Addiction can seem like a series of dead ends. Continuing to use will only fuel the vicious cycle you’ve been trapped in for days, months and years. Depriving your body of the substance it craves so badly in a sincere attempt to get clean is uncomfortable and can lead to overdose. Seeking recovery treatment forces you to face the same painful emotions and challenges that started your addiction in the first place.
With the odds stacked so high, it’s no wonder so many addicted individuals struggle to quit their substance use.
Fortunately, if you’re ready to get clean, you don’t have to endure feelings of shame and hopelessness, and you don’t have to embark on the recovery journey alone.
One of the most insightful, helpful and powerful advocates in your corner is your pastor or priest. Find out why you should talk to your pastor about your struggle with addiction and your desire to overcome it.
3 Reasons Why You Should Talk to Your Pastor or Priest
Pastors are some of the greatest assets in the addiction and recovery journey. When you seek your pastor’s or priest’s guidance, they will provide direction based on the belief that when you learn how to explore your mind, soul and spirit, you can truly start to heal and grow in a well-rounded, righteous way.
When you don’t know where to turn or who you can lean on, look to your pastor. Here are three reasons why your pastor can deliver the support and spiritually-focused counseling you’ve long been searching for:
1. Your pastor can sympathize and relate to your weaknesses.
Pastors are devoted to living in God’s image and spreading God’s holy word. However, this doesn’t make them perfect human beings. They are imperfect and have known brokenness and devastation and, perhaps, even addiction – just like you.
Through their faith and commitment to be a shepherd of God, they have learned the keys to overcoming hardships and breaking cyclical and systemic addictions.
When you talk with your pastor, you are sharing your story in a safe, non-judgmental environment, and allowing your pastor to also share his or her story. Sharing our stories is crucial to breaking bias and turning tides. Above all, talking with your pastor can truly be a relaxed time to make a genuine human connection.
2. Your pastor loves you.
One of the greatest and most unfortunate facades that addiction creates is worthlessness. Addiction can make you feel inconsequential and unimportant. It can make you believe that no one loves you or that you don’t deserve love.
None of the above is true, and your pastor will be the first one to tell you how these self-perpetuated thoughts are false.
Your pastor’s unyielding mission is to help and support you. He sees greatness in you and would love a chance to sit down and express his genuine love for you as a son or daughter of God.
To make the most of your time and conversation with your pastor, be ready to let your guard down so you can feel his genuine love.
3. Your pastor can help you reconnect with God.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve abandoned your connection with God or haven’t explored a relationship with Him yet. Your pastor is eager to help you forge a new or renewed relation.
The key is to remain open and honest and allow yourself to be completely vulnerable. Only when you let your true self shine can your pastor help you take steps toward the higher power in your life.
Embarking on this journey of self-transcendence is not easy and can prove to be extremely uncomfortable at times. That’s why partnering with your pastor can help you navigate every high and low you feel.
Your pastor will teach you that, through God, you can:
- Truly understand your past
- Release the toxins and negativity in your life
- Fight through withdrawal and achieve sobriety
- Realize your full potential
- Design a prosperous future through God’s eyes
- Find real meaning and purpose in your life
- Reignite a deep love for yourself
Your pastor is on a divine mission to serve Christ by serving those in need. By talking with your pastor, you are taking a very big step in returning to the unique person you know is still inside you – the person God made you to be.
Life-Changing, Faith-Based Addiction Treatment at Covenant Hills
Because your entire being is affected by addiction, your mind, body and spirit must be given the
attention and nurturing they deserve to fully heal.
When you are ready to get sober and forge the life God intended you to lead, Covenant Hills can help.
We take a Whole Person Approach to drug and alcohol rehab. We work with every aspect of you to ensure complete care and healing. This includes your psychological, emotional, physical, nutritional, fitness and spiritual needs.
Learn about our gender-specific, faith-based addiction treatment programs, or contact us for a free and confidential assessment.
