Walking With a Loved One Through AddictionПримерок

REFUGE AND STRENGTH

As God’s people journeyed for forty years through the wilderness – homeless in a hostile land – their life orbited around the tabernacle: a simple tent full of the presence of God. By day, a cloud hovered over it. By night, fire glowed inside the cloud so they could see it. If it moved, they moved. If not, they stayed put.

What sustained God's people in the desert? God himself. As they walked through the wilderness, he walked with them. As they woke each morning, he provided manna to feed them – one day at a time.

Accompanying a loved one on the journey through addiction is indescribably tough. It’s no one’s first choice. It requires patience, compassion, grace, strength, love, and hope in the kind of volumes only God can provide. Attempting the journey in your own strength is crazy! Like the Israelites, we must stay close to God, drawing on the resources we find in his presence.

Today, as we begin this plan together, let this fundamental truth encourage you. You are not alone. God is with you – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is your ever-present help in trouble. He hears your cry. He’s concerned about your suffering. He empathizes with you, having experienced the dark depths of human pain and sorrow for himself. Of course, God loves your loved one – more than they could imagine! – but he loves you every bit as much.

As you walk with a loved one through addiction, one day at a time, let God himself be your refuge and strength. You don’t have to carry this alone! Come before his throne of grace with confidence. Pour out your heart to him! He loves to hear your voice.

May the words of this great hymn encourage you today:

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not.
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!