Several years ago, I was sitting by myself after a day of school and work, waiting for my new wife, Michelle, to get home and join me for dinner together and an evening of fun and enjoyment.
About 4 PM in the afternoon, something hit me, and within minutes I was doubled over in the most severe pain of my life. I had no idea what was happening… was I dying, did something rupture inside?
After an “ER” visit it was confirmed, I had become a victim to the ill-fate of the infamous “kidney stone”. Over the next few weeks through small bouts of pain and having to strain your own urine (talk about humility) I was able to pass the kidney stone and recover.
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I can tell you this much….I NEVER WANT TO EXPERIENCE ONE OF THOSE THINGS AGAIN; however there was some important discoveries made during this very difficult time of physical pain.
Discoveries Found in Pain
Discovery #1→ My spouse is committed to me even when I can do NOTHING for her.
Think about the same night from my wife (Michelle’s) perspective; She had a husband that could do nothing for her.
I couldn’t comfort her, cuddle her, encourage her or give her anything. All I could do was plead for mercy, Advil and a ride to the ER.
Until you’ve been in a spot where you have had nothing to offer relationally, but you are still totally loved and accepted in spite of your lack of investment, it’s quite possible that you might not have ever experienced the grandeur, beauty and peace that comes from the love of God.
It’s only once I had nothing to offer my wife, and I simultaneously knew the security and peace of the love of God.
Discovery #2→ Just because something bad happens to me (aka, a kidney stone) does not mean I have to live my life as a victim.
Let’s all be honest here for a second. We love being victims. We can make others feel bad for us, we can do the “poor me” schtick and can suck up all the co-dependents in the room with one sappy “my life is so hard” tale.
The problem is that the identity of victim denies the love of God for me. It scorns at the grace offered and it shouts; “God’s grace doesn’t reach to you”.
The truth is, it’s in the midst of pain and difficulty where God’s grace becomes more real and more transformational if we allow it to go deeper into our hearts and perspectives.
In John 13, Jesus is being deceived by one of his own (Judas) and experiencing relational pain and turmoil that would make our difficulties seem minuscule in comparison. The apostle John records this important statement:
“Jesus loved his own, having loved them to the end”
No matter how far your addiction has taken you, no matter how much you’ve lost, no matter how messy and gross your life has become, the good news (Gospel) is that Jesus will love you to the end.
He will be there with you as you go to the addiction treatment center and begin to work on the oxycontin or some other opioid or meth addiction. He will never leave you.
Though you (and I) have betrayed Him, He loves us anyway. It’s the unconditional love of God that will become the catalyst and the engine for the transformation and recovery that God longs to grant you.
About the Author:
Ryan Moffat is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Published on April 29, 2017.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 9, 2017
Published on AddictionHope.com