‘Confess your faults one to another.’ James 5:16
It’s usually only when addicts ‘hit bottom’ that they’re
willing to embrace a twelve-step programme of recovery, and submit to the
guidance of a ‘sponsor’ who will help them by holding them accountable. Where
did the twelve-step principles originate? From Scripture! The Bible says,
‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed.’ Have all the years you’ve spent hiding your problem only made it
worse? If so, an important step towards your deliverance is having someone in
your life who understands, wants to see you set free, will stand by you,
identifies with your struggle, and knows how to keep your confidence. And it
needs to be someone you trust and respect; otherwise you won’t take them
seriously. There must be an agreement between you that you’ll work together
until lasting change takes place. That means finding someone who won’t be
shocked by your problem and who won’t ‘shame’ you, no matter what. It’s the
broken who become masters at mending, so find someone who has won the battle you
are fighting. And make sure they share your faith and values.
Why do you need
to share your struggle with someone? Because we are only as sick as the secrets
we keep! Jesus said, ‘If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for,
it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come
together in my name, there am I with them’ (Matthew 18:19-20 NIV 1984 Edition).
By opening up to another person and asking for help, you’ve taken a major step
towards a better life.
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