Justin Lakemacher, Program Director
One day at a time. If you are in recovery, you have undoubtedly heard that phrase more times than you can count. It’s a good phrase for those of us in recovery to remember because at times, staying sober can seem like an overwhelming task when considering the rest of our lives. Staying sober a day at a time is a more attainable goal especially on days when the flesh is weak and returning to our addiction looks appealing.
It’s interesting that the recovery community has latched on to this phrase because it’s actually how the Bible calls us to live. In Matthew 6 Jesus speaks to anxious fear that looks beyond the day. He reminds us that he knows what we need and He will take care of us. And then he concludes with these words, “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). Jesus brings anxious hearts focused on tomorrow back to God’s character and His promises for today. Its clear God wants us to live one day at time.
But what if we lived “one day at a time” because we thought more about eternity? The Bible simultaneously calls us to live off our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) while at the same time calling us to set our hope on the grace that will be brought to us at the return of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). Living one day at a time is not at odds with living with an eternal mindset. Consider Titus 2:11-13,
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
God says we can live upright and godly lives in the present age while at the same time waiting for our blessed hope. Living one day at a time is meant to be how the Christian lives while they wait for eternity.
Like all of us, addicts in recovery struggle with living one day at a time. What if one of the reasons for that struggle is because we don’t think of eternity enough? What would it look like in our daily fight for sobriety and freedom from idolatry if we thought about eternity more? Here are a few thoughts on how an eternal perspective can help Christians in recovery.
1. An eternal perspective reminds addicts that one day their addiction will end.
At the beginning of the opiate epidemic, opiate addiction was sometimes referred to as a “disease of despair.” Anyone who has been addicted knows the despair of addiction but even in recovery addicts can be plagued with despair. Addicts in recovery often wonder if they can maintain sobriety and the feelings of despair resurface regularly, especially the more times they have attempted recovery. As with all idolatrous relationships, we are deceived into believing that drugs will satisfy us but in reality, we are always left empty. Psalm 115:8, “Those who make [idols] become like them; so do all who trust in them.” The more we use drugs, the more hopeless we will become.
But Jesus changes all of that. Jesus brings light into the deepest darkness of idolatry by exposing our idols and setting us free to worship Him. He brings hope in the midst of despair. This hope was seen most clearly on the cross where he put an end to the power of sin for those who trust in Him.
But the cross also guarantees that God will put an end to the presence of sin when Christ returns. As we learn to meditate on the “not yet” being fulfilled one day, we are reminded that one our addiction and all the suffering that goes along with it will end. There is a day coming where the word relapse will be unknown. Treatment centers won’t exist. No one will need Detox or Narcan because there will be no enslaving addictions in Heaven. There will only be Jesus, His redeemed and glorified people, and a sinless, temptation free world for all eternity. Those in recovery need to be reminded of the future glory that awaits as they face temptation now.
This future glory is not wishful thinking but a confident assurance that God is going to do what he promised. God will be true to his promise to “wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, not crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-4). For the addict, the promise of eternity is a promise of the wiping away of every tear associated with addiction. It is a promise of final rest from all the intense cravings and temptations. And it is a promise of complete and final deliverance from their addiction. While some people think they have “recovered” here, the truth is, only when Christ comes back are we fully recovered from all the effects of sin. And even then, the word “recovered” won’t quite capture the moment because eternity will be far better than what was lost in the fall. We will experience the fullness of redemption and the worship of a redeemed people will fill the new earth.
2. An eternal perspective helps addicts learn self-control now while increasing their appetite for eternity with Jesus.
Underneath the addictive behavior is an addictive appetite: compulsive searches for pleasure, relief, escape, or satisfaction. Part of recovery is learning how to say no to these compulsions, desires, and temptations when they arise. For the Christian, we understand the only way we are able to say no to such desires is by saying yes to a superior satisfaction, a superior pleasure if you will. Jesus Christ is that superior satisfaction and once embraced, begins to push out the desires for lesser pleasures.
Setting our minds on eternity is one way we cultivate an increased appetite for Jesus. Think about being with Jesus forever unhindered with no remaining sin in our hearts. When I think of that, tears well up and I’m encouraged to fight another day in this broken world. But one day, this long expected moment will be a reality. A reality that is so good and satisfying that words won’t be able to capture the moment.
Now how do you feel about today’s temptations? As we cultivate this increased appetite for Jesus, it helps us develop self-control in the present day because if we find someone that truly satisfies us, we don’t need to look for temporary satisfaction elsewhere. Helping addicts set their minds on eternity gets them outside of the present moment and increases their appetite for what is to come. At the same time, it produces self-control in the present life because the eternal joys that await us in heaven also remind us that nothing in this world can truly satisfy us. So we can say no to the present appetites because we are awaiting a much more satisfying meal, a meal we were made and redeemed for. As Charles Spurgeon said, “The more of heaven there is in our lives, the less of earth we shall covet.”
3. An eternal perspective reminds addicts that God is not done with them.
Sometimes addicts fall into the trap of thinking that sobriety is the main goal. But a Christian perspective of recovery sees sobriety as a byproduct of God’s goal in conforming us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). And this work of God to make us more like Christ, isn’t complete until the day of Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote of this truth in Philippians 1:6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.”
An eternal perspective reminds us that God’s work in us is not done until Christ comes back. For addicts in recovery, this eternal perspective of God’s work of sanctification reminds us not to settle for sobriety and continue to fight the desires that drive our addiction so we can become more and more like Jesus. In the midst of remaining sin, it also reminds us that God is still at work in our lives. He isn’t satisfied with us merely being sober. He wants more! He wants to make us fit and holy vessels for eternity with Him. He is working now, and like an artist who slowly paints a masterpiece, God’s work is slow but in the end reveals a beauty that can only glorify Him.
4. An eternal perspective helps addicts continue to marvel at divine grace and complain less while we live now.
I suppose I’m not alone in often marveling at the fact that though I was once in complete rebellion against God, he has invited me to the marriage supper of the Lamb and one day I’ll sit at His table and feast with Him for all eternity. There is something about the nature of divine grace that softens our hearts and causes a childlike wonder. When addicts consider that their ultimate destination is no longer separation from God as they deserve, but rather a destiny with God for all eternity, the result is a heart of worship.
When we are truly marveling at grace, it’s impossible to complain. This is why we remind each other not forget where we come from and to remember what God has done. There is something about reflecting on both the past grace of our redemption and the future grace of glory that creates a heart filled with awe and worship. And when we are walking by the Spirit with hearts of worship, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16) and we will be filled with contentment.
Complaining is a familiar friend to those in recovery. Addicts are used to getting their way and when their drug of choice is removed as they begin recovery, there are many opportunities to complain. Sometimes one day at a time is helpful for a complaining heart—just get through one day without complaining! Knowing the future grace that awaits us, what do we have to complain about? And knowing that our Sovereign King is using whatever it is we are facing to make us more like Jesus and more fit for eternity, we can live with faith and gratitude for whatever comes our way today.
To be clear, the best thing about eternity is not the absence of addiction or celebrating the completed work of Christ. The most amazing thing about Heaven is that Jesus is there and we will be with Him forever! Cultivating an eternal perspective helps us live now, one day at a time, while we wait with eager expectation for what’s to come.
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