Addiction is a jealous dancing partner. It is a disease that thrives on isolation, particularly during times like these that we are collectively experiencing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As addicts, our main relationship is with the substances we use to drown our sorrows, medicate our pain, celebrate our greatness, and fuel our euphoria. For addicts, there is always a good reason to get high. We can always carve out time for our habits. Amid this global crisis, COVID-19 threatens to seize the opportunity to kill us numerous ways using several methods including social isolation.
For me, my symphony of addiction featured different instruments, playing in a resounding cacophony of substances, sex, and self-indulgences. Sometimes, they played solo. Most of the time, they played together in concert.
Which came first? I don’t know. Ask the chicken and the egg. Perhaps, they know.
Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay
As an addict, I’m a rationalizer-in-chief, able to justify anything that meets my self-interests, no matter the cost. As an addict, suffering is part of the package you get with me. I’m happy for you to pay the price if it means feeding my perceived needs. Turmoil and transgression are trademarks of my addiction. Thankfully, by God’s grace and God’s grace alone, I am free of those chains.
Do you yearn to live a life of forgiveness?
That doesn’t mean that I don’t relapse into old behaviors even though I am clean and sober today. Even years into my recovery, I’m constantly having to evaluate is this a passion or an obsession? Is it a healthy habit or a harmful addiction? I know I know what to do and I know what not to do. But that doesn’t mean I’ll do it or not do it.
My recovery is directly tied to my proximity to God as I understand Him. Close by God’s side, I find the supernatural power to keep my addictions at bay. But it’s one thing to cease addiction; it’s another to live a life recovered. I believe that grasping this truth is part of our personal spiritual growth and continuing forward progress as we heal and recover. Certainly, difficult times like we are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic make it more challenging to stay on track in our recovery. But it also gives us a chance to draw closer to God as we understand Him.
“Stress is the number one cause of relapse.” Matt Wright, LCSW
I recently heard great insights on addiction and recovery shared by Matt Wright, a professional counselor, on the podcast “You’re Gonna Be Great!” You can find Matt Wright’s insights shared here, on the blog written by M.E. Evans. I literally discovered her blog Monday morning while catching up on reading other posts from different blogging friends. If you or someone you love are struggling with maintaining your recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d urge you to check out her blog and listen to her podcast.
Prayer:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- How is COVID-19 impacting your ability to stay clean and sober?
- Has COVID-19 made it more challenging for you to maintain your recovery?
- Are you in need of help?
Here are some links to resources that are available to you or someone you love struggling with addiction:
I pray that during this COVID-19 pandemic you are healthy and safe. It’s a uniquely difficult time for billions of people around the world. May God shine His favor on you and shower you with His love.
I’m super excited to announce that on Thursday, May 21, 2020, I’ll be a guest on my friend Kathryn McClatchy’s Unleashing the Next Chapter to share my insights on Blogging Essentials. Kathryn and I met a number of years ago when we were both serving on the Board of Directors for our local Writers Guild of Texas. She’s an advocate, coach, consultant, speaker, and writer. Even more, she’s a good friend. I hope you will jot it down in your calendar and make plans to join us.
Blessings,
The Devotional Guy™
ABOUT: The Devotional Guy™ is a writing ministry of Rainer Bantau, a seasoned gospel preacher, church musician, and chaplain ministering to individuals in their workplaces, to the homeless, and wherever he meets them. He shares helps, hope, and insights on his blog, The Devotional Guy™.
Sources:
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (2002). Fourth Edition. AA World Services. New York.
The Minister’s Bible (2007). Hendrickson Bible Publishing. Peabody, Massachusetts.
The NIV Recovery Devotional Bible (2015). Zondervan Publishing. Grand Rapids.
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Thank you to the wonderful visual artists and photographers at Pexels, Pixabay, and Pixlr.
I believe that to experience life the way God intended, you and I must receive God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, God has made this gift available to all who ask.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Will you personally receive the gift of eternal life so that you can experience the total forgiveness from your sins that come through believing in the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
The Devotional Guy™ 