Month: May 2022

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power . . . 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 I’ve often gone to God, bargaining with him for my will to be done. When life…
Read more

God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you . . . inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction . . . 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 As my addiction grew,…
Read more

. . . God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well . . . 2 Thessalonians 1:6 When I was a child, I was shocked and hurt to discover that other kids thought mean was funny. I was quite sensitive…
Read more

. . . Hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 When I was a kid, a Christian rock band released a song entitled, Love God Hate Sin. I remember thinking, Easy. That’s not difficult. If I just keep that in mind, I can’t go wrong. Much later in…
Read more

Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 When life fell apart due to my drug addiction, my marriage was a mess. After I came home from treatment, we lived in the same house, but for quite a while, we lived separate lives. I’d see other couples who appeared happy and I realized that I’d…
Read more

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 I have a recurring conversation whenever I do discharge physical exams for patients who’re leaving treatment. Often, when I ask how they’re doing, they feel great. Cravings for the drug…
Read more

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 Early in the pandemic, I honestly thought everyone would pull together to fight a common enemy. I was obviously quite mistaken as Covid seemed to expose our division, generating tremendous animosity…
Read more

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 My own story of recovery is an important part of how I may be of help to those who still struggle. I’ve been there – is a powerful connection. I didn’t invent addiction…
Read more