There Is Always Hope

There Is Always Hope

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

We pulled into our driveway after a nice Thanksgiving dinner with family when our headlights shined a spotlight on him. Standing in the middle of our yard was my husband’s good friend Jerry. Even from this distance, we could see that he was inebriated. My husband and I locked eyes as an understanding passed between us. I quickly shooed the children inside while my husband slowly walked up to his friend, greeting him softly and asking him what was going on.

Jerry has dealt with many demons in his life, and alcoholism is one of the worst. Tangled around his mind and heart, his addiction has left in its wake a history of poor choices, broken dreams, and damaged relationships. My husband came to know Jerry through a friend and forged an immediate bond with him. For all his struggles, Jerry is also very kind and genuine, funny and cheerful—when he’s not drinking.

My husband decided to take Jerry to the hospital for detox as my kids stared at me from around the kitchen island. They know Jerry struggles with drinking too much, and they also know what a wonderful man he is.

“Why does he do it, Mom?” they asked.

I stumbled over my words as I tried to explain to them the complicated nature of addiction.

“Can we pray for him?”

“Of course,” I replied. And we did. We ended our prayer by talking about hope. Hope in Christ. Hope for freedom from addiction. Hope for Jerry.

Maybe you, too, know someone who struggles with addiction (or maybe you are that person). It’s comforting to know that Jesus understands our weaknesses and that we can come boldly to him where we will find mercy and grace when we need it most. No one is beyond the reach of God. We can believe that for ourselves and for our friends who struggle with addiction.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Reach out to a friend who has been battling addiction, letting them know you are there for them and want to prayerfully help them.