Losing Friends

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 

                                                                           (1 Pet 4:3-5 KJV)

Do good! Do what is right! "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry." (vs 3 NIV) No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.

As a former substance abuse counselor, I have found that one of the toughest things for someone in recovery to deal with is that when they finally decides to trust God for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. Going in a different direction than the rest of the crowd can be a very lonely time. It does not bring much comfort to realize that the only reason they hung with us was because our substance abuse justified theirs. Once we realize that the path we've been on has caused only harm and turn around, our old friends and even family disappear. They are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." (vs 4 NIV) And, they will heap abuse on you for not going along with the crowd in a life of destruction.

But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Pet 4:19 NIV)

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Say No To Temptations

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Cor 10:13 NIV)

Having lived my entire life with people who had substance abuse problems; when the "Just Say No" slogan was being used in the school systems it rather irritated me. After all, I wondered did the people who were pushing the "Just Say No" program have any clue how difficult it really is to get clean? It is; after all, a disease.

Fast forward to today and, having served as a substance abuse counselor myself, now I feel confident that:  Yes, they most probably did know. Most of the people who I have known who treat substance abuse addictions have gone through it themselves. They know how hard it is. They also are living examples that it is possible to live a much fuller life without mind altering substances.

The first step in any twelve step program is to first admit that you have a problem and that you need help. Unless you recognize a problem there is no way that you will desire to seek help and it is virtually impossible to go into recovery without help. Paul writes to the Corinthians that God will provide a way out. He will help. It is always very tempting to just keep doing the same old thing. It is difficult to change our way of living. It is difficult to say no. But, God does not tempt us beyond the place where we can say no. He always provides alternatives to succumbing to temptation. 

The second and third steps of the 12-step recovery program are to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity and make a  decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. 

God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can say no to. You really can "Just Say No" but, it is necessary to trust God to provide a way out; an alternative lifestyle and then to help you live that new life in Christ. 

May God help all who suffer from addictions to trust in Him as they seek His help.

God's Peace - Pr. Judy