Addictions

• Category - 5R series
• January 27,2019
• By Malinda

 Proverbs 25 vs. 28 (NKJV)
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.

We live in an ever-changing world, very fast paced and unforgiving. We are inundated with new information, badgered continuously with fearful news, and held captive to chasing a carrot that seems to stay just a few feet ahead of us. With all the things that the average person must process in this life, where do you draw your strength from. Do you have something in your life that you know when all else fails it will be there?

While most people may never address this question outright, or feel comfortable answering it, today we will address addictions, and how they tell the truth about where your comfort lies. In ancient days, and even now, smaller, weaker, nations would pay a large amount to stronger countries to protect them.

History has shown that every great empire while sturdy, prosperous, resilient and stellar, over time, has fallen, and when this occurs.  It leaves the weaker nation, who had built its success upon the strength of the now fallen nation, disappointed and ashamed.

There are 10 major addictions that currently affect the population:

1. Caffeine: Doctors have drawn a clear link between caffeine and anxiety. It is also the cause of many ER visits. Many mistake the effects of caffeine with a more serious ailment.
2. Food: Many have an unnatural relationship with food, thus causing obesity or anorexia, with each ailment having a host of medical problems attached to it.
3. Sex: This addiction has increased men and women’s vulnerability to unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer.
4. Alcohol: This drug is very easy to obtain, it is responsible for blackouts, car deaths, cancer, heart disease, and liver problems, just to name a few.
5. Gambling: Has taken its toll on the finances of many families
6. Nicotine: 400,000 people die every year from this chemical, the only thing that should be smoking is a chimney.
7. Work: Many people find it difficult to take a break from work, even though overworking may take a toll on their relationship and health.
8. Internet: While this is a beautiful resource, some place an unhealthy reliance on it.

There is a chemical transaction that takes place in the brain when we go to our addictions. The momentary feeling of euphoria that accompanies addiction, promises comfort, happiness, strength, and safety, yet it always leaves us needing more to achieve what it promised the day before.

Have you placed your trust in the power of something that is crumbling, and now you are left ashamed and disappointed?  What has your addiction stolen from you, has it taken your joy, hijacked your health, torn down the walls of your stable relationships. If you suffer from a habit, it’s time to seek help. And it’s time to go to the real source of our strength, May God help us all.