Thursday, October 18, 2012 -- Looking At Addictions And Recovery -- How We Got To Where We Are

God never intended us to live independent from Him.  We've tried to solve our own problems and fix our own lives.  We have tried to live as though we didn't need God.  Without Christ, we are not simply handicapped or less effective.  Without Christ we can do nothing. Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can't do a thing.  If anyone separates from Me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned.  But if you stay in Me and obey My commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted."  (John 15:5b-7)

The basis for temptation lies in our desire to meet our legitimate needs which only God can meet, and also deal with problems that only God has power to heal and overcome.  Our chemicals or addictive behaviours are only the results of wrong paths chosen to meet our needs outside of God's plan.  God promises to meet all of our needs in Christ.  It is God who will supply all your needs from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.  (Philippians 4:19)

Everybody who struggles with addictive behaviours holds many beliefs about themselves that are not consistent with who they really are in Christ.  The devil accuses us day and night.  Our bodies and minds scream at us that we are an addict, a no-good sinner, and worthless.  These are lies that keep us in bondage.  The ultimate lie is to believe that freedom from our addictive behaviour is not possible or that attaining a life of meaning and purpose is too difficult.  Since we, God's children, are human beings -- made of flesh and blood -- Christ became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could He die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death.  Only in that way could He deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread.  (Hebrews 2:14-15)

How I got to where I am is based on my broken thinking and flawed solutions.  Where I go from here can be truly different as I choose to apply God’s freeing truth to my daily living.