Addicted to Addiction

We all have struggles of sorts that get the best of us. Its the under belly or soft part that we have yet to sure up and make strong. It remains a weak part of our life arsenal that becomes the achilles heel or the area that remains exposed right when we feel that we have overcome the struggle. What struggle you ask? Alcohol, drugs, sex, anger, pornography, gossip, procrastination, promiscuity, fear....there may be some that I left out, but I think you get the point. I often ask a question: Why do I do what I do - I know that sounds a bit cliché, however why go back when I know that the thing that binds me smothers me and try's to take the very life out of me? I believe that part of the reason that we continue to go back  and struggle with our struggle or to that which God has delivered us from is because we never dealt with the root of the matter. Its not "it" "that" "him" or "her" its the addiction. The addiction has generated a since of allegiance in us and the addiction begins to operate through us and leads us, guides and even speaks to us. The addiction presents a picture of the sensation we receive or feel after we engage with "it" "that" "him" or "her" - If we look closer we will realize that we do not love the thing, we have an essence fallen in love with the addiction or better yet we have become "addicted to the addiction." Its the sensation that we want its the climax or the high and nothing more. That is why shortly after reaching the climax or high we hit rock bottom or better yet we begin to condemn ourselves. Often times we call ourselves stupid and even go a step further by falling into a deep, deep depression. This is when satan and is imps step in; they quickly begin to rehearse or repeat these lines: "you'll never get out of this" God doesn't love you, if He did would He  allow you to go through this?" "This is just the way it is suppose to be." That is the furthest thing from the truth. We can be free, you can be free. We stop hanging around people that lead us to the wrong thing and we break up with the person that we do the wrong thing with. That works for a season, but shortly thereafter we are right back in the thing we thought we were free from. How can this be? I submit to you that the person that has to be confronted is not him, her or them - its the man or woman in the mirror. There is a responsibility that we have individually when it comes to the thing or things that we have become addicted to. I truly believe that deliverance can be instantaneous, but I  also believe that after we have been made free we have to feel the void. Jesus said it this way, When in unclean spirit has goes out of a man it walks around seeking a new dwelling place; when it finds none, it returns to its old dwelling place and finds it clean, but empty. It then brings seven more wicked than itself and the person is worse that he was before." (Matthew 12:43-45a). This person has to replace the unclean with the clean; study God's word, develop a prayer life and find a good bible teaching church. That way the Word of God can be applied to the heart and mind. Change won't come until change is desired by the individual that is sick and tired of being sick and tired. Change your thinking, change your life. The Apostle Paul approached God in prayer about a thorn in his  flesh and look what God's response was: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
 

 God's grace is sufficient! Know that you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you ~ Don't Quit!!!