Addiction And Shame
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One big hindrance to getting help for addicts is shame. Often, families are ashamed of their kin that have become addicts and either hide them, or abandon them. They pander to societal perceptions, and end up destroying their kin!
When your child, or family member, decides to go into a relationship you disapprove of, and later gets heartbroken, do you leave them to suffer alone, or you comfort them and help them through the pain? It is very unusual for families to give up on broken hearted people, although they went into the relationship against caution.
The same way, addicts initially go into attitudes and behaviors that their families disapproved of, but they got stung by addiction and need the same comfort and help. Just as the relationship started nicely, but ended up in disaster and disappointment, often beyond the person’s control; so does substance abuse start blissfully, until addiction sets in. Addiction takes the abuser by surprise just as the heartbreak took the relationship person by surprise!
But this is the vital difference: While the broken hearted seldom die, and may recover on their own, substance addicts always spiral downhill to death, unless an intervention occurs!
The question we should be asking is: Would we be ashamed of something that has been classified as a disease, and fail to get help for the person till he or she dies? Or would we forget about what people say or think, own up to the problem, and get help for our loved one to be restored?
As stated yesterday, there is a lot of help available, and addicts can be restored to their previous normal functions.
Bible tells us in Galatians 6:1-2
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Carry each other’s burdens. Restore gently. Fulfill the law of Christ.
This is our call.
MEMORY VERSE
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
(Galatians 6:2)
QUESTIONS
- Are you ashamed of a family member, or friend, who is addicted??
- Do you know it is a disease, just like Malaria and TB, with a lot of help available?
PRAYER TIP
Father, help me to show love and comfort;
and help restore family and friends
who are trapped in addiction.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:
Evelyn
Blessings