Break Free!

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:18-19)

Perhaps you have felt like Paul at times. You Love the Lord and desire to please him, but you find yourself falling again and again to the same struggles. Your flesh always seems to win.  Addiction is a lie and a trick from the enemy to keep you from living a free life.  Addictions can come in many different forms.  Your battle may be with food, sex, prescription drugs, shopping, or alcohol, to name a few. Whatever your personal battle may be, please know that the addiction is lying to you.  It entices you, and you begin to believe you need it to make it through the day. You say to yourself: it will be the last time; just one more; I’ll stop tomorrow; I simply can’t control my impulsive behavior; it won’t hurt anyone.  NOT TRUE!  DO NOT BE DECEIVED!  God knows the choice you made, and every choice you make has consequences. Addiction is bondage, and can cause depression, anger, anxiety, and low self esteem. Addiction holds you back from reaching your dreams, in fact addiction usually kills your dreams!  Addiction can separate you from your loved ones.  You may have less love to offer them, and at the same time it can be hard to accept their love due to your guilt and shame. You are not the only one involved in your addiction.

Addictions are a powerful force, but the Lord has promised to give us the strength and wisdom to overcome.  God knows our sinful nature, and nothing we battle takes him by surprise. It is natural for the desires to come, but He wants us to make right choices.  Remember that all temptation starts with a single thought.  What you do with that thought is up to you. The Bible teaches us to take captive our thoughts. When the thought comes you can immediately choose to replace it with a new healthy thought. Do not allow yourself do dwell on the addictive thought.  What we put into our minds determines what comes out!   In the book of Philippians, Paul tells us to reprogram our minds with pure, honorable and admirable thoughts.  Take inventory of what you are watching on TV, the music you are listening to, and the people who you surround you. Ask yourself if these influences help you avoid the addictive behavior, or cave into it.  We live in a world that is so filled with self- indulgent quick fixes. However, overcoming addiction is not done with a quick fix. It usually takes dedication and hard work to break free. Pray and ask the Lord to help you to indulge on the pure things in life.

... but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6b-7)

It’s time to break free today!  Freedom will come from making right choices.  For some of you, this will mean seeking professional help.  For others, help from a friend or accountability partner.  Ultimately, it will come from putting God’s words into practice!  You can do it!  And when you DO over come the addiction, please know that your story can empower another person with the same struggles.  Note that I said WHEN you do, not if you do. God will use you and your story!

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. (Romans 6: 12-13)

Freedom Awaits

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)

I wanted to shift gears for today, and share a personal story with you.  It was such a powerful moment for me, and I pray you will be blessed.

My daughter is 7 years old and is graduating first grade this week... and she is still a thumb-sucker.  She has tried and tried, and has been unable to break this habit.  So last night I casually mentioned that she really needs to quit sucking her thumb by the time she goes into second grade.  This led to a complete melt-down.  She struggles with this so deeply.  She desperately wants to stop sucking her thumb, but believes she is powerless to do so.  She has all of these terrible thoughts about herself and how "stupid" she is as a result.  It is such a battle within her, it's painful to watch her go through it.  Just like anyone else may struggle with addiction, this is hers.

Last night she was inconsolable.  I decided that it was time to abandon the trite "please help me God" prayer, and teach her what it really means to turn to God in a time of need.  I had her cry out to God for help - out loud, not in her head.  She was a little embarrassed, but she did it.  And her prayer was simple, sweet, and pure.  It was honest and from her heart, and she melted mine.  She asked for His help because she wants to stop and she can't.  When she was done, I prayed over her, casting out the lies that Satan has put in her head.  I filled her head with the truth of Almighty God.  When she is weak, she is strong because His power is made perfect in weakness.  She can do all things through Christ, who gives her strength.  By the end of the prayer, her spirit was light and free.  It was such a defining moment in her little life.  I know this will be a struggle, but last night she chose to believe in God for her freedom.  I stand with her and will do the same.  She has the honor to see the power of her God in a meaningful and tangible way at age 7!  When her freedom comes, she will know that it was only by the love and power of her Heavenly Father, and not by her own strength.  Think of what that will do for her in the future when she faces something else that she feels hopeless in.  She will remember how her God came through for her when she couldn't do it on her own.  She will know that she is loved in a mighty way, and that it will turn out okay.

As I shared this story with a couple of friends, it was interesting to me how they each pulled a different message to apply in their own lives.  I am resisting the urge to wrap this story up with a point, because I think there are a handful of points to be made.  Instead, I will let the Holy Spirit work it out in you.  I would love to hear what this means for you. Be blessed and know that you are all in our prayers.  Our God is so good.  His glory will shine through my daughter's life, and His glory will shine through yours... if you let it.