- This story can’t start with “once upon a time” because it’s not a fairy tale. Unlike the intro to A Tale of Two Cities, it certainly wasn’t “the best of times,” although it was pretty darn close to being the worst. Even though it’s just a chapter in the book, being but a portion of the story, it has to start somehow. If it had to start anywhere, it usually starts pretty close to the bottom. So, here goes. There once was a girl starting a second life. She wasn’t a girl, really, but rather a woman of thirty. She sat on her parent’s front porch, nursing a hangover. The just opened beer in front of her was sufficient to ease the headache. She lit another cigarette, and took a thoughtful drag as she spoke with her visitor. She was describing the fight with her beau from the night before. Her eyes were still puffy and red from tears shed after the harsh words, before she finally made him leave. He obviously had a problem! He never had any money, he didn’t even know how to tell the truth, and couldn’t keep a job, or manage even simple responsibility! She knew deep down, in the places she didn’t want to look, that it’s easier to see the ugly left behind by addiction in someone else, and avert your eyes to your own problems of slow decay. As she poured out an account of the previous night’s events to her visitor, he nodded politely. Eventually, as her story concluded, he said, “You know what the problem is don’t you?” He pointed to her half empty can. “It’s that.” She managed a quiet, “I know.” And she did know, but knowing is only half the battle. She could see there was a problem, could see it was destroying her life. She had lost one marriage, and was now in a relationship destined to fail if something didn’t give. Seeing a problem is only the beginning.
- I recently had a friend tell me that “addiction is not a battle you can win.” This comment came after I described addiction as “the hardest battle you will ever fight.” Addiction is probably one of the ugliest, dirtiest, cruelest words in the English language. It is not merely a word, but a description of an evil that can take over a person and change their personality in such a way that they don’t even resemble their former self. What power must be in such a word that it can make a parent give up a child? What strength must it possess to cause a child to lie and steal from their parents, or make a husband hurt his wife, physically, emotionally, or both? This evil, so-much-more-than-a-word, bondage of addiction can make a successful employee give up their career, lose their home, and live in squalor. Addiction has many forms, many faces, and many degrees, I suppose, but it all comes down to letting something control you or change you. Like the woman above, addiction can harm your relationships, cause you to live a recluse life hiding your addiction from others, risking your career and health, all while you break under self-hatred for your weaknesses.
- If you have never suffered from addiction, then I would ask you to try and understand the power it has over those you love. They aren’t trying to make your life a living hell, they just have no control over the hurt they are causing you right now. If you’re suffering from addiction, I would try to encourage you. Earlier I gave a quote from a friend that said, “addiction is a battle you can’t win.” He didn’t stop there. He also said, “it’s something you and The Lord can overcome.” Then he said, “but it’s something you must overcome daily.” It’s not easy. Overcoming sin rarely is an easy task, but it’s worthwhile.
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Well, that’s certainly a truth you can grab hold of and claim its faithfulness daily. After several more knocks to the rock bottom, even our favored, smoking damsel above was able to give over her addictions to Jesus and begin to truly start living life to its fullest. Her beau joined her in this journey for the good life. Addiction robs you of your full potential for the life God has in mind for you. It doesn’t have to be pills, booze, or even sex. Addiction takes any form that holds a strong-hold of control in your life, changes you, and keeps you from obtaining the full potential God has for you. The beautiful thing is, it’s never too late. Thirties or eighties, it’s never to late. I wouldn’t wait too long, though, betting on that. The freedom of serving only one God cannot be matched. It feels fabulous, like finally being home. You can shed the fake mask or costume that has been your existence, and embrace your true identity confirmed through redemption.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
As you become acquainted with the new you, feeling confident and comfortable in your natural and ordained character, you’ll discover how simple it is, and unlike the heavy task you imagined it to be. You will desire to live without addiction or anything that takes your eyes away from Him. As the character in my own story, I attest this is true.
That is all 🙂
Anonymous says
Thank you for this post and the encouragement. I am struggling with food addiction and binge eating, and am realizing that I cannot overcome it on my own. Thank you for reminding me that I need God’s help to overcome it daily.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you. I’m so pleased that God spoke to you through my post. Bless you. You can do this with His leading!