When your relative’s addiction affects you…

I was recently talking to a couple and was really bothered by what I was hearing. Probably more than I have been in a while. You say what bothered you that much? The wife of the couple had a brother who has been dealing with addiction for 10 years and they were absolutely worn out from the battle that they had found themselves in for years. You might say “but brother don’t they know that the battle is the Lords?”, or “why don’t they just cast their cares over unto the Lord?” I’m glad you asked. If it’s all right with you, I think I’ll be real with you for a moment.

Sometimes in the middle of a loved one’s addictions, we get caught up with the battle because it’s so personal. It’s easy to say things like the above when we aren’t the ones in the middle of the battle. The couple was telling us that she finds herself at times just crying uncontrollably, not able to sleep, and just flat out giving up. They had spent thousands of dollars on him, thousands of hours chasing him, and countless hours praying for him. He just recently went to the doctor and was told that if he didn’t stop drinking, he would die. Those words alone can shake you.

That’s why Luke 1:37 Amp “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment” is so important. I want to share with you two stories, if I can, and what was done in both of those situations:

Audrey stood by me for two years while our life and marriage was in serious turmoil. My life was messed up. My addiction was so out of control. I had found myself addicted to crack cocaine, and it was destroying my life. I was transporting drugs in multiple states to pay for my addiction, and watching people lose their lives on a regular basis. I knew it was a matter of time before it was me. Audrey found a scripture that she stood on in Matthew 9:38 AMP “So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest”. See, Audrey stood on this scripture every day during bad times and good times. Here are some examples of what happened during those times: There was a man at a gas station putting gas into his vehicle, and he shouted over to me “Hey Jesus Loves You”. My response back was, “Hey gas burns”. Those words had such an impact on my life. Every minute of every day I was thinking about how Jesus could love someone like me. The fact was I didn’t even love me. I had a man in a crack house in Rockford, Il. hitting on a crack pipe ask me about Jesus, and if I knew that he loved me.

The battle was real for Audrey. It was personal. She would stand on that scripture every day. She would say “Lord it’s your harvest, you have the laborers, thrust them into the harvest. Every direction my husband finds himself, I thank you that laborers will be there as well”. When she was worn out from the battle, she would find herself with her hands and heart lifted to Addiction Has a Face Rivers Edge Recovery heaven and a shout in her voice. She would always talk positively about me, never negatively. She would quote the Word over me. If I came home and passed out, she would instantly lay hands on me, and at times anoint me with oil. She never ever preached to me; she lived the life of Christ in front of me all the time. She walked the Word out. She would invite me to church, but it was always the same response from me. Her persistence, her stance on the Word, her confidence, her stubbornness, her worship, brought her victory.

Here are some facts for you to live by during your time of standing:

1) If you don’t have anything positive to say, then speak the Word over your loved one.

2) Live the Word, read the Word, pray the Word, and then stand on the Word out loud.

3) Always obey the Holy Ghost when it comes to your loved one- you know the difference between your flesh and God.

4) When you find yourself beaten down, stop everything you’re doing and lift your hands to heaven knowing that the great I am will begin to love on you and comfort you. On a regular basis, take time out and put on good worship music, sing to Him, and let Him sing to you.

5) Don’t stand alone. We’ve told people over and over- let us stand with you, let us pray with you. We love you and you are loved.

If the weight has been too much, reach out, send us a text message at the number below.

I have men that are looking for prayer projects. They know how to pray and stand.

The following items are things we have our faith attached to and would love your prayers for:

1) Undergarments, clothes, personal hygiene items, 15 passenger van, truck.

2) Finances. When the men come to Joe’s or Lester’s House there are times it could take up to a month before they are able to contribute to the house. If you would like to sponsor a guy financially, let us know.

3) We ask that you pray for us. Wisdom is the principle thing that we need.

4) Prayer. If you could set yourselves apart to pray for the men.

If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, send us an email at riversedgerecovery@hotmail.com, visit us on the web at riversedgerecovery.com and drop us a note from there, or send me a text (918) 814-2372.

Sincerely, Leon & Audrey Creekpaum

Rivers Edge Recovery P.O. Box 399 Glenpool, OK. 74033