Truth Hurts Sometimes

(Taken From GREENE STREET LETTERS / APRIL 2015)

Step # 1
We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Sometimes we just can't be honest with ourselves. We've played the addiction game so long that we have deceived ourselves.
"I want to quit using! I want to get better" are words that are used to cover up the simple fact that sometimes there are those individuals who just do not want to quit.

They have become such slaves to their own desires and wrongful wants that they, despite the pain and destruction they have caused, do not want to quit. When asked why they keep using, despite the pain they've brought to the lives of those who love them, I have heard this answer more than once. "I like the way it makes me feel."  Did you catch that? "I like the way it makes me feel, and I don't care who I hurt or destroy." The ultimate act of selfishness. The pinnacle of "self" in a life that is being driven by a sin/nature.

I have seen those who try to convince themselves that they want to quit, but even with such thoughts, they refuse to turn will and life over to God's care. Such thoughts are born in the ground of folly and foolishness. If you begin with the premise that you are truly powerless over the very thing that has control of you....then how can you overcome it in your own self-will and effort? Bottom line is this: You can't be the problem and the solution at the same time.

One thing that I do, when dealing with someone who is in addiction, is to pray that God will break off the hardness and blindness that covers them. That the truth of God would be made evident in their lives, and that they would be brought to a place where they could see the reality of the destruction they have brought about upon themselves and those around them. 

II Corinthians 2:3-4
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. Whose minds the god of this age has blinded. Who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God should shine upon them.

The even greater deception in this whole addiction lifestyle is that we have surrendered will and life over to the care of the Devil and his kingdom rule of darkness. A deception that covers our ability to think and reason. We have no need for God, what has God ever done for us. The mind that is blind reasons that it may even be God's fault that they use because He has failed to take care of them. Travel down that road far enough and you'll find yourself in such spiritual darkness you never could have imagined even existed. 

So what is the answer?
God is the POWER we've been looking for that could change us.
It's not about changing the addiction.
It's not about simply not using anymore.
We had someone speak a great truth a couple of weeks ago during a gathering at Vineyard ReCovery Church. He said, "You can take a drunk horse thief and get him sober..........but he's still a horse thief." The drugs and alcohol are not the problem. Oh they contribute to it, I won't lessen their part in this whole mess." But the real problem is me.
Here again, if I am the problem, I can't be the solution.
I am in need of a power greater than myself who could restore me to sanity. Sanity being the ability to make sound decisions.

We don't claim to have all the answers to the addiction problem.
We simply claim that we have found the value of turning will and life over to the care of God. We are learning to live life on life's terms and not cut and run when we are overwhelmed.

I want you to know that Vineyard ReCovery is a place where you can receive encouragement and support to overcome your addiction.
We are all simply trying to become the people God created us to be. We not really into religion as much as we are relationship. We have made mistakes in the past, and we may even make them in the future, but we know that we have been connected with a God who is forgiving and loving. Why not consider coming to one of our meetings. We'd love to see you,and one last thing. If you are dealing with CRO and need a court card stamped, we can take care of that for you.

God on you...
mb