VICAR

Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You and Your families are well this Sunday. Where is the sun?!

This week I’d like to focus on those of You, or those You know, who suffer with addictions. These addictions may involve drugs or alcohol or gambling or cigarettes, or some other form of addiction.

For as long as addictive substances and behaviours have existed, people have fallen victim. The Bible mentions temptation, suffering, and yielding to sinful behaviour. It’s vital to remember that love, forgiveness, and redemption are core Christian values. No matter which path You’ve followed, there is always hope and light ahead. There are several passages from the Bible that can provide guidance, reassurance, and insight during the recovery process.

John 2:16

“For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life— comes not from the Father but from the world.”

Thessalonians 5:6-8

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

I have left a prayer below for You to recite and consider.

God bless You all.

Have a great week to come.

Almighty and most merciful Father,

we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.

We have followed too much the devices and desires

of our own hearts.

We have offended against thy holy laws.

We have left undone those things

which we ought to have done;

and we have done those things

which we ought not to have done;

and there is no health in us.

But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.

Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.

Restore thou them that are penitent;

according to thy promises declared unto mankind

in Christ Jesu our Lord.

And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,

that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,

to the glory of thy holy name.

Amen.