Recently I was thinking and praying for the great people in our New Life Program here at the Tacoma Rescue Mission when I began to think of what a courageous thing they are doing to break free of their addiction. So many people are caught in a vicious circle of pain in their lives and so few actually take the steps to break free.
What is the secret of breaking the vicious cycle? At least one important step is to “LET GO” of the secrets, pain, lust, fantasies that you have for the thing you are addicted to, and realizing you need to move on. Do people really lust and fantasize about a drug? Absolutely! In fact it isn’t just drugs, people often will nurse thoughts in their mind about their pain, anger, anxiety, disappointments, and addictions.
To “Let Go” doesn’t mean that you won’t continue in your struggle or that it’s a simple and easy step to getting rid of ingrained and painful experiences and habits. But unless you realize that part of the problem is your unwillingness to even consider moving on, of letting go, then you won’t ever see victory.
Recently I was talking with a stranger who had been turned down for a job as the executive assistant to an important CEO here in Pierce County. ”I got turned down because that woman (CEO) is a #*&%!,” she said to me. And she continued to rant and rave at me. I didn’t know the woman, but through the conversation I found out she had been holding anger and refusing to let go of the slights that had been done to her. Unfortunately, it was affecting her life big-time. It was becoming a poison that affected every conversation.
Often times addicts will begin plotting their next high before they are even finished with their current hit. LET IT GO! It’s well known that people relapse in their mind before they grab a bottle, pipe or needle. Why? They pick up their mental and emotional baggage and refuse to LET IT GO.
Are you worried about something? Instead of taking steps to find out if that fear is logical or manageable do you just isolate and turn it over in your mind? LET IT GO. Usually we worry about things that we have no control over and don’t have any energy left to manage the things which we do have responsiblity for.
How many of us work so hard to keep our sin and mistakes secret? We need to just let those things go. Of course, as simple as that may sound, it is often just not that easy. There are many practical steps that can be taken. The first step is to give those worries and addictions to God. After that, it will be a long and often painful process of recovery that may take you away from those things that you love so much, but that keep you tied to your addictions. There is only one certainty along this path of recovery: God will never leave you or forsake you. Here are some additional steps you can take that can help.
1. Pray. Admit that to God that you are struggling and this idea/thought/anger/addiction has it’s grip on you and you need His help to let it go.
2. Talk about it. Share it with a good friend, AA group, mentor or spouse. When we share our secrets with a trusted friend it takes a lot of the power out of the secret.
3. Get busy loving others. When you can’t let go of something it ususally means you are living in your own mind and for yourself. When you are “others” focused you can’t stew in your own addiction. Love others.
4. Be a learner. Go to church, AA, Celebrate Recovery, any group that will help you to learn and put your obsessive ideas in their proper perspective. The more you know the more you realize you are free to do much more than you ever thought.
I’m praying you’ll live in freedom and LET IT GO.
DC
Great insight David. You’re absolutely right when you talk about the struggles current and former addicts face. It will always be there, one step away. It is very important to “let go” of all the friends, or so-called friends, you ran with on the streets. It’s also as important to confide in someone who is close to you and who will not only listen, but offer advice that will benefit you. You must also continue to give to others as you stated. Prayer and action are probably the most essential tools you must use everyday. I know I’m repeating what you wrote, but…what’s right is right. Great blog!!!
I have had trouble in letting go of my past hurts and handups that i have to learn to let go once again. thank you for the inspiration and the insight to let go of all the things that i was formly drawn too.
This is such practical application. Thank you David for this heartfelt devotion filled with powerful tools. Denial and thinking we’ve got it all under control is our enemy! It takes a courageous person to reach out for help and let go. It also takes a strong person to realize that growth is continual and there is no such thing as standing still!
This was great David. I really enjoyed reading this. I do struggle on letting go with the past that has hurt me. Thank you
Very very well said Mr. Curry… Thank you for this post. It is so true that all we need to do is let go. I am a current member in the New Life Program. WHAT A WONDERFUL PROGRAM!!! I used to say,”that is easier said than done.” “I can’t just let it go.” but thanks to this program and the wonderful staff like Marlene Hamilton, Les Doyle, Marty Herrick, Ellis McDaniel, Alvin Helms, Frank Jackson, and the awesome volunteers, I have learned that through the Love of Jesus Christ, “IT IS JUST THAT EASY.” I have learned so many wonderful things about God, Jesus, and the Bible that teach me that all I need is the trust Faith and love of God to get my life back in order. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity. It Really has been a blessing……
Thank you for the post, so true. I am also a current NLP who was caught in a vicious circle of addiction. Shame and quilt became a 24/7 part of my life. Because I developed a relationship with God and found the New Life Program, started dealing with some core issues but most importantly seeing who God says I am, I now have 2months clean, God has restored my marriage(better than ever.) I am a father again to my kids and the future look bright for the first time in my life. THANKS!
Phil 3:13-15
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
NAS
Looking back ends in going back,it was not profitable for Lots wife either- Paul did not stop to think of the difficulties which he had to overcome, or the troubles which sat before him, but only of what he needed to be accomplish in Christ.
Good stuff David-
Timely piece David. Galatians 5:1 says, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery”. We must abide in the Word and purpose to the divine nature of Christ. Serve Him, and serve others in His name. Thanks, David for your unwavering support and leadership.
This is an awesome and timely word, David, the four points you listed are so true, especially #3 really stands out to me at the moment. The more you concentrate on letting the things in your mind (hurts, slights, offenses, addictions) play over and over the more it truly messes you up…so the counter action of loving and focusing on others and their concerns and lives really helps lift you out of your own pit of despair. Thank you for sharing this…Let It Go!