Serenity

Information

A place for the families and friends of those struggling with alcoholism; prayer requests, testimonies, encouragement, resources.

I'm GROUNDED in: cobb county, GA
Members: 20
Latest Activity: 7 hours ago

A few Resources

National Association for Christian Recovery
This is a great resource for learning about the 12 steps. They also have a great series by Jeff VanVonderen that may shed some light on the confusion you might be experiencing as a result of dealing with an addicted person. "Wounded by Shame - Healed by Grace" You can find handouts for this series from this website.

Christian Recovery Ministries
A really great forum to connect with people struggling through the same issue. Lot's of information and support can be found here.

Celebrate Recovery
A christian based recovery program with meetings throughout the US.

Discussion Forum

How has God spoken to you through your struggle? 4 Replies

Post your testimonies to God's faithfulness to you in your time of need. Share how he has come to comfort you, bring you peace, wisdom or understanding.

Started by Christi G. Last reply by mary rose lim Feb 16.

Alcoholisim: Disease, is it wrong to be angry with them? Do you give up? Should you say how you feel? 2 Replies

Someone asked this question on the discussion forum and I thought it was a good one and wanted to re post it here. What do you think? "Is it wrong to get angry with them? I mean, I know its a diseas…

Started by Christi G. Last reply by Kim Howard Oct. 14, 2009.

Comment Wall

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Comment by Christi G on April 3, 2010 at 12:45am: hey folks. I know I haven't posted anything in awhile. So I just wanted to let you all know I'm here. I've been going through some incredible struggles and trials. But by the Grace of God... I'm making it. He's been so present.. and for that I am so incredibly thankful.

So I just want to let you all know, if you shoot me a message I will definitely respond.

Please pray that the Lord continue to strengthen me. Particularly that he may teach me how to sustain peace in the midst of storms, that I remember he is in my boat, that I use such opportunities to show the love of Christ within me, no matter what. That I listen to my heart and not allow the moment to frustrate me out of being a light in the darkness. Thanks guys. Grace and peace :-)

Comment by CHARMAINE WILLIAMS on February 28, 2010 at 9:18pm: Hello Everyone I'm NEW to this group! Looking forward to fellowshipping with everyone one of you!

Comment by mary rose lim on February 15, 2010 at 11:01pm: i think i never been angry at God for all the things that happened to me before but i always was angry at those people who hurted me sooooooo much. But God gave me this question in my head and heart... If those things never happened to me, would I be this strong, wise and all?

God is all knowing...God knows that we have a limited mind and heart...sometimes things have to happen for us to learn. and that is how I coped with my struggle with anger! and I do struggle with them up to now but God always reminds me of that question and of His unconditional love.

Just trust Him No Matter what...We might not understand and think that we cant do it but just do it and He will do the rest.

The anger of my heart for those people is still in my heart but i know 1 day God will remove it. the sad thing is because of that anger...it makes me sin, my anger spreaded to others and even to my own family member. and my other sin is that im becoming to be someone i should not be. i cant share this in detail publicly but if anyone here is conserned you may ask me by giving me a message thanks...

that is my struggle...but i believe that as always God will help me through this and He will and is helping you as well.

Comment by Christi G on September 16, 2009 at 2:59pm: I will keep both of you in my Prayers. Amy, I would agree with you. That was the big lesson I learned throughout my struggle. In church you hear that message all the time... but I don't think it really sinks in until you are confronted with a situation that you have absolutely no control over. I lived my life with the "to whom much is given, much is expected" kind of philosophy. I always thought it was my responsibility to use the gifts God gave me to help anyone who was in need and asked for it... and in a way.. I felt like I failed God when nothing changed, even though I knew it wasn't my fault.

I learned the one thing I hadn't done was completely lean on & trust in him. While I was working in accordance with his ways, I thought I had to do it all. I wore myself out and I just broke down. I came to the end of myself. Supernaturally enough, that same week I ended up picking up "drop like stars" by Rob Bell at the book store that same week.... and it was like an affirmation of what God had been telling me. Ever since I broke down and truly gave it to God... he has been so faithful, and so loud in my life.

When we are dealing with a loved one that is struggling with alcoholism it is so important that we run to God and let him be our rock and shelter. We can "empty" ourselves, do all the right things, Love as Paul instructed in Philippians 2, but still not see any fruit. That's when it is so important that we remain in faith and know that the seeds we've sown with the guidance of the holy spirit will bear fruit, in God's season. God always does, without fail, what he says he will do, in his time and in his way. We also must remember to take care of ourselves, so that we are a reflection of God's love to those people in our life that need to see his love the most. Remember this little light of mine? Sometimes I sing that to myself in a goofy manner to re-energize myself :-) I've found it helps to chase the blues away.

God always wants to shine his light into the darkness, bring beauty out of the destruction and give hope to the hopeless. We just need to remain in agreement with him and KNOW in our hearts that he will shine his light all over these kinds of situations and use them for his glory. He always does, in his own way and time.

God Bless you guys :-) I will be keeping you all in my prayers.

Comment by Losevati Mataitini on September 14, 2009 at 10:39pm: thanx for that amy.don't worry even though we're all far away from each other our prayers n God will always link us together.I will also pray for your brother..God bless!

Comment by David on September 14, 2009 at 4:52pm: What do you do if you didn't honor your father and mother very very badly?

Comment by Amy Vein on September 14, 2009 at 12:03pm: Hey Deelo, I will certainly be praying for your relative. I know how hard it is to wait for a loved one to turn their life around and follow Christ. It feels down right hopeless sometimes, but we have our hope in Jesus and he can do all things. I believe that God does have his own way of dealing with things, and unfortunately they don't always line up with our time schedule, but his will is perfect and He knows exactly what needs to happen for your relative to seek and follow Him completely. There is always hope in Christ.
Also, if you could possibly be praying for my brother. He has had a drinking problem for a few years now, and recently he checked himself into a rehab for treatment. He is struggling to keep up with the program, and I believe that he knows about God, but he is reluctant to follow him. My prayer is that his eyes will be opened to know the love that God has for him and to dig into God's strength in order to conquer his drinking problem.

Comment by Losevati Mataitini on September 11, 2009 at 3:58am: Well hi there i'm deelo and i'm from fiji.I just wanted to ask you as a sister if you could help me pray for a relative of mine regarding his alcohol problem..he has been going on and off it and just can't leave it completely.He knows about God ,that God loves him but he is not willing to accept our testimonies and he has a completely different perspective of things.I've been told that God has His own ways of dealing with things and that I should be patient.What do you say?