how did you quit?

[CMuskwa]

I'm an Christian addict struggling with dual addictions, does that mean that God loves me less? I'm just wondering , because honestly I entered these so called faith based forums sharing deep personal struggles.. I want to believe that there is a God , a Father who loves me in spite of my sometimes purposeful and planned failures. Am I selfish? YES!!! does that mean that my testimony will never be shared because of my addictions? I do want to serve the Lord with all my heart, mind soul and strength ... I know that I cannot do this alone which is the reason I reached out. I want to believe that God sees my heart and he knows that my testimony from homelessness to were he has brought me to needs to be shared. Please pray for me .....

 

[RuthD]

Hi. I have multiple addictions. Jesus loves us all and what you have to say is important. I hope you WILL share your testimony.

 

[alisonhansford]

I'm sure you've heard every answer out there, but I'll risk sounding cliché and add my 2 cents. Honestly, Jesus pushed me into treatment. But that's not something that your family member can do on purpose. I just knew that if I didn't listen to Him this time, I was going to die. Very clearly I knew that. So really, he has to want a sober life more than anything else in the world.
But while he's clean, even if it's not by choice, maybe he'd benefit from 'One Day At A Time' by Neil T Anderson and Mike and Julia Quarles. Mike Quarles was an alcoholic pastor for many many years and his story and advice got me thru times when I wanted to give up. He has a very refreshing way of looking at addiction that made me feel like a success. The very best advice I got was from that book.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this to you or not, but Celebrate Recovery is the BEST! I couldn't warm up to NA, but Celebrate Recovery embraced me. I know that there are Celebrate Recovery meetings all over the world and in may prisons, so maybe he'd relate to that.
You'll both be in my prayers.

 

[alisonhansford]

A lot of it is just part of the journey. It's painful to watch, but sometimes it's very necessary. You have to fall apart in order to be put back together again. It doesn't make it easier but it may inspire hope - knowing that it's necessary.

I agree with this 100%. The hardest part is that we don't know the why of it all until we're past it. If I hadn't gone through all that I did, I wouldn't have the relationship with Christ that I do now. I didn't think much about Him, wasn't a regular church goer, had never read my bible, until He pulled my butt out of the fire (again) and literally saved my life.
Hindsight is 20/20. There may very well be light at the end of your & his tunnel but you won't see it until you're in it.