“I can’t imagine walking this road without my faith.”
It’s a line we have heard time and time again here at Renaissance Ranch, an all-male faith-based treatment center near Salt Lake City, Utah, and it resonates with so many who have broken free from the bondage of addiction through their faith in God. Addiction is enslavement. And being trapped in those shackles can feel hopeless, like a life-sentence.
But in the Holy Bible, the apostle John proclaims, “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (New King James Version, John 8:36). What an incredible pronouncement of victory over every snare in which we are caught and every battle we feel we cannot win. Faith reassures us that, no matter the depth of the pit, God will pull us out and place us safely on higher ground if we let Him.
For those who struggle with addiction, faith is a game-changer. Faith recognizes that our help comes from a Higher Power. Faith lays the foundation for the path to true healing and recovery. And faith sustains us as we journey down that path.
Wherever you find yourself on your faith or addiction recovery journey, these steps are critical to overcoming addiction once and for all:
(Aida L/unsplash)
1. Trust God to be your strength.
In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul tells us that we can do “all things through Christ who strengthens [us]” (NKJV, Phil. 4:13). There is something incredible about knowing that we don’t have to rely on our strength alone. The battle against addiction can suck the power right out of you, but it cannot and will never diminish God’s unlimited support, which He grants to those who seek Him. Trust that even in your weakness, He is strong.
2. Commit to permanent change and make a plan.
If you want to remodel your house, you have to commit. It’s not something you think about one day and next thing you know, you’re pulling up the old floor in your kitchen. Remodeling takes serious planning and dedication. Once you start knocking down walls, there’s no going back.
Addiction must be viewed in the same way (though there’s much more at stake than a demolished kitchen floor): Commit yourself to a permanent and all-encompassing change, then invest in and work toward that change until it becomes a reality. In addition, work out and document your recovery plan ahead of time so you can check back in with it frequently to stay on track.
3. Evaluate your motivations.
Sobriety is a challenging target. Therefore, you must assess and evaluate the why behind your decision upfront. If you’re doing it to please a girlfriend or because your best friend is doing it, you may also want to consider how the decision will benefit you personally if the friend or girlfriend goes away.
4. Remember the cost.
When looking back on your past life of addiction it can be easy to see things through rose-colored glasses. So often, we remember the fun times and forget how they affected our health, our personal life, and our family members. Instead of mourning over the “good times,” remind yourself of the cost. These days might be a lot less wild, but what you gain through sobriety outweighs what you may be tempted to think of as a loss.
5. Don’t put yourself in a situation that may lead to temptation.
That bar. Those friends. That coworker. You know the situations that have the propensity to take you down a bad path. In the early stages of recovery, it’s crucial not to overestimate your ability to say “no.” It’s far better to play it safe and avoid people, places, and situations that could be a stumbling block to your recovery than to flirt with temptation.
6. Accept help from others with humility.
Acknowledging the fact that you need help can be extremely difficult. We want people to think we’re good – that we have it all together. But that isn’t reality. Accepting help from others can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly gratifying. Remember that when people offer support, it’s because they care about you and want to see you succeed. Avoid the urge to decline their assistance and try allowing others to come alongside you and walk the path of recovery with you.
7. Shift your focus.
When the urge to fall back on that old, familiar pastime creeps in, you must have something else on which to focus. This could be as simple as going for a run, doing a crossword puzzle, or working on that project in the garage. Rather than dwelling on what you can’t do, turn your attention to something you can do.
8. Find a mentor to hold you accountable.
Accountability partners are essential to maintaining sobriety. Find a trusted person of the same gender, preferably one who is further down the road in their spiritual walk, and commit to checking in with them regularly.
Christian-based treatment centers can connect you with a trusted mentor if you don’t know someone who could take on this role. Let them know how to pray for you, and keep them informed when you’re struggling. Above all, it’s crucial to be honest with your accountability partner so that they can give you the wisdom and encouragement you need.
9. Keep the focus on faith.
The best way to break the chains of addiction is to build your faith. Establish a consistent routine of personal prayer and spending time in the scriptures. Try to attend a weekly church service and perhaps even a mid-week study group. When facing a journey such as this, it’s crucial to surround yourself with those who will build you up, encourage you in your faith, and immerse yourself in all that is good for the soul.