Posts in category: Addiction
Topic
Addiction
Addiction can be a difficult thing to navigate, but it is also a challenge that is far more common in life than most people realise.
Addiction often relates to our human nature - a struggle to cope with circumstances, emotions, thoughts and feelings; or to exercise control over things in our lives that feel overwhelming, difficult or far too challenging for us to navigate. Some substances, activities or actions can help us feel like we have more power, more control, or a greater ability to cope; but often they offer only temporary relief or comfort, and over time, many of these things can begin to control us.
When the ‘search’ or desire for the comfort or state of mind that we feel some activities, substances or actions can provide begin to drive our thoughts and behaviours beyond the limits of self-control or reason, we begin to see how addiction can easily become a prevalent force in our lives, and how it can lead to harm and hurt, both for ourselves and others.
The Good News is that God does not want us to remain in a state that causes us to depend on certain substances, activities or actions to cope. When we feel powerless; when we feel like we need to rely on external things to bring us comfort or control, and when we feel like those things have too much influence over our daily lives, God assures us that His power and His comfort are so much bigger. He loves each and every person, fully and unconditionally, and He has a desire to see our needs met – not by the substances, actions and activities that offer a temporary reprieve or escape – but by working to heal the hurt, quell the fear, raise the strength, and restore the hope that He knows we need to live, free and fulfilled.
Our Resources
Messages of Hope offers a number of podcast episodes, booklets and articles providing encouragement, hope and support for those struggling with addiction:
What DOES GOD SAY?
Throughout the Bible, we are introduced to many people that are struggling to cope with the circumstances surrounding them.
In many instances, these figures are battling to find comfort, courage or control when everything around them seems difficult, hopeless or incredibly overwhelming – and, more often than not, they are seeking to find strength or hope in ways that continually lead them further and further away from God.
Importantly though, God never leaves them. God never stops working in their lives. The story never ends with these people being lost or condemned to remain in their struggle. Instead, it almost always ends with God raising them up to fuller, greater and more abundant lives than they had before.If you have access to a Bible, you can explore some of these stories in the following passages:
What DOES GOD SAY?
If you don’t have a Bible - but you feel you would like to explore what it has to say, you can access The Message -a ‘plain english’ translation - for free online, or download it onto your phone using the YouVersion Bible App.
Explore further
Podcast Episodes
Our regular podcast is accompanied by free resources that provide hope, encouragement and advice for navigating the difficulties and challenges of daily life.
Explore further
Booklets and Articles
Each episode of our regular podcast is accompanied by free resources that provide hope, encouragement and advice for navigating the difficulties and challenges of daily life.
PRAYER REQUEST
Would you like us to pray for you?
We believe God is at work in all things, draws near in challenging circumstances, and loves each and every person fully and unconditionally.
If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, we encourage you to send us a prayer request. Our team would be happy to keep your situation in our prayers.
ABOUT MESSAGES OF HOPE
Messages of Hope is a podcast and radio based media ministry of Lutheran Media.
If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, we encourage you to send us a prayer request. Our team would be happy to keep your situation in our prayers.
Lutheran Media is a registered charity that exists to use digital, social and creative media to share the joyous Good News of Jesus, and the unconditional love God has for each and every person.
Our supporters provide 100% of the funding that allows us to share hope into the lives of others.
