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"It's been a struggle! I haven't taken any drugs, but it's so hard!" "Tell me about your Higher Power. Who or what is He/it?" "We've talked about that before." (At the previous visit I asked him about his source of strength to make the life changes he needed to make.) "John, you need real Power, not just some strength, right?" "Right." "I know the Powerful One and He wants you to know Him . You want to Him, don't you?" "Yes." John came to see me for his HIV infection after being released from prison for illicit drug activity. While there, he learned he was HIV positive and was started on antiviral therapy. During that visit, I saw a flawed but proud man who was determined to prove he could "make it" and that he was "man enough." John's drug use began during his preteen years. He depended on drugs to help him live life. He had few, if any, coping skills. During the first visit, I suggested that he needed a sufficiently powerful Higher Power, and that he needed to learn to "live life on life's terms." I advised him to go to a Christian drug treatment program. (We are blessed with several in our geographic area.) Because John said he could make it on his own, I had a heavy heart as I watched him leave. I believed he would go back on drugs. But God had a different plan. John's resolve demanded more than he could do. Although drug free for two weeks, he was about to use-he could not continue on his own any longer. Now he knew that his promises of a Higher Power were only ropes of sand. He wanted help. He was ready for the Highest Power. As we went through the booklet, Would You Like To Know God Personally?, he understood and agreed with the points. He wanted a life with Jesus on the throne. I reviewed the sinner's prayer to clarify what he would be saying and asking of God. He had never prayed a prayer like that and he wanted to pray right then. And he did! Praise God! We reviewed the assurance of salvation, emphasizing aspects specific for a drug addict. Then I showed him how to grow as a Christian, and we talked about Christian treatment programs. He left to enter a Christ-centered treatment. I'd be happy to discuss this or other spiritual care issues. Just contact me at my e-mail address below.
Contact Dr. Elder at: helder@GoMETS.org.
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So
how have you been, John? Are you still clean and sober?" 