Faith is a funny thing. If kept strong, it can move mountains. It quickly wastes away if ignored, leaving you to struggle in the dark. It is a living thing, always moving backward or forward depending on our actions and intentions.
Strong faith is a comfort when we feel alone, a beacon when we cannot find our way, and a weapon against one of our greatest enemies in recovery—temptation.
Faith
The best part about faith is your level of faith is completely in your control. When dealing with addiction, so much of your life may feel out of your control it is nice to know that there is one area that is predictable and replicable.
If you feed your faith, it will grow. The rate at which you feed it will decide the rate at which your faith will grow. If you do nothing, it will shrink. It’s not a difficult concept. God is not hiding from anyone. God rewards effort with an abundance of His Spirit to help us accomplish His will, including overcoming our addictions.
Setbacks
Just because faith is a simple concept does not mean it will always be easy. There will be days when you don’t want to pray. If you’ve just had a relapse and you feel guilt and self-recrimination, it can be hard to admit those feelings and your weakness to anyone else, even God. It is natural to shrink from judgment, but that is not what you face when you repent.
Jesus Christ already faced judgment and paid for your sin. You aren’t going before God to receive judgment. You’re seeking mercy, a gift freely given to everyone who comes to God. It doesn’t matter if it is your first offense of your fiftieth. If you are earnest in your desire to change, He will forgive and encourage you.
Jesus offers comfort, rest, and healing if you will accept it. He knows you’re beating yourself up and wants to soothe the hurt and give you hope so you have the strength and energy to try again.
That doesn’t mean you can willfully commit sin knowing He will always forgive. God knows whether you are earnest in your desire to change or if you are false in your petition for grace, but any true seeker will find what they need to move forward.
Relapse
Relapse is often part of the process. If that is true in your situation, then it is a stepping stone to recovery. It can be a dangerous one, as any relapse could be fatal, but still, from a faith standpoint, we learn from our failures.
Perhaps next time you can resist longer. Perhaps you can beat a specific trigger that has always been a stumbling block in your past. Every success is a reason to celebrate in God’s eyes. We, being imperfect and mortal, cannot achieve perfection in this life. We aim for progress toward a heavenly home.
Helpful Tips
Here are some tips to help you on your journey:
- Work with a faith-based treatment center that will help you build your faith around scripture-centered recovery principles (such as the 12-step program principles). These guideposts will help you understand the grace offered to all of mankind. The goal is forgiveness and growth, not judgment.
- Avoid situations that will trigger you to use again. If you can’t avoid them, have a backup plan. For example, if you need to meet with an ex regarding your children, take someone with you who will help you stay strong and avoid temptation after your encounter with the ex. Meet with your support group or sponsor. Do something relaxing or engage in a passion project that will keep your mind busy until temptation passes. Planning ahead will make a huge difference.
- Participate in regular worship services. There is strength in numbers and in the messages shared by like-minded individuals calling on God for help. There is also power in groups praying for the same worthy outcomes.
- Worship through scripture study and prayer. There is no substitute for these daily endeavors; they help you develop an all-important relationship with God. That relationship will change you, strengthen you, and make you more compassionate toward others and more patient with yourself.
Final Thoughts
John 14:2-3 (KJV): “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
God already planned for your success and is waiting for your triumphant return where He will take you into His arms and say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the mansion I have prepared for you.”