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I NEED HELP! The words screamed in my mind as I hurried out a Reno, Nevada casino. Since 1986, when I first arrived in Reno from my former home in California I had denied that gambling was a serious problem in my life. Oh, I didn't have the problems some people who stood at the tables watching the cards turn over hoping that the next one would be the big winner. I hadn't missed work. I wasn't married so there weren't any relationship problems that people generally had when addictions and marriage con- flicted. But I did have a major problem that I was not aware of. I was Christian, member of a Bible believing church. I attended Sunday School, Bible Studies, had been active in many areas of the church. But my relationship with God was shakey. But why should God help me with my problems? My family and friends felt that I was failure, especially my Dad. So why should God feel any different? So I hid my life. But everyone knew I had a problem. They knew the pressure that caused me to walk off of my job training program one day and commit myself to the outpatient program at the state hospital. They knew that I was over my head in debt. They knew I wrote bad checks to casinos, then rush to the bank the next day trying to cover my overdraws. Everyone knew. But I didn't. Until May 19, 1992. That was the day the words I NEED HELP finally impacted on my mind. That evening I called Gamblers Anonymous. The next evening I walked into a local meeting. Would I admit my problem or would I crawl back into the hole of denial. When my turn came I blurted, Hi, I'm Diana, I'm a complusive gambler. The peace I re- ceived was like what I experienced when I had prayed to receive Christ. I had taken that first step. But the recovery groups didn't fill the void. I still had to accept Christ's forgiveness. As I began to experience more and more of His love, I realized something wonderful. He had never left me. I had left Him. Like the prodigal son I got out of the pig pen and came back to the loving arms of my Heavenly Father who was waiting for me to come home. He has forgiven me and has brought me through nearly seven and half years of no gambling. I don't go to the meetings. They served the purpose that God wanted them to. I trust Him completely. He is not just a Higher Power. He is God, my Heavenly Father who gave His best for me and for you. He gave His only Son. I am about to begin a website to help people with gambling problems know the Savior who can rescue them. Psalm 34 verse 4 declares "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears." He did this for me, and He will do it for you. No matter what your addiction is, no matter how serious your problem, He will deliver you and forgive you even if people never forgive you. Trust in Jesus Christ. He is The Answer. Diana Dilcher d.dilcher@worldnet.att.net. Click HERE to return to the edited story Click HERE to create a banner that links to this story! Your e-mail address will be kept private!
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