Wednesday, October 13
I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.
—Job 16:24-26
He is 40 years old. He is very bright. He has been drinking and “drugging” for many years. Until very recently, I had never seen him sober. He is most engaging, and lots of relatives and friends enjoy his company, only to end up feeling used.
They say that an addict only turns to others for help with their substance-abuse problem when they have run out of ways and means to continue the habit. They have to hit a brick wall. They have to have run out of options.
Hank hit his brick wall in New York City. When he came home, he had used up all his friends and relatives. The most he could get from them was a list of local rehab facilities.
He surprised them by seeking out and being accepted into a place that might help him—residential, thirty days. He stayed the whole time, did well and came out sober and determined—or so it seemed. Within a week he was back to the bottle and who knows what else.
My point in telling you this story is that I believe that if Hank knew that God truly is his Creator—his Heavenly Parent—who truly loves him unconditionally, his life might be different, better. When we know we are loved, that we are considered special, that we are cherished without conditions or limitations, we are more likely to respect and love ourselves, as God tells us to love ourselves.
When we doubt that we are loved, we question our worth, and are more likely to do self-destructive, self-hating things. If we open our hearts and minds to the blanket of love surrounding us, that love can act as a shield against self-destruction.
Gracious and loving God, be with me and in me, nurture me with your affection and open my heart to accept you and know your love. Amen.
These Signposts originally appeared on explorefaith in 2006.
