Pondering on Addiction

We really like to categorize different types of addictions. We see the group of people smoking on the corner or on the side of the church building, and we cluck and shake our heads sadly, thinking to ourselves (or most likely, saying out loud) "Lord, help them overcome that addiction, that bondage." Or, we see a documentary on chemical dependency or drug addiction, and we watch in horror at the wasting away of bodies, from prom queen to a black-toothed skin-and-bones skeleton of a young girl.

Yet, have we ever thought to remove the plank from our own eyes?
Have you ever overheard anyone laughingly say something like, "Whew, I gotta have my morning coffee!" Have you ever seen, experienced or lived with that person when they didn't happen to get that morning cup of coffee? Did you wonder who in the world they were? What evil force just took up residence in their body? Why do you think this is?

It's comfortable and easy to notice the speck in the eyes of those whose addictions are clearly socially unacceptable and particularly public and damaging. But, I am challenging myself (and you) to look within at the addictions that I might daily laugh away, because they are not "that big of a deal." Currently, I am persuaded that anything that our flesh cannot give up is or can become an addiction. It doesn't matter what it is. If our flesh craves it, and it is not good for us or we act differently without it, we are in bondage to it.

I really like to sneak around the honey pot we have on our counter (thanks Sis!) and lick honey off of my finger. My husband walks by and says, "Tina, you need to stop doing that! That's gross!" Now, to you this may be a laughable problem, but for me, it can (or shall I say has)become an obsession or compulsion. So, I know I need to curb this strong appetite for "finger-lickin good honey." I am aware. The question now becomes, am I willing to give it up? Do I have the power or strength to give it up?

Another addiction which is often covered up is an addiction to anger. Yes, I believe that anger is an addiction. You learn to be angry as a way to react to disappointments in life or to failures, or as a cover-up for deep sadness or rejection. It creates within you a false sense of remaining "in control" of the situation or of yourself, even though in reality you are completely "out of control." This addiction, as all others, can only be broken by repentance and pleading the blood of Christ over you daily to keep you from all sin. Addictions are not overcome by the arm of the flesh alone. It is by God's Spirit. It is a daily, complete submission to do the will of God in your life. It is relying and depending totally upon our Father and nothing else; not caffeine, not nicotine, not anger, not man-made drugs, not shopping and spending...nothing else, only Him.

Well, these are my thoughts today. I hope I don't lose any of you, my reader friends. Stepping on toes is a mixed blessing for me. If you have some further insights on this issue, please feel free to email me. As you can tell, it is fresh on my mind at the moment! By the way, I'm "addicted" to this blog!!!!