Most people know about addictions, and know at least someone who has, or is still suffering from one.
Addictions are everywhere; we hear about them constantly. What we almost never hear about is how often addictions are related to grief. The truth is that more often than not, addictions are rooted in a lack of grieving.
Grief can be caused by anything from a death, losses of jobs, marriages, friends, or even traumas that have not been processed. The good news is that our God is loving. He is so loving that He gives us keys throughout His word to help us cope with everything in life that comes our way, and that includes how to properly grieve. If we do not know those keys embedded in God’s Word, we usually end up trying to bury the pain and rely on our own devices to soothe ourselves. The good news is that there are Biblical ways to grieve, and they are better than the ways the world has to offer.
Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
This scripture gives us a model for expressing our emotions, and not only that; it tells us how to do so within the context of community. While rejoicing is widely accepted in our society, weeping is another story. How often do we truly weep with those who weep? Grieving can be uncomfortable, and displaying the feelings associated with difficult emotions has become all but unthinkable. Since weeping can be uncomfortable for many of us, we often try to fix that person and get them to stop crying, rather than weep with them. This is, in all reality, contrary to God’s Word. The result is suppressed emotions that lead to other physical, emotional, and spiritual problems. The Bible again tells us:
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23
All too frequently a person that does not learn how to express painful emotions ends up “self medicating.” This refers to any behavior that enables a person to escape their reality by either changing their brain chemistry, anesthetizing their body, or engaging in an action that keeps them from having to face reality. This can often look like something socially acceptable, such as workaholism. People also engage in shopping, eating, drugs, and alcohol, among other things.
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:18
When a person continues to self-medicate, no matter if it is a harmful substance or action, they end up in a horrible cycle of addiction. God’s Word has the answer. Scripture tells us:
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” Proverbs 2:6
In our Good Grief Seminar we will give tools and keys to help people suffering to break the yoke of addiction. We’ll provide a clear Biblical model for grieving and how that can transform your emotional life. To find out more please contact us at [email protected] or go to our website https://deepwatersministries.wixsite.com/deep-waters-ministries.
Sheryl is also the author of the book Pearls of the Heart: A Workbook Journey For Women Who Desire to Heal From the Effects of a Husband’s Sexual Addiction. It can be purchased here. (https://www.amazon.com/Pearls-Heart-Workbook-Husbands-Addiction/dp/B08TZK8WRT/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1658065071&sr=1-12 )
Picture originally found here
