This is going to ruffle a few feathers, but it needs to be said.
All the pastors are talking about right now is the sin of substance use?????? Wow, why don’t we talk about the other sins that are happening in the church. You know, like adultery, idolatry, lust, love of money, overeating, incest, jealousy, and the list goes on. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t talk about substance use, but is that all you got? Do the other sins hit too close to home?????? Maybe some of your congregation will be offended. Maybe you will be offended.
You must call all sin what it is SIN. Just because I have used substances to self-medicate to deal with things that were done to me, doesn’t make me a bad person, but according to you most of you, I am. No matter how many years I have freedom from my substance of choice (35 years next month). I am still called “One of THOSE people”. I am so sick of being judged by my past. Check it people, I have been forgiven. Jesus paid the price for me, so I didn’t have to. I am so grateful for that. Oh, I have other things that I have been forgiven for, adultery, lust, overeating, jealousy, etc.
I was called “One of THOSE people” recently and I was offended. In fact, the voice in my head said, “see your recovery doesn’t matter, you will always “be one of THOSE people”. It will never change.” Yeah, I went there. It’s kinda hard not to when it is someone that you trusted and looked up to that said it.
As I prayed about it, God revealed to me a different perspective on that statement. You see I now take pride in being “One of THOSE people.” Why you may ask, well… Being one of those people made me more resilient than most. It made me more empathetic than most. It made me see people as they are, God’s people, not as less than. I have been through battles that would have killed some. My scars and my battles give hope to others, it shows people they are not alone, or the only one. The only way that I have made it to where I am today is because GOD pulled me through. No one else, just GOD.
So, go ahead and bring up my past, because Jesus dropped the charges. Yep, he took care of those sins and others over 2000 years ago. He knew what I would do, and he loved and forgave me anyway.
You can have that too. Just call on the name of Jesus and he will answer. Just take the first step.
Just know that you are loved by a God that is there for you no matter what you have done. There is no sin to great that his love can take care of.
If you need help, please reach out to someone. I love you, but most of all there is the one and only true GOD that loves you more.