How to win this battle?

[MercyChild]

I am an addict for 20 years, clean for almost 16 weeks. This 16 weeks I have been away from home, but going home shortly and need to know, how do one change your habits. I know that I do have God on my side, and that I can pray to Him. Everyone with any addiction knows that this is a vicious circle. I am planning to remain staying clean with the grace of God. Proven fact shows, that one tend to run to things known to him/her as soon as stress or difficult situations arise. I am to go and face a lot giant from my past, and have to make a lot of amendments, and I am nervous about doing this. I believe the strongest thing in me is my mind, and need to know how to change my thoughts.

People tend to turn to addiction to cope with problems in their real life. On going home I am afraid that some of my family members are addicts, and I don’t want to engage in similar behavior. I know that I will have to try and avoid this situations, but need to know what should I do with my family members, should I avoid them too. They are also in need get to know Christ!

[mongoose303]

Hi Mercychild, love the nick. :)

Im assuming you mean drug addiction? Ive never bin involved in drugs in my life so im not sure if I can offer any real advise, otherthan to say; if your family members are addicts themselves and you are a struggling or recovering addict , then it wouldn't be a bad idea to avoid them too if you can, IMO.

But im sure you will ask for the Lord's guidance is this.

:pray:

[turtledove]

Hi Mercy..:hug:When we have recently been set freedom it doesn't take long for the enemy to start planting fear and doubts in our mind. We start thinking a lot of "what if's"..

You will need support when you return home and you will have to look for it yourself. And from what you say it looks like that support will most likely come from outside your biological family. You will need church fellowship-a church family. Also some churches have specific support groups for those who are in recovery from addictions..Celebrate Recovery is one. There you can share your situation where others can offer advice and "how to" handle things...especially regarding your family.

Mainly I encourage you to pray for family members that they too will receive Christ and that they will be freed from the chains which bind them.

Some members of my original family and extended family had addictions or alcohol related problems.
One of my nephews stopped drinking and has remained sober for over twenty five years now. Others didn't stop and died early deaths of related causes and one still drinks. I pray for him a lot; but I don't hang out with him on a regular basis.(my brother). He does live in another city, however, so it is easier than if he were nearby. He does have family nearby him. Some of my extended family members..(two nieces) have turned to the Lord and are Christians; some are not.

We need to continue to trust that the Lord will give us the strength to face whatever we needed to face as well as the wisdom to make any decisions we need to make or the grace to see the things we need to change.

This scripture encourages me over anything I consider a "giant" to face.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

peace and prayers...:pray:

[TexasBeliever]

Hi MercyChild

How wonderful for you! Congratulations! Here in America, we have groups like AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) People who are trying to kick their habit meet regularly to support one another. It works on the "buddy system". There is always a person you can call or meet when you are feeling tempted.
It will be hard for you to be around others who are still in the grip of addiction. Surround yourself with others who are struggling to be free and you will have a better chance of keeping clean.
God bless you.
Don't be tempted to go back to your habit when life gets hard! Even our Lord, when on the cross and offered a drink laced with drugs to ease His suffering, refused it.

[turtledove]

Dear Mercy, I forgot to add this but suggest you read this in our stickies section here on BTC by Cheech. (If you haven't already)

http://bibleforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=107588

:) owl

[MercyChild]

Thank you so much for the advice, and the note. Sure a lot of things I have to keep in mind. I did go to a NA group before, so suppose I will be going back than, not that I ever wanted to, but if this is the way I should go, I will. I have to just at least go and greet my family on arrival, and suppose they will have to see that God has made a change in me. I know that temptation is going to arise sometime, I am quite aware about it. Suppose it is time to get focused on God, and trust and believe that He will guide me, and when temptation comes, I should just remind myself to rather run to Him instead. He has been good to me this far. I was thinking today, that before I came here, I was scared too, but God has done so much great things the while I was here. And now I am also scared, but if God could do so much great things the first time, I am pretty sure, that He will continue to do so. Hope to keep you posted once I return home.:hug:

[karenoka27]

Because you have chosen the narrow road, you need to stay away from the road that was leading to your destruction.
For you to walk and follow Jesus Christ, you need to find new friends in a new church as you begin your new life.
The Lord reached you when you were away from all of that. You can pray for those in your past, but I would not recommend you go back to them at this time.

Praying for you and your husband, that together you will become strong in Him.:hug:

[MercyChild]

I am sure going to get to go to church! If I should not be in contact with family members, I suppose this is the way it should be than. I just did not want to push them aside.......mean they are still family, but suppose if they really love me, they will understand..........:hmm:

[karenoka27]

I didn't mean to avoid your family. They will come to you.
The Lord will bring people to you at this time. You need to grow in Him and stay away from old friends and such.

I remember when I was first saved. My friends would come over as they always did to get high and such. When I started telling them about Jesus Christ, they thought I was on a new drug! They stopped coming over. I didn't chase after them, I let them go. I could no longer live as they were...I had chosen a different path.
That didn't mean that I didn't associate with my family,some of whom were still doing drugs. However,I didn't hang out with them either. When they called, I told them about my new life.:pp

[MercyChild]

I wont be avoiding them Karen, I think I should just not hang around at their place when they use. But I also think that spending less time with family members would not be a bad idea either, just for while. Like you said, I should trust that God will give a way of escape..........:blush:

[karenoka27]

I wont be avoiding them Karen, I think I should just not hang around at their place when they use. But I also think that spending less time with family members would not be a bad idea either, just for while. Like you said, I should trust that God will give a way of escape..........:blush:

Amen. All you have to do is let the Lord guide you as to where you should go and when. If you feel yourself being drawn towards them for wrong reasons,drop to your knees. Seriously. Then you will know it is not the Lord leading you to them.

I am praying for you so often..you are very special to me.:hug:

[moonglow]

I think you will be shocked actually. You are drug free and if some of them aren't...you are going to see the ugly side of it..

Its like with those who quit smoking...suddenly they cannot stand the smell of smoke or to be around those who do smoke...I also 'see' things they didn't see before...the addiction..and they are thinking I am so glad I don't smoke anymore! Only smoking is pretty minor compared to drugs. With smoking you don't see them change in their thinking or actions or personality but you do with drugs or drinking. You will see this from the outside looking in and I think it will repulse you, not temp you...(I think I read you are a smoker which is usually common in those with addiction problems...but I hope you get the gist on what I am saying here).

I don't see a problem with being around them as long as they don't try to get you to start using again...then you need to put your foot down and if they continue doing that or using around you...you do then need to avoid them.

You can rebuke the thoughts of wanting to use too in the Name of Jesus. This is called spiritual warfare. Whenever you start thinking...gee I wish I had a drink right now to calm my nerves...or whatever you used to use...you say quietly, be gone evil spirits of addiction in the Name of Jesus.

I know that might sound a little strange but I have witness this in my own life many times even though I was very skeptical about it. you don't have to have faith this will work..its our faith In Jesus that makes it work. Its by HIS Name they flee! I truly do believe that evil spirits are at work in these kind of things. While the devil may temp us...we have the power in Christ to resist that..

God bless

[MercyChild]

Amen. All you have to do is let the Lord guide you as to where you should go and when. If you feel yourself being drawn towards them for wrong reasons,drop to your knees. Seriously. Then you will know it is not the Lord leading you to them.

I am praying for you so often..you are very special to me.

Will surely be trying to do this, at all times! Thanks for the prayers.:hug:

[Lefty]

You can rebuke the thoughts of wanting to use too in the Name of Jesus. This is called spiritual warfare. Whenever you start thinking...gee I wish I had a drink right now to calm my nerves...or whatever you used to use...you say quietly, be gone evil spirits of addiction in the Name of Jesus.

I know that might sound a little strange but I have witness this in my own life many times even though I was very skeptical about it. you don't have to have faith this will work..its our faith In Jesus that makes it work. Its by HIS Name they flee! I truly do believe that evil spirits are at work in these kind of things. While the devil may temp us...we have the power in Christ to resist that..

God bless

I might be in the same place about this; I really don't want to go overboard and be one of those who're looking for the devil around every corner, but I've got to admit that quietly, calmly rebuking evil spirits does work. I've done this when self-condemning thoughts crept in my head, and they left immediately! One thing you might face MercyChild, are depressing, self accusing thoughts, especially when you're weak and tired, so think about this. I'm praying for you too.:hug:

[marline]

a Woman who's son could not stay clean after rehab started a group in our town. When someone struggles to stay clean, they arrange for somebody to babysit that person. The buddy system works like this, when the recovery addict gets up in the morning, and their caretakers i.e. parents ect leave for work the buddy is there. They go with this person to town, and follow in their footsteps until the caregivers return. This goes on for about six weeks after rehab, often this recovery addicts becomes a buddy himself. Hope this helps Linda.

[DaniHansen]

The strongest "thing" you have isn't your mind. It's your Savior who is bigger than any addiction. And so staying close to Him and bringing Him into any situation you're going to be facing, is going to be your strength. You don't have to face those things alone anymore. You don't have to rely on your own strength or willpower anymore. You can deal with your past, your present and your future with Jesus right there with you, Who is able to help. I can't tell you how big your struggle is going to turn out, and who or what it's going to be with, but I can tell you that the Lord is able to deliver those who trust in Him. I've had to face things from my past after I was saved, and there were times where it was very painful. But, I faced them with God, and He took me through it and broke the chains and removed the hooks and enabled me to get His perspective on things so that I can face my future and have a solid foundation for the present. And that is simply priceless. :)

[MercyChild]

Thank you all for the very wise advice. Rest assured, I will keep on seeking God's face. Time to put on the Armor and face whatever comes my way. Thank you also for the prayers!:hug::hug::hug:

[SFASH]

Yes, and by all means, whenever possible, If it is possible, stay in contact with those you have met in Christ who will ride out any storm with you.

[SFASH]

Yes, praying for you!

[livingwaters]

Hey Girlie.....We love you here, but not as much as JESUS!!!!! Don't forget that love....it's the one that matters. The Bible says that if need be, we may have to leave family, friends, loved ones ... and pick up our cross and follow HIM!!!! Glory to God...let us follow HIM!!!! God has your back, so don't look back, but go forward in HIS Grace....Alleluia...Alleluia

Once we accept Christ as our Savior, we are NO LONGER WHO WE WERE~~~Thank you LORD!!! If you seek first the Kingdom, all other things will be added. When satan tries to put those "old man" thoughts into your head, do like Apostle Paul said, think on things that are pure and of God...lilke the sweet love of Jesus and God the Father, like those pearly gates at the entrance into Heaven, child!!!! Like those gold streets and mansions that Jesus went to prepare for us. and how about those crystal rivers...that's what HE said....Oh my, I'm ready to get there....so, Lord come!!!!

You must keep in touch with fellow Christians and need to get into a true " whole Bible" teaching church!!! There are lots of false prophets out there, but if you read God's Word and let it be stamped on your heart and mind, you won't have any trouble sending the devil back to HELL where he belongs. Just remember, HE(the HOLY SPIRIT) who lives in you, is greater than he(the devil) who is in the world..Glory, Glory, Glory!!!! Try not to watch all that garbage on regular tv, but watch Christian movies and TBN, the gospel channel...I just know you will enjoy those!!!! Stay out of those environments that housed all the "sin" that helped corrupt us, you know!!!!!

Sister, just know that we are always here to talk to you and we want you to inspire us, as well. So, let us know, often, how and what is going on.

Love ya:hug:

[shepherdsword]

I wont be avoiding them Karen, I think I should just not hang around at their place when they use. But I also think that spending less time with family members would not be a bad idea either, just for while. Like you said, I should trust that God will give a way of escape..........:blush:

Hi Mercy.I will be clean fours years tomorrow(Jan 17th)
I found my first six months toughest. I actually did the 90 meetings in 90 days at AA/NA my first three months. After that I depended soley on the Lord and had another tough three months. However, since then I don't even get tempted anymore. I am amazed at God's grace that flows from Jesus.
I might suggest AA/NA at first just until you have meet new friends that want to stay clean. I don't recommend them for any longer because it is hard to gel with them when you love Jesus first above all. They always want to oppose your belief in Christ.
Of course you can fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord the whole time as well.