Addiction is Like a Demon By Beverly Weeks

My life is hell on earth! Why didn’t you just let me die?...

We found him today while our team at Cry Freedom Missions was doing hotel and street outreach. He was lying unconscious on a hotel bed from a drug overdose, barely a pulse, struggling just to take a breath. We called 911, and I held his hand tight, wiped his brow and our team began to pray until emergency responders could arrive.

I sit here hours later puzzled by the words he has just shouted at me. “Why didn’t you just let me die?”

Addiction is like a demon. He feels as if no one cares or understands. Rejection and shame scream at him. He asks, why would you care so much about me? My response, God is not finished with you yet. You are somebody’s son, brother, grandson, and you are here for a purpose. You are my friend, I believe in you, and I love you. I found myself crying as he whispered back, "I love you, ma’am.”

If you just happen to see my new friend on the street, please don’t judge him. Would you simply say a prayer that one day very soon he will be free from this addiction. As long as you are breathing, there is always HOPE!