Her poor choices left her broken, a slave to drugs, alcohol, and abuse. The shame written on her face gives her away as she walks threw the church door (I am not worthy). Is she not worth the time because of her past? Should she not have a second chance to live in freedom from the demons that torment her. Do we know how she was abused as a child? How she lost her marriage or children because of her addiction? Can we imagine the regret that plagues her daily? Or the strife and pain each time she passes out high and wakes up sober, wishing she had died?

How about the one who has a shopping addiction? Soothing her troubled heart with a credit card yet is buried under mountains of debt. Is she somehow different?

NO, both women will do the walk of shame; both women have hidden the pains of life with something that numbs it even for a moment, regardless of the consequences.   

Addiction sucks (no matter the type). Sobriety is not easy(it comes at a cost), and motherhood and life will never be easy(but we need to be strong). 

But there is freedom, and there is hope.

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
 Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6

If the Lord heard the poor man, if he answered the cries of David and delivered him of his fears, will he not do it for us…or them?

Depression is real no matter how much we try to conceal it. However, when a traitor of our hope discretely slides into our lives, it becomes a wrecking ball on our emotions. It clouds our vision and, if left unchecked, hinders our judgment.

We don’t need to hide it, nor do we need to bow in shame at our inability to stay positive amid a trying time. But we do need to acknowledge it; we need to do is reach up and out.   Get on our hands and knees and pray that God will release us from this place. Call out like the Psalms says he will hear us. And if the strife is more than we can bear alone, and we are in danger of falling back into old patterns that can lead to addictions, it’s time to tell a mentor, trusted leader, someone who can stand in the gaps with us to pray. Someone to hold us accountable and help us move forward as we break through the darkness.

If you ever see women walk through the church doors with shame and defeat written on their faces. Be the hands of God. Be the woman that offers encouragement instead of judgment. Connect her with the women that can help her rewrite the chapters of her life