Many of us know from personal experience, and from what we have seen and heard from others, that the consequences of a lifestyle of drug or alcohol misuse can be devastating. Across North America the death toll is exceptionally high from opioid overdose. Long term health effects include liver disease, cancer, and heart disease. We also know that others are damaged through crime, violence, and stress. Many of us have a history with our family and loved ones that we are still trying to sort out.
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:11 ESV)
One of the consequences of living a destructive lifestyle is simply the sense of lostness we experience. We don’t know where we are at or where we are going. It’s like being blinded by darkness. Without the turning of our will and our lives over to the care of God, that darkness will end with us dying and going out to an eternity without God.
He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails. (1 Samuel 2:9 NIV)
As clearly as there are horrific consequences to a life of sin and destruction, we can take heart that an amazing outcome will follow the choice to surrender our will and life to God and live under His care and protection.
It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (Isaiah 59:2, 1 John 1:9 NLT)
God is ready and willing to work with us to sort and deal with our former sinfulness. He is ready to bless us with new life, with peace, with strength, with freedom, and with life forever with Him in heaven.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know where I lived in the darkness of my soul. I ask for Your forgiveness and Your help to live in a new way. Give me the grace and strength I need to do what it takes to sort things out with You and with those I have harmed. Amen
©2022 Partners in Hope
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