“I can do all things
through Christ
who gives me strength”

– Philippians 4:13

The Prison of Addiction

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Philippians. Besides the fact that it is referred to as the “Book of Joy” it is also my favorite book because Paul wrote this while he was in prison.

When our son Michael turned 18 he wanted a tattoo. I wasn’t over the moon about it, but I told my boys that IF they were going to get a tattoo that it HAD to be tasteful and it had to have special meaning that could take you through life. Michael took that to heart when making his decision. He was a 400-meter runner in high school. He was fast, but it was nonetheless hard work for him. He decided that when the race was hard he wanted something written on the inside of his upper arm that he could see out of the corner of his eye that would encourage and inspire him to hang on. He chose the words in Swahili “Mungu Amenipa Nguvu” which means “God give me strength.”

As a 16-year-old Michael was given the amazing opportunity to travel to Tanzania with a local Lutheran church to be a part of mission work. It changed him in many ways. This phrase is now imprinted on his arm forever as a reminder of his connection to the people in Tanzania that he met and to his God whom he clings to when things get unbearable. Little did my son know how this tattoo would be a mantra for his life in the future. As I write this, my son Michael is packing to go back into a treatment center for the 4^th time. You see my sweet curly headed boy is an addict. He is an alcoholic and he has given me permission to share this with you. The prison of addiction is an insidious disease that takes all prisoners and leaves wreckage of the life that it takes and to all who love that person.

In this COVID-19 world that we are in right now, those bound by addiction and working sobriety need our prayers more than ever. We have heard it in the news how isolation feeds addiction and secrecy. I think of the apostle Paul, and how we need more people in our life like him who in the midst of turmoil and imprisonment was scripting a letter of hope and joy. I think of his verse "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." After losing my brother to complications from Alcoholism, and seeing it again in my own son, I refuse to believe that all hope is lost. I have joy knowing my brother is now free from the prison of his addiction. I have joy and hope knowing that my son saw the need to get help on his own. I have hope that even though he struggles every day of his life with his addiction, he wants to get better and have more for himself in life. I have peace knowing that in his baptismal waters 23 years ago that he was marked by the cross of Christ forever and nothing can separate him from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

If you are struggling in addiction, I say to you. You are loved, you matter to us and you are worth it! Reach out for help.  If you love someone in addiction I say to you, you are loved, you matter to us, and  reach out for help.

– Diane Sell, Director of Volunteer and Care Ministry

And what would Jesus say? What would God say? Well Psalm 46:10 tells us this:

“Be still
and know
that I am with you.”

Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things, I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference. Amen