How to Cope with a Loved One’s Addiction
If you are coping with an addiction of any kind within your family, you understand the heavy burden it places on the entire family unit. The issue isn’t isolated to the person suffering, but places an emotional, spiritual, and physical strain on those around them.
Often, those who daily face a loved one’s addiction problem feel alone, frustrated, and are at a loss as to where to begin to help them heal.
Many times, as a Believer, you see the destructive path your loved one is on, and out of love and care, you confront the person in the hope that they will cease engaging in whatever behavior or drug they are addicted to.
Unfortunately, this can start a vicious cycle of rebellion and resentment in the user. They may get defensive and either fight back or pull away — neither setting them free from the bondage of sin. This cycle leaves you hurt and without hope.
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Before stepping foot on this battlefield of addiction, take a moment to renew your mind and your spirit in the Word. Seek alignment with the Word and justice according to God—in Heaven’s courtroom.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”—Romans 12:2
What does it mean to be conformed to this world regarding loving those who are addicted? It means that your natural, carnal self wants to fall into the temptation of bitterness, hopelessness, and doubt. It means that these emotions start to take over and dictate your actions. It means the devil is on a mission to rob you of your promised peace.
These heavy emotions, along with the desire to confront and control the situation, are how the enemy tempts you.
Remember this promise…
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”—2 Timothy 1:7
Satan wants you to either hold tight to those destructive emotions and need for control, or to feel hopeless about the situation—both in efforts to squeeze out space for God to act in your loved one’s life.
Letting go of control can be one of the hardest things you do. But far too often, when we attempt to control, we focus on our thoughts of what is right rather than standing behind the shield of faith that we have in God.
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”—Proverbs 3:7-8
Be aware of the enemy’s attacks on you…
When you are dealing with an addiction of any kind in your family, Satan often will tempt you to shift all of your focus on the one who is addicted. But don’t be blind to how he uses the following two tactics to throw you off of God’s path…
Deception and Accusations
Satan will do what he can to make you believe falsities. Those lies usually fall within two categories. He begins by deceiving you and then accusing you of believing the lies.
Do the following resonate with you?
- Believing you have total control and that when your loved one uses, it is a direct reflection of you. Therefore, you are a failure.
- Believing you have no influence, so you therefore give up and quit trying. You are left feeling fearful, guilty, and full of doubt.
Both of these lies stunt the power and promise God has given you. God says…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”—Proverbs 3:5-6
It may be difficult to see God’s hand in the midst of the storm, but He has a plan and is in control.
Take your case to the Courts of Heaven!
It’s time to cancel out the accusation of the enemy. Present your case to your Righteous Judge and take back what is yours! The covenant of God contains His protection and provision.
When you go before the Throne of God—your Righteous Judge—and earnestly appeal to the terms of the covenant, you come into alignment with HIs Word. God INVITES us to do this!
Because of the blood of Jesus, we hold fast to our confession—that He passed through the heavens on our behalf so that we may enter into God’s presence and “therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
First—Declare who God is in the Courts of Heaven. He is the Righteous Judge, Lawgiver, and King.
- “Let the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is”—Psalm 50:6
Second—After declaring the unsurpassed power of the Righteous Judge, remind those who are in the courtroom of the binding covenant. Your hope is in His covenant promises alone. God wants you to rely on the relationship you have with Him through the blood of Jesus to bring about His purposes.
- “Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O Lord, and that a foolish people has blasphemed Your name. Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast! Do not forget the life of Your poor forever. Have respect to the covenant; for the dark places of the earth are full of the haunts of cruelty. Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.”—Psalm 74:18-21
Third—Approach God with concern for His cause, not yours. Ask Him to act out of compassion and for His glory, that His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
- “Arise, O God, plead Your own cause; remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily. Do not forget the voice of Your enemies; the tumult of those who rise up against You increases continually.”—Psalm 74:22-23
Fourth—Remember and declare all of the petition and make your plea in the name of Jesus. Only because of Him are you given access to boldly approach the Judge and ask for a verdict in your favor, cutting off any accusations the enemy has made toward you or your family.
- “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God,let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”—Hebrews 10:19-22
Now it’s your turn — take this pattern of prayer along with your personal circumstances and boldly approach the throne of your Righteous Judge. He is looking for every opportunity to have mercy on those who are covered by the Blood of the Covenant.
Your God is a covenant-keeping God. He cannot lie. It’s time you decree and declare out into the atmosphere the terms of the covenant and break the yoke of sin that Satan has on you and your family! If you are in need of prayer, we would love to pray alongside you in the Courts of Heaven.