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Date: February 28th, 2016
Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
For more resources please visit crosslifechurch.org
I just need one more and then I’m good.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen some of the devastating affects of alcoholism in our family and especially when working with guys in the jail. One drink too many at the wrong time can ruin a life.
Alcoholism is a huge problem in the U.S. Here are a few quick stats from NCADD.
Every day people are wrestling with this addiction. Often the hardest part is being willing to admit you have a problem. The good news is there a lot of different treatment options available these days and many people have made their way out of this problem. Hope is available, but you’ll have to take the first step.
Sometimes this addiction is just as damaging on the loved ones of the alcoholic. Because of their compassion they sometimes get caught enabling the addiction rather than helping the alcoholic move toward healing. But there is hope for friends and family members of problem drinkers. Al-Anon groups are available all over the country that help people establish boundaries and give them tools to be the best support they can be during this difficult time.
1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
During our series we’ve been giving away copies of the Life Recovery Bible. These bibles are a great encouragement to anyone who is working through a 12-Step program. We would encourage you to pick one up if you or a loved one is working through one of these programs.
The hidden costs of alcoholism are not small. It is estimated that alcohol-related expenses cost federal, state, and local governments $223.5 billion. Of that amount, taxpayers are footing the bill for $94.2 billion. — americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/
If any of this sounds familiar, you may want to get professional help. If you need help finding a counselor, please check out www.newlife.com or call 1-800-NEW-LIFE. Celebrate Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous might also be a good option.
Come join us for our unStuck series on Sundays and Wednesdays in February as we work at moving forward again.
Don’t think we have a prescription drug problem in America? Here are some crazy stats from drugabuse.gov:
Where are prescription drugs obtained?7
All drug abuse is dangerous, but what is particularly dangerous about prescription drug abuse is the justifiable nature of it. It’s so easy to rationalize about why you need to keep popping those pills. But the danger is real when you’re misusing medicine that was intended for someone else or for some other health concern.
Like other addictions it’s easy to tell yourself that you’ve got it under control. If you find yourself hiding your meds, asking friends or family for their meds, or others close to you are saying they are concerned about you – you probably need to get some help.
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. Luke 21:34
Like most of the other problems we’ve been looking at during our series, prescription drug addiction is beatable. Start by asking the Lord to help you with an honest inventory of your heart concerning the issues that are pushing you into addiction. Then find someone with whom you can share your concerns. If you don’t have someone like that, check out a good Bible study group at your church or find a local celebrate recovery group. You don’t have to stay stuck in this anymore. The Lord can set you free, but you have to take some steps toward recovery.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
If any of this sounds familiar, you may want to find professional help. If you need help finding a counselor, please check out www.newlife.com or call 1-800-NEW-LIFE.
Come join us for our unStuck series on Sundays and Wednesdays in January and February as we work at moving forward again.