Of all the tortures of hurt and pain available to the evil one, addiction must be among his mightiest. The soul who carries the pain of addiction carries many lifetimes of hurt. The precious wounded journeyer is romanced by promises of better times and pain left behind. Addiction seductively kisses the lips of the addict with the hope of freedom from the torment of life and comfort if one simply takes addiction by the hand and gives oneself away. Addiction is a liar who walks the addict to a secluded place and watches like a voyeur as anger, violence and self hate perpetrate their evil upon the addicted soul.
The journey through addiction brings some of life’s biggest promises as one desires to change. The same journey brings some of life’s greatest discouragements as one then fails. Looking around, the addict can see those who have obtained genuine freedom from addiction which leaves one wondering why not me too? Why won’t God free me? Self-hate can even be reinforced by the victory of others. Sadly, many are left feeling they must simply accept their struggle as too great and only hope for better in our life after death.
No matter if your addiction is a substance or a behavior, God can and is willing to set you free. Beth Moore reminds us that God requires of you time, trust and cooperation. While He can free you instantly, most slowly, daily, walk toward their freedom allowing God to teach them and grow them exponentially compared to the growth that comes with instant success. It takes trust to heal slowly because we can’t see the distance traveled while looking at one step at a time. But the journey is only taken one step at a time so we must trust. And to make the journey of God’s freedom we must cooperate. To cooperate means to jointly work toward the same end. That means God has His parts and the journeyer has his parts… all working together toward the same freeing result. I believe the addict’s parts (no matter the addiction) can best be summarized in the twelve steps. The twelve steps help you define your parts and help you understand God’s parts. The twelve steps help you cooperate with God.
Now add one more thing (for now). Massive quantities of God’s Word. Take it in every morning, every break time, every lunch time, every afternoon and every evening. In it you will find life. In it you will be infused with power from God Himself as His Spirit moves within you. Don’t stop. Force yourself when you don’t feel like it. Make yourself when you think you are full. Don’ stop. Don’t quit. Don’t set it aside. Become so full your life overflows with the Words of God. It is the bread of life which can never make you too full because when you get full… you simply overflow and encourage those around you.
Now rename this post. Time. Trust. Cooperation.
Go and walk with God to freedom.
