Waiting On God Requires Patience

Waiting on God to lend us a hand when we are struggling can really be a challenge. This is especially true when we are struggling with a certain type of addiction. We do the right things and try to hang in there, but we don’t see results right away. It can be tough, but don’t  ever give up

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.

Addiction and Condemnation

There are a  lot of individuals walking around today who are struggling with addictions  and believing they are condemned. There are many who have been alienated by their family and friends, and feel hopelessly alone. Fortunately our God is a forgiving God, and his goal is not to condemn us. He might allow us to struggle for a period of time due to our sin nature (abusing substances), but eventually once we turn back toward God, our troubles tend to heal.’

Our ultimate goal should be to stay close to God in everything we do. He should be our “ultimate” support system, and come ahead of everyone else, including our family and friends. Once we “surrender” our struggles over to God, that’s when the healing begins Understanding that we can’t fight our battles alone, and that we need God’s help is the first step toward recovery.

Have you been reading the bible lately, and starting your day off with a quiet prayer? Give it a try if you’re not, and see if it changes your outlook. The way we feel is connected with the way we think. If we are thinking that we are nothing but a loser and an addict because others have told us so, then we will subsequently be feeling lousy and mentally drained. If we believe that we are a child of God, and with God we can overcome “all things”, then we will be on the road to recovery. 

Here’s some uplifting bible verses:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Then, when that happens, we are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5: 3-5 TLB

I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see His goodness to me here in the land of the living. Don’t be impatient. Wait for the Lord, and He will come and save you! Be brave, softhearted, and courageous. Yes, wait and He will help you. Psalms 27: 13-14 TLB

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 TLB

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online we pray that you turn your battles over to the Lord. He will sustain you through difficult times

Give A Loved One A Break

What is the greatest burden of all? It’s our sin. All of us have sinned; therefore, all of us must face the consequences of our transgressions. Although we may not realize it, our sins are wearing us out and discouraging us—they are draining the life from us.When we continue to live with such heaviness of soul and spirit, it destroys our body, devastates our soul, and fragments our thinking.

Sometimes the addictions that we are struggling with (sinful behavior) will not only tear us down, but tear down our families as well. We must learn to focus on others, and think about the pain that we are causing them. If anything, let’s make a good attempt at dropping this habit if not for ourselves, but for them. They deserve it. They have stood by us for years and deserve to be happy.

Sometimes taking the focus off yourself and putting it on others can do wonders in relieving anxiety and depression. Is there a friend or a family member who is not happy with your current behavior. Try changing it for a day. I had read some work from a well known psychologist who taught his patients to “Act as if”. Meaning to act as if they were a healthy individual, act as if they were fun to be around. Act is if they were the loving partner that they were meant to be. Give it a shot. Act “as if” for your family or loved one this week. You might see some jaw dropping results.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online we pray that your life improves on a daily basis, and that you get closer to God by praying and reading your bible. Sometimes our prayers are not answered immediately, but if we stay strong in faith, you might be surprised with the results. Stay well..