Our country is in distress because of the drug and alcohol addiction that has taken our culture. When I get out in our community and through personal counseling I am reminded of the great need in our community for compassion and recovery. Although there are lots of rehabilitation centers and counseling available to people who choose them, I will take this opportunity to try and help those I can through this column. Recovery is not a cut and dry approach. The first thing a person needs is Jesus Christ as their savior. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” There are people and programs available who take a strict clinical approach to recovery who do not consider that we are not merely clinical beings, we are spiritual beings. Created by God in His image. Therefore, it takes a spiritual act to help a spiritual being. Recovery as defined by Webster 1828 Dictionary “The act of regaining, retaking or obtaining possession of anything lost”. For the addict that is The Ability to Choose. The drug addict and alcoholic need to recover their ability to choose to use or not. Because of the addiction that choice has been taken away. In my time as a drug and alcohol user the decision was made each day before I got out of bed. Although it was a problem of my own doing, I had lost the ability to choose. It has been several years now, but I have recovered from the addiction. I now have the choice and it all started with a relationship with Christ. For those of you who are struggling with addiction, do not let your past define you. The Past means having existed in a time before the present. Our past is like a piece of our life’s puzzle but does not make up our life. Our past is merely a part of us it does not define us. Do not let your past settle your future, that time is already gone. View the past for what it is .1. The past is not God, He is above our past. 2. The past is not our master. 3. The past is not all of who we are. Please understand recovery is not easy, quick or painless. There are some enemies to recovery. Guilt, your past, and pain. Satan will use guilt to push you away from recovery. Your past may haunt you and the pain will hurt you, but there is help and hope in Jesus. The bible says in 2 Timothy 2:26 “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” If I may be of further assistance to you please contact me through social media or by email at bro.robert@hotmail.com.
