Day 4 

Lisa Scheffler, author

This week we’re considering how alcohol and drugs can become powerful idols in the lives of people. These false gods are deceivers promising fun and escape but bringing destruction. In an attempt to hide from their troubles, too many people abuse these substances when they are lonely, anxious, upset, or afraid. Yet the one true God is there, ready and waiting to offer real love, comfort, help, and strength.  

Yesterday we looked at Psalm 42 and considered the importance of naming and evaluating the emotions that threaten to overwhelm us, especially if we are in the habit of getting drunk or high to avoid them. Today we’ll continue to see how the Bible points us to God as our source of hope.

Read

Philippians 4:4–13 (NIV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Ask Yourself

• Based on these verses, what do you think the Apostle Paul would tell us to do when we feel anxious, sad, overwhelmed, frustrated, or afraid? How could his instruction help those who are tempted to turn to drugs or alcohol to numb those feelings?
• If drug or alcohol abuse isn’t a temptation for you, do you use other unhealthy methods to cope? If so, what? How can Paul’s instructions help you?

Reflect

No one who knows anything about Paul’s life would call it easy. Having lived as a Pharisee, he left everything to follow Jesus, which undoubtedly meant he lost friends and family. During his ministry, he endured relational conflict with other apostles and with churches he planted. He lived under constant threat from the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders. He was put on trial, beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked.

When Paul wrote that he was content in all things and delighted in his weaknesses, or instructed believers to rejoice and not be anxious, he was speaking from experience. Paul knew what it was to suffer emotionally, mentally, and physically. He was no stranger to hardship and the temptation to try to escape the pain. Yet Paul also had the secret. A secret we can learn too.

Philippians 4:13 is an often-misused Bible verse because it’s taken out of Philippians 4 and made to stand alone. That’s too bad, because when you see it in its context, it is an incredibly powerful statement for those who are struggling and overwhelmed. You can find contentment, no matter what your circumstances, because Jesus gives you strength. You don’t have to be a victim of life, hiding in a bottle or haze of smoke. You don’t need pills to make it through the day. You need Jesus.

Jesus gave his life to give us hope. Not in an “I-sure-hope-this-happens” way, but a rock-solid, bet-your-life-on-it assurance. Jesus experienced suffering and pain, abandonment and betrayal. He endured all that for us, because he loves us and wants to give us peace that passes all understanding. Supernatural peace. Peace that observers will acknowledge as otherworldly. We can have that peace when we bring all our needs to him in prayer and trust him as a little child trusts a good and loving Father.

God’s grace really is sufficient, no matter what’s making us weak — a physical ailment, a habitual sin, a broken heart or some other hardship. When we acknowledge those weaknesses and seek power from God, he provides the help we need to endure. Worshipping the false gods of success, money, sex, or alcohol and drugs only leads to more discontentment and dissatisfaction. They are paper gods who collapse and crumble under the slightest weight. They offer no strength to get through life. Worshipping Jesus does. That’s the secret.

Pray

What are you anxious about right now? What’s making you feel weak? What’s trying to steal your joy or causing you to doubt the goodness of your Father? Pray over those things right now. Ask the Spirit to pour out God’s love and pray that you “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18–19). Pray that Christ will strengthen you so you can find contentment in all circumstances.

Talk about it

• Discuss how believers can help one another during difficult times. How can we provide practical help and encourage greater faith and healthy ways of coping?
• Memorizing scripture is a great way to combat temptation. Having the Word of God ready and waiting in your mind can make the difference. Read through the verses we looked at today and pick out a verse to memorize, then challenge each other to learn it. Hold each other accountable.