Christian Recovery: Why Can’t I Quit My Addictions?

Over the years, we have had many Christians in addiction ask us the question, “Why can’t I quit drinking?” or “Why can’t I quit using drugs?” Many of these people are questioning God because He has not delivered them from their addictions.

Our answer is always the same. God gets to choose how He works with us. He has his reasons, and His lessons for each one of us. In some cases, he instantly delivers a person out of addictions. This is what happened to my husband Jerry. One night while Jerry was in the midst of his addiction and at his bottom, he had a battle with an angel or God who kept telling him to go home to his wife and get right with Him. He refused at first, but several hours into the experience, Jerry gave in and said, “Okay. I will do it.” He fell right asleep and the next morning, everything was different. The world looked like a beautiful place and he had peace in his heart. From that point on, Jerry never drank or did drugs again. And even better, he has never once had a craving. Now, eightenn years later, Jerry is the senior pastor at Destino Cristiano, a bilingual Christian church in La Paz, Mexico.

While many people say that Jerry was lucky, I say that he became completely surrendered, and this is what brought about his deliverance. It was a blessing to be delivered and Jerry has always been grateful for that gift. But he has learned the value of deliverance and preaches about holding onto it with everything he has. "Never take deliverance for granted" is his motto.

My story is much different. I was not delivered from my addiction to alcohol, even though I begged God to take my cravings from me every day. Looking back, I understand that God set a specific path for me to follow. My journey of recovery was all about using the strength of God to get me through. At the time, Jerry was still an addict, and he had alcohol in the house every day. I would open the refrigerator and there it was, staring at me in the face. But I asked God to give me strength, and He did. I continually quoted the Scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

Everyone in Christ has the ability to get set free. Some, like me, must suffer to get there, and this is where addicts often fail. They refuse to endure withdrawals and temptations, or claim they just can’t. Of course we are weak, but this is when God loves to show up. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

So in answer to the question, “Why can’t I Quit My Addictions?” I say, you can, if you are willing to do what God wants you to do, and if your path is like mine, to truly suffer all the way to the cross. Remember, Christ suffered for you. He suffered so you could be set free. He suffered and died, but then he rose again in a resurrected life, and that’s what can happen for you if you follow the model of Jesus. You suffer and you die to yourself, so that you can be a new creation in Christ.

If you want to connect with me, write to TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com or call 541-778-8680. You can also visit the website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also find my book on Amazon. Click here to check out Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.