The Savior knows and understands
absolutely every single thing every single person goes through and
experiences. Even in our times of deepest sorrow and private remorse, when it
seems as though no one could possibly understand, Jesus Christ does. He
provides us with the comfort and support we need to feel whole again. No matter
the size or significance of the problem, He can aid us in our path to
recovery—be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.
In
the introduction to Step 2, the Addiction Recovery Program manual states:
When words cannot
provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile
to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot
yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when
mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome,
and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by
the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of
deliverance (7).
It is impossible to read this
statement and claim that it applies only to addicts of one particular drug or
another. Aren’t we all, in a sense, addicted to some kind of drug? None of us
is perfect, and I would be so bold to say that each of us has a drug, so to
speak, tailored specifically to our own weaknesses. Addictions to pornography, drugs,
alcohol, and smoking are some of the most obvious examples. For others,
however, the drugs are vices in the disguise of virtues—spending significant
amounts of time working or studying, for example, may seem like a wise
investment of time; when it cuts away from time with family, though, it can be
seen as an addiction. Social networking sites can be distractions from more
important matters. These addictions may serve as an escape from challenges we
do not want to face directly. They might actually be the things that are
stretching us beyond our capacities and cause grief.
Regardless
of how we view them, all addictions ultimately lead to a sense of unhappiness
and oftentimes loneliness. During such moments, we can always rely on the Lord
to provide us with tender mercies, as the manual stated. These tender mercies
may come through personal inspiration, the scriptures, prayer, words of a
prophet, another person, or a multitude of other means. The atonement wasn’t
made for perfectly sinless beings. Nor was it made only for those who seem to
have the greatest need for it. Christ atoned for all of our injustices,
inequities, moments of complete loneliness, and unspeakable yearning for
solace. No one is excluded from the tender mercies of the Lord unless he or she
declines the constant offer to be included.
When we accept the Lord and His atonement, along with all of the less obvious
tender mercies He gives us, we will find that there is no tear He cannot stop,
no broken heart He cannot mend, and no addiction He cannot help us overcome.
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