Encouraging Addiction-Free Relationships: A Faith-Based Guide
Healthy, addiction-free relationships are built on a solid foundation of honesty, responsibility, and humility.
A favorite way to encourage a solid foundation of honesty, responsibility, and humility in relationships is to attend ARP (Addiction Recovery Program) meetings. Years ago, I attended the meetings on a regular basis. Today, I enjoy attending the meetings on occasion, either on my own or with a friend.
Posts may contain affiliate links, including Amazon links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. See disclosure policy for details.
Addiction Recovery Program
The intimate environment of each ARP meeting, and the genuine connection that takes place between acquaintances and strangers in the space of only a couple hours, is truly indescribable. The hugs that are sometimes shared at the end of the meetings, often between strangers, exemplify the true connection that comes from connecting physically (body) after connecting emotionally (soul and spirit).
The Christ-centered lessons are helpful for many different scenarios, and are applicable to everyone. The lessons are filled with principles of truth:
- justice vs. mercy
- resentment vs. forgiveness
- selfishness vs. service
- self-pity vs. gratitude
- dishonesty vs. honesty
- fear vs. faith
- and more…
Each of us has addictions (to substances, behaviors, emotions, etc.), whether big or small, that need to be addressed if we are to reach our greatest potential. With ARP meetings, we don’t have to make that journey alone.
Always remember, with the Savior’s help, you can break free from addiction. It may be a long, difficult path, but the Lord will not give up on you. He loves you. Jesus Christ suffered the Atonement to help you change, to free you from the captivity of sin. The most important thing is to keep trying—sometimes it takes several attempts before people find success. So don’t give up. Don’t lose faith. Keep your heart close to the Lord, and He will give you the power of deliverance. He will make you free.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Resources For Addiction-Free Relationships
These resources have proven invaluable to my family as we strive for addiction-free relationship:
Inspirational Quotes and Scripture
Inspirational quotes and scriptures to uplift and motivate you on your journey to a new and improved life:
1
1 Corinthians 10:13
“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. This verse has long been cited in the field of addiction recovery and sobriety.”
2
Edward T. Welch
“Addictions are ultimately a disorder of worship: we worship our desires over God. We desire the things of earth more than the One who rules it. This being so, worship is the true deepest need for addicts, as it is for all people. It is during worship that we are most fully human. As we worship, the Spirit changes us. Sometimes this change is the more ordinary, imperceptible, and gradual change that is similar to the growth of a child. At other times, worship changes us more dramatically.
Either way, when our hearts are pointed toward the risen Christ, we can’t help but be changed in some way. This change, too, teaches us to remember. When we hear the stories of how God transforms people, it reminds us that God is making us to be “like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24).” Source: Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave
3
Dawna de Silva
“Fighting an addiction with your own strength is like picking the rotten fruit off a bad tree. Picking the bad fruit may get rid of the odor, but it will not kill the tree itself. You must uproot the tree to kill the bad fruit. To truly break an addiction, you must uproot both the belief systems that are planted in your heart and the resulting sinful habits that first seeded the addiction.”
4
Richard G. Scott
“Healing best begins with your sincere prayer asking your Father in Heaven for help. That use of your agency allows divine intervention. When you permit it, the love of the Savior will soften your heart and break the cycle of abuse that can transform a victim into an aggressor. Adversity, even when caused willfully by others’ unrestrained appetite, can be a source of growth when viewed from the perspective of eternal principle.” Source: “Healing Tragic Scars of Abuse,” Ensign, May 1992, p. 32
5
2 Timothy 1:7
“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” — Read from the pages of The Holy Bible
6
Colleen Hardison
“Sometimes we try to stop our addiction by Turing to something else-like service or a worth hobby. These things are good, but only as far as they go. only returning to God has the power we need to live addition free.” — He Did Deliver Me From Bondage, p. 19
7
Ezekiel 36: 26-27
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…And I will put my spirit within you.” — Read from the pages of The Holy Bible
8
Mosiah 29:20
“But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of me, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.” — Read from the pages of The Book of Mormon
Conclusion
With the help of God and the support of others, addiction, in all its insidious forms, can take be replaced with Jesus Christ as you make Him the center of your life.
Learn more about the Addiction Recovery Program >>>
Additional Resources: 3 Ways To Find Hope Amidst Darkness
Have I communicated with God today?
Am I reading daily from His Word?
Have I reached out to connect with another person in a meaningful way?
Click HERE to learn more.
Free Downloads
Check out our inspirational printables: quotes, checklists, poetry, and more.
