The Blessing of Addiction
Editors View
It may seem like an oxymoron to
call addiction a “blessing” because so much heartache is caused to families as the result of addiction. Marriages are torn apart. Children are hurt and neglected by addictive parents. Parents lose addicted children to suicide and prison. The tragedy of addiction results in innumerable loses of health, employment, relationships and finances. I want in no way to downplay the negative aspects of this disease and its results.
However, it is also true that as the result of the recovery process, recovering addicts are brought to a relationship with Jesus that is most often deeper and more satisfying than ever before. The nature of fallen mankind leads us to try to control our lives as we deal daily with the effects of sin. Recovery forces us to acknowledge that we are powerless and that our best efforts to control our lives have resulted in the chaos of unmanageability. We are directed to turn in hope to a Power outside of ourselves that can restore us to sanity. Then we make a conscious decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of this God.
This process most often results in our hearts, so fearful of condemnation, being won by God’s grace. We find a deep and abiding relationship with Him that grows sweeter as the days go by. By embracing the truth of our fallen humanity, we indeed find a satisfying spirituality that goes beyond rules and regulations to relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. This is indeed the blessing of addiction.
In this issue of Journey to Life you will be inspired by Carol Cannon’s article Recovery: Process or Event which distills her many years of experience into gems of wisdom for those of us on the journey of recovery. I know that you will be touched by Erin’s testimony and learn from Beverly’s Step 4 article.
We grow together in recovery as we share our journey into the heart of God with one another. We are looking for recent events, upcoming events, recovery testimonials, brief articles on how you are working the steps and other items of interest for the newsletter. Please feel free to e-mail them to me at the address below.