“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
Trying to get sober without Jesus is like trying to walk through a dark tunnel without a flashlight. You may be able to find your way around, but eventually you will continue to hit another dead-end. Likewise, people can have sobriety through AA or NA with a “higher power,” but they will not find the ultimate rest and peace that is found through Jesus Christ.
I was in the chains of addiction for 14 years. I had made countless attempts to get clean, but ended up going back to my slavery every time. What I didn’t understand at the time was that Jesus had already taken my addiction with Him to the cross and buried it with Him. When I came to a faith-based recovery program and gave my life to Christ, the chains broke. I found peace. The peace that truly does pass all understanding.
Although the struggle is very real, it is substantially less now because of Christ. Non faith-based recovery programs claim that “One of the most important aspects for any drug rehabilitation program is the fact that it makes people feel comfortable…” They further claim that “…even though many proponents will point out the fact that these steps do not use the word “God” (rather opting for “Higher Power”), this is not likely to be enough for its detractors. As a result, it may make some people who do not share these beliefs quite uncomfortable.”
The vast majority of people worldwide, especially those struggling with addiction, do not like the idea of change. Due to the fact that Jesus literally will give you a new heart when you accept Him into your life undoubtedly will make people uncomfortable with the idea. Change is scary for most people. Fear of the unknown can even be crippling. It was for me. That’s why I had such a hard time trying to get sober.
Even though my life was a mess and full of chaos and struggle because of my addiction, it was familiar and therefore comfortable in its own way. So I found non faith-based programs where I felt comfortable because I didn’t really want to be changed from the inside out. So I kept hitting a brick wall trying to do it my own way, spending years going back and chasing my own lovers (alcohol and drugs).
But then, Jesus wooed me.
“ ‘I will visit her on the days…when she went after her lovers, and forgot me,’ says the LORD. ‘But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.’ ” (Hosea 2:13-14)
Jesus is not a forceful God. He will gently lead you. He will show you that you can have peace in recovery. Here at Simonka Place New Life Fellowship Program, statistics show that recovery is completely possible through the peace that Jesus offers freely to all who come to Him. He wants to break the chains of addiction and all of the burden that comes with it. He wants to give His beloved rest.
Studies show that although not everyone that enters the New Life Fellowship Recovery Program will succeed, the ones who do are able to stay clean because of Jesus. 1 out of 8 will graduate the program, and 100% of the ones who do graduate claim Jesus as their savior. 87% of all graduates will stay clean compared to only 7% in other recovery programs that are not faith-based.
If you are struggling with addiction of any kind, come to Jesus. He knows you are weary and burdened and He wants to give you rest! He is a miracle worker and the ultimate peace-giver.
He saved me, and He wants to save you, too!
Guest blogger Lesley is a New Life Fellowship participant. She enjoys studying God’s word, writing, photography and spending time with her children.
1 thought on “Sweetly Broken: How I Overcame My Addiction”
I had a new AA sponsor years ago that told me how he called his higher power Jesus, and that Jesus was his savior. I literally asked him to pull the car over. He did and I got out.