For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Addictions recovery can feel like an overwhelming issue that is best left to the “professionals.” But the Bible is clear that there is only one ultimate Healer… and his name is not Dr. Jesus. It’s Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior.
So if you are a pastor, a Bible study leader, a Christian friend, a youth mentor – or any other ministry leader – you have something unique and important to offer people who are struggling with addiction.
Join me today for a look at 8 unique ways that spiritual leaders must support those fighting addiction. Find encouragement, ideas, and support for this hard journey – for yourself and those to whom you are ministering.
May it all be for God’s glory!
READ NEXT: Resources To Help Someone Fight Addiction
Here are 8 ways that a spiritual leader – a pastor, Bible study leader, Family Minister, or others – can help people who are struggling with an addiction.
1 – Speak truth to them.
People fighting an addiction are often caught in a web of lies. We all hear lies from Satan, trying to tempt us away from holy living and toward temptation and sin. But with addiction, there are often lies as well about the severity of what’s happening, the impact it’s having, and the hope for change to ever happen.
Spiritual leaders can speak truth in a way others cannot. There is a role of authority, which can help sometimes to break through the lies and deception that someone is struggling with as they face an addiction.
At a minimum, pastors and ministry leaders need to speak truth to say:
- This behavior is a problem. Be specific about how it is impacting them. Did they get arrested for drunk driving? Is their marriage crumbling because of pornography addiction? Are they at risk of losing their job because they are high on the job?
- There is a medical and biological influence to addiction. You don’t need to be their counselors, doctor, or medical professional to remind them that behavioral efforts alone are usually not enough to fight an addiction.
- Help is available, and you need to get help. Address the hopelessness that they are probably feeling. And speak the truth that addiction can be overcome! They do not have to live their entire life stuck in a place of addiction and despair.
2 – Offer gospel-centered hope and encouragement.
As you speak truth, make sure that you are highlighting the gospel realities of their struggle against addiction. Because you are this person’s pastor, minister, or other spiritual leader, you have a unique position for reminding them of the gospel.
Here are a few gospel-centered realities that a person struggling with addiction needs to hear, be reminded of regularly, and hold onto during their treatment journey:
- Jesus has already died for their sins, and his death was sufficient. (See, for example, Hebrews 10:19-22.)
- They have a responsibility to “make every effort” to live in a holy and godly way. (2 Peter has helpful language here.)
- Everyone struggles with sin – including you, their pastor or leaders! – and we succeed against this by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 7:14 – 8:17 is a helpful passage for this.)
- Christians have the Holy Spirit living in them, which is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead – and can therefore raise them from the dead place of addiction. (Ephesians 1:17-23 is a beautiful prayer that highlights this power in a believer’s life.)
3 – Support through referral: Connect them with local resources
Every community has access to helpful resources for addiction. Some addictions have more resources available than others – alcohol addiction, for example, has more specific help available than gambling addiction. Being able to give referrals is very helpful.
For specific ideas, read our blogpost Resources To Help Someone Fight Addiction.
4 – Support their loved ones too.
There are additional resources around the nation and in your community to help family members and friends who love someone with an addition. Al-Anon is one of the most well-known group, but Celebrate Recovery and other groups often have support for loved ones available.
But this is another place where your personal relationship with the family is meaningful.
As the family’s pastor or a ministry leaders connected with them, you have a responsibility to show them the love and hope of Jesus Christ.
Don’t leave the loved ones out of the picture! They also need prayer, encouragement, check-ins, and support. You can connect them with other families who have fought addiction and can offer support. There might be tangible resources that help, such as a domestic violence shelter or financial help for an unexpected medical bill.
5 – Support through spiritual care: Offer help, prayer, and encouragement
One of the reasons that Alcoholics Anonymous has a high success rate in fighting alcoholism is that people joining the group are paired with a sponsor. This person has found recovery from alcohol addiction and is now available for ongoing support to the new person who is fighting addiction.
This means that are 3 AM when someone is struggling with a craving, they have someone to call who will help. It also means that when they fail, relapse, and start using alcohol again, they have someone to turn to who understands and can help.
Does the Church offer equal support?
We should. Every person experiences temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) and needs help in the battle against sin. The people you are caring for who are struggling with addiction need to know that you are safe and you are available. (In a few minutes, we’ll also talk about boundaries that you need to set! You are not required to be their 24/7 crisis support person.)
In addition to availability, you must offer encouragement and care. When people are dealing with addiction, they are also dealing with a great deal of shame, guilt, and bad habits. They likely feel isolated or lonely. Show them the love of Christ! Show compassion, kindness, and love. Be patient. Remind them of Jesus’ love for them.
Some practical ways to be available and encouraging might include:
- When they come to you with a struggle, pray for them on the spot.
- Reach out to check-in with them.
- Send a text or make a phone call to let them know you are praying for them.
- Make eye contact, smile at them, and don’t be afraid to touch their shoulder or give a hug when that is appropriate.
6 – Persevere through their relapses and failures
It is absolutely possible that Jesus will miraculously heal someone who is fighting addiction. He can remove cravings. He can transform thoughts and habits.
It is far more common, however, for people fighting addictions to experience relapses and struggles along their treatment journey.
Addiction is notorious for relapses. Some clinicians who work with addicts treat this as a 100% expected part of the process. There can be value in that – when it comes to avoiding shame and blame for the person who is trying to get clean and sober.
But this is not a Christ-centered approach for Christian leaders who are helping someone with addiction. Jesus can heal 100%, on the spot, with no struggle ever to be faced again. He is certainly capable of that! But this is not God’s typical way of helping addicts. While you must hold out the real hope for Jesus to transform someone’s life, be careful not to bring blame or shame when there is a setback in recovery.
Perseverance will be necessary as you speak truth, because they will continue to sometimes listen to the lies. It will also be necessary as you offer gospel-centered hope and encouragement, because struggling sinners do not always understand the depth of Christ’s love. And you will also need perseverance as you offer support, resources, and follow-up.
Don’t give up.
8 – Set healthy boundaries in your time, emotional involvement, and expectations.
While you are persevering and not giving up, you also cannot give and give and give without exception. Boundaries will not only help you persevere faithfully, they will protect your heart, body, and family. In fact, your healthy boundaries will help the person struggling with addiction.
Boundaries with your time. Yes, you want to be available to people who need help. But the person with an addiction whom you are trying to help is not the only person in your life. Your family needs you. Undoubtedly, you have other ministry commitments and people who are struggling. And you need time for your own relationship with God and caring for yourself!
Boundaries with your emotional involvement. You want to care for someone, but your emotions cannot be tied up in their success or failure. It may help to avoid hearing every tiny detail of their temptations and struggles. And you definitely want to include other people in the recovery process, so that you are not alone in this journey of helping.
Boundaries with your expectations. The only person in the recovery process whom you can expect to do great things is God. Not yourself; you will not save this person. Not the person struggling; they will have setbacks and failures along the way. But God can do great things, and He alone is faithful, all-powerful, and the Healer of our souls and bodies.
Addiction is powerful. But it is not more powerful than the Almighty God.
Pastor, you are not alone in this journey! You are fighting the good fight of Christ, helping people break free from slavery to sin and put on the “new self” of life in Christ.
Make sure to get your own support along the way. Use the resources that are available. Pull in others who can help, encourage, and hold everyone accountable.
May God be with you as you care for those struggling with addiction.
Struggling with addiction?
If you are in South Carolina, there are licensed addictions counselors available in the state. Here at The iHope Center, we do not specialize in addictions treatment. But we can help with family relationships, coping skills, and many related struggles. Reach out to us at The iHope Center if you would like some support with dealing with these related struggles. Our services are 50% below the local average cost of counseling and we do offer some virtual appointments if needed. Call (843) 702-0323 to get started.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
This podcast is offered as a ministry from iHope Christian Care and Counseling, Inc. We are a nonprofit counseling center in the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. Our primary host is our Director: Jessica Hayes, LPC, LMFT, LPCS-C. You can learn more about The iHope Center at http://www.ihopeflorence.com.
We hope you will subscribe to our channel and share about the podcast with the other pastors and leaders in your life. There is a video, audio, and blog version of this podcast:
- LISTEN on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any common podcast app
- WATCH on the iHope YouTube channel
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REFERRALS AND DONATIONS
Our counselors are licensed in the state of South Carolina. If you are local to our state, we hope you will consider The iHope Center as a referral source for professional counseling or life coaching. We offer a 10% discount on services to full-time pastors. Virtual services are available as well.
The iHope Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and we are registered in the state of South Carolina as a charitable organization. If you are local to our state, we welcome your donations and gifts to support our counseling ministry. Donations allow us to keep clients’ fees at 50% below the local average cost for services.
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DISCLAIMER
This podcast, as well as other resources offered by The iHope Center, should be taken as informational and educational content only. Utilizing our resources does not create a professional relationship. This podcast is not therapy. Always use your own judgment in making decisions and in making recommendations for others.
In the case of a medical or mental health emergency for yourself or someone else, please contact your local emergency department. In the USA, you can call “988” which is the three-digit, nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
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