I don’t think God knows who I am. I’ve prayed and the next thing I know, I’m drunk again. I’ve been to those boring A.A. meetings, I feel sorry for those people, seems they have nowhere else to be. Anyway, I felt invisible there; I don’t think anyone even saw me. Same thing at church, work, my life, my very existence, everything… invisible.
The only place I’ve ever found God was in a bottle of whiskey as I toast to my invisible life. I am of the firm belief that all of our prayers are heard and, in accordance, answered. Sometimes God answers yes, other times no, occasionally maybe. Nonetheless, all prayers, all of our requests that we send up to a God that we cannot see, are never in vain. Though God may seem invisible, He’s in everything you see.
How Important You Are…Still…To God
And though at times we all feel somewhat invisible to God, rest assured He sees you as his great masterpiece, the apple of his eyes. Not only does He see you, He loves you so much that He never answers prayers incorrectly. It is quite possible that you have prayed for your loved one to get well, come to their senses and stop drinking or using drugs. You have prayed and it seems God is not answering. There is no doubt that watching someone utterly destroying themselves is difficult and at times painful. You have maybe felt powerless, but God does have all power.
It may seem He’s not hearing your prayers as the alcoholic continues to drink or the young adult continues to use drugs, but hear this He hears. God cares deeply for your loved one and longs for them to come back to Him. I know, some die. But for the many who have died, they have helped so many to live. Alcohol and drugs are ugly, period! They are not of God. They only serve to take one a long way from God, but it will never take the God out of them, even at the very least, at a deep level.
How Addicts “Play God” And Enablers “Tell God How To Handle Situations”
As addicts, we try to play God and as enablers we try to tell God how to handle the situation. Both do not work. God is God. His ways are not our ways. Larry was an alcoholic who felt invisible. It wasn’t always like that. In fact, alcohol made him feel larger than life. He became a little taller, a whole lot smarter. He could see God and was certain that God could see him. But that’s never how it stays with alcohol or drugs…never!
Alcohol and the abuse thereof, began to make Larry’s life smaller and smaller, to where he felt invisible and was certain God abandoned him. Larry was married to Emily, who was becoming increasingly frightened. Emily pleaded with Larry to get help, and Larry, threatened by the thought that Emily would spill his secret, would cut back, even quit for a day or two. Of course, Emily’s hopes were always dashed, as Larry would stumble in, all lit up again like a Christmas tree. Emily would lie awake at night, Larry was always passed out, and she would just pray. This went on for a couple even a few years. Larry told Emily, “I feel invisible to God, I hate A.A., I hate those people, I hate God.”
Where Is God In Pain And Addiction?
Emily felt invisible too, as she could not understand where God was in all this. Emily finally got the courage to speak with her Pastor. The Pastor, along with a couple of men from the church paid Larry a visit. They convinced Larry to come up to the mountains with them and pray. Together, they were going to pray away his alcoholism. In theory and possibly in reality, it appeared to be the right thing to do.
Now again, I firmly believe God hears and answers prayer. I also believe he anoints and blesses people with the gift of purpose.
The second day of the trip to the mountains, Larry had a grand mal seizure due to improper alcohol withdrawal. Fortunately, there was a hospital not too far away. As paramedics arrived at the scene, they explained that Larry was lucky, alcohol withdrawal can kill a man.
So where’s God in all this? You may be asking. God has been with Larry every step of the way, even when Larry felt invisible. God has been with Emily as well. So if God is so powerful and He hears prayer, why did He let Larry have a seizure and not hear the Pastor and other two men’s prayers?
He did. Larry is alive. God spared him and also spared the other three men of their foolishness. The Pastor was not a doctor, that is not his gift, nor purpose. Same with the other two men. They meant well, granted. But God has equipped and anointed many men and women with a gift. He has given them a purpose. That purpose is to end and care for the alcoholic in such a way, that health related risks, due to alcohol or drug withdrawal is all but alleviated.
Healing From Addiction And Pain Is Possible With God And Treatment
You can’t play God, and you can’t play doctor. Larry went through a Christian treatment facility three years ago. God did for him what he could not do for himself. Larry is a certified drug and alcohol counselor now, a man who walks with purpose. He works closely with the Pastor, the same one who took him up to the mountains, and together they have helped hundreds of men and women find good professional help for their addiction problems. They don’t play God, they don’t play doctor. Rather, their purpose is to pray and seek wisdom from God as to where to get these people the best medical and professional addiction treatment help.
Emily’s prayers were answered, she has her husband back. Larry is a proud member of A.A. by the way. God hears all of your prayers and is faithful to answer. In those times when you feel invisible, remember, those are often the times when God shows his face and becomes visible to you.
Coming Soon: Enable Me To Death – Chapter 10
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