Do you know anyone who has fought any
addiction? What a stupid question,
huh? Perhaps you are in the middle of
one yourself. Often, whatever that
addiction is, be it alcohol, food, gambling, sex, etc. etc., our attention has
been taken away from other priorities of work, family, self-care and God.
Recovery begins a whole other process, trying to get back to healthy living and
right relationships.
Many times that person had a warped sense of the
divine before recovery. Sometimes beliefs that were instilled in us as
children no longer support our belief system now. This can leave the addicted person
with a fear that spiritual direction means (s)he needs to talk about their
spirituality or religious beliefs. This
couldn’t be further from the truth.
Because of the addictions there usually has been
much wreckage in that person’s life, now wondering how to right the wrongs, how
to communicate, how to put it all into perspective. Often, family and personal
relationships have been so fractured there really are few others to turn to during this recovery process. This is where
spiritual direction or spiritual companioning can really offer a safe atmosphe for
this road to recovery.
Along with a person with addictions, the family
system is also a challenged entity.
Frustration, helplessness, and possibly hopelessness become part of the
tapestry of coping, not knowing where to turn. A spiritual director will
receive all the questions and emotions one may bring to the session. This time together should be one of deep
listening and compassion.
A spiritual director with some knowledge in areas of
recovery, codependency and the 12 Steps can be a wonderful sounding board and
guide. Just having someone who will not judge nor condemn is major in healing
many of life’s woes. If the pain and circumstance of addiction, or living
with an addicted individual, have you caught in a web not knowing where to
turn, consider calling me for spiritual direction. Give it a try. What have you got to lose?
I am a spiritual director with 27 years of working with recovery issues.I am now taking new appointments. If you
would like to do spiritual direction with me, call 920.793.3530 or to see my blog, go to: MollyLaFond.com
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