When struggling with addiction and mental health, it can feel as though your Higher Power has left you. Oftentimes when our lives are chaotic and we are trying to find stability, we turn away from our faith rather than towards it. It is important to recognize that your faith can continue to grow even through your trial and tribulations. The question often, is how do you maintain that faith and belief when it feels that your world is falling apart?
If you have a connection to your church or house of worship, this will be a good place to start with keeping your faith while going through your struggles. Your pastor, worship leader, etc can help you to work through why your faith is wavering and how to get back to where you want to be. These men and women will also be able to direct to you to literature you can read to help you study and identify why your Higher Power has not deserted you. They will also be able to connect you with people perhaps struggling with your same or similar problems.
If turning towards a house of worship does not feel it will work or has not benefitted you, you can look in to faith based inspiration. This may be as simple as slogans such as “Let go, Let God,” everything happens for a reason, “If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it” and more. These are subtle and simple reminders that can help you to get through your day to day grind. You can also turn towards story and anecdotes that support having faith even in tough times. Some examples are: Footsteps in the sand, “Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul” and many more. These stories provide comfort in knowing while you are struggling, you are never left alone.
Lastly, you can turn towards AA/NA communities to continue to gain strength in your faith while dealing with your addiction. The 12 steps incorporate a higher power, many slogans including the once mentioned above and real like stories of people coping with dual disorders. 12 step meetings and community rely heavily on faith in uncertain times and through sponsorship, you can also find support to work through your daily struggle. Through this community, you will also garner support people to call when you are struggling and need someone to talk to.
At the end of the day, your faith is what has carried you this far and continuing to turn towards it in times of stress will benefit you. It is always important to remember to turn for help even when you are struggling because you are never alone. There is always help to anyone who seeks it out. Never give up and never stop searching for what will work for you. Your faith can grow in times of distress if you allow yourself to do so.