*Originally published February 2013
It’s Wednesday morning, and I am sore.
Nope, not that kind of sore. My soul is sore.
Addiction reared it’s ugly head in my family this weekend.
You see, I come from a long line of addicts. When I say “addict” a specific vision comes into your mind. Some of your vision would be correct for some people in my life, but not so accurate for others.
Author Gerald May says, “To be alive is to addicted. To be alive and addicted is to stand in need of grace.” I couldn’t agree more.
We are all addicts.
We all crave things in life and seat them on the throne of our hearts rather than God.
Comfort, love, meaningful work, to be known…all of these are common desires of God’s children. And when those desires are not met, we turn to things instead of God. We use money to buy when we can’t afford. We use success to give us a name when we secretly fear we are still not good enough. We use love to be loved, and still, we don’t feel loved.
The things that are supposed to make us better are as effective as a Band-Aid in water. We need something, or Someone, better.
God is not the common cure. But He is the cure for the common ache.
Addiction’s game is to overwhelm those who are suffering and the loved ones who suffer alongside them with hopelessness. A life without hope is an anvil around the neck.
When the dragon of addiction starts breathing down your neck, what will you do?
Will you give up?
Hold on to Hope
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
Today, I am soul-sore from holding on to hope that God can and will make things right.
I don’t know what that will look like. I don’t even want to try and create a master plan. I just want to be free and stay free. My freedom is found in proclaiming faith that God is alive and well and on His throne.
He invited me to crawl up on his royal lap and rest. His healing touch massages my sore soul as He reminds me to breathe through the tight spots. If you are looking for me right now…this is where I will be found.
“For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.” – Hebrews 10:37
If you feel like giving up today…take heart! We want to hear your heart. Comment below and let us know how you are doing with your addicted heart.
We were made for community. To bear one another’s burdens. Somehow, we become stronger under tension. The weight of this world strengthens us to be light bearers for the Kingdom, a royal priesthood.
Alisa is the founder and CEO of Revelation Wellness and the author of The Wellness Revelation. A 25+ year fitness professional, she believes that the Gospel is a wholistic message of heart, mind, soul, and strength and each body holds a story that must be told. It is then that healing, health, and wholeness can truly begin.
6 Responses
I too come from a long line of addicts. Addiction rears it’s ugly head every where I look and if I’m honest, it’s a struggle in my own life and my husband’s. I am finally tobacco free and for almost 2 years! But my mother is an alcoholic and my family has consistently run from pain to substances and it’s a struggle to not want to run away myself to things or people when I’m hurting, especially emotionally. Jesus is teaching me how to stop running away and instead running to Him but it’s hard to change an almost instinctive response- thankful for this community that keeps me balanced and grounded and reminds me Whose I am.
Amen, Dana! We’re so glad you’re a part of this community! Praise God for His goodness.
I lived in addiction for many years. I know the despair it brings. I’ve been set free, God broke my chains. The truth is he wanted to for all the time I sat in it. I merely had to ask. Then I had to be willing to let the great surgeon do his work. Which meant I too had to be willing to work. I’ve been set free. Where there is life there is hope. Never give up! Never give in! CHOOSE TO RISE!!!
Amen! Thank you for sharing Kara. Praising God for rescuing you!
Thank you.
I’m glad this blessed you!