Feeling like I have failed too many times

[amberjcbs]

Since I have re-dedicated my life to Christ, I have given in to temptation and used 3 times within this past week. I feel SOO Guilty. I know what the Bible says about forgiveness but I feel like God will have enough and is tired of hearing my pleas for help and forgiveness. I just need to hear from someone else who has been in my shoes. How did you deal when you got saved and gave in to the temptation to use again. How long did it take you? I know that God is stronger than any addiction, and i know that the Bible says that he will always forgive us of our sins but i feel so helpless right now.

 

[RuthD]

I struggled with a few addictions badly. Addiction is a very hard thing to deal with. I have quit many times but I don't punish myself any more. It only makes things worse for me when I do. It's not the amount of time you have in recovery, it's what you do with the time. I go to a support group and try to contribute something of myself there. You are reaching out and that is the first step, admitting you have a problem. When you are ready you could go for help or treatment. I have quit one addiction for several mos. We are only human and there is so much temptation out there. Please be kind to yourself. God loves you no matter what and is always there for you. His grace is sufficient for all of us. God bless you.

 

[SplendidTree]

The fact that you feel guilty speaks volumes. The Lord sees your repentant heart. You are forgiven and I just encourage you to keep on trying. Don't let the enemy try and get you down when these things happen. Yes it is important to keep trying and seeking God but if you get too down about it, you may just give in easier to temptation.

I struggled with this too and now have not had any substances in over 4 years but it took a lot of trying and slipping.

You can do this with the Lord.

Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." I believe in you and God does too.

Praying now.

 

[ObeyGODCommandments]

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[amberjcbs]

You guys have no idea how encouraging you have been to me in these days. cmjames84, you just simply telling me that you have stood in my shoes, give me so much encouragement because it lets me know for a fact that someone else knows EXACTLY how I have been feeling. And obeygodcommandments, i appreciate all the time you took on me by encouraging me and taking the time to list all the verses that you did. Please continue the good work because when someone that you don't know sees that you took so much time just to encourage and help them; it shows them how a Christian should be toward others. I hope that I will be able to be just as helpful and encourageing to someone someday as you all have been to me. I pray that God blesses you all. Thank You So Much *~*Amber*~*

 

[marino2duper]

I can empathize with you my friend,i have been addicted to narcotics as well and i still to this day slip up here and there,like the other poster said just you feeling guilty means you know your doing wrong but try not to beat yourself up to bad,sometimes it is a process and takes time so don't give up and remember above all else god's grace is enough for you,god bless....

 

[dabro]

This is exactly what God wants you to do. He brought Christ to save us. If it weren't for that I believe this Eath would already be gone. But Just try to stay positive. I gave into drugs for awhile. And I slipped up again today so I know what guilty feeling you feel. Just stay positive and ask God for strength.

 

[Luna1991]

I can also empathise, and can only offer the encouragement I try to "cheerlead" myself with, as I'm stuck in a similar kind of dark hole. Years of drug & alcohol addiction, rarely more than a few days clean & sober.

Your desire to get better and your clinging to God speaks volumes. This shows just how much God is working in your heart, even if it means a slow recovery and your weakness will lead you to stumble time and time again. But every time we stumble we can see it as an opportunity to learn. And you know what they say - fall down 7 times, get back up 8.

Many of the counsellors and therapists I have met during my recovery will talk about the 'inherent wisdom' in substance abuse. What this means is that we use it to self-medicate, at a time when we do not have the coping skills and resources to live our lives. So in a sense, it makes sense that you use, and it was the best you could do to keep yourself alive and moving for a time in your life. It will help you to travel until you get to a place where new and more healthy coping methods can be given to you and learnt. So don't spend time wallowing in your shame and self-hatred when you fail - just get straight back up and keep on working on your relationship with God, going to meetings, and arming yourself for combat against the addiction. Every time I feel stronger, I feel ready to trust God more, and I'm ready to face up to my mistakes and examine what went wrong, and how I can stop that same mistake from happening again. And most of all pray.

Like I said, I'm hardly one to give advice. But I do feel my relationship with God growing more and more all the time, and am constantly learning just how weak I am, and how strong and wonderful God is. It's so encouraging to see how God will use our sin to bring us closer to him, and glorify his name. So for all that I've seen, I still have hope in my recovery, and in my heart I know God can heal me. It is me that is holding me back, afraid to fully trust that God is everything I need, and he will not let me down.

((((((((Hugs)))))))))) praying for you

 

[Chaplain David]

Since I have re-dedicated my life to Christ, I have given in to temptation and used 3 times within this past week. I feel SOO Guilty. I know what the Bible says about forgiveness but I feel like God will have enough and is tired of hearing my pleas for help and forgiveness. I just need to hear from someone else who has been in my shoes. How did you deal when you got saved and gave in to the temptation to use again. How long did it take you? I know that God is stronger than any addiction, and i know that the Bible says that he will always forgive us of our sins but i feel so helpless right now.

Hello,

It takes some of us longer to get clean and sober than others. That doesn't mean we are failures. It is just a matter of individuality like any other disease. Keep trying and keep relying on God and you will make it. I don't know if you're involved in a 12 step program or counseling but if you're not I highly recommend it. We need all the help we can get when we are in tight situations and it can make all the difference. I am praying for you. Keep trying. God bless you.

CH Sacerdote

 

[Dali]

Since I have re-dedicated my life to Christ, I have given in to temptation and used 3 times within this past week. I feel SOO Guilty. I know what the Bible says about forgiveness but I feel like God will have enough and is tired of hearing my pleas for help and forgiveness. I just need to hear from someone else who has been in my shoes. How did you deal when you got saved and gave in to the temptation to use again. How long did it take you? I know that God is stronger than any addiction, and i know that the Bible says that he will always forgive us of our sins but i feel so helpless right now.

I think you'll find that what you know and what you believe aren't always the same thing. Knowing something and accepting something (belief) are two utterly different psychological processes. There are people who listened to God the first time they heard him. There are people who have died after years of pursuing and listening to the compassionate warnings of God. Don't look for time lines or other peoples' experiences. Trust God and dedicate yourself to sobriety.

The worst part is uncovering the reason why drugs help you. Most of the time drugs merely mask fear, anxiety, depression, or self-hatred (or a combination). Dealing with that is what God does. Not to be discouraging, but dealing with those deep issues about yourself are sometimes harder than quiting the numbing process drugs allow.

Find someone who has successfully recovered, someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and meet with them once or twice a week, or every day. Be honest with them. I mean totally competely honest. Confess all those things that you think are too horrible to confess. You'll be surprised how not shocked they'll be and will give them the opportunity to explain how they've come from the same depths to where they are now.

 

[Warrior4TheLord]

THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION THROUGH CHRIST JESUS!The cross was ENOUGH and when He died for you He saw your entire life and took the weight, heaviness, burden, of sin and temptation and defeated the enemy on the cross. God is for you, who could ever be against you. He forgives you, he does not beat you up. You are his beloved son and your life is precious, his love for you is eternal, and he is committed to completing his work in your life.

 

[Whisper865]

Isaiah 57:16-21

I will not punish you forever, nor will I always be angry with you, for My Spirit shall go forth from Me, and I made every breath. Because of sin for a time I grieved him, and struck him, and turned my face away from him; and he was grieved , and he went on sorrowful in his ways. I saw his ways, and healed him, and comforted him, and gave him true comfort. There is peace upon peace to those far off and those near; and the Lord says, ' I will heal them.' But wrongdoers shall be tossed here and there by waves and be unable to rest. There is no joy to the ungodly," says the Lord God.

We are refined in the furnace of our afflictions... One day you will be brought into His submission. Then you will look back and see that all of your pain, suffering, and loss has been turned into your greatest blessing.

Isaiah 48:10

Behold, I have refined you! but not as silver; I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.

 

[Alienated]

I fought alcohol and drugs for 30 years, 6 different teatment centers, and I lost count of the relapses. But I got 6 1/2 years clean and sober. God loves old drunks I guess. Just try again, God knows your struggle. It took every time to get me where I am

 

[Whisper865]

I fought alcohol and drugs for 30 years, 6 different teatment centers, and I lost count of the relapses. But I got 6 1/2 years clean and sober. God loves old drunks I guess. Just try again, God knows your struggle. It took every time to get me where I am

God has a special place in His heart for us that is for sure... Looking back with hindsight, I can see the hedge of protection that he had around me... I am 100% positive I am the runner up to be the world record holder of near death experiences... We all have the same story I am no different... I believe with all of my heart we had to suffer greatly so we may help those who are suffering greatly... We must stop going to men for healing and examine ourselves thoroughly. Groping after true repentance and seeking the rest that is in Christ Jesus is our way to peace.

 

[Geoff m]

I am an addict to drugs , alcohol and solvents. Stop beating yourself up about not being perfect. Jesus still loves you as much as he loves me, we all done wrong but I am a real prodigal son and I'm not worried any more. why would the Lord create vegetation which can be manufactured into or even eaten raw which fit the synapse of the brain and bring good feeling, it's not the work of the devil - read your bible

 

[walkingdead82]

Thanks for making this thread and thanks for the great replies friends.

This is just what I needed to read.

 

[deetwang]

I just wanted to encourage you, Amber and all who read this. I was on alcohol for many years and didn't want to face up that I had a problem. When I finally did go to AA I asked God to forgive me and heal my mind and spirit.

I had several relapses after three months or 4 months, and just kept going back to God, and He forgave me and showed me that it is through sicknesses and hardships that we learn to trust in Him. So just keep trying. I have 19 months sober now and have come a long way with the Lord.

Sometimes you have to part with some friends that are not good for you. God does everything in His time. Don't get discouraged, God is still working on you! And me, and all us Christians. I wish you a blessed Easter as we celebrate Jesus resurrection, and our own new life He gives us one day at a time!

2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

 

[Logan Musil]

Heard great things about the settingcaptivesfree website ministry.
Blessings,
Logan

 

[redcake]

Hi, I noticed to said you felt like you had failed TOO many times. By saying this you are placing a limit on yourself that God has not placed on you. Be kind to yourself. God is not waiting impatiently for you to work this out. He's here with you AS you work this out. It's Okay to be a work in progress. I am. The enemy will remind you constantly of how far you have to go and all that you're not. This is why you have to fight back by telling yourself all the good things about yourself. You obviously love God and want to be pleasing to Him(you already are!) Do you really think that God is spending any time thinking about our sins? I once asked God what He really thought about me. he said "good things". I still smoke cigarettes, but I have built a great relationship with God where He is my best friend and I feel totally and completely safe and comfortable in sharing anything and everything with Him. Focus on that. You're okay!

 

[credwi88]

I am just starting my recovery. very scared and depressed. Christian wife, mother, 49yrs old. Prayers are appreciated. thank you.