As I walked across the prison yard I noticed a man in his early 30s sitting by himself. I hadn’t met him before but before I had a chance to speak to him he called me over and asked if I was the Chaplain.

Joshua told me he was back in jail for the fourth time. He had a constant struggle with drugs over the past ten years. He told me he was a Christian but that no matter how hard he tried he always ended up failing and turning to crime to support his habit.

When he was 18 a friend led him to the Lord. For two years life was great in a strong evangelical church with a bunch of young, lively Christian friends. He loved his quiet times of prayer and Bible reading. He led two or three university friends to the Lord.

Then at a party he did a stupid thing and tried some cocaine. Life for Joshua has been a down hill run since then. He dropped out of uni. His Christian friends gave up on him. His pastor gave him a final ultimatum that he wasn’t able to keep. Each time he has been out of jail he has tried a new church. He loves meeting with God’s people but for some reason the drugs have a great pull on his life.

When I meet men like Joshua I wonder how you minister to Christians with addictions. He has been to several rehab facilities but he keeps failing.

What do you say to Joshua? Is he converted? Does he need healing? Does he need victory? If you were his friend at what point would you give up?

Feature Photo: breahn