I injured my back in a car accident a few years ago, and now I'm afraid I'm addicted to painkillers. I get prescriptions from several different doctors who don't know I'm seeing anyone else. I can't live without those pills but I'm scared of what might happen to me if I don't quit taking them. Will God help me somehow? — E.H.

Yes, God will help you—and He wants to help you, because He knows the dangers you face and He wants you to be free from this problem. Painkillers can become very addictive, and from what you say you have reached that point.

How will God help you? First, He wants to guide you to the help you need. There is no shortcut; you need to be frank with your doctors, and you need to seek their help to overcome your addiction. Even if it involves hospitalization for a period of time, it is far better to deal with your problem now than wait until you've done even greater damage to yourself.

And that is a second way God will help you: by giving you courage to do what you need to do, and to stay with it. Remember: God loves you and will never abandon you. God's promise is for you: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). He loves you so much that He was willing to send His only Son into the world to die for your sins. By a simple prayer of faith ask Jesus to come into your life today.

In addition, ask God to lead you to others who can encourage and help you when temptations come. God knows what you're going through—and others need to know it, too. Your future can be different, because of Christ. Put your hope in Him today.