His Love Will Heal You

This is a true story. 

Several years ago, a man in his late thirties was rescued from a two-day binge of alcohol and drugs, and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.  It wasn’t the first, second, or even third time he’d been rescued from himself. But on this particular occasion, he’d reached rock bottom. Nowhere to go. No further to fall. No escaping his destructive addictions. That night, with tears streaming down his face as he lay on the hospital bed, he wanted it all to end. As far as he was concerned, not only was he no good to anyone, but death would be infinitely more comforting than his never-ending and hellish ordeal. 

But there was someone else there with him that night, sitting at his bedside. He never left his side. His love for him never waned or failed. Till this day, that man is convinced that Jesus had several of his angels guarding the perimeter, preventing the devil from having his way. Not only did Jesus save him from certain death, but over the coming years, healed him of his afflictions and turned his life around for good. 

For many years he felt trapped; unable to overcome an addiction that was steadily destroying his life. No matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn’t overcome it. The more he tried, the harder he fell. As far as he was concerned, he was the very personification of useless. A wretched and hopeless failure. What he didn’t realise was that the same merciful God who sat by his bedside during that harrowing night, not only loved him unconditionally but saw him in a completely different light. Over time, not only did he save him from himself, but opened his eyes to the most important truth of all – ‘His God loves him, no matter how many times he fails or falls’. This is the truth that set him free from the chains of his addiction. But it wasn’t as though a light came on and he was instantly healed. It was a journey. A journey of revelation of God’s love, and who he is in Christ. He is free of those debilitating addictions today because of God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness. Note, nothing to do with him.

If you’re reading this article, and are struggling with a destructive addiction you believe you’ll never be free from, then I want to encourage you to stop hiding from God and run to his ever-loving arms. 

This message is for you. 

God is not angry with you, and he hasn’t condemned you.  

He loves you. 

He never stopped loving you. 

Jesus has already died for your sins, so there’s nothing else for you to do penance for. All you need to do is embrace his love. 

There’s no need to fear or hide; no guilt or shame.

“There is no guilt or condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”

Romans 8 vs 1

Stop beating yourself up and allow yourself to be loved by the one who really matters. 

It is his love that heals.