Equipped to Take Action
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." - Luke 6: 40
Introduction:
The numbers on addiction in America are sobering.
One in six US adults binge drinks, with 25% doing so at least weekly.
Binge drinking is most common among younger adults aged 18–34.
Excessive drinking is responsible for more than 3,900 deaths and 225,000 years of potential life lost among people under age 21 each year.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shares that in 2022, 48.7 million people aged twelve or older had a substance use disorder (SUD.) These numbers should show the obvious; people are in pain from their habits, hurts and hang ups.
But there are some stats that are not here. The ones telling you how angry people have become. Let's not forget those suffering from anxiety disorders and other hurts. Fact is, our world is hurting more than ever have. Here's a question most believers will have to answer at some point in their lives:
What do you do when someone in addiction or another harmful habit lives or works with you? How do you approach them? What do you say? In today's first lesson on the "Overcomers Blog", I'll share what I've learned through God's word and experience over the years.
Today, I will share 7 ways to get equipped to share the Gospel and message of recovery with those you know suffering from a habit, hurt or hang up.
1. Let the Holy Spirit Guide You
Having done prison and public music ministry for twenty years, I can tell you this. As a Christian you won't be effective without the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. No matter how good your intentions are, if you approach someone you know in their habit, hurt or hang up through your power you will fail them and yourself.
Start asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in helping your loved one, coworker or friend. Never assume what to do. Why? Only Jesus knows a man's heart. John 2: 24-25 reads, "But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man."
When it comes to personal pain people hide in the shadows of their heart and mind. Only with the Holy Spirit's help can you properly minister to and and witness to them. That's why the next six steps are so key, because they're some of the tools he uses to equip you to help those struggling.
2. Pray and Don't Give Up
In Christian circles we have a term called, "The No-Ways." These are the people who seem like lost causes. Their situation is so dire the idea of God saving them from anything seems impossible. It's a good thing God doesn't see people like we sometimes do!
But remember something about God. He specializes in the impossible! Once you start praying for someone in a habit, hurt or hang up, don't give up on your prayers. Your timing doesn't matter. God's timing will bring what needs to happen in and for them.
3. Drop the Control
Controlling others doesn't work. Forcing the one you love to stop their habit is an illusion. Pouring guilt and shame on a coworker who loses their temper will make them angrier. As a former, self-professed control freak I can tell you, drop the control. You will make things worse not better.
Ask God to give you patience. I know that's probably the last thing you want to get blessed with but I promise you it works. Let go of how you see and feel about the other person's problem. Invite God in your heart to help you start solving your problems. Even you have habits, hurts, and hang ups that need healing.
4. Listen and Learn
God does some of his best work through a listening ear. Most people don't want your advice. They want you to listen to them. Imagine being able to share everything on your heart without being interrupted. How good would you feel when you're done?
This is how those struggling feel when you listen to them share about their pains. It helps them see there's hope after all. Listening to someone shows they have value to you. You get the privilege of learning what's really going on inside them. Now, you can pray effectively and be intentional with your actions and words when they're asked for.
5. Take Godly Action
In Proverbs 10: 4 it says, "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." It's easy to assume the only translation is about making money. It means becoming rich in all areas of your life where you are diligent. The second you realize someone you know is dealing with a habit, hurt or hang up, get them on your prayer list.
Send them a kind note. Tell them you're praying for them. If it's safe for you both invite them to a meal or just to hang out. Recently, our pastor said something I'll never forget. There are spiritual forces looking to pull society down. When Christians do their special work, society doesn't get pulled down.
6. Set Boundaries
I served as a room leader in Celebrate Recovery for seven years. I was in music ministry for twenty five years. You must set boundaries as Christian helping others with a habit, hurt, and hang up. It's a healthy practice for you and them. Boundaries tell people where you begin and where you end.
The reality is, you can't force someone to change. Although the first five tips I have shared are effective they can take their toll over time. Remember, only Christ can health, change and grow someone. You and I are not equipped to do so. That's why we must learn to set boundaries by resting and saying "no" when necessary.
7. Watch for the Fruit
One of my favorite places to visit is Yakima, WA. The cherry trees alone are a great reason to visit in the summer! How does that fruit turn out so good? The farmers plant the seeds, cultivate the ground and trees. God brings the fruit over time. The same is true when you're praying for someone.
But God uses faith, prayers and time to heal who you're praying for. When you start praying for them at first it seems like things are getting worse. That's by design! God is using their circumstances and people to help your loved one see his light.
Don't stand around the tree worrying over when you will see them get better. Go about your life and watch for signs of God's fruit in someone's life. Notice I said, "God's fruit." His fruit looks different than what we prayed for. It's better, stronger, and will cause them to sing his praises as he draws them out of their struggle!
Health, Change, and Grow with Recovery Tips!
Scriptural References:
Here is a quick checklist to get you started with you website blow. Remember imperfect action beats inaction, get started and keep publishing.
Romans 8: 26 - "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
Acts 1: 8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Philippians 4: 6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
Colossians 4: 2 - "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Proverbs 3: 5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Matthew 16: 24 - Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Proverbs 3: 1-2 - "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you."
Proverbs 1: 5 - "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."
James 1: 22 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
James 2: 26 - "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead."
Proverbs 25: 28 - "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."
1 Corinthians 9: 27 - "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."
Galatians 5: 22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Matthew 12: 23 - “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit."
Need Prayer?
.Need prayer for your habits, hurts and hang ups? Send your requests to [email protected].
