This morning, I am still pretty disillusioned. I really shouldn’t be ~ all of the signs were there.
Someone I know, someone I felt I really knew, someone who had seemingly defeated the statistics, fell short. He succumbed to an old lifestyle when things got rough. He returned to the familiar surroundings and poor choices he had routinely made before he realized that the road he was on was going to lead him to destruction.
I don’t think that he forgot what that road is like. He just lost his strength~ he came to a fork in the road and picked the wrong path. There are a couple of things at play here…one, addiction. Addiction to anything is a lifelong process; a lifelong awareness. His addiction gripped him when he was most vulnerable and I think we can all relate to the danger that presents. Secondly, he was feeling forsaken. Whether he was right or wrong in that conclusion, it’s how he felt.
Who hasn’t felt the pain of rejection or of sorrow? There is no judgment in my heart for my friend. I continue to believe he is genuinely good and I will miss his smile and his eagerness to serve and love God. I truly do believe he’ll find his way back, though. God is already intervening. That’s right… we’re not talking about someone unsaved or lost. This man, this friend, has a passion for God.
He just lost his way.
Makes me want to just cry at the thought of what drugs and alcohol, in particular, are doing to people. What those addictions are doing to dads and husbands, wives and moms. Please join me in praying for those people in your life, past and present, who suffer from this type of enslavement. If you know someone who is, this very day, in the midst of that struggle and seemingly losing the battle….don’t give up. Pray for them. They need you.
Prayer for the Addicted
God of mercy, we bless You in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Who ministered to all who came to Him. Give Your strength to (name of person addicted), one of Your children, enfold him/her in Your love and restore him/her to the freedom of God’s children.
Lord, look with compassion on all those who have lost their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of Your unfailing mercy, strengthen them in the work of recovery, and help them to resist all temptation.
To those who care for them, grant patience and understanding and a love that perseveres. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
