Day 143

Do The Things I Don't Want To Do

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me” Romans 7:15-17.

I use to read this passage to our son and he would say, “That's it, that's how I feel. I don't want to do the things I do, but then I find myself doing just that”. The life of addiction always seems to be a constant struggle. God says He has made a way out of any temptation so why do we find ourselves doing the things we don't want to do? Why does the addict continue to go back to the drug in spite of warnings, attempts at rehab, the effects of their actions on their families, or the threat of loss of some sort in their lives?

I have a book on my shelf entitled, “Why Don't They Just Quit”? Is that not the question we have asked many times as parents of an addict or have had it asked of us? I use to put our granddaughter's picture up before our son in hopes of keeping him from using drugs, for their sake, but it was never enough. I had an alcoholic tell me one day he would literally pick his daughter up and set her out of his way in order to open the cabinet or refrigerator for the next drink.

Today I am grieved once again as I watch an addict leave rehab stating she just wants to go use. We hug her and try to encourage her not to go that route. I am haunted by the vision of this young lady as I looked into my rear view mirror. She has made the choice to fight against the rules one too many times, doing those things she didn't want to do maybe; what she hates doing maybe; but what she finds herself doing. I drove away wishing I could help her, knowing she is not ready, knowing I can't fix it, but vowing to pray for her.

One statement in the book I mentioned is this: “Addiction is never satisfied. After it has destroyed health, devastated families, ended careers, and put children in foster homes, it still wants more”. No one is immune to the devastating effects of drugs, not the rich nor poor, not the Christian nor the non-Christian, not the young or old, not the mother or father, nor the business man or woman,

Won't you join me in praying for this young lady today and those like her who are blinded by the enemy in a world of addictions. I know this girls image will be in my mind for a very long time. Lord, help those in the darkness to see a great light. I pray you will draw her to yourself. Let her recall the positive things she learned while in rehab and cause her to turn from the destructive path she is walking to return to You. Oh Lord, I do pray she has made the decision to invite You into her heart. Protect her on those streets tonight Lord. Oh Lord, hear our cry on her behalf and all addicted to substance. Break the strongholds that bind them. Amen