Articles & Resources

God’s Promise of Grace to Endure All Suffering

I will never forget how I felt during my husband’s active addiction. It was complete misery. I truly believed this suffering I was feeling (and that my husband was feeling) was going to last forever, and we would never get out of it. But by God’s grace, He restored and strengthened both of us just like the promise we see in 1 Peter.

The book of 1 Peter is a letter written by Peter. He reminds Gentile Christians that they will endure sufferings. But he also encourages them by telling them they are chosen by God. Therefore, they can place their HOPE in Jesus.

1 Peter 5:10–11 says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

It doesn’t say if you suffer, but after you suffer. I love the truth that Peter speaks here: We will all suffer, life will be hard, and there will be trials in our lives. But that’s not all. He continues to say, “The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” God owns ALL grace. It may not feel like we will ever see peaceful days, but one day God will restore everything to the way it is supposed to be in His eyes.

We are not meant to suffer alone. You have a Finding Hope community that understands your suffering. You also have a loving God who wants you to cling to Him through your sufferings so that He can give you the strength to get through each trial.

Through our sufferings, we have the power to strengthen our faith and our love for God.

Old Testament Promises:

• Psalms 23:6
• Isaiah 43:2
• Psalms 119:50

New Testament Promises:

• 1 Peter 3:14
• Romans 8:28
• James 1:12
• 2 Corinthians 1:5

Hold on to this promise today:  You will NEVER suffer without God’s gentle hand of grace upon you.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

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HopeAfterLoss.Today

God’s Promise to Never Stop Loving You

God promises to never stop loving you or your loved one.

God's love is unconditional. He loved you the moment He formed you, and that love will never end.

I love what Paul writes in Romans 8:38–39: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There is NOTHING you can say or do to stop God from loving you. The same is true for your loved one. NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love, not even addiction.

However, through our loved ones’ addiction, we often do not feel loved. Maybe we have even been told “I don’t love you” or “You don’t love me, because…”  And before long, we believe those lies. We believe that it is something we did to make our loved one feel that way, but that is the enemy speaking. The truth is, your loved one does love you, and they know you love them. But they are trapped by this disease and will say and do anything to feed their addiction and get a rise out of you. They make their love/your love conditional, and say things like, “If you loved me, then you would buy me gas or let me stay just one night.” That is because addicts do not like boundaries, and their addiction can only thrive if we continue to enable and rescue them. The truth is, true love can be tough love.

We can lean on God’s love for us to get us through each moment because His love is unconditional. We see God’s unconditional love through the sacrifice of His own son. Jesus died on the cross for you, me, our loved ones, and this world.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” — John 3:16–17

God sacrificed His own son and watched as Jesus endured more pain than we will ever experience because of His LOVE for us.

Here are just a few more verses about God’s promise to never stop loving you or your loved one:

Old Testament Promises:

• Psalms 136:26
• Jeremiah 31:3
• Lamentations 3:22-23

New Testament Promises:

• Romans 8:35
• Ephesians 2:4-5
• 1 Corinthians 13:13​

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:17–19

For more information, visit:

FindingHope.Today

HopeAfterLoss.Today

God's Promise to Never Leave

God will never leave you or your loved one. 

I love the promise we see in Genesis 28:10–22 with Jacob’s dream. Genesis 28:15–16 says, “‘Behold I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.’ Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.’”

I LOVE the first and last part of these verses. At the beginning, God tells Jacob that He is with him wherever he goes, and when Jacob wakes up, his attitude changes, and he knows, ‘the Lord is in this place.’

How many times do we feel all alone? Like we are lying on a stone rock? I know I had many uncomfortable, sleepless nights. There were times when I felt like I was alone during my husband’s addiction. One night, I “slept” in another room, listening to him getting sick from the previous night’s drinking. I felt alone and wondered if this nightmare would ever end.

But the truth is,  I wasn’t alone. God was with me, and He was with my husband. God never left us and He never will.

Here is some evidence that shows that God will never leave us:

Old Testament Promises:

• Joshua 1:5
• 1 Chronicles 28:20
• Isaiah 41:10-13
• Psalm 118:6

New Testament Promises:

• Matthew 28:20
• 1 John 4:16
• Hebrew 4:16
• Jeremiah 1:8

Remember, God’s word promises that He will never leave you or your loved one.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

For more information, visit:

FindingHope.Today

HopeAfterLoss.Today

Loving an Addict & Living with Grief

Grief doesn’t only follow death. It can come when addiction changes someone you love. If you find yourself mourning who they used to be or the future you imagined together, know that you are not alone and that there is hope. In this six-day plan, you’ll find honest stories, biblical encouragement, and hope for your own healing. God brings peace when all you see is chaos.

Start the plan here: Loving an Addict & Living with Grief

Side by Side in Recovery: The Impact of Adopting a House

One of the most impactful ways to serve with Hope is Alive is through our Adopt-a-House Program! This unique opportunity enables Sunday school classes, community organizations, and individual supporters to form meaningful connections with residents in our recovery homes.

What started with just four partnerships at the beginning of 2025 has now grown to 58+ across Oklahoma City! Each of our eight homes here — six for men and two for women — has several groups or individuals who have stepped in to surround residents with encouragement, prayer, and friendship. Those who adopt a house find that it is just as meaningful and impactful for them as it is for the residents, if not more so.

The beauty of adopting a house is that it’s never really about the stuff. Yes, supplies and meals are part of it, but what makes the program so powerful is the way it builds relationships. Over time, residents get to know the people who keep showing up for them, and volunteers begin to feel like part of the family. These connections create a sense of community where everyone is seen, valued, and loved.

If you want to volunteer but don’t know how much you can contribute, know that there is no pressure to fit into a rigid schedule or commit to something that doesn’t work for you. Some people jump in every month, others every other month, and some just once a quarter. It’s all about what fits into your life!

“Whether someone is able to be consistent month after month, or just step in a few times a year, the residents still feel the impact,” shared Volunteer Coordinator Danny Borris.

Don’t wait! Connect with Danny today to see all the ways you can help make a difference! The list above barely scratches the surface of all the possibilities!

Hope to Be Fearless

What happens when fear doesn’t get the final say? Hope to Be Fearless is a five-day reading plan that takes you on a journey from the root of fear to the unshakable hope we find in God's presence. Through powerful Scripture, honest reflection, and heartfelt prayer, this plan helps you uncover the deeper doubts behind your fears and understand how God's truth gives you the strength to overcome them.

Start the plan here: Hope to Be Fearless

Forged by Fire

Forged by Fire is all about finding hope in the mess and leaning into God’s strength when you feel like you don’t have any left. If you’ve ever felt like your past disqualifies you or your struggles are too big to overcome, this is for you. You’re not alone. And with God, your hardest moments can actually become your strongest ones. Together, let’s learn, grow, and conquer by leaning on God.

Start the plan here: Forged by Fire

What is the Difference Between Substance Abuse and Addiction?

I felt led to write this because I believe it’s important to understand the difference between Abuse and Addiction. A good place to start is establishing a working definition of the two.

Substance Abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to the point that it is harmful to yourself and/or others, but not necessarily to the point of physical or mental dependency or a loss of control.

Substance Addiction: A chronic brain disease where a person cannot stop using a substance despite negative consequences.

Something that jumps out to me as a massive distinction is the idea of “decision versus dependence.” A substance abuser looks like the guy who waits until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, hits happy hour for a couple of drinks with co-workers, and then, instead of going directly home, he decides to embark on another adventure. The “let’s see where this night takes me” guy. He will consume much more than he should, he will act out of character, and he will most likely risk driving home despite the possibility of consequences. He makes a decision to do all of these things. It’s calculated chaos.

Now, let’s talk about the addict. For the sake of comparison, let’s say that he works with our other guy. Our addict isn’t waiting for 5:00 p.m. on Friday. He isn’t even able to start typing his reports until he gets a few “maintenance” sips of the liquor he keeps in his desk. At noon, he has a beer with his burger that eventually turns into three. And, by 2:30 p.m., he’s counting the seconds until happy hour. Once happy hour starts, it’s off to the races. With the addict, it goes like this: craving, obsession, consumption until oblivion.

The differences are clear, but as the abuser continues his path, he increases the risk of graduating from weekend warrior to professional consumer. The more a person consumes, the more they crave the resulting effect. The more a person consumes, the more they tolerate. Which means they need more and more to get the same effect as before, thus the cycle of dependency or “addiction” is born.

The abuser, in their early stages of consumption, has the ability to make a choice to stop. This can come in the form of an intervention or a catastrophe that gives them a “come to Jesus experience,” as I like to call it. It’s always preferable that the abuser come to the decision of abstinence early without collateral damage. But, it’s likely that as they increase their tolerance to the substance, they also increase their ability to present as operating efficiently. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is where the functioning addict is born.

If you or someone you love is in one of these two camps or somewhere in between, reach out as soon as possible. Full-blown addiction is a challenging road to overcome, but there is HOPE. You are not alone, and your story could be the inspiration that saves the next person’s life.

What is Relapse and How Can it be Prevented?

Relapse is the return to substance use after a period of abstinence. In recovery, relapse doesn’t mean failure — it’s often a signal that something in a person’s support system, coping strategies, or emotional state needs attention.

🔁 What is Relapse?

Relapse happens in stages:

1. Emotional relapse – You’re not thinking about using, but emotions and behaviors (like isolation, bottling feelings, or poor self-care) begin to shift.

2. Mental relapse – You start thinking about using, fantasizing about past use, or minimizing consequences.

3. Physical relapse – Actually using the substance again.

🛡️ How Can It Be Prevented?

1. Recognize Triggers

• People, places, smells, songs, or emotions can act as triggers.

• Build awareness of yours and make a plan to avoid or manage them.

2. Stick to a Routine

• Structure helps keep your mind focused and energy positive.

• Regular sleep, meals, meetings, and self-care create stability.

3. Use Your Support System

• Stay connected to your sponsor, accountability partners, and sober community.

• Isolation is one of the first signs of emotional relapse.

4. Practice HALT

• Ask: Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired? These states can cloud judgment and lower resistance.

5. Process Emotions Healthily

• Journaling, prayer, therapy, or talking with a trusted friend helps.

• Don’t let guilt, shame, or fear fester in silence.

6. Have a Relapse Prevention Plan

• Know who you’ll call and what you’ll do if you feel tempted.

• Role-play hard conversations or high-risk situations in advance.

7. Keep Working Your Program

• Stay engaged in step work, meetings, and service.

• Growth and healing come with ongoing effort, not just time.

✨ Final Thought:

Relapse doesn’t erase progress — it reveals where more healing is needed. But, prevention is always possible with awareness, accountability, and grace.

‍What is Detox?

Detox, or detoxification, is the first step in getting clean and beginning your recovery from drugs or alcohol. It’s the process your body goes through when it clears out the substances you’ve been using. When someone has been using drugs or drinking alcohol for a long period of time, their body becomes dependent on those substances to function. Once you stop using, your body needs time to adjust to functioning without them, and that process is called detox.

For many people, detox can feel overwhelming or even scary. That’s completely normal. The idea of facing withdrawal symptoms or not knowing what to expect can keep people stuck in their addiction. But here’s the truth: detox is temporary, and it’s also necessary. It’s like hitting a reset button for your body. And when done with the right support, detox is the first step toward real freedom. For detox to be safe, it should be monitored medically and tackled at a manageable rate. 

What Happens During Detox?

During detox, your body begins to flush out the drugs or alcohol in your system. Depending on what substance you’ve been using, how long you’ve used it, and your overall health, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These can range from mild to severe and may include things like anxiety, shaking, sweating, nausea, trouble sleeping, and cravings.

Because these symptoms can be uncomfortable — and sometimes even dangerous — many people choose to detox in a medical or supervised setting. In a professional detox program, doctors, nurses, and trained medical staff are there to monitor you, provide medication (if needed), and help you stay as comfortable and safe as possible. You’re not doing it alone, and that makes a big difference.

Why Is Detox Important?

Detox doesn’t fix everything, but it’s the beginning of healing. You can’t start working on the emotional, mental, and spiritual parts of recovery until your body is clear of the substances. Detox gets you to a place where your mind can start to clear, and you can begin to think more clearly and make decisions about your next steps in recovery.

It’s important to know that detox is not treatment — it’s only the first phase. After detox, it’s strongly recommended to continue with some kind of treatment program or sober living environment. That might include residential treatment, 12-step meetings, or a combination of supports that work for you. Detox gets the substances out, but recovery keeps them out.

What is Addiction?

The definition of addiction is: a chronic condition characterized by the compulsive use of a substance or engagement in a behavior despite the harmful consequences. It often involves a loss of control, cravings, and an inability to stop even when the person wants to.

Two major categories of addiction include substance abuse addiction and behavioral addiction.

Substance abuse addiction can come in the form of drugs (illicit or prescription) and alcohol. However, substance abuse addiction isn't just limited to drugs and alcohol. It can also come in the form of nicotine, caffeine, and even sugar.

Behavioral addictions can come in many forms, but some of the most prominent are: gambling, internet/social media, sex/pornography, shopping, and food.

In both substance abuse addiction and behavioral addiction, you are affecting the brain's reward system, specifically dopamine, which is linked to pleasure.

Addiction is classified as a chronic disease that affects the brain and our behaviors.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Addiction can appear in many different ways. Sometimes, it looks like stress. Other times, it's hidden behind a mask of a fast-paced lifestyle or someone who's “just having some fun” a bit too often. But beneath all that, addiction is a serious illness that affects not only the person suffering but also those who love them. The sooner we can recognize the signs, the better the chances of recovery. 

Maybe you’re worried about someone close to you or taking a hard look at yourself; learning to identify the symptoms of addiction is an essential first step. Addiction isn’t about a lack of willpower or weakness. It’s a complex disease that rewires the brain. That makes it incredibly difficult to simply snap out of it, even when the consequences are piling up. 

Addiction can take many forms, including alcohol, drugs, porn, gambling, or other compulsive behaviors. Regardless of the substance or habit, the patterns often look very similar. One of the clearest signs of addiction is powerlessness and loss of control over the substance or behavior. This might mean an inability to control one’s use or set boundaries, even after multiple attempts. Addiction is the inability to limit use or stop entirely. 

Responsibilities begin to take a back seat, and work, school, or home life begins to slip away. Increased secrecy, lying about usage, hiding bottles or pills, or disappearing for long periods of time are also signs. Often, risky behavior becomes more common, such as driving under the influence or putting oneself in dangerous situations without much thought.

The body often tells the truth before the person is ready to. Changes in weight, hygiene, and sunken or red and glossy eyes can signal a problem. Sleep patterns may change dramatically, swinging between insomnia and excessive sleep, including sleeping/passing out during important events or at odd times. Frequent illnesses or minor and major accidents may occur more often. When not using, the person most likely will experience withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and, at times, mania. 

Addiction also affects the mental and emotional state of someone. You might notice someone becoming unusually irritable, angry, or euphoric without much rhyme or reason. Periods of depression, anxiety, or manic episodes, especially when withdrawing, can grow more intense. In more advanced stages, paranoia, delusional thinking, or mania might appear. 

Relationships, hobbies, and interests that once brought joy may also take a back seat, replaced by a singular focus on the substance or behaviors one has become addicted to. There are also subtler signs: someone joking about needing a drink to get through the day or becoming defensive when asked about their use. Often, the addiction requires larger amounts or more extreme substances or behaviors to feel the same effects, deepening the dependence.

As gripping as addiction is, there are some ways to help:

Avoid shame and guilt. Addiction is a disease, not a moral failure. Humiliating or blaming someone only pushes someone or oneself further away. 

Then start the conversation gently. Use “I” statements to express concern. A calm, compassionate approach can open the door to honesty.

Seek professional support therapists, addiction counselors, and medical professionals. Treatment centers are trained to diagnose and treat addiction. Don’t try to manage it alone.

Educate yourself. Understanding how addiction works helps you respond with empathy and knowledge. It also prepares you for what recovery may look like — both the hardships and the victories. 

Lean on community resources and build your own community in support groups like AA, N.A., sober living, IOP, and treatment centers, as well as ones for family members on their journey, such as Finding Hope and Al-Anon. These all provide community, accountability, tools, and mainly hope. You are not alone, and neither are they.

Addiction doesn’t define who someone is. In fact, acknowledging it can be the very first step towards healing. With love, compassion, and a bit of action, we can help ourselves and those we love take that first step and change their lives forever. At times when we are alone, it can feel impossible. It isn't. Know that help is within reach. Recovery is possible and it’s real. It begins with recognizing the behavior and being honest. That first step can and will change your life to become one you never imagined — one free from dependency on substances or behaviors.