When Addiction Becomes a Blessing
No one plans to become addicted. Addiction creeps in—sometimes slowly, other times like a tidal wave—and before we realize it, we’re drowning in something we never meant to invite into our lives: alcohol, drugs, sex/porn, work, or other compulsive behaviors. Addiction isolates us. It destroys relationships. And addiction often kills.
But what if—somewhere in the chaos—we discover something sacred?
For many of us, recovery doesn’t just help us regain control. It reveals that we never had control to begin with. Addiction confronts us with a spiritual truth: we are not self-sufficient. In our brokenness, we come face-to-face with our deep need for God—a God who doesn’t just show love, but who is love itself.
A God Who Doesn’t Always Take It Away
It’s natural to pray that God would take the addiction away. And sometimes, in His mercy, He does. But more often, He doesn’t—at least, not in the way we expect.
We ask, “If God loves me, why won’t He remove this burden completely?” But if He simply erased the struggle, He might also erase something essential—something that makes us human. It’s often in our weakness that we learn how to trust, how to surrender, how to cling to grace. God doesn’t always remove the thorn. Instead, He stays with us in the struggle and invites us to depend on Him.
In that place of daily dependence, He shapes us. Not into people who boast of victory, but into people who walk humbly. Not because we’ve conquered it, but because we’ve learned to kneel beside our addiction—and invite God's love and mercy into our life.
Vigilant in Gratitude
Recovery teaches us how to rely—not just on God, but on others. It shows us that real strength isn’t about standing alone. It's about reaching out. We learn to say, “I need help,” and in doing so, we discover that humility is not a weakness—it’s the gateway to healing.
Recovery also sharpens our awareness. We learn to stay vigilant—not just against triggers, but vigilant in gratitude. We begin to see the blessings we once missed: quiet mornings, honest conversations, and the gift of feeling again. Gratitude becomes more than a feeling—it becomes a spiritual discipline, a steadying force that keeps us walking the path of healing.
The Gift Hidden in the Struggle
No one would choose addiction. But for many of us, it becomes the path that leads us to God. It becomes the wound through which the light of Jesus' enters. It becomes the weakness that opens the door to grace.
In that sense, addiction—though never good in itself—becomes a blessing. Not because of what it is, but because of what God does with it. He takes what was meant for harm and uses it to bring us closer to Him. If we let Him, He will take our lowest moments and transform them into the very places where His love meets us most deeply.
So if you're in the thick of it—if the weight of addiction feels unbearable—know this: you are not alone. And you are not beyond hope. Your addiction doesn’t disqualify you from grace. It might be the beginning of your blessing.
