drama, and pray. Prayer was the main support system for Jesus, and it should be ours as well.

Don’t fall into despair and feel that things will never get better for you or your loved one. The struggles in this life often go in cycles, and working through the difficult times by keeping our faith and turning our burdens over to the Lord, have seen many struggling with an addiction turn their lives around. 

Join a local AA or NA group. Get yourself a sponsor who knows God, and can point your in the right direction. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help, as there are people standing by just praying that God will send them someone to help. They won’t look at you as a burden, but as a fellow human being who is having a difficult time at the moment getting his or her life back in balance.

Never say Never. With God all things are possible.  Stay well and God Bless you and your family.

Here’s a great devotional from Intouch.org

My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Jesus spoke these amazing words just hours before His crucifixion. His peace isn’t dependent upon external circumstances, but rather, it transcends them. Although He gives His peace to every believer as a gift, our experience of it is related to our faith in the following truths:

• God is in control of everything. Without this assurance, the world is a scary place.

 

• He loves me and will see me through every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful it may be.

 

• To have Christ’s peace, I must surrender my life to Him. When I hold onto my ways and plans, I’ll experience turmoil.

 

• I have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God’s purposes for allowing them. His goals for me are greater than my immediate comfort.

 

• The Lord promises to work all things out for my good. He is continually working to transform my character into Christ’s image.

 

• I must live in sync with God, walking in the Spirit and promptly confessing and repenting of sin.

 

• Scripture is my foundation for peace. It increases my trust in the Lord’s goodness, assures me that He keeps His promises, and reminds me of His sovereignty over every situation.

Sadly, many Christians live their whole lives without consistently experiencing this incomprehensible peace. Perhaps faith and submission are the most challenging issues. But only as we surrender control of our lives to Christ and trust in His plans for us will we discover tranquil rest for our souls.

Christian Help For Addiction Online

We were discussing in the group the other night some of the reasons behind an addictive behavior, or just some of the reasons for using at all.

If you try to understand your behavior without confronting the underlying issues, you’re just changing chairs on a ship that is going down.  The ultimate question one must ask is exactly what does this behavior mean?

Do you know the reasoning behind why you are misusing and/or abusing substances?

Are you self-medicating,  as an attempt to mask the pain in your life?

How about your using is  a method of coping with difficult people and situations in your life?

Maybe you are searching for better feelings about yourself-and the substance creates those feelings.

How about a family history of addiction…are you following in the footsteps of parents or grand parents?

 Those are some of the “deep seated” issues that you have to address with your therapist once you begin intervention… What did I hear you say…you don’t have a therapist?  Well that should be your first method of intervention…getting a skilled therapist who can help and guide you through the process of recovery.

Once involved with a skilled therapist, you both could explore the “reasons’ behind your abuse and or misuse, and look at some more productive ways in how to deal and cope with the issues that are underlying the behavior.

Moreover, lets not forget Christ, and incorporating him into our treatment plan.

There are some who are or have been struggling with addictions who have been rejected by their families or friends.  Hearing things from family and friends that…”you’re no good….pull yourself together…..loser” etc etc….Those kind of comments can have a negative effect on how we feel, and sometimes trigger more use in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

Christ knows your pain, and is a forgiving God who allows for endless mistakes. It is such a relief to know that God forgives us for our mistakes, and loves us “unconditionally”  I reflect on the story from the bible where the so called “religious” leaders of the time brought a prostitute woman to Jesus, and confronted him on what her “punishment” should be.

In the olden times, prostitution and cheating was dealt with by stoning the woman to death, and the religious leaders were going to see if Christ would go against the sacred Jewish law. As the woman was brought be fore Jesus, he drew a circle in the sand around her and stated to the crowd…”let him who is without sin throw the first stone”

Fortunately, self-reflection ran high in those days, because the crowd left, knowing in their hearts that they had fell short in life as well…..Christ informed the woman that she was forgiven and go and sin no more….

So don’t get caught up in the thinking that the people around you are better then you….like the bible says…”all have sinned and fall short of the glory of god”  so if those self-righteous people start judging you….reflect back on this story of Jesus and the woman….and put yourself in her place…knowing you are forgiven.  Once the guilt leaves…you can move forward with your life in a healthier way….stay well and god bless…..

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If you ask a dozen people who or what their “support systems” are, you just might get a dozen or so different answers.  I have heard people tell me everything from their immediate families, to friends, neighbors, pastors, counselors, and other spiritual sources (meditation, bible, nature) as well.

The key to your “support system” isn’t who or what it is, but the fact that it is there for you when then time comes, and it has your best interest at heart. If your support system is friends, family etc., make sure these are well “grounded” people, who are living a healthy lifestyle, and will provide healthy support and advice. When in doubt, turn to your bible for reference and guidance. The book of proverbs is a great place to start.

If you are looking for a more 24/7 “support system”, then look no further then Christ.  Having no specific time frames, and available 24/7, Christ can be a wonderful support system when you get to know him and his ways. How can we know him and his ways? By opening our bibles and researching deep into the word of God.  The life of Christ and his guidance is well documented in scriptures, and if you follow his guidance and direction, there’s a good chance that you will find many answers to life’s most difficult questions.

You can’t have enough “support systems” in your life, and putting Jesus on top of the list will be a step in the right direction.

We continually are praying for you and your family and we hope that your troubles are few.

Christian Help For Addiction Online.  Alcohol addiction. Drug Addiction. Pain Killer Addiction

Whether it’s smoking cigarettes, or engaging in some form of obsessive behavior, the key is that “compulsion” to engage in that behavior over and over again.  At this point one must realize that it is more than a mere habit, but more of an “addiction”  A sign that you are becoming psychologically stronger and growing at the same time is having the ability to set limits on your behavior. If your habits appear to be taking over, and are influencing your everyday functioning, than it may be an addiction.

A group member was telling the group last week how he believed he had the so called “addictive personality” gene. Now I don’t know if that really exists, but research has indicated some hereditary factors in regards to addiction. The member explained that he pretty much “surrendered’ to the fact that he couldn’t break and/or change his personality disorder, so he channeled it into more positive behavior.

He explained how he started exercising again, and literally became a “gym rat” so to speak. Now here’s a guy that couldn’t walk a city block, but after years of conditioning was jogging miles a day!

The moral to the story….if you buy into this “addictive personality” theory, then perhaps channeling that behavior into more positive and less destructive actions might be the answer you have been looking for.  I wouldn’t just hit the streets and start jogging etc., without your doctors okay, but if you get the green light, then why not give it a try?

How about getting addicted to Christ and his beliefs and promises. Christ said that he came so that you might have life and have it more abundantly. He didn’t mean for you to be strung out and struggling with some habit that is tearing you and your loved ones apart.  Get addicted to reading the bible everyday. You will be surprised how some of the verses seem to be pertaining to you and your life.  I know it worked for me.

Enjoy the nice weather coming and continue to pray for your recovery. We shall be praying for you as well.

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But out God knows out weaknesses and knows that we are not perfect.  He is quick to forgive, and help steer us back on the right path.

Here is a great excer[t from  Dr. Charles Stanley. He is on the television on Sundays.  Try to watch him this Sunday.

The church I grew up in could sum up much of its theology in one statement: “Thou shalt not . . .” I don’t recall hearing about a Father’s love or how to live the Christian life. What I learned was that a wrathful God would punish me if I didn’t follow all the rules. And there seemed to be rules for everything—including what I could read, what I could wear, and what I could do.

As a teenage boy, I spent a lot of time begging the Lord to forgive me for one foolish thing or another. And I carried a constant weight of guilt and worry around with me everywhere I went. I just couldn’t seem to be good enough. In truth, the rules were a burden to me, and since I thought God made them, He was a burden too.

In my young adult years, I learned that my perception of God was wrong. He is gracious and loving. The commandments that He gave were designed to keep us
safe and free from shame. But even when we do mess up, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1). That means He forgives our sin and “wipes out . . . transgressions,” remembering them no more (Is. 43:25). We may have to live with consequences but never with the weight of guilt.

God is not a burden. He is the burden-bearer (Ps. 68:19), who placed our sins on Jesus Christ, thereby relieving us of that heaviness. Don’t keep staggering under the load of guilt. Lay it down before a loving, gracious Lord who offers a yoke that is easy and light (Matt. 11:30).

We hope you are moving forward with your walk with God, and we comtinue to pray for all our readers. God Bless.

Christiam Help For Addiction Online.

But then the storms of life hit us again, just like a 30 foot wave hitting a boat. These storms could come in the loss of a job or loss of a family member. We could be under stress in our relationships, and at turmoil with individuals that we call “friends”

Anyway you look at it, there will be good and bad times. It’s easy to turn to God and hit our knees when things are going bad. Sometimes there is nobody else there but him, as those so called “friends” are in the wind so to speak. We cry out for help and guidance, and it truly seems that God gives us only what we can bear.

But how about the good times,when things are going good? Do we take some time out to thank God for those quiet times, and give him credit for them. God desires to have fellowship with us (through prayer), in the good times and the bad.

So the next time there seems to be a pause in the “drama” in your life or the people around you, give thanks to God. My favorite prayer is…”thank you Lord for another day. I am walking in peace today thanks to you. I know there will be some tough times ahead, but if I stick by your side by continually praying and talking to you through prayer, I know we can get through anything together”….

So that’s it. Keep praying and thanking.  God knows you’re there, he created you in his image. Do you really think that he doesn’t love you? Never!….Until next time….stay well and God Bless….

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Our culture is not one that teaches patience. Just watch the frustration of drivers behind a car that doesn’t start moving the instant the traffic light turns green. Because of a two-second delay, tempers flare and horns honk. Living in a fast-paced culture programs us to expect everything instantly, and that includes answers to our prayers.

At times, I have been very impatient and frustrated with the Lord when He hasn’t operated according to my schedule. I’ve even tried to manipulate the circumstances so I could present Him with the solution and ask for His blessing. But delayed timing from my perspective is perfect timing from His viewpoint. An omniscient God who is the Creator and Ruler of time can never be late.

Waiting on the Lord requires faith. Just because we can’t see what He’s doing does not mean that He is inactive. Our heavenly Father works outside of our visible realm, arranging and orchestrating events to bring about His plan for our lives. His work is like a seed that is planted deep in a garden—we cannot see the underground process. But just as a plant eventually appears, we can likewise trust that in time, the Lord’s ordained outcome will become evident.

The solution to whatever problem you are facing is in God’s hands. By steadfastly clinging to the truth of His love for you, His knowledge of all things, and His power over every obstacle, you can confidently walk by faith and not by sight. In time, your eyes will see proof of His faithfulness

http://www.intouch.org/magazine/content/topic/waiting_in_faith_devotional

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online, we are continually praying for you and your recovery. It does take time in many instances, but don’t ever lose faith. God has a way of showing uo in the eleventh hour, so keep praying and wait for God to intervene in your struggles.

This constant dwelling and ruminating on past hurts can cause us such ailments as anxiety, anger, insomnia, nervousness, physical symptoms (high blood pressure), and a host of other ailments such as increased drug or alcohol abuse… God didn’t intend for us to live in such drama, and fortunately he has provided a way out….namely forgiving others…

People sometimes come to the conclusion that if I forgive somebody, then I am forgetting about the offense. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Forgiving is not “approving” of what happened….rather, forgiving benefits us in that we are releasing that person from the bondage that we are holding him or her in….letting them go….giving them over to God so to speak……and if the offense is truly horrific….God will vindicate those offended…so leave the discipline to him….

Forgiving someone will be a refreshing release FOR YOU…no more anger and hatred that will be stressing you….just give them over to God….the last thing you want to be is so stressed out of your mind that you start “self medicating”, especially after you have come so far……say a prayer for the person that offended you and move on…Life is too short to get caught up in such drama.

We at Christian Help For Addiction Online are always praying for you…..get a bible and start reading it…..you will be surprised how truly “relevant” it is to today’s problems…God Bless

Probably one of the best stress reducers is exercise. There is a lot of research that has been showing how exercise can improve your overall well-being. Let’s face it,  it really does make it harder to “self-destruct” by abusing drugs and alcohol when you are trying to build up your body at the same time through a vigorous exercise program. When you start focusing on your overall health, then sometimes we put that destructive behavior on the back burner.

Now I’m not saying to start out by running a marathon, but take baby steps by walking or jogging at a light pace. Gradually increase the time you exercise each day, and you wil be surprised at how quickly you will improve.

I was listening to a story of an individual who was struggling with a Heroin addiction.  He was describing how his life was falling apart, and how his mind and body were wasting away by using the toxin. He admitted that he had an “addictive” personality and his game plan wasn’t to try to eliminate his addictive personality (sometimes difficult), but rather channel that personality into a “positive” addiction, namely exercise.

Well years later he was showing the world how he was now a “triatholon” participant, and would jog and swim and bike ride each and every day. He was sober now for over 15 years

So there is hope, and like I said, start off slowly. Give yourself a pat on the back after you walk your first mile. Take a deep breath and say thank you God for another day, and that you are getting stronger on a daily basis. Develop some positive habits and routines, and before you know it, some of those bad habits will be replaced with good ones that will lead to ultimate health.

Remember, we are always praying for you, and believe that God will eventually intervene in your life. Be patient and live by faith, your breakthough could be right around the corner.

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The conscience looks at thoughts and actions to determine if they are in line with one’s principles and standards. It is important to keep our internal alarm system well maintained so it will be trustworthy.

For our moral compass to sound at the right time and for the right reason, we must:

• Accept scripture as our standard for behavior. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” If we choose to adopt our culture’s values, which are often at odds with the Lord’s, our conscience will be unreliable. Instead, we want our radar to alert us to the possibility of going off course.

• Align our thinking with the Lord’s. Romans 12:2 says to renew our minds. It is necessary and ongoing work to combat what this unbelieving world accepts as true and right. Our alarm system should help us identify ungodly ideas.

• Apply God’s Word to daily living. When our habits reflect godly values, our conscience will become more sensitive to what is right and wrong

In addition, it is essential that we rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding. Our conscience by itself is of some value, but it becomes indispensable when accompanied by the Spirit’s guidance (John 16:13).

The scriptures teach us how to live—in our thought life, conduct, and emotions (Gal. 5:16-23). As we make our standards align more closely with the Lord’s, our conscience will become increasingly trustworthy because it is based on what is important to our heavenly Father.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online we pray for your recovery and ability to withstand temptations. Try to get yourself an easy to read bible, and read some bible verses. It just might turn your life around.