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In moments of crisis, many people turn to some source of faith such as Scripture. The same is often true for people in recovery. Whether they’re battling cravings, worried about relapse, or struggling to start over in the aftermath of an addiction, Scripture can deepen faith and provide grounding and inspiration to seek out support and stay resolute in a commitment to sobriety. On that note, these ten Bible verses can help recovering addicts find hope, strength, and consolation for their post-addiction journey.
10 Bible Verses About Addiction
Technically, there are many biblical verses that can be useful for faith-based recovery support. Scripture is rich with these quotes. The following are just 15 examples.
1.”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
The burden of guilt and regret that so many in recovery carry can be difficult to release. Tormented by all the bad they did when under the control of addiction, many people struggle to let go of this heavy load. This verse is a divine invitation to find rest and release from all these things. Think about asking for the burden to be lifted, so that sleep and rest will come. Add Jesus’ admonition here to your nightly prayers as a final thought before drifting off to sleep.
2. Jesus looked at them and said, “With men, it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” – Mark 10:27
Many times in recovery, the goal of long-term sobriety may seem out of reach or even impossible to achieve. This verse is a reminder that with God’s help, recovery is indeed possible. If what you want seems unattainable, ask God for a little help in navigating the way ahead. Little successes should be celebrated and praise given to the Lord for each of them.
Remember that nothing is beyond possibility when people put their trust and faith in God. Focusing on spirituality has helped many people in recovery from substance use disorders and those with mental health conditions gain a more positive perspective that assists with their overall healing process.
3. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:23
These words are a beautiful encouragement to those who feel hopeless that God is a God of hope; and hope is an emotion that’s crucial to ongoing recovery. When stumbling or experiencing a setback, hold fast to trust in God. There is no greater joy than being filled with hope, which the Holy Spirit can convey to each person who genuinely requests it.
4. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall not run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Many people in recovery experience times when they feel ill-equipped for setbacks or unable to keep moving forward in their journey. It’s only natural, in fact, to at times feel tired and weary on the path to long-term freedom from addiction. Similarly, most of us can identify with a fear of stumbling. It’s an emotion that’s virtually unavoidable in recovery. As with so many Bible verses about addiction, this one exhorts listeners to ask God for the strength to tackle those challenges ahead and give God thanks for the achievements of this day.
5. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
All recovering addicts know it requires discipline and self-control to confront and overcome difficulties that may threaten sobriety and derail forward momentum in recovery. And everyone who is in recovery knows all too well that challenges and obstacles can appear with little notice and do much harm— without a plan firmly in place to deal with them. The courage to move ahead is always easier to summon when asking for blessings from God such as power, love, and self-discipline to help navigate the way.
6. “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Forgiveness is such an integral part of recovery but it’s also one of the most challenging steps in recovery, not to mention for anyone. But in the pursuit of forgiveness, remember that self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others are equally important. This is one of the most profound Bible verses about addiction since forgiveness is something each person so desperately needs to let go of past hurts and wrongs and live a fulfilling life.
7. “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.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
The challenge of overcoming temptations, resisting urges, and quelling cravings can easily weaken resolve, resulting in a descent into relapse. Yet, it is easy to forget that we’ve long been reminded that God will never give us more than we can endure, neither challenges, nor pain, nor hopelessness. If we spend time reviewing Bible verses for recovering addicts, such as this one, it can lessen the anguish of the moment and inspire greater endurance through adversity.
8. “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.” – Jeremiah 33:6
Following addiction treatment, the path toward health and healing is never easy or certain. Indeed, it is strewn with obstacles and littered with regrets over past wrongs. Still, the way forward is made less onerous and more fruitful through the power of faith in the Lord. For with love and faith in God comes the inner blessings of peace and truth.
9. “Oh Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.” – Psalm 30:2
Who hasn’t yearned to be healed from the scourge of addiction? Although the early days of treatment, when the goal of sobriety can seem so distant and unlikely, are tough to endure, constant reminders of the desire to heal kept us going. Prayer is one of the healing methods that lift body, mind, and spirit out of the depths and into the light, helping in a joyous return to health and continued recovery.
10· “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” –Psalm 23:3
Renewing a sense of purpose and purposefulness is another rung in the ladder of recovery, one that typically requires a restoration of soul and spirit. There are always choices to make, some that can prove deleterious to recovery goals and even jeopardize sobriety entirely, while others, though difficult to accept and complete are necessary to maintain forward momentum and progress in recovery.
11. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” – 1 Peter 5:10
Addiction feels like a lifelong journey that addicts often feel they must walk alone. Suffering isn’t permanent and serves a purpose toward God’s greater plan. This verse gives the message of hope and encouragement that God will bring strength and healing by simply turning the helplessness of addiction over to Him.
12. “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:13
As the ending of the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:13 is a petition for help through any hard time. This plea asks God to remove situations and circumstances that can be tempting for anyone, including those in recovery, and it serves as a reminder of the believer’s dependence on God for strength and protection in times of adversity.
13. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
Understanding the transformative power of Jesus Christ and His ability to liberate individuals from sin and its consequences can be helpful for those in recovery. The verses put confidence in the fact that Jesus is the source of freedom, and turning to Him and placing problems in His power can help bring ultimate freedom from addiction.
14. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” – Psalm 18: 2-6
Trusting and depending on God during addiction and recovery can bring salvation and rescue when times feel hopeless. This verse serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His ability to deliver addicts from harm.
15. “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5: 15-16
Prayer serves as a powerful tool for those who believe. When believers approach God with confidence, ask forgiveness and help through recovery, He listens and can bring a change of heart and strength.
Continued Support for Recovery
While these Bible verses about recovery are a great place to find encouragement, hope, and reinforcement, there is no doubt that struggles will continue. Keep in mind there is no shame in struggling with drug or alcohol addiction during recovery, for each of us, even the strongest, struggle in our own way. We encourage you to reach out to your support group, or if you need some form of intervention, reach out to a treatment center that can best serve your mental health care needs so that long-term recovery is more achievable.
To get started, feel free to contact our caring professional staff at FHE Health for a confidential discussion about treatment options, available resources, and a place to begin the healing journey, or reconnect if additional help is needed post-treatment.
