Heaven’s Help for Our Addictions

Someone I knew who was highly educated and highly respected in his profession became addicted to cocaine for several years. There was a serious problem that he found out about, and it devastated him. I heard that he thought he could use the drug once, and stop. Obviously, he needed counseling. He didn’t seek it though. Because of his professional degrees he knew that what he was doing could kill him if he didn’t stop.

I believe in the power of prayer, so I prayed for him for him, and it took several years. I saw what prayer does. He finally quit, and gave his life totally back to God. Sometime afterward, he became very sick and wound up in the hospital.

I received a call one day that his life was hanging in the balance. He was in a coma. When I walked into his hospital room, I saw peace radiating on his face.

Sometimes a person in a coma can hear, even though they can’t respond. I prayed about what to say while I was there, and God gave me words of encouragement to say in Jesus. Then, I decided to turn on the television just to see what was on.

As Providence would have it, a Christian choir sang passionately the beautiful hymn, “Amazing Grace.” This dear man had sung in some of the best choirs, and he was an equally gifted instrumentalist. The music stirred something deep within him. He started to make sounds as if he was trying to sing. When the choir got to the words “and He saved a wretch like me,” he turned over and said, “I’m sorry.” His face shone so peacefully. Those were his last words. This was on a Friday. He died after I left the hospital, just before the sun set.

I know this story to be true because he was my brother. I know this story to be true because I know only God can turn things around like that!

No one is beyond help, if they choose to be helped. Most cities operate counseling and group resources for people and families dealing with substance use and abuse. For family, friends, church members, and co-workers, one of the keys to helping people is showing love, not condemnation. Along with these, however, the ultimate Counselor can, and will help.

His name is Jesus, our Creator and our Savior. He came down to this earth from heaven on a rescue mission, to rescue all of us from the devil. He took on our sins, and gave His life for us on the cross of Calvary.

When He was on this earth, He reached out and hung out with people who had all kinds of issues. He healed people physically, mentally, and spiritually. He is willing and able, even now to help anyone who asks. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Read verses 24-26).

No matter what a person has done, even those who have committed crime, he or she can and will be forgiven by God. All any of us needs to do is ask for His forgiveness, and help from Him to live the life He wants us to live.

God the Father gave His Son Jesus, who willingly died on the cross for all of our sins (Read John 3:16). The ground at the foot of the cross is level, I always say. Jesus rose from that tomb and is in heaven, seated at the right hand of God our Father, praying for each and every one of us.

Think about this, our Creator and Savior is praying for each and every one of us. Finally, here’s another dose of hope from the words of Jesus (John 14:1-3): “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”