A Prayer to Submit to God’s Will
By Ashley Moore
“Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.” - Psalm 119:73, ESV
Ping!
“Hey, someone told me I should reach out to you. My boyfriend is addicted to drugs. He’s overdosed twice this year. I can’t eat or sleep. I’m worried sick. Do you know where we can get some help for him? “
This was one of many messages I’ve received over the years from people who love someone who struggles with addiction. They often find me after hearing me share my personal testimony of living with a struggling addict. My heart goes out to these people because, sadly, there are tons of resources available for their addicted loved ones. But there are only a few places that help the family and friends find support–even fewer that bring Christ into the conversation.
And boy, do we ever need God’s power and the help of others! Loving someone who struggles with addiction is a roller coaster ride. We have to deal with dishonesty, betrayal, anxiety, and more. Usually, the people who love them are some of the most loving and supportive people. However, they are often taken advantage of by their struggling loved ones, especially if they are in active addiction.
Oftentimes, well-intentioned help becomes harmful when dealing with addiction. Sometimes it looks like giving someone money when it may have been better to put a tough boundary in place. Or not allowing a struggling loved one to take part in finding resources and support for themselves. Perhaps it means not taking care of the things we can control, like our thoughts, reactions, and actions, vs. trying to control those of our erratic loved ones.
If you relate to this struggle, these things are often easier said than done. And sometimes, when I share these hard-to-swallow truths with people who reach out, they aren’t ready to hear them. But I can’t give anyone false hope because I have learned, mostly the hard way, that what we need most when dealing with an addicted loved one is to submit to God’s will. As the Psalmist says, we need to acknowledge that He fashioned us and our loved ones and that we need His understanding to navigate this well and in a God-honoring way.
Thankfully, when we reach out to God for help, He always gives us the truth in love. He promises to give us wisdom generously if we ask Him for it, and He never becomes frustrated that we are anxious and don’t know what to do (James 1:5). He never tires of us needing His help. Today, maybe you are wondering if someone can help you with your struggling loved one too. There is One who made you and will give you understanding. Will you submit to His will?
Let’s pray:
Lord,
I thank you that you fashioned us together with attention and care. You know every day of our lives. You know the struggles we would face and the ways we would be desperate for your wisdom and understanding. And you know the ways our loved ones are struggling too. Lord, I pray that you would forgive us when we try to help them in our own strength and lean on our own limited understanding.
Lord, I pray right now that you would help us to see the ways you want to change us through this hardship. Change our reactions, Lord. Change our unbelief. Change our hearts. Protect us from bitterness, Lord. Help us remember who the real enemy is, Lord. But also help us to acknowledge that you are the Lord of Hosts. You have angel armies at your disposal, and you long for us to ask for Your power in our situations with our loved ones. You also are our Good Shepherd, who protects us and shields us from trouble when things get messy and chaotic as they often do in this life, Lord. I pray we would trust You like little children because You are our Heavenly Father. We can submit to Your will and praise You through this storm because Your steadfast Love endures forever!
Thank you, Jesus, amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/AndreyPopov
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