I'm Faded...

6:00pm (Local Rehab Meeting)

Group Leader:

Hello ladies and gentlemen. It’s great to see EVERYONE AGAIN!! I see some familiar faces AND some new faces! It’s always a pleasure to have you join us here for our weekly sessions. For those that don’t know my name is Ms. King. I will be leading today group session. We will begin by introducing ourselves and we will go from there…

Group Member 1: Hello my name is Frankie. I've been attending meetings for 1 year and I am 7 months clean. My drug of choice was alcohol .

All Group Members: Heyyyyy Frankie.

Group Member 2: Hello my name is Ann. This is my second time attending a meeting. I attended a while back, but didn't really feel it was my "cup of tea" so I opted out. Due to unfortunate circumstances I’m back again. I guess it doesn't matter if it’s my cup of tea or coffee; I have a problem and need help! Ohhhh oh yea, my drug of choice is meth.

All Group Members: Heyyyy Ann.

YOU: Umm…*looks side to side* I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be here. I mean not to be rude or anything, BUT y'all have real problems compared to mine. I, I, I think I’m in the wrong place. *grabs stuff to leave*

Group Leader: Wait, hold up. Please don’t leave just yet. Your problem may not seem big compared to everyone else's BUT it’s still valuable. Take a seat please. Tell us your name and your drug of choice.

YOU: Ok, umm… My name is (fill in your name). My drug of choice is….well it really just depends on the day.  Really, whatever will take the pain away, it’s not necessarily always a “drug” that’s considered illegal BUT it’s still my drug nevertheless.

Group Leader: Do you care to explain that a little bit more?

YOU: Well it’s like I said…I go for whatever will numb my pain. It can be weed, alcohol, pills, sex, boyfriend, girlfriend, partying, shopping, eating…honestly I don’t care as long as my mind isn't on the reality of my life.

Are you addicted to numbing the pain? What’s your drug of choice?

The pain is prevalent & the hurt seems unbearable. You wear it on you every day, trying to escape, but it just won’t go away. Baby Girl, the makeup won’t conceal it and you’re plastered on smile can’t hide it. Baby Boy, your nice clothes and expensive cologne may distract for a second but the hurt still shines through. I can see it in your eyes. You wear shades to hide that you’re faded but it can't mask the pain you feel. You get high and drunk to numb the pain but it doesn't last long. You jump from bed to bed seeking to fulfill the emptiness you feel, but he just ends up with a free feel. Yes, you keep coming up short. So, you figure if I buy the latest clothes at least I’ll feel and look good. Yes, you look good, but tell me how do you really feel? You go to the parties and “turn up”, but at the end of the night lie in bed facing reality.

Being on a college campus I've seen and still see so many individuals walking around broken and hurting (I use to be one, I’ll expound more in my testimony…coming soon). And we all know the saying “hurting people hurt people” so the cycle continues. So many individuals seek to cover up their hurts and insecurities and use temporary fixes praying they receive a permanent result. This of course ends as a FAIL. Aren't you tired of the pain cycle, the failed attempts to end the pain?

I just want to let you know you’ll always come up short if you don’t know the true solution. It’s no secret formula or long list of steps you have to do to end the cycle…it’s really just, GETTING TO KNOW JESUS. I’m sure you’re thinking umm…I know Jesus. Yes, it may be true you know ABOUT Jesus. But I urge you to KNOW Jesus. He is really everything we need. 

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

As you get to know Him better and release all the pain you've been carrying over to Him you’ll realize he can handle it ALL. In fact, he’s already handled it. REST in knowing that He has it all under control. STOP trying to medicate the pain. All numbness eventually wears off. Get to the root of the pain and present it to the Healer. Stop asking Him to “take the pain away” and start giving the pain to Him. Let it go! Let Him do what he does. Remember this verse,

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10. 

I love you all & I'm praying that you surrender it all over to God.  Be Blessed. Follow me on IG: @justgoforth and twitter: @_justgoforth.