Addiction: Questions for Heart Change
Greetings friends,
SBC has put out a new book: Addiction: Questions for Heart Change. By way of introduction, I’ll give you a few notes on the book followed by a couple of excerpts. Lastly, for those who are interested, I’ll give some explanation of why writing is part of our counseling ministry.
About the Book
Addiction is a booklet that could be read in one or two sittings.
This is in a workbook format. It is based on questions taken from Scripture which are explained and then posed anew to the reader (with space given to answer).
This is especially meant to help the person longing for more than boundaries and accountability - who wants a change of heart.
It is not comprehensive, but is meant to re-orient and encourage you in the fight against an addiction.
The content applies to any addiction, bad habit, or besetting sin.
This can be used by both the person struggling with addiction or by a friend, pastor, or mentor trying to help that person.
Two Excerpts
Who will deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24)
Admitting an addiction to God or to yourself or to others is a huge first step. If you have done so, you have dealt a major blow that undoubtedly weakens it. Well done! Keep being honest. Ruthlessly, constantly, whatever the cost.
At the same time, you know you need more than that. Confession is not a cure. In fact, confession, on its own, can be a horrifying thing, for it leaves us exposed and raw. Having admitted we have a problem, we walk around with the guilt of what we’ve done or the painful thought, “Something is wrong with me.” We resolve, with all our might and with whole-hearted intention, “I will never give in again.” Yet, over the next 24 hours, or three days, or week, our whole-hearted resolve weakens into half-hearted commitment, which begins to flirt with the idea - “just one more time.” We dip our toes in and are reminded how good it feels. After a while, we have given in completely.
But then comes the letdown. The pleasure fades and reality sets in. “I did it again.” We claw at our skin and grind our teeth in desperation. “Why am I like this?” The guilt is too much, so we try to pay for it somehow: penance of some kind, self-sabotage, a withdrawal from all things good, a “handshake of carbon monoxide.” Whatever will soothe the conscience. We feel the grip of shame drawing us into the shadows, away from God, away from people. In the end, we are back where we started with that nagging sense of helplessness and anguish.
That helplessness, as humiliating and painful as it is, is actually your friend. It is ultimately a good thing. Embrace it. We are helpless, and we desperately need help beyond ourselves.
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? (Luke 12:51)
The people in Israel during Jesus’ day were not too different from us. They wanted a Messiah who would put them at ease and make them comfortable. He needed to correct their expectations, which is why he asked, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?” Indeed, he came to make peace between God and man, but to their disappointment, this would not make their lives easy and comfortable. Just the opposite, he came to start a war. The earth had made peace with the Devil, its inhabitants had a truce with sin. Such peace was actually part of the problem, keeping the world stuck in its misery. Therefore, like William Wallace, he came “to pick a fight.”
Discipleship, it turned out, was a program for training soldiers to overthrow the Prince of Darkness. Jesus was recruiting revolutionaries to take back and advance the kingdom of God. Rather than peace, he was inciting a rebellion against the evil status quo, against all that was opposed to God in the world. Instead of a truce, his disciples were called to arms. Instead of church bells ringing out peace and lulling people to sleep, he sounded an air raid siren to wake them up to the enemy’s presence.
It is no different for us today. There is a war going on. To be a disciple of Jesus means to fight in the war. Yet, keeping the subject of this booklet in view - addiction - this war begins in our own hearts. The enemy is, first and foremost, not “out there,” but within. Our flesh that clamors for satisfaction, no matter the cost. Our self-centeredness that seeks our own pleasure to the hurt and neglect of others. Our hearts that judge others and justify ourselves. Our mouths that curse, manipulate, deceive, and belittle even those we say we love. The battle of good and evil starts within us.
Click here if you’d like to purchase a copy of this book on Amazon. All profits are reinvested into the mission of SBC. And for what it’s worth, purchases on Amazon are anonymous. You can also come by the office and pick one up for free in our waiting area.
A Final Note: On Writing as Ministry
Why is writing part of a counseling ministry? I’ve had to answer that question myself over the years. For those who are interested, here are a few thoughts:
Writing is unique in that it can minister to someone without the writer being present. The person may be across the globe or even in the grave, and yet the words continue to speak. Likewise, something may have been written years ago and yet continue to help people for years to come. Scripture is the supreme (divine) example of this.
Writing supplements counseling. A written resource extends the conversation of the counseling room into the time and space between meetings.
Writing can get into people’s hands who have no interest coming into a counseling office or even a church. Reading is anonymous, and therefore able to minister to someone in the privacy of their living room. For many, that is the first (or only) way they will seek help.
Writing will never replace face to face counseling ministry. Although writing is more efficient in its ability to communicate throughout time and space, counseling is more effective. That is one reason God came in the flesh, rather than just speaking through the words of prophets.
We have several writing projects in the works that will hopefully come out in the next year or two, as time and funding allows. If you have been blessed by SBC’s writing ministry, consider giving so we can continue to produce more resources connecting the wisdom and grace of God to daily life.
