Editor's Note: The following essay was recently written by a Christian who is graduating from a residential drug residential treatment program based on the 12-step process. It is hoped that this essay will inspire and motivate others looking to overcome an addiction to drugs and alcohol.
I write this for myself, as well as my loved ones, who have been subjected to my using, and have loved me enough to suffer along with me for years until GOD has relieved me of the obsession to use drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.
Not
too long ago I heard a man say that his drug of choice was not worth the ink to
even write to and I totally agree with him. So I write this to you LORD, to my
family, love ones and to myself.
For
more years than I care to remember, my drug use and the lifestyle that goes
along with it, has taken so many things away from me that are irreplaceable.
When I speak of these things it is not the tangible items, such as cars, money,
clothes, or household goods. No, I speak of wasted time, energy, relationships
gone bad, and repossessed Blessings that were from GOD!
Today,
with GOD’S Direction, Grace, Mercy, and Second chance’s, He has brought me from
destruction to reconstruction. Today He is revealing His purpose for my life. And
for this I praise you FATHER.
The
things that were lost - tangible and non-tangible, I have faith that The GOD
that I serve today shall replace and restore them in HIS time and according to
his purpose!
Today
I realize that I am not cured and all I have is a daily reprieve contingent on
the daily maintenance of my spiritual condition and conditioning. Every day is
a day that I must carry the vision of GOD’S will into all my activities and
interactions with others.
The
choices that we make in life determine our destiny. So today
I choose hope instead of dope. And life instead of death. I choose relationships
instead of isolation. And I choose to live life on life’s terms.
In 2009, Whitney Houston's comeback from a bad marriage and drug addiction was underway. With the release of her CD and the single "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", it was hoped that Whitney had once again returned to her thrown as the Queen of Pop. Unfortunately, in the meantime, her road to recovery, like many others with addiction problems, was paved with many potholes. And on Saturday, February 11, Whitney came to the end of her road.
What is truly sad about Whitney's fall from grace is that she was a believer who lost her way. While it is too late for Whitney to start a New Life Today, perhaps her life can serve as a lesson to us all.
Below are some Bible verses that will hopefully help other Christians who are trying to Start a New Life free from drugs and alcohol:
Lesson #1: Our Strength Comes from God
Isaiah 40:28-30 (NIV)
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Lesson #2: Your Body is a Temple
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
19 Do you not know that
your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Lesson #3: Don't Get Drunk
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lesson #4: We are Not of this World
Romans 12:1-3 (NIV)
1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this
is your true and proper worship. 2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what
God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For those Christians struggling to overcome a drug and/or alcohol addiction, remember Philippians 4:13 (KJV): "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." With the Lord's help, we accomplish anything. Unfortunately, it appears that Whitney forgot this. It appears that instead of looking up, should looked inward. And I am certain that she, like other addicts who have lost their way have found, overcoming addiction requires more than self-control. To overcome addiction, one must rely on God's strength.
(Photo: Reuters/Ygal Levi)
Whitney Houston emerges from the waters of the River Jordan during a Holy Land pilgrimage, May 29, 2003.
Please support Ms. Adejumo and all the work she has been doing over the
years to help survivors of drunk driving accidents and prevent DWI. Buy
her book, or purchase something from her store, or send a donation to
her Foundation.
Her story is a compelling one. Her son, "Mitchie" Mitchell, was paralyzed from the waist down at the age of 3 as a result of an automobile accident. His biological father was driving - drunk! "Mitchie" passed away at the age of 21 in January 2008.
Starting today, February 7, and for the first Tuesday of the month for the remainder of 2012, New Life Today Blog will publish a prayer for Ms. Adejumo's book.
I am certain that all who read
Ms. Adejumo's prayers will be blessed:
Father in Heaven, thank You for waking me up this morning and
giving me another day to praise Your Name.
I do not know the day You will take me home, Father,
but I do know I want to go home with You on that day.
Teach me humility,
so that I walk with You and live a life that is pleasing in Your eyes.
I want to have an unbroken relationship with You, Father.
Mark 13:32 (NIV) The Day and Hour Unknown 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." ~Mark Twain
Regardless of age, marital status, or stage in life, we all have our own
set of concerns. Parents have a long list of worries ranging from potty
training to paying off college debt. Singles worry about traveling
life's journey alone. Senior citizens worry about declining health
issues. Financial concerns rank high on the worry list, and some
families struggle to keep afloat. Teenagers worry about peer
acceptance, grades, and choosing a career. The list is endless for
every age group.
Worry is rooted in fear and is usually related to a deep concern of what
will or will not happen in the future. Worry can keep us up at night
and send anxiety levels soaring. Like a thief in the night, worry robs
us of our peace and joy.
So much of what we worry about never happens. Worry does nothing to
better the outcome of a situation or change the course of action. The
distress that accompanies worry may do more harm than the actual thing
which we worry.
Some of us are living way below par of what God desires for us. God
understands our struggles with worry, and He does not condemn us. Jesus
tells us not to worry about tomorrow and live one day at a time.
"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
We are not promised tomorrow. It is important to make the most of every
day God gives us. Worry is a waste of valuable time -- precious
moments, sunny days, and productive hours -- that we will never get
back.
Excessive worry may be a sign that we are moving away from our
dependence on God. Prayer and Bible study help quiet our minds and
diminish our fears. A daily walk with Jesus is essential in helping to
minimize worry. Trust Jesus, for He is trustworthy.
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." (Psalm 56:3 NIV)
God makes provision for our future. He walks alongside us, hand in hand,
as we make our journey ahead. We are in capable hands. He promises to
be with us always, and to strengthen and sustain us during times of
adversity.
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
(Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV)
Prayer
Father, many of us are plagued by worry and fear. Replace worry with
joy and peace. Replace fear with faith and love. Help meet the needs
of families who have college debt and financial concerns. Stretch forth
your healing hand to senior citizens and those with health concerns.
Bring Godly relationships into the lives of singles. Provide guidance to
teenagers and parents alike. In Jesus name. Amen.
I write this for myself, as well as my loved ones, who have been subjected to my using, and have loved me enough to suffer along with me for years until GOD has relieved me of the obsession to use drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes.
