If You’re Feeling Guilt & Shame Over Having Been in an Addiction, Please Read This

If you’re dealing with the guilt and shame of substance abuse, I assure you that you can find solace and guidance in the Word of God, which offers a pathway towards a full recovery and redemption. Here are some steps based on the provided passages:

1. Acknowledgment and Repentance: The first step in dealing with guilt and shame is acknowledging your sins and mistakes. Many have sinned and not repented of various forms of unrighteousness, including uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness. “I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.” (2 Corinthians 12:21). Repentance is key to starting the journey towards healing. Repentance means giving your sin of addiction to God, asking His forgiveness, and then never again entering into this sin again.

2. Embrace Suffering as a Christian: If any man suffers as a Christian, including suffering from the consequences of substance abuse, he should not be ashamed but rather glorify God on this behalf. “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:16). This perspective helps you in understanding suffering as a part of the Christian experience, which can be transformative.

3. Live a Life of Sobriety and Righteousness: The Bible encourages believers to live soberly, righteously, and godly. “It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2:12). This serves as a guiding principle for recovering believers to strive towards a life free from substance abuse.

4. The Power of Forgiveness: Understanding that your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake. “I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name.” (1 John 2:12). This forgiveness covers all sins, including those related to substance abuse, offering a clean slate to those who genuinely repent and believe in Jesus Christ.

5. Avoid Returning to Past Sins: After escaping the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, returning to them can lead to a worse state than before. “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20). This warns against relapse and encourages steadfastness in the path of a full recovery.

6. Rely on the Power of God: Finally, believers are encouraged to rely on the power of God to overcome the law of sin with their minds, even though the flesh might be weak “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” (Romans 7:25). This highlights the spiritual battle against substance abuse and the need for divine assistance in overcoming it.

In summary of this brief article, the path to dealing with guilt and shame for abusing substances, as outlined in the Bible, involves acknowledgment, repentance, embracing suffering, living a righteous life, acceptance of forgiveness, avoiding relapse through the power of His Holy Spirit, and relying on God’s power for everything in your life. This journey is supported by the community of believers and is rooted in the transformative power of the Gospel.

Have a blessed rest of your day! Practice repentance and believe that what Jesus says, He does!

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