One of the most prevalent factors facing all of us in the tribulations of life is NOT KNOWING. In this article I especially want to address the wounded families who have a loved one in the bondage of addiction. Along with any addiction will come lies, deception, passivity, violence, fear, anger, depression and many other emotional and mental instabilities.
Some families may be experiencing their first occurrence with addiction issues. Things were going well until this problem invaded your household. It has caused confusion, fear, and suspicion in the atmosphere and will cause a great amount of stress while attempting to deal with the addiction. It is truly a spiritual assault upon the welfare of the family. “The thief does not comeexcept to steal, kill, and destroy.” John 10:10
Other families have experienced the stress of a loved one going over the edge several times. No counseling, reasoning, or program has made any effectual change in that family member’s demeanor. Truly “they have been taken captive to do the devil’s will.” II Timothy 2:26 You have experienced anxiety, fears, pain and suffering with their great burden upon your shoulders. You’ve been cursed, abused, deceived, seduced, begged for second changes, promised, rejected and abandoned. And you find yourself still standing because of God’s grace. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
II Corinthians 12:9
When everything comes apart you must leave your burden with the Lord even though “NOT KNOWING” the outcome. Jesus Christ is the place where you can obtain rest. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Remember, some things will remain a mystery for “the secret things belong to God”. Deuteronomy 29:29
Let me warn you about falling into the trap of the devil by becoming bitter in your own soul. Therejection, abandonment and hurt that you may be experiencing may rupture into an anger of your own. You must repent of this quickly, asking forgiveness so that you may experience cleansing and forgiveness – I John 1:9. Otherwise you may fall short of the grace of God – if you are not careful. “Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Hebrews 12:15
Ronnie Dunn, in his latest song; “Bleed Red”, speaks of forgiveness:
“Let’s say we’re sorry, before it’s too late, give forgiveness a chance,
Turn the anger into water; let it slip through our hands.
We all bleed red, we all taste rain, all fall down, lose our way,
We all say words we regret, we all cry tears, we all bleed red….”
Ephesians 4:31 & 32; “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
One last word; if you have a loved one in bondage to addiction, go to archived counseling corners link below, scroll down to 2008, and click on The Spirit of Bondage. There you will find some helpful suggestions on dealing with an addicted person.