I am...

Declarative statements speak something powerful that over time is believed as truth. Those who battle addiction are conditioned to believe their struggle is an identity. 
 
I am…
            an addict
I am… 
           an alcoholic
 
These words declare an identity that over time, creates a burden of hopelessness and despair. 
 
Scripture gives us a very different way to view addiction. Addiction is slavery or sin (2 Peter 2, Romans 6). At first, everything in us pushes against this. Our culture is so comfortable with the narrative that addicts are addicts and they will always be addicts. They are not able to change. This burden leads to hopelessness and despair.  The focus becomes about not using and trying to stay sober. It is a works-based way of living that is impossible and miserable. No matter how hard someone works, they are relegated to this life of using and trying to get sober (referred to as, “the cycle of addiction”).
 
The good news of the gospel dispels this lie. When someone comes to saving faith in Christ, they have a new identity. They are no longer a slave (Romans 6).
 
Hope for Addiction uses truth from God’s Word to combat the lies of the enemy and bring life and hope. When someone is born again, they are a new creation… the old is gone, a new nature is received because of the death and resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 5). We become “in Christ,” producing a new person and our true identity. Hope for Addiction teaches the identity of Christ first, so people can then understand their identity.
 
Jesus said, I am…
            The bread of life (John 6)
            The way, the truth and the life (John 14)
            The light of the world (John 8)
            The resurrection and the life (John 11)
            The good Shepherd (John 10)
 
When someone begins to understand who Christ is and their identity in Him, they are able to properly see who they are. The declaration of identity is changed.
 
In Christ, I am…
            A child of God (John 1)
            Chosen, holy and dearly loved (John 15, Ephesians 1, Colossians 3, 1 Thessalonians 1)
            Justified (Romans 6)
            Free from sin (Romans 6)
            Ransomed, belong to God (1 Corinthians 6)
            Victorious (1 Corinthians 15)
            Sealed by the Holy Spirit who guarantees my eternal
​                    inheritance (Ephesians 1)
            A new creation (2 Corinthians 5)
            Reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5)
            Alive (Ephesians 2, Colossians 2) 
            God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2)
            Blameless and free from accusation (Colossians 1)
            Forgiven (1 John 2)
            Loved (1 John 4)
            Redeemed (Revelation 5)
 
Identity is a crucial foundation for all of us. When our identity is anchored in Jesus, His righteousness, His work in us and His promises to us, all of life falls into its proper place. THIS is why Hope for Addiction is different. It is the key to lasting change and true freedom.

Liz Beck, President
Hope for Addiction, Inc.