Addiction Meet Grace
The subject of addiction is complex and controversial. Whether you believe addiction is a disease or a choice is up to you. What we know for sure is that millions of lives are affected by various addictions. Many people report feeling trapped in their addiction while family and friends struggle to pinpoint the fine line between support and enablement.
As the host of Bridges, I’ve interviewed hundreds of individuals who battle addictions. I’ve also personally experienced the pain and fear of loving someone who struggles with addiction. While it isn’t easy, I have come to know in a deeper way the grace of our Savior.
If you are entrenched in an addiction or love someone who is, I understand your pain and tears. I won’t offer you pat answers. I will offer you compassion and what I’ve learned personally and in the studio about this treacherous journey.
I Know Someone Who Understands
If you are not battling addiction, or you don’t know anyone who is, please continue reading. You may find yourself someday working in a cubicle next to a worn-out mom whose cried every prayer she can imagine over her addicted prodigal. Even if you can’t say I’ve been there, you can say I know Someone who understands exactly what you are going through.
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses,
for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15 NLT
Jesus offers each of us an incredible gift. That gift? Grace. Grace is the most outrageous lavish gift a human being could receive and it’s ours for the asking. While I highly recommend everyone seek the medical treatment, godly counsel, and support we need here on earth, nothing compares to the power of GRACE.
Grace covers our sin and makes our lives brand new. Grace changes the desires of our heart and gives us the supernatural ability to do His will.
Grace Makes Hell Tremble
Grace frees us from the sting of sin and the prison of bondage. Grace makes religious people angry and hell tremble. Grace frees the enabler and the addicted.
While it’s true that we don’t deserve grace, it’s also true that God offers us grace because He loves us. Let’s consider a 10-year old’s birthday party. Imagine a child opening gifts from their parents and being told — you don’t deserve this gift because you messed up last week. However, we’re giving you gifts because we are good parents. Wouldn’t this kind of birthday party shaming be awful? Isn’t it more like –we bought you these gifts because we love you?
That is exactly what grace is like for us. We don’t deserve it. But it is our Good and Merciful Father’s pleasure to wrap us in His grace and take all that is wrong and make it right. To you my dear friends and readers, wherever you are in the battle against addiction, please know that you are loved, and that grace is yours for the asking.
Today’s Secret from the Studio: Never Underestimate the Power of Grace.
Monica Schmelter is the General Manager of WHTN Christian Television Network and host of daily television show Bridges. Bridges airs in over 50 million homes and is also available to watch on demand at monicaschmelter.com
