YOU CAN BE FREE: OVERCOMING THE POWER OF ADDICTION
Drum roll please..........and the meaning of addiction is?
ad·dic·tion /əˈdɪkʃən/ [uh-dik-shuhn] the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
Wow! I believe this definition adequately describes what so many of us have faced in our lives or are still facing. The welcomed or dreaded addiction. That "thing" or "things" that magically engulf our desires and passions and completely encases us inside a bubble of consistent need. That which we need--becomes that which we become addicted to. Addiction is the impulsive--I've got to have it or else. Or else what? Our inner passion god will not be satisfied and we are liable to explode into a thousand pieces unless we can receive our next fix.
We all know addiction too well, don't we? Our addictions are often exact in personality or we find ourselves struggling with some drug, alcoholic push, or sexual perversion. Then there are the other wagons full of drives that run as swift as the rapids of the Niagara Falls. Speaking about Niagara Falls I am reminded of one of the greatest historians that ever lived, Arnold Toynbee. He declared that many of us in our society have been driven to the falls. Even though warning signs clearly announce the points of no return--individuals and nations keep stumbling, bumbling, and collapsing. All due to personal addictions.
So what are your addictions? Too much time at work? Too much of a couch potato sports or soap opera nut? Maybe you are a clean freak or compulsive gambler? Or possibly you continue to play Russian roulette with your life that involves the perils of alcohol/drug addiction.
Then again you may be a victim of nicotine pleasures, pornography, adultery, fetishes, cutting, bondage, or other physical, emotional, and psychological dramas. An addiction is an addiction. Some addictions appear harmless like too much crocheting, to that which is possibly harmful, to that which will eventually maime, claim, take over, or potentially kill you.
I just came back from speaking at a church about 70 miles from my house. This was my second time in three weeks to speak there. This is a place like any other place, with real people, who are living real lives, and who have real needs. Some of the needs overflow into the arenas of serious addictions. For which I am not the least bit surprised. Folks inside a church building are folks who turn black and blue and who bleed the color red when they are given a chance to. Churchgoers are human beings with the same SIN nature born inside the hearts of humanity. But you'd think there would be a difference here though? Wouldn't you?
Jesus stated that I have come to help you overcome the world. To live a life of abundance and victory over sickness and disease. To help set you free from the bondages of addictions. He went as far as to say, once you ask me into your life then greater is he (that would be Jesus)--in you--than he (the devil--the addictions), that are in the world. If this be the case then why do we all have our own personal and private struggles?
Well, I could ramble for hours on trying to draw conclusions. This blog isn't intended to have to be read at length. So I will shorten my version on addictions by saying this--YOU CAN BE FREE: OVERCOMING THE POWER OF ADDICTION IS POSSIBLE! Why can I say this so boldly. It is because there was a time I was a 7 day-a-week drinker, nightclub junkie, druggie, and fend for the party and fast lane lifestyle. I loved the world of illusion that made me feel like Superman, a Hollywood celebrity, sexy, cool, and the life of the party. O yeah I thought I was the party. You see sin is fun for a very long season until you wake up addicted, running on fumes, mentally and physically washed, and having a rich man's mentality with a wino's billfold. So who is it that carries the addiction(s) throughout life and eventually to the grave. UNO--just one! That one would be you! Or that one would be me!
I have battled my own addictions all my life. But I do have some good news. There is a power beyond ourselves that can and will help us overcome any addiction we may be facing. If we get serious enough with ourselves and desire a turn-a-round--we can turn things around and get on the road to complete recovery and freedom. I know it's possible! I have an addicted personality. I have been addicted to more then we have time to talk about. Then again I am a living example that a faith in God, a relationship with Jesus Christ, and a connection to God's power called the Holy Spirit, can not only make a difference--but can be the complete difference!
The Bible says, you can know the truth and the truth will set you free!
Just know that all you addicts out there can be free! That comes from one addict to another.
More later.................