I recently read the book Redemption by Mike Wilkerson. It is an excellent read and applicable to anyone, but particularly those struggling with addictions or recovering from abuse. Wilkerson examines the strategies we grab onto to deal with the pain of abuse or the scars of unhealthy relationships . Some of these strategies include the typical addictions of drugs, alcohol, pornography, and eating/image disorders. The book focuses in on these as “idols” ; places of worship in our life where we are trying to find life and fulfillment apart from the only true source of life, God. He encourages people to move beyond identifying themselves based on an addiction (“I’m an alcoholic”) to finding the true path of life and identity as a follower of Christ. The book illustrates this through following the story of the Israelites in the book of Exodus as they leave slavery, bondage and abuse under Pharaoh and are redeemed by God as He leads them out of Egypt. The story of the Israelites is used as a model for people today seeking to leave the bondage of their own addictions or patterns of unhealthy behavior.
