PHILIPPIANS - 4.13 - I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO MAKES ME STRONG

The words from Philippians are, for me, a reminder that God knew well in advance we would be tested with many hardships. Addiction is the Nr. 1 tool of the Devil. From it appear all forms of sin, lies, dishonesty and evil. It not only destroy the addict or alcoholic, but tears down the hope and humanity of so many others.

It has been vitally important during my walk with Jesus to realize I also need my 12 step group - no matter how Holy or Spiritual I may feel. I have witnessed so many good-hearted Christians pray over addicts time and time again - asking for guidance and support in what to do. I have approached the same people moments later with a view to bringing them to a 12 Step meeting, only to be frowned upon. 'I'll stick with the church, AA, or NA are not for me'.

I have met pastors who are deeply suspicious of 12 steps groups because they read some off-the-wall book by some fundamentalist crusader looking for extra notches on his publishing deal. Or they have heard gossip or bad stories about 12 Step groups, which is all honesty are just lies. It is no doubt a fact that many people going to such groups are off-the-walls, misled or downright defiant at God, I mean, why else would they be going there? But there is something in those groups that keeps the addiction at bay, and many come to know Jesus through the 12 steps.

The reality is this and this alone.

I have met very few people along the way who have defeated addiction, over a long-term basis, without using the 12 steps in whatever addiction they have. I have met hundreds of Christians who have gone back to their addictions because of their refusal to work the 12 steps. Which side would you like to be on? Which side would you like the addict to be on?

On the flipside I have met many a 12 step worker who frowns upon Christianity, yet, without a shadow of a doubt, all the happiest people I know working a 12 step program are doing it through Jesus Christ. This is a great fact that I cannot ignore, because I am evidence of it.

In conclusion I would like to state from my own experience, that 12 Step groups are generally a group of people helping each other to get from one day to the next without using. Through the strength of Identification, the motive of self-preservation, and a deep desire not to act out, there comes a bond that fights the disease of addiction. It works - it really does.