Faith helps so many people overcome their demons that it almost seems cliché. At least, that’s how I felt when I was going through it. Whether you believe it or not, demons are real. God tells us all about them in the Bible, and that they are evil spirits that torment human beings, and tempt them into destructive behaviors and patterns.
Believe me, anyone struggling with an addiction, is definitely in torment; spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The Word of God also teaches us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And it’s true! I know, I know… The drug addict who found God through recovery? That was my cliché. But it’s what happened!
People have all different kinds of faith. Mine just happened to be religious.
Catholicism played a large role in my childhood. When I was younger, my faith was always a comfort to me. It helped me believe that I was part of something bigger and more important than myself. I prayed faithfully every night until I went off to college. That’s about when things turned around for me.
Why I lost my faith
Shortly after high school, I was in a terrible car accident and was left with terrible back pain. But that wasn’t the worst of it. I also lost a friend that day. My doctor prescribed Vicodin to relieve my pain, and it wasn’t long before I was addicted. I’m convinced prescription pills are straight from hell. They are the devil’s candy. So, addiction took control over my life much faster than I ever could have imagined. It wasn’t long before I was spending my days panhandling for my next fix. What a departure from college life.
When you’re an addict, you lose faith in everything. You become a slave to the drug, and you know it. Your free will is all-but-gone, and you feel like a zombie straight out of one of those B movies.
How faith helped me heal
Through it all, faith is the one tool I wish I had never lost. You might think it’s easy to have faith when you have nowhere to go but up. That’s actually when it’s the hardest.
During recovery, I was re-introduced to the Christian faith. In the rehab I went to, it was a choice. You could choose a faith-based recovery or a secular one. I chose faith. The choice was kind of symbolic for me. I decided on rehab. I chose faith. I made a better life for myself.
Having new choices gave me hope and helped me realize that I had regained control, if only a little. So, I made those three choices again and again. I chose faith and recovery every day until it was no longer a choice. These things were a natural part of my life.
How faith can help you overcome demons
I wanted to share my story because I know that faith has healing powers. Knowing for certain that there is a God, and He loves you is a tremendous foundation of hope, and a great comfort in any adversity.
The most difficult part of choosing faith is the initial choice. It may not feel natural at first. This is because your demons have power too. If you’re like me, you’ve let your demons control your life for too long. Any path that challenges them will be uncomfortable. But that’s how you’ll know you’re on the right track.
If you’re struggling to overcome something major, like addiction, depression or grief, don’t hesitate to get help. The simple act of talking out your problems may help you on the path to regaining your faith. Once you re-establish your relationship with the Living God, Jesus Christ, you will never be the same again. Being born again is the most powerful experience anyone can have. You’ll finally be on the right path that God intended for you from the beginning of time. Trust Jesus. He loves you and He really is always with you. Cheers to the pure and eternal life in Christ!