This blog post is for all the parents and loved ones who love an addict and are searching for hope. Together, we will look at how to be rooted in faith when loving an addict.

Do you often feel like your life is not your own anymore, and a dark cloud follows you everywhere you go? Maybe your life has become a constant storm when loving an addict. Sit with me and let's talk about this.

My husband and I have weathered these turbulent times, and it's our unwavering faith, God's love, and our relationship with Jesus that has been our solid foundation.

When Loving An Addict– IMPORTANT And LIFE-CHANGING Things YOU Can Do For Yourself– Be ROOTED IN FAITH. 

For my husband, addiction has been very familiar territory. His previous wife, the mother of the boys, struggled with addiction to painkillers. He also had one son who had struggled with addiction to methamphetamine for years and had been in and out of jail and prison, all because of drugs.

Within the first year of our marriage, we realized that another son had become addicted to painkillers from a dog bite. His addiction spiraled to other drugs: fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. 

We married in 2013, and the lifestyle of addiction was all new territory for me. 

On this particular night, we received a phone call, and it was bitterly cold outside. It was late, and we had just gotten to bed. Our son called, needing help, and he was approximately 30 miles away. He was outside, freezing, and had no shelter. 

His son could only contact my husband when he was near Wi-Fi. My husband wasn't clear about his exact location, but because of the weather, he needed help.

My husband got dressed, and before he left, we prayed together. He left to search for him. My husband didn't want me to go with him because he didn't know what we would find or what condition our son was in. I was concerned for our son's safety and am now concerned for my husband's safety.   

He drove to the general location where we knew he had been and searched in the pitch-black night with his truck. It was damp, windy, and bitterly cold. He drove around parking lots, behind department stores, looking around dumpsters, up and down streets and alleys, searching. Because he had to be by Wi-Fi for his phone to work, my husband was unable to contact him. 

My husband and I spent a great deal of time talking while he looked, and we were deeply concerned. It was around 2:00 a.m., and he decided to head back home after hours of searching. My husband came home visibly upset and worried about his son's welfare, but he didn't know what to do except wait to hear back from him and pray. 

We just got back into bed, and the phone rang again. Our son was near Wi-Fi and called, allowing him to provide a more specific location. My husband immediately got dressed again and headed to the area where he was to meet him, and he waited. He did not see him. So he continued to watch and wait. 

Finally, he crawled out from underneath a large evergreen bush in front of a business. He was extremely cold with ice frozen on his moustache and beard. My husband took him back to his car, which he had left at his mom's because it was out of gas.  This is where he wanted to go and where he wanted to stay.

Storms of life, yes, it feels like many days of everyday life are stormy when loving an addict. The road of addiction is challenging and is often a life of chaos until you figure out how to move forward. It is difficult for the individual battling addiction, and challenging times for the parents and loved ones. Being rooted in a solid foundation is crucial to weathering the storms of this life.

The good news, from our experience, is that there is one sure way to help calm the storms of life when loving an addict, get rooted in faith. 

It is essential to have a clear understanding of what faith is before you can be rooted in it. 

What is faith?

The definition of faith in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is both a noun and a verb. Included in the definition are allegiance to duty or a person, belief and trust in and loyalty to God, firm belief in something for which there is no proof, complete confidence, and something that is believed especially with firm conviction. 

In the Bible, faith is a common theme. In the book of Hebrews, Chapter 11 (NIV), the chapter is dedicated to “Faith in Action.”  Here are a couple of the verses.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV), “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV), “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

I encourage you to read Hebrews 11 to gain a better understanding. 

Although there are multiple verses in the Bible about faith, here are a couple more for you.

In Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV), ” For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Romans 1:17 (NIV), ” For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Essentially, FAITH is Found All In The Heart. It is the posture of your heart. The condition of the heart is the core of how you respond to life. Having faith is an intentional act, trusting in the Lord completely with your whole heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV), “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

When you have your eyes on Jesus and have faith in Jesus, it impacts how you respond to life. The ripple effect of addiction is challenging, but with Christ, you can have hope. If you're unsure how to begin, here are some tips for being rooted in faith.

When Loving an Addict: 7 Tips On How To Be Rooted In Faith.

1. Pray. 

The best way to pray is to talk to God. The Lord wants to hear from you about the little things and the big things in your life. Christ Jesus wants a deep personal relationship with you. The great thing is He never leaves. God is always there, waiting for you.

He wants you to be genuine and raw. He already knows you and what you need before you ask him, but He wants you to go to Him in prayer, so talk to Him. It is a good practice to go to the Lord first, before your friends. 

Effective communication is key to building strong relationships with anyone. The same rule applies when you have accepted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, and you have a personal relationship with Him. So, pray about all things. 

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV), ” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Just as in a relationship with a friend, part of it involves being still and listening. God is all-powerful and can quiet your anxious thoughts and the chaos of this world if we rest in Him.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV), “Be still and know that I am God.”

Not only is it important to pray, but it is essential to learn about Him so you can have scripture in your heart to calm your storm.

2. Root yourself in God's word. 

The Holy Bible is the living, breathing word of God. 

Romans 10:17 (NKJV), “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

If you are unsure where to begin, consider starting with the New Testament, in the Gospel of John. Here, you can gain a better understanding of who Jesus is and His character. 

Something that you will notice as you read God's Word is that the Holy Spirit will jump scripture off the page to get your attention, which is why it is called the Living Word of God. You will experience spiritual growth and feel the love of Christ.

It is important to be committed to reading the Bible. Try to read daily, but if you miss, give yourself grace and try not to miss two days in a row.

There is a YouVersion Bible App that has several translations and languages. It is available worldwide for free download. If you don't have time to read it, then you can listen to it as you drive, get around in the mornings, or when you go to bed. Whatever works best for you, based on your schedule. You will see the power of God and His word begin to change your life.

It is also helpful if you have a guide to go through the Bible with. On the YouVersion Bible App, you will find free guides or Bible plans to choose from that can help you in your walk with the Lord.

3. Stand on God's Truth.

The world is full of lies, confusion, and deception, which all come from Satan, who is a thief.  

John 10:10 (NKJV), “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”  

God loved us so much that he sent His Son, Jesus, into this world in the flesh, and He lived a sinless life for 33 years. He was sacrificed on the cross and shed his blood for you and me. Three days later, He rose from the grave and conquered death. Since Jesus ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us, He left the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. WOW! There is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16-17 (NKJV), ” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” 

The Bible is a roadmap for us. It is full of promises, and with faith in Christ, when you lean in and stand on these promises, you can rest in Him.

He is a God of choice, and the decision is yours to get rooted in faith.

If you draw near to Him and seek Him, He will become your best friend, your confidant, your provider, your Lord and Savior, and your everything! 

Stand on His promises and let Him fight your battles for you.  

As you stand on God's truth, begin to replace the lies of this world with God's Truth, and watch the posture of your heart transform.

When you seek the Holiness of God, you will begin to experience the fullness of God. 

4. Worship Songs.

Worship songs are such a gift. When you truly worship and fill your heart with praise and thanksgiving, fear and lies will have to flee, because both worship and fear can not co-exist.  

We have K-Love radio playing 24/7 in our home and have for years. It has been such a blessing. K-Love is positive and encouraging. It will change the attitude of your heart as you listen and keep pointing you to Jesus.

I challenge you to listen for at least 30 days and watch it change and bless your life. I always have a go-to song, depending on the day.

I encourage you to find some worship songs that will calm your heart, bring you peace, and change your day. Here is one of my go-to songs, My Jesus, by Anne Wilson. 

It is incredible how powerful a song can be in your day! Start today and listen to Christian radio! 

5. Find Community,

It is essential to find a community of Christian believers. Having a community of friends, a church, and a life group that pours truth over you and points you to Jesus is powerful.

If you are unsure where to begin, you could even find a community from an online church. Having a community is life-changing. 

6. Grow Spiritual Roots.  

When you combine prayer, God's Word, worship songs, community, and church, you will be fed with the gospel daily. You will develop and grow strong Spiritual roots.

These are all essential nutrients to grow in your faith. You want your roots to grow deep so you can stand on truth. Addiction in the lives of our loved ones is often shaky ground. There is good news, and there is Hope, and His name is Jesus.

Grow your roots, get rooted in faith, and stand on a solid foundation.

7. Personal Relationship.

The Christian life is ultimately a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I have heard pastors say that many people miss heaven by 12 inches… their head knowledge never becomes heart knowledge.

It does not matter how much knowledge of God you have, or how much head knowledge. It is all a matter of the heart. You must put your faith and trust in Him alone. 

John 14:6 (NIV),  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

When life begins to shake around you, the storms of life come, and addiction disrupts your life. Put your trust in Jesus Christ, and when you accept Him as your personal Savior, you can stand firm in your faith and have a solid foundation to stand on. 

Grow your roots deep, and you will then be rooted in faith in Christ Jesus. Build strong roots and a strong foundation. Don't wait. Talk to God today. Your heavenly Father wants to hear from YOU! 

Root yourself in faith and see how it will change your life and the one you love struggling with addiction. 

You will begin to see the light and not just a dark cloud hanging over you all the time.

I honestly do not know how someone could love an addict and not be rooted in faith. Faith was and is our solid foundation. Loving an addict without faith is unimaginable to me. 

Always remember to love the addict, not the behavior, not the drugs. 

1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV), “Love never fails.” 

The person that you love is still there, but the drugs alter who they become and the choices they make. If you are reading this blog, there is a good chance you are walking through tough times. The Lord may have to carry you, but He will never leave you or forsake you. 

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) says, ” The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

There is hope with Jesus, and the chains of addiction can be broken. We have witnessed this firsthand. Both of our sons are currently living a clean, productive life free from addiction! The road has not been perfect, but it is possible with God.

Prayer is powerful.

Do not give up.

Believe.

Have Faith.

Keep praying.

Keep being rooted in faith.

Matthew 19:26 (NIV), “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I ask you this question, “Who is Jesus to You?” 

I find this question interesting because whether your response is negative or positive, one always tends to have a response. My next question to you is, “Why?”

I encourage you to do your research, seek Him, and learn about Him. It will be life-changing.

God's presence is powerful. I recognize that this concept is difficult to understand until you experience the hand of God in your life and witness His power, love, and peace, which only He can give. 

If you are a believer, I encourage you to be rooted in faith and grow deeper roots.

John 4:14 (NIV), “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Growing roots in Christ and in your faith is a daily decision. When everything around you is shaking, those deep roots of faith will calm your storm, and you can rest in Him.

I have lived through the storms of life and difficult times like you. Trust me, only Jesus can calm the storm. 

When the Lord Carried Me is a book I wrote about my testimony. I grew up in a Christian home, but it was when my life was turned upside down that I truly learned what a personal relationship with Jesus meant. The book is about the struggles my kids and I encountered after my first husband choose to live a different lifestyle. I became a single mom. I learned to trust God, the goodness of God and how to stand back up again. That season had an eternal impact.  I would never want to go through it again, but I am thankful for it because of the lasting effect it had on me.

Life may be hard, but God is always good. 

If you want to ask Christ into your heart to become your personal Savior, you can pray this simple prayer.  

Lord, I know I am a sinner. I want You to come into my life. I invite the Holy Spirit to come live in my heart. I believe you came to earth. Lived a sinless life. You were crucified on the cross and shed your blood for me. You rose from the dead three days later and conquered death. You are in heaven, preparing a place for me, and you will return. I want to be in your family. Thank you for loving me as I am right now. Thank you for forgiving me. Please direct my steps and help me to trust you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you, Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

If you just prayed and accepted Jesus into your life, I am so excited for you! You made the most important, life-changing decision of your life!

You will find some free resources for you on my Grow Your Faith page.  You will also find a 21-day devotional to help guide you with your next steps in your new Christian walk. 

If you are a believer, a prayer for you. 

Dear Lord, I want to know you more. Life is hard, but I trust you are working all things for good. Please wrap your arms around me and give me the comfort that only you can provide. Keep me from evil and protect my loved ones. I pray for people to be put in ___________ life who struggles with addiction to point him/her to Jesus. Break the chains of addiction, and I pray they can be a testimony for you. I love you, Lord. I trust you, Lord. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus. There is hope when you are loving an addict. My husband used to always pray and say, ‘As long as they have a heartbeat, there is hope.' Do not give up. Believe. Have faith. Keep praying. Keep looking up. The situation may look impossible, but with God, anything is possible!

I encourage you to read Loving An Addict: 13 Life Changing Tips For Loving Yourself

This post was all about how to be rooted in faith when loving an addict. There is Hope, and His name is Jesus. The chains of addiction can be broken.

“FAITH CRUSHES FEAR BECAUSE HOPE IS ETERNAL AND LOVE NEVER FAILS.”
“FAITH CRUSHES FEAR BY KEEPING YOUR EYES ON THE HOPE AND LOVE OF JESUS.”