The Divine Paradox: How God’s Transcendence & Immanence Guide Recovery:

“For thus saith the high and exalted One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy.” (Isaiah 57:15)

God’s nature combines two powerful aspects to help Christians in their wellness journey, and those recovering from addiction. He is transcendent – infinitely powerful and beyond our understanding – while also being immanent – intimately present in our daily lives. This unique combination means we have an all-powerful God who can transform us and a loving companion who understands our struggles.

For those in recovery, this creates a perfect foundation for healing. We can draw strength from knowing that God is mighty enough to help us overcome our difficulties while providing comfort in His close presence. This understanding gives us hope through His transformative power and personal involvement in our journey.

How can God be both unattainable and attainable? God’s dual nature—being both within His new creations (immanent with you as His child) and beyond them (outside and perfectly holy)—creates a robust foundation for recovery. While God is close enough to understand our struggles, He is also powerful enough to transform them!

The Transcendence of God (God’s in His Fullness):

“Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or thou hadst formed the earth and the world, thou art he.” (Psalm 90:1-2)

• Exceeding ordinary limits (God’s power and majesty)
• Beyond human comprehension (God’s mystery and unknowability)
• Superior or supreme (God’s sovereignty)

God’s transcendence – His infinite and awe-inspiring nature – holds special significance for those struggling with mental health challenges and addiction. When we feel overwhelmed by our struggles, remembering that we worship a Being of limitless wisdom, power, and presence can provide profound hope. This all-knowing (omniscient) God understands every aspect of our mental health journey, this all-powerful (omnipotent) God can heal and transform us, and this ever-present (omnipresent) God is available to us in our darkest moments of addiction and recovery.

While facing our limitations in recovery might initially feel overwhelming, understanding God’s transcendent nature strengthens our healing journey. When we recognize that we serve a God whose capabilities far exceed our understanding, we can find comfort in knowing that our mental health challenges and addictions are not too complex for Him to handle. This realization deepens our faith and trust, allowing us to surrender our struggles to a God who is more significant than our diagnoses, more potent than our addictions, and more persistent than our relapses.

The Immanence of God (God’s Presence & Power Within):

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

• Present or existing within something (God’s presence in the world)
• Immediate and direct (God’s guidance in daily life)
• Integral part (God’s essence within creation)

Understanding how Jesus Christ bridges the gap between God’s transcendent power and intimate presence offers profound hope for those struggling with life’s challenges. Through Christ’s incarnation, the infinite God became accessible in our human experience, showing that, while He remained utterly sinless, He deeply understands our psychological struggles and susceptibility to addictive patterns. He was tempted in similar ways and understands what we face daily. This means that even in our darkest moments of depression, anxiety, or substance use, we have a God who both comprehends our pain and has the power to heal it.

This divine accessibility transforms our recovery journey by providing supernatural strength and intimate companionship. When we feel overwhelmed by life, we can find comfort in knowing that the God of the universe chooses to walk beside us in our healing process. He offers His mighty power for transformation and His gentle, daily presence – guiding us through therapy, supporting us in support groups, and strengthening us in moments of temptation. This dual nature of God provides the perfect foundation for lasting recovery and mental wellness.

Note: Don’t confuse “immanent” with “eminent” (meaning distinguished or renowned), which refers to human achievement rather than divine presence.

The Paradox of Pursuit & Possession:

”As the hart panteth after the water brook, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)

”Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-14)

How can we thirst for God like a deer pants for the water brook, yet, as Jesus said, “never thirst again”? This divine paradox reveals itself in our spiritual journey – we constantly pursue God while simultaneously experiencing His presence. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can seek God endlessly and the assurance of His continual, overflowing, and eternal indwelling presence.

This tension creates a beautiful dynamic where our relationship with God is complete and ever-growing, like recovery, which is a finished work through Christ and an ongoing transformation journey through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. The cross of Christ stands at the center of this paradox, making our eternal pursuit and our present possession of God’s presence possible.

A Sure Promise:

1 Thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising: thou understandest my thought afar off…. 7 Whither shall I go then from thy spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:1-2, 7-10)

For those who have been born again through faith in Christ, Scripture offers profound promises that illuminate our journey. The Bible assures us that we will one day see God in His full glory, no longer dimmed by our earthly limitations. This transformative hope extends beyond our present struggles, promising that at Christ’s return, we will be completely perfected and glorified.

Even now, through salvation, we are granted spiritual discernment – a divine gift that helps us navigate life’s challenges with heavenly wisdom. These promises remind us that our current battles with addiction are temporary, while God’s work in us is eternal.

• We will see God as He is (1 John 3:2)
• We will be perfected and glorified at the Lord’s return (1 Corinthians 15:52-54)
• Spiritual discernment is possible through salvation (1 Corinthians 2:14)

How It Relates To You:

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)

Remember this powerful truth: Christ lives in you! This indwelling presence of Jesus is your living hope and source of transformation. Through Him:

• You have direct access to both God’s infinite power and His intimate presence
• His transformative power works within you day by day, restoring and renewing
• His presence brings healing, hope, and strength for every step of your recovery journey

Reflection Questions:

• How has understanding God’s infinite power and intimate presence changed your perspective on recovery?
• In what specific ways have you experienced both God’s supreme authority and His close companionship during your healing journey?
• What areas of your recovery would benefit from a deeper appreciation of God’s dual nature as both a transcendent ruler and immanent friend?

Scripture to Remember:

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

2 Corinthians 3:18 powerfully illustrates God’s transformative work in recovery. As believers, we see how God’s transcendent power and close presence work together in our healing journey. This verse shows us that recovery is both complete through Christ and an ongoing journey of transformation.

Through the Spirit of the Lord, God’s mighty power to transform works alongside His intimate presence in our daily lives. This beautiful truth reminds us that God is both powerful enough to heal our addictions and close enough to walk with us through each step of recovery.

Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank You for being powerful and loving – my mighty God and close friend. Help me understand how You can be both great and yet so near to me. As I improve, show me more of who You are each day. Please use Your strength to help me change, and stay close to comfort me.

Help me know You better as my loving Father and mighty God. Because of Jesus, I can come to You as my King and my Friend. May this understanding of You strengthen my faith and help me stay on track with my recovery.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.