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A Feeling of Alienation from God Keeps Some From Seeking His Help

Seeking Recovery Can Be
Challenging for Christians

By BuddyT

For some alcoholics, who are also Christians, reaching out for help can be a difficult decision to make especially if they have developed a severe alcohol use disorder.

This is especially true for born-again Christians, those who at some point made an informed decision to repent and accept Jesus as their personal Savior and later in life discovered they had become an alcoholic of the hopeless variety.

If they became a Christian by making an informed, intentional decision to commit to following Jesus, returning back to God for help with alcoholism can seem very daunting.

Feelings of Alienation

If that is you, a born-again Christian who is also an alcoholic, you probably are reluctant to seek God's help because you feel alienated from Him.

If your drinking has progressed from a mild to moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, you have probably done and said things along the way that you never thought you would. Perhaps you lied to family and friends or deceived employers and co-workers to try to hide your "secret."

None of Us Is Worthy

Perhaps your drunkenness has taken you down roads that you never thought you would travel. You feel like the sin in your life has separated you from God. You may feel overwhelming guilt and shame.

You may feel if you now seek help from the One on whom you feel you turned your back it would be hypocritical. You may feel that you no longer are worthy to ask Jesus to help you in your time of need.

Jesus Is Still in the Healing Business

Remember, none of us is worthy for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). None of us are worthy or deserve God's grace. There is nothing that you can do or say to earn it. It is by grace you have been saved through faith and not by works. It is a gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Remember also, that Jesus lives and He's still in the forgiveness business. He's still in the healing business. You have an advantage over those who seek recovery and have no idea who or what their "higher power" is.

Your higher power is Jesus Christ and he as the power to deliver you from the compulsion to drink, and to set you free from the emotional, psychological, social, spiritual, and physical consequences of an alcoholic lifestyle.

You Are a Child of God

Repent: change your mind about alcohol and turn away from any sinful behavior in your life. Ask God to forgive you and He will.

You are a child of God, so go boldly to the throne of Grace, that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16).

If you are genuinely ready turn your back on the alcoholic lifestyle, repeat this prayer:

    Heavenly Father, I admit that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and ask you to forgive me and restore me back into a personal relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me now with your Holy Spirit so that may learn your will for my life and have the power to carry it out.

Time to Take Action

Now that you have made the decision to return to your First Love, you must take action to make sure that you do not fall back into your previous patterns of behavior, which can easily happen in spite of your spiritual awakening.

The Christians at Alcoholics Victorious explain it this way:

    "Many of the attitudes, temptations, feelings, and patterns of thought resulting from the alcoholic lifestyle are not immediately removed upon an alcoholic's spiritual rebirth. We believe these things constitute elements of this "sinful nature," or "flesh," that he will struggle with as long as he remains in this world. Therefore, through a process of discipleship, he must "transformed by the renewing of his mind" (Romans 12:2) and must learn to "walk in the Spirit that he might not fulfill the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

Life-Changing Principles

It is recommended that you join a 12-step support group, whether it's a Christ-centered group, or it's Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Even the Christian recovery groups use the same 12 steps as A.A., as they explain it, "we believe these to be the practical application of these life changing principles which are so clearly set forth in the Scriptures."

Alcoholics Victorious explain why Christians should work the 12-step program in more detail:

    "There is nothing in the 12 Steps that directly contradicts the Scriptures. They consist of the following; admission of personal defeat, brokenness, turning one's life and will over to the care of God, confession, restitution, acquiring the spiritual disciplines of prayer and personal devotions, and a desire to reach out to others."

The group has other suggestions for newly-recovering alcoholics found in their creed:

The Alcoholics Victorious Creed

I realize that I cannot overcome my addiction by myself. I believe that the power of Jesus Christ is available to help me. I believe that through my acceptance of Him as my Savior, I am a new person. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Because the presence of God is manifested through continued prayer, I will set aside two periods every day, morning and evening, for communion with my Heavenly father. I realize my need for daily Bible reading and use it as a guide for my daily living. (Psalm 27:11-15)

I recognize my need of Christian fellowship and will, therefore, have fellowship with Christians through the church of my choice. I know that in order to be victorious, I must keep active in the service of Christ and His Church and I will help others to victory. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

I do not partake of any beverage containing alcohol. I know it is the first drink that does the harm. Therefore, "I do not drink."

I can be victorious because I know that God's strength is sufficient to supply all my needs. (Philippians 4:19)

Learn more about How to Quit.

Chain Breaker

    If you've got pain, He's a pain taker
    If you feel lost, He's a way maker
    If you need freedom or saving
    He's a prison-shaking Savior
    If you’ve got chains, He's a chain breaker

    -- Zach Williams

Sources:

Alcoholics Victorious. "Frequently Asked Questions About Alcoholics Victorious." About Us & FAQs Accessed August 2017

Overcomers Outreach. "Our Mission." About Us Accessed August 2017







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