Our old friend Webster”s defines addiction as, “Being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs).” That’s a pretty good definition. A better one in my opinion is,”The point at which a person’s chemical usage causes repeated harmful consequences and the person is unable to stop using the drug of choice.” Medically the term implies that withdrawal will take place when the mood-changing chemical is removed from the body.

But why do we become addicted?

Some would say it’s genetic. “My dad or my mom was an addict so I have no choice” or “My family have been alcoholics from way back, I don’t know any other way.” Others claim they were done wrong and picked up their habit. A number of people claim they were hurt, disappointed or rejected and started their dependence to ease the pain. Still another group says they started into the path of compulsion just to fit in. And yet there is another faction of folks that were prescribed their drug and soon found themself addicted. And there are probably a hundred more reasons out there of why we use and abuse whatever our obsession may be. And as many are the reasons that there are different kinds of addiction. Drugs, alcohol, lying, pornography, gambling, over eating, cussing, smoking, fear … and that’s just scratching the surface! The list could go on and on.

The common denominator between all addicts, you can’t stop. Try as you may, maybe a day or two go by, maybe even weeks, months or years and we find ourself back at square one trying to defeat our demon again. And then there’s the guilt. What a dark tunnel that can be! So the story goes, to cover up the hurt and shame we turn to our old friend addiction for comfort.

Once we have sunken back into the mood and mind altering state long enough it becomes a behavioral pattern. An everyday part of life. We don’t even remember what it’s like to not be dependant. The more time spent in addiction we even lose sight of why we started. All we know is that it doesn’t injure us anymore. That pain, grief, hurt, disappointment or rejection, although it is very real, has been so well disguised that it’s almost as if it is gone. Covered up for so long that we can’t see it anymore.

But God can!!!

You see, even from the beginning of time when Adam and Eve ate the fruit they both knew they were not supposed to eat, they hid from God. (Genesis chapter 3) And so, just like Adam and Eve, we hide behind the source of our infatuation. We hide from our pain and we hide from God. But that’s the beauty of God. He already knows your pain.  He knows ALL!

“Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the LORD. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. You see, God is open to hear your side of the story. Just talk to Him about it. He understands our humanness. He created us! You may even find what you’ve been trying so hard to run from and cover up.

Have a heart to heart with God. I promise that He will listen like no one else will! And in return He offers you salvation and freedom like you’ve never known before! While you are talking to God, invite Christ into your heart. He already died on the cross for you so that you don’t have to die in you addiction. Here is a simple prayer you can use to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is only a suggested prayer. The exact wording doesn’t matter. What does matter is the attitude of your heart.

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me how much I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Please forgive me all my failures and the sins of my past. Make me clean and help me start fresh with you. I receive you into my life as Lord and Savior. Help me to love and serve you with all my heart. Help me to overcome my addictions. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN

Now, doesn’t that feel much better. I strongly encourage you now to seek out a Bible believing church, Pastor or Christian counselor to help you on this newfound journey. If need be, find a Christian rehab and check yourself in. Believe me, we addicts need all the help and direction we can get.  My prayer for you is for freedom from whatever it is that has you bound and a new life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you don’t know where to turn, please leave me a comment and I will be more than happy to give you some Christian guidance. God’s blessings to you all and to the still suffering!