"I'll Walk with God from this day on" I'll talk with God, He'll understand."

“I’ll Walk with God from this day on”

“His helping hand I’ll lean upon”  from the opening lyrics of a song by Mario Lanza and a movie of the same words.  It should become the mantra when everyone with devastating situations finds themselves in.  It is so common to see many people struggling with emotional circumstances and too many of them unable to cope with the depression that goes along with the question; “where do I go from here?”

It can be an uncomfortable feeling when those of us who look beyond our personal acquaintances at newspaper articles regarding some situations that tug at our hearts with so many hurting people.  If only I could be there to assist some of the devastating scenarios that encompass these hurting souls.  

But, in reality we need to take a closer view at the multiple souls close to us that have the same maladies.  It becomes too real when those we love and care for are tumbling in their acquiescence of living with an issue that puts them in the middle of another’s weakness.  For several years my ministry was as a chaplain to recovering addicts and the education I received from being with them placed a whole different understanding on their dilemma.   However, the close relatives of those addicted to drugs was another issue.  This issue not only affected the recovering soul, it also had a deep and tearing at the strings of the hearts of loved ones.  While the addicted person works to overcome their curse, if possible, the parents, siblings, and close friends have a different cross to contend with. 

This is where we need to express our compassion to the remnant felt by the families who become victims themselves.  As I looked around the results of friends and relatives of addicted personalities is not healing, but burying the ability to correct and assist their own to the point of disastrous outcomes.  Where do we begin to cure the depression accruing within households that have become held captive by another member who without their own admission to get help will surely succumb to further decline or death?  

Most persons in our position are not psychologists or professionals that deal with this advocacy of addiction.  When I first began ministering to addicts I did not come with the correct listed formulas that the noted professionals might use.  My simple words were “trust in God’s mercy for your healing!”  I have come to tell you God does not condemn you; he loves you.  Ten of those in this Texas facility chose me as their 5th step confidant.  Not because of a Church assignment, just a sign of trust to them as equal human beings.  

I’ll walk with God from this day on, I’ll talk with God, he’ll understand!  It isn’t a particular prayer or specific token of alms that will make a difference.  It is simple trust in Christ who waits for us to reach out and take his hand.

Ralph B. Hathaway