Mental Help: A 3-Day Devotional From Josh Wilsonናሙና

Day 3 - Tell God and Somebody Else

“There is hope to be found

There is help, here and now

Tell God and somebody else”

-Josh Wilson, “Jesus and Therapy”

It was a beautiful, sunny summer morning in Memphis, Tennessee. I was on Interstate 40, driving home to Nashville, and I was incredibly hungover. For a few years, I had been secretly drinking at night to self-medicate my anxiety and depression. In the short term, it seemed like it was working, but eventually it backfired and I became addicted. I prayed to God again and again for forgiveness and begged Him to help me quit. I’d stop for a few weeks, but eventually I’d drink again.

I had a pretty good idea of what would actually help me, but I was terrified to take that step. I needed to tell somebody else. James 5:16 says, “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” I was sick and tired of being sick and tired, so I finally decided to call my friend James. When he answered, I simply said, “Hey man, I’m drinking way too much and I need help quitting.”

That was the beginning of my true recovery. I started seeing an addiction counselor, as well as meeting with like-minded people in recovery. I started addressing why I was drinking, and began to get to the roots of my anxiety and depression. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. That was almost seven years ago, and things have gotten so much better. I’ve found much healthier ways than drinking to cope with my anxiety, through counseling, prayer, medication, exercise, and my church community.

If you’re struggling with an addiction or you have a secret that’s eating you up, I pray that you can tell God and a trusted friend. Psalm 32:3 captures how it felt when I had a secret addiction. The psalmist says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away…my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." That’s a perfect description of a hangover. Thankfully, I never have to have one of those again, and neither do you.

Whatever you’re facing, whatever secret you’re keeping, there is hope to be found. Tell God and somebody else.

Prayer

God, thank you that I’m never too far gone. I know I’m not meant to go through this life alone, but it’s terrifying to share my secret. Please lead me to the right person, and give me the strength to tell them what I’m going through and to ask for help. Thank you for always forgiving me, loving me, and carrying me. I am Yours.