Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor 1 Thessalonians 4:4

Discussion:

Letting go in addiction is a difficult task.  We love deeply our enslaved loved ones.  We see the destruction and the warning lights and devastation and disaster that happens as a result.  We want to save them, guide them, correct their behavior and keep them from harm.  Sometimes when it all comes crashing down, no matter how many times we warned, begged, and extracted promises we feel bitterness, resentment and anger.  It may even go as far as their failure becomes OUR failure.  Maybe we even think our lives will be better when they get better.  So, as the addiction plays out and lingers, one disappointment after another, the damage becomes second nature.  Our lives are put on hold because they need us.  God commanded us to love our neighbor, not fix them.  When we give up our independence, we hand over our power to an unpredictable and irrational force; addiction.  God's work is in miracles, our work is love.  We can only control ourselves, 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, MINDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.  Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will NOT NEED TO DEPEND on others."  Breaking free from a Co-Dependent relationship gives us strength, freedom and room to let God work.  It also, gives our loved ones time to deal with their own issues.  Sometimes the results will not look pretty, but we can't buffer the consequences of addiction the choice to change has to come from them, it's their journey just as we have our journey.  Let God do his work in you and in your loved one.  Surrender to His will, His timing and let Him give you joy.  Find your happiness, take care of your own body, get yourself healthy that way you can endure and have a renewed spirit when your loved one needs encouragement.


Breathe Prayer:

Lord we ask that you give us the strength to take care of ourselves.  We surrender our loved ones to you.  Forgive us of the sin of wanting to do your work.  Protect them and take of them while they struggle in their addiction.


Meditation:

Find something that makes you happy.  Paint, draw, join the gym, find something that you had before that gave you joy and carve out time for that.  Invite a few friends out for lunch, join a group that you've been putting off, volunteer or take a class.  Write down a 5 year plan, a 10 year or 20 year for your life.   Make time for you and pray that God will bless you through it.