Addiction

Addictions can involve many things, some of which people don’t even think of them as an addiction. It can be anything that is robbing you of becoming all that you were created for. Addictions can rob you of many things that would make your life better. Most of the time, you can overcome an addiction by disciplining yourself. Set boundaries for yourself. It may be something that you just need to limit the time you spend on something. It is an addiction when it consumes your thoughts. All addictions will effect your life, mind, relationships, etc. When most people think of addictions, they think of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Addictions are not limited to these. Whatever you addiction is, if you can’t control it on your own, seek help from any and all resources you can find.

If you are reading this because you have a loved one that is addicted to something, make sure that you are not an enabler. Enablers are mostly involved with someone on drugs or alcohol because the person often is dysfunctional at times needing someone to cover for them and solve their problems for them or unable to support themselves and turn to others for financial help. You can only help them if you say “No” to nearly every plea for help. You really have to examine their motive and whether it is something they should be able to do on their own, or possibly they caused a situation themselves and need to experience the consequence.

 

If you are in bondage to an addiction, you have to want to be well and you have to be willing to do something about getting well. Ultimately it is up to you to pick up your mat and take the first step. It is possible that you have been involved in your addiction for so long that your atmosphere has become comfortable even though it is not a good atmosphere. You need to get out of that comfort zone and you will discover that your atmosphere will improve and you will discover a freedom that you have never known.

John 5

vs 6 Jesus saw him lying there. He knew that the man had been in that condition for a long time. So he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

vs 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”