Letting Go vs Giving Up

In addiction, it’s true- an addicted ridden mind can’t simultaneously care about the next high while caring about those who love them.

This is a one-way road to fulfill that craving, habit, and feel-good memory created in the mind from the very first use- that high that satisfied and numbed it all.

I don’t like the words ‘give up’ because that’s not what family members of people with substance issues do. We stop being in the addiction. We stop assisting the addiction. To me giving up insinuates being weak, not caring, and not loving our family member. Which is far from the truth.

I prefer letting go. Which allows them to live their life, but loving without living in toxic choices with them. Letting go says strength, courage, faith, hope, and acceptance. Strong words for strong people. It may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

The addicted mind has tasted sin in a way that weakens their free will to do what’s best and right for themselves. Sin speaks hate, unworthiness, unloved, weak, evil, shamed, shunned, and intimidation to the broken.

Basically it fills them with lie after lie after lie. Conviction is misunderstood as judgment until conviction is gone. They know their truth, even if they try to convince everyone of the lies. Deep inside they know the behaviors are wrong, just as we all do. However, evil sets in and screams they are alone, no one cares, they’ve been abandoned. In truth, they abandoned their life and families long before families ever decided to let go.

When you care, you find a way to be there without being in their addiction. Surrender and prayer is the way for me. Accepting that I cannot fix, cure, change, or even save my loved one was the first step to my recovery.

Letting go isn’t giving up on people, it is giving them up to God.

I won’t give up on those I love. I fight for their awakening with all I have in faith and hope. I believe recovery is possible, even when all looks hopeless. We all have dark days in convincing ourselves to hold on and believe. God is my strength, He is the great comforter and redeemer. By His power, we are healed! All it takes is surrender. One personal choice can lead to freedom. In Christ alone, my hope is found.

 
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Authentic Truths

Featured Image by Yen Nguyen from Pixabay

About the Author

Lisa Wenninger is a speaker, writer, podcaster, and Kingdom Winds Collective member. She currently manages a local church with a family of believers she loves. Lisa enjoys volunteering as a Stephen Minister and being able to walk alongside others in their time of need. She is an animal lover (former assistant to the director at this fantastic location), a beach enthusiast, and enjoys hiking, museums, and eating out. Fun fact - she loves to sing but says that you don’t want to hear her do it.

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