FACING TROUBLE WITH GOD

In recovery, and in life in general, situations arise which cause us to believe that we are alone and have no one to turn to for help. Fear often wells up within us causing that old feeling of wanting to run and hide and medicate in our addiction. What can we do when this happens? The writer of the following Psalm poured out his heart to God knowing that God alone had the answer to all his problems. 

I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles.  When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.  Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me.  (Psalm 142:1-3 NLT)

When the pull of addiction tempts us, it is like a bully who will not cease until we are wounded and defeated.  When we give in to the obsession, we will find ourselves back in the prison of insanity knowing we are powerless.  However, when we cry out to God and bring the “bully” before Him, the tormentor loses his power.

As children of God, we do not stand alone while defending ourselves against temptation.  The battle is the Lord’s! When we come close to God, He will come close to us.  Just like a strong person coming to our aid and standing up to a bully on our behalf, so we will find God to be a place of safety and protection for us.  Even though the battle may rage in our minds for a time it will eventually quiet down. The enemy who is responsible for the promotion of our obsessive thinking must surrender to God’s overwhelming power. 

It’s important to know both the strengths and limits of our enemy.  The enemy will claim to have unstoppable power over us but as we put our trust and faith in the finished work of Jesus, we will experience God’s saving power that is greater than any other power.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for being my shelter and my help in time of need.  When I experience the enemy trying to have power over me, help me to stop and call out to You for help to overcome, for You alone have the Power that will give me victory over the enemy of my soul.  Amen