The group meeting last night didn’t go as smooth as we had hoped… as it appeared that frustration and discouragement became the topic of the night, as many members seemed to portray that “what’s the sense attitude”….It’s difficult at times to remain positive, especially when the temptations and struggles of life draw us closer to substances that we perceive might help with the pain…

A couple members put a positive spin on things, as they had mentioned that they relapsed several times before finally becoming “sober”.  Sometimes the struggle for sobriety can be one of our biggest life challenges….but when we do reach that final victory…oh how sweet life becomes…

The next time you start feeling discouraged or frustrated, understand that the road might be long for many, but with God by your side as a support system and guiding “Northstar” so to speak….the journey will take on new meaning…

Here’s a graet devotional from intouch.org that can shed some insight into discouragement and coping with it Gods way…

Discouragement can rob peace, joy, and contentment. But I have great news if you feel disheartened: You’re not stuck!

I’ve known people who appeared to be in an impossible situation. A few years later, however, they were in a terrific place, either in terms of their circumstances or their emotions. The reason? They never gave up. Instead of sulking in self-pity, they chose to believe God, step out in faith, and climb out of the emotional pit.

Nehemiah is a good example. He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble. After receiving news that the city wall had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved. Though pain flooded his soul, he didn’t allow himself to stay in that low place. Instead, Nehemiah cried out to God, seeking direction.

Sadness in the presence of royalty was punishable by death. But the Lord answered Nehemiah’s prayer with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant’s sad countenance and then to ask what he could do to help. This miracle led to the rebuilding of the wall and the redemption of God’s people.

The Lord can take an impossible situation—no matter what it is—and move in ways mightier than you can imagine.

Do you live in eager expectation of what the Lord will do? Or have you chosen to linger in the depths of despair? Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for God’s help. He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaining a stranglehold on your life.

Christian Help For Addiction Online:  Drug Addiction  Alcohol Addiction Internet Addiction

So I know you have probably heard me say this before, but as the saying goes…”repetition reinforces retention and recall” so here it goes again…people, places and things. We truly do become a product of our environment, which includes those “birds” we hang around with.  Are your friends or acquaintances living a life that is filled with abusing and/or misusing alcohol or drugs?  If so run! Don’t feel that you have to be “strong enough” to put up with the temptation, and believe that you have to prove to them how strong you are. Forget it.  You don’t have to prove anything to anybody except God almighty. He is the only one of importance who will be judging you for the life you lived.

When we allow unhealthy people to frame our way of thinking, we get side tracked from the “big picture”. The big picture that God has put in front of you. Here’s one of my favorite versus…so try to put it to memory…

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. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity

Try finding some healthy and high functioning people that you can socialize with…I know it’s not easy…but if you look in the right places (church), you just might find some….Start flying with some Eagles and leave those buzzards behind…

Stay well and God Bless….

Christian Help For Addiction Online

Drug addiction…Alcohol addiction….Pornography addiction…..Internet addiction

Let’s face it…Vicodin is an “opiod pain killer” which puts it right there on top of the list with several others. So please, don’t fall into a trap while utilizing pain killers such as those mentioned above.  Tolerance (where you need more to achieve the desired effect) can develop quite easily, and before you know…guess what?  So carefully monitor you usage and consult with your prescribing physician regularly, in an attempt to monitor things before they get out of hand. Your doctor should know best.

Colleagues of ours are opening up a local “youth center” next month, and it can’t come early enough. We had some youths who were actually grinding up the above mentioned medications and snorting them. I can only imagine the detrimental effects that must have on their young bodies. So getting them off the street, and giving them a cool “hang out” center..might prove helpful.  Notice I said might….sometimes only God can make the difference when it comes to eliminating drug use.

Remember, God loves you and he didn’t create any “zeroes” You are special in the eyes of God and you are created in his image. This is truly a “fallen” world, where evil does exist. As Christ said when warning about evil..”.The thief has come to kill, steal and destroy…but I have come that you might have life” John 10:10 .  There is an evil out there (Satan) and he really wants to bring you down….the sooner you realize that the better….The only one that had a definite victory over him was Christ…so  we want to be on his team for sure.  

Get Christ behind you….he’s got your back when the “thief” tries to rob your life. Hit your knees like I do and pray…Lord give me strength and some wisdom, because here we go again….Set up some good “boundaries”…learn to know where and with who the “thief” hangs out….and “avoid” those places…you are literally walking in to an earthly hell…..If you have friends who are actively using and they say we are having a little “get together” or party….run!  Don’t put yourself in that situation…just run…and find some clean and healthy people to hang out with…..and if there is nobody…then grab a bible…and quietly read alone…..it just might make the difference you’ve been looking for.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…we pray that your struggles are becoming less and less.  Pray…read the bible…and most of all…make Christ a part of your life….stay well and God Bless!

Christian Help For Addiction Online

Chemical Dependency—Pain Killer Addiction—-Drug Addiction–Vicodin—-Oxycontin—–

The biblical definition from Hebrews tells us that…Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the eveidence of things not seen….which to me means that I’m hoping for things to get better, yet I haven’t seen this “better” come to pass yet…So how long do I wait?…Should I do anything while I’m waiting?….Should I take matters into my own hands?

A lot of those answers depend on who or what I am putting my Faith in….If I am putting my faith into “somebody”…I might be in for a big let down, as fellow human beings fall short quite often….Or maybe I am putting my faith in the economy…and hope that it will turn around some day and make me prosperous….

Where we really want to steer our faith is into our creator, God almighty, who ultimately has our best interests at heart…..People and the world can letr us down…but if we put our faith and trust in God…..our troubles become more manageable, as his strength and guidance can bring us through the most difficult struggles life hits us with….

Here is a great devotional from intouch.org….

I’ve had people tell me, “I wish that I had great faith.” While most of us would like God to just drop that kind of confidence into our laps, it’s not the way He operates. Faith increases as a result of our obedience in little things. We all marvel at Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac at the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to consider all of his smaller steps of submission that prepared the way for this enormous test?

Throughout his lifetime, Abraham obeyed God. At the Lord’s command, he left his country (Gen 12:1-4), was circumcised (17:10, 26), conceived Isaac in his old age (21:1-3), and sent his son Ishmael away (21:9-14). By the time he was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he already knew that his God would always be faithful to His promises. His previous experiences had taught Him to trust the Lord.

In the same way, each small step of obedience solidifies our confidence in God. Then, when He challenges us with a more difficult assignment, a firm foundation of assurance enables us to trust and obey Him. Great acts of faith flow from our past interactions with the Lord. By neglecting His simple commands, we miss priceless opportunities to witness His faithfulness.

Having trouble trusting God for something big? Maybe it’s because you’ve ignored those “small” and “insignificant” promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord considers each of His commands important and promises to reward every act of obedience, regardless of size. Great faith begins with little steps.

Try putting your faith in God….get a bible and read it…..The book of Psalms is a great chapter on faith…..and will comfort you in times of despair….

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…we hope and pray that your struggles become fewer….and that your faith will become stronger each and every day……God Bless

Alcohol addictions—Drug Addictions….Marijuana Addictions….Internet Addictions…..Online Help For Addiction

There is much research available that discusses “meditation” as a form of stress relief.   Meditation can comes in various styles, and most of these techniques offer us a way to “de-stress’ and reconnect with our inner self in a healthy and harmonious way.  Our groups form of meditation comes in the way of prayer.  It involves quiet time alone (usually at night before bed), and allowing the mind to focus on God, and his awesome influence that he can have on our lives.

I enjoy focusing on the good things of life while resting in bed with my eyes closed…love to our neighbors and friends, kindness, the great things that God has done in my life, and the good things to come.   Many people tell me they focus on a place of serenity such as sitting alone on a beach and mentally visualizing the sounds and smells of the ocean.  Some people quietly chant a peaceful word to themselves, as they focus on a peaceful setting….

Whatever technique you utilize, try to incorporate God into the meditation…..With God there is love, joy and kindness…..and when you focus on those things…..anxiety and worry just seem to become less and less….

Here’s a great devotional from intouch.org on giving thanks and praising God…..try to incorporate that into your daily meditation..

Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise ought to permeate the believer’s life. 

One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or sing our worship. Psalm writers put adoration into words and set their love to music. True worship also flows from the mouths of believers who are focused upon God’s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised for the future.

Genuine worship allows the Lord to fill our hearts and minds with His presence. But praising the Lord with wrong motives is an empty act. For example, if we’re lifting our hands and singing loud only because doing so feels good, then what we’re after is an emotional high. That kind of selfish “praise” falls far short of heaven.

Our God is praised when we serve Him. People are created for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work—believers’ testimonies are an amazing form of praise that magnifies God’s name.

Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He’s done for you should be all the motivation you need to praise Him with your life. Don’t just sing; serve His kingdom and share the gospel. Help to make God’s throne room ring with worship.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…..we will continue to pray for you and your family as you face life struggles and temptations…..Remember…you don’t have to “go it alone”…Christ is there to help you through these difficult times….reach out to him in prayer and meditation….and see how your burdens become less……

Our thoughts can be quite powerful….and sometimes if we continually dwell on the “negative” aspects of life…we tend to get depressed, anxious, and frustrated.  Unfortunately, “stinking thinking” can sometimes become a habit…as our first waking thought could be..”ok..another day…I wonder what’s going to happen today?”…

Changing habits can be troublesome for many….but if we include God in the equation…we could have a better chance of success…try starting your day with a morning prayer….I start mine with..”thanks Lord for another day…being here with family and friends…help me to be a positive influence for others…and stand by me during difficult times”….

Our prayers don’t have to be some scholarly recital meant to impress somebody….God takes us just as we are…no matter how bad we have messed up….So tomorrow morning try saying (even if you have to pretend and force it out)…”Thanks God for another day…I feel stronger and am going to have a great day”….give it a try for a few weeks and see what happens…..you really have nothing to lose…

Here’s a daily devotional from intouch.org….stay well and God Bless

When life falls apart, how do you cope? All of us face circumstances that challenge our peace—and some of these situations are very painful and prolonged. Unless we have purposeful focus, joy fades and hope seems unattainable.

King David experienced extreme hardships, including the profound grief of losing a child and a best friend. And King Saul, for selfish reasons, pursued him in an attempt to take his life. Later, David’s own son led a rebellion against him. As drastic as these trials are, they were just four of the many difficulties he endured. Yet even in times of deep suffering, David found hope and peace in God.

How was his soul sustained when others in similar situations would have drowned in despair? David knew how to meditate. He focused his mind and spirit on God—His character, ways, and will—in order to know the Lord better and to obey Him.

We should be following David’s example. Our role during difficulty is to set our eyes on our heavenly Father and meditate on His Word. The Psalms document the depth and passion for which the shepherd and soon-to-be king delighted himself in God. By continually pondering the attributes and ways of the Lord, he found solace in the midst of turmoil.

What subjects consume your thoughts during the day? Do you have time set aside to dwell solely on the Lord? Perhaps you can remind yourself periodically to bring your attention back to your Creator—one way is to read several of the Psalms and notice how the author refocuses on the almighty God.

Here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…we pray that you not only get stronger each and every day…but get closer to God as well….Meditate, pray and call out to God for strength….Life can be a challenge at times….and we need 24/7 support that we sometimes can’t get from friends and family…..However…God is there 24/7 365 days a year….and he is waiting to lend some support…stay well…..

Making matters worse is our own attempts to alleviate the anxiety by self medicating with alcohol or drugs. We think we get some relief, but in the end, our conditon just worsens….There are a lot of different ways to deal with anxiety…A friend of mine started  “meditating” and he said it worked wonders for him…another person I spoke with started a “yoga” group, and had some positive results…..the bottom line is you have to do something to alleviate the constant anxiety…or it will take its toll on your overall health…

I enjoy praying wjen I’m stressed….I guess it’s a form of meditating…except I’m focusing on God and all the good things he has done in my life…I know what you are saying…but what if I can’t think of any “good things” that happened to me…well I’m sure if you really think deep enough and possibly go back a few years…you will be able to recollect some good days….and focus on them….try rearranging your thoughts and think in terms of hope and overall health….close your eyes and visualize yourself as a healthy and sober person….sometimes your unconscious will help move you towards that “healthy” person that you are visuzlizing research has shown….

Here is another great devotional on anxiety from intouch.org…let us know what you think…

Stressful situations come in a variety of forms and intensities, and in this earthly existence, we will never be totally free of them. However, the important issue is, What are we going to do with our anxiety? If we let it dominate, fretfulness can become a way of life. But if we believe what the Bible says about God and His care for us, we will experience an awesome liberation from worry.

Do you sometimes doubt whether our heavenly Father really cares about the ordinary things that cause you anxiety? After all, He’s got the entire universe to run, and your issues are so small in comparison. Consider how inconsequential birds and flowers are, yet Jesus says that the Father cares for them (Matt. 6:26). Don’t you think you are worth much more to Him than they are?

At times we let ourselves get all worked up and stressed out because we’re trying to change something that is beyond our control. Just as no one can add a single day to the length of his life, so there are some situations that we are powerless to alter. But the sovereign Ruler of the universe loves us and holds everything in His hands—including our stressful and seemingly out-of-control situations. Therefore, we have no reason to fret or fear.

Perhaps the biggest reason we worry is because we don’t trust the Lord. Anxiety is no more than unbelief. The Bible is filled with God’s promises to provide, but so often we doubt that He will. If you can trust Him for your eternal security, can’t you also trust Him for your earthly needs?

Again…we continuously pray for our readers here at Christian Help For Addiction Online…be it a drug addiction, alcohol addiction or some of the new addictions such as prescription pain medications….we understand your pain…..Buy yourself an easy to read bible….and start reading some healing scriptures….God speaks to us through his word…and when you believe in him and his word….a new hope develops that will help you overcome your struggles…God bless….

Listen, everyone makes mistakes. True, some of our choices have been poor, but that is behind us now, and it is truly time to move forward. Living in guilt can wreak havoc on one’s physical and mental well-being. It stresses the body, and causes all sorts of ailments.

Fortunately we don’t have to live in giuilt. Our God is a forgiving God, who forgives our sins and allows us to move forward. God doesn’t hold “grudges” like many of our so called friends and/or family.  You might have had a life filled with drug or alcohol abuse.  many of you are still actively using, and are living with the associated guilt.

God doesn’t demand perfection…but he does demand that we surrender to him, and accept Christ as our Lord and savior. Once you become ‘born again”, your life takes on a new meaning….one filled with hope and peace knowing that the one true God loves you more than you could ever imagine. You don’t have to live in guilt or shame anymore……and the peace you will receive from God will give you the strength to move forward…

Here is a great devotional from intouch.org on some of the myths/lies that beleivers struggle with….

The apostle Paul wrote that he once reasoned like a child, but he had now put childish ways behind him (1 Cor. 13:11). He was referring to the spiritual maturity process, whereby a believer’s self-centered ideas are replaced by a healthier perspective.

But maturation is just that—a process—so some immature thinking may linger with the Christian. Based on our childhood experiences, we may wrongly believe . . .

• Lie #1—God’s love for us depends on how good we are. We act as if our behavior can positively or negatively impact His affection for us. But Scripture tells us that the Lord’s love is constant; it never varies.

• Lie #2—Acceptance by others has to do with performance, not who we are. With this mindset, we constantly try to please other people. But we can rest in the truth that God has adopted every believer into His family; we are fully accepted.

• Lie #3—Our security rests in social status, material things, or some other worldly prize.
This leads to anxiety and manipulation as we attempt to acquire what we lack. The truth is, we’ll experience peace when we realize Christ is our true source of security.

These erroneous ideas represent a “hidden enemy of love,” because godly affection can’t flourish with immature attitudes. We must replace such beliefs with biblical truth.

Paul calls us to move toward maturity in our thinking and behavior. Clinging to immature ways can interfere with our sense of peace, security, and joy. But knowing the truth about God’s acceptance and recognizing that our security is in Him alone will lead to relationships characterized by His love.

Here at Christian help For Addiction Online we continuw to pray for our readers….may you be making progress in your recovery, and may your sobriety open up a new understanding of life and God and how special you truly are….stay well and God Bless

Remember, some of the individuals that you might call “friends” suddenly disappear when your health and/or money run out.  I have seen more “fair weather” friends come and go then you could imagine.

Here’s a great devotional from intouch.org….let me know what you think…

Life can seem confusing at times. Sudden changes in our circumstances or the people’s behavior can make us wonder how to go forward. That’s why God gave us His Word as a reliable compass to point the way in difficult times. But we need an abiding trust in Him if we are to effectively use His guidance and follow His instructions.

We know God is trustworthy. He is the One who created us. God sent His Son to die in our place. He adopted us permanently into His family. With His great power, He resurrected Christ. With that same power, He is able to keep every one of His promises. These are solid reasons that we can depend upon Him.

There are several signs that we don’t trust the Lord. Sometimes we rely on other things to determine our course of action. We lean on our reasoning power, material desires, or feelings. You may also seek advice and help from other people instead of from God’s Word. These ways show a lack of trust in Him.

Some things keep us from placing our full confidence in God. One obstacle is a lack of awareness that God desires an intimate relationship with us. If we don’t realize that He is deeply interested in our affairs, then we won’t look to Him for guidance. A second barrier is pride. We often would rather rely on ourselves than depend solely on Him. Placing our confidence in the almighty, eternal triune God is always wise. He can be trusted in every situation

Addictions, be it to drugs or alcohol can wreak havoc on one’s well-being….It truly is a “family disease” and will linger on unless you get help….We are praying for you and your recovery and believe that God can be the biggest part of your recovery if you surrender to him….Love and God Bless…

When we think of the above, we truly have to give thanks for the blessings that we have…Although we go through difficult times, God has blessed this nation, and its inhabitants…I was thinking how fortunate I was the other day to have hot running water, plenty of electric, a car to get around, and a God who cares about us…..

Here is a great devotional from intouch.org on God’s blessings and sharing your blessings with other people…..If you know someone who is struggling, reach out to them and give them a call…..Sometimes we think we might be intruding, but that person might just be praying for God to send them someone who can help them through these difficult times…..Don’t under estimate the positive influence you could have on someone…even if it’s just sitting there and listening to them talk and express their pain……God did put you here for a reason…and that reason is good…

It is God’s nature to bless. However, we need to understand that He has a greater purpose in mind than we may realize. His ultimate goal is far more encompassing than just to make us happy, peaceful, protected, and prosperous. In fact, it is never the Lord’s intention for His blessings to end with us. Rather, He wants them to flow out to others as part of His plan for the whole earth.

As we can see in today’s psalm, the Lord blesses us so that His salvation, His ways, and His justice may be known by every nation and every people group around the globe (vv. 3-4, 7). He is always acting with this larger picture in mind—even while working personally in our individual lives. Knowing this should fill us with an awesome yet humbling sense of significance. Every believer has a part in helping others know and understand the one true God. Each blessing He gives not only benefits us personally but is intended to help further this cause. On the other hand, we may sometimes not receive the things we want because they don’t contribute to His higher purpose. But if we are willing to fit our requests into God’s greater plans, we will position ourselves to be greatly used by Him.

When the Lord blesses you, He’s not only doing something for you; He’s also doing something in and through you to affect others’ lives. Don’t let the pleasures and comforts of His blessings blind you to their intended purpose. Ask God how to use His kindnesses as a way to point people to Him…

We continue to pray for you and you loved ones….At Christian Help For Addiction Online we know what it is like to be struggling with addictions….and how stressful it can be…..Call out to God and surrender to him…..You really don’t have to go it alone…..He loves you more then you could ever imagine…..and he really does want the best for you….Get a bible today, and start reading…..your recovery might be closer then you think…..God Bless