Addiction! When we say addiction the first thoughts that come to mind are drugs, alcohol, and sex but addiction goes much deeper than a single pathway. Most people don’t realize that it stems from a place of undealt with sin, trauma, self-control, emotional issues and fear. It takes over our lives and leaves us empty.
But it is more, it is the sweets that you can’t put down or the soda you just must have. The book that’s so good you have to finish, disregarding important areas in your life that should come first. It’s eating until you are stuffed at every meal because you need that fullness filling to stop. Or what about talking about people to the point where you just have to say it, that impulse, it's uncontrolled. That cup of coffee that will make the world right again after we drink it. The desire for video games, to pick up your phone or computer seem to be a huge thing in today's world. What happens to people's mental health and emotions when they don’t get it or have to live without it for a moment.
All of it is what the Bible considers addiction. It keeps us from the relationship with God. For Him to be our fullness, to fill the empty space and to give us a way out from the world's temptations. Throughout the Bible it talks about being tempted however there is an option to choose something different to choose Him. To let Him get us through the hard stuff. To heal the wounds that have been left from either our own mistakes or someone else's. Either way it leaves us broken.
In 1 Cor 10:13 says “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear
it.”
That tells us that we will be tempted but God will always give us a way to escape it. He never leaves or forsakes us. He will always help us to go down another course. But we must choose to follow Him. Choose to let our flesh die in order to gain spiritual strength through Jesus. So instead of choosing the Butterfinger in the candy machine go for the almonds. When your people are gossiping about something, excuse yourself to the bathroom. Choose a movie that isn’t rated R because of sexual images. Choose a different course, give yourself a chance at having a better life. A more filling life because Jesus is the center and today, you're going to take care of your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Today is going to be a step closer in getting truly free from what you are suffering from. God works everything to those that love Him. So, I challenge you to start somewhere, read your Bible, pray about how God wants you to overcome the addiction in your life. Then make the first step and start. May God bless you and help you get closer to breaking free.
Blessing,
Pastor Rae Lynn Stands