Addiction: How to Help Hurting PeopleSample

If you want to help hurting people, realize that people go to dark places before they do dark things.

When human beings go to dark places in their hearts and minds, the next step is to do dark things—behaviors that are destructive. These behaviors come in many shapes and sizes, such as substance abuse, overworking, gambling, anger, self-harm, overeating, depression, unhealthy relationships, isolation, controlling others, etc.

These destructive behaviors usually get quick attention from other people, and we tend to focus on stopping these behaviors. However, is that the best approach?

We must remember that the darkness that takes over our hearts leads us to dark behaviors. If you want to help someone leave a dark behavior, you must help them leave the dark place that is overwhelming them. Normally, people do not recognize the pain or emptiness in their hearts that causes them to turn to unhealthy behaviors. If we help them understand the emptiness in their hearts, we can help them understand the real issue in their lives.

For example, if someone feels like they have no value and life has no meaning, they are likely to turn to any substance that will bring a sense of relief or happiness. If you want to help that person, help them recognize their emptiness.