ADDICTION?

There’s a LOT of talk about addiction these days; what it really is, what causes it, how to treat it. IS there any REAL treatment?

I’ve had several men in the house due to hunting season, ranging in age from 34-80, who all spend a lot of time on their phones.  One plays slots and checks weather and such, one plays card games and checks similar things, one plays whatever games he can and chats with his wife and kids.  They all look up anything someone questions to find the answer via google.

Well, sitting on the couch watching TV with them, I started downloading bubble pop games.  Usually I’d read or crochet at these times, but it’s been busy and I haven’t taken time to start either of these projects.  I pop bubbles until my finger’s sore; sometimes I think I’m wearing away the print on it!  When I come to my senses, I delete the game; but I’ve been downloading another each night.  I found myself playing while we were visiting grand kids as well.  After laying in bed this morning playing last evening’s game for over an hour, I realized there must be a “spirit of gaming” or something of the sort. I spoke against it in the name of Jesus and repented.

Guess what Scripture was in our group text this morning?

^{1 Timothy 1:6} Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

I’ve been joining the group instead of choosing a different path. Each of us has our own addiction and I believe the Spirit has been letting me experience this to humble me & help me understand so I can be more useful to others.

I’m glad I’ve had a taste of what their addiction is like, but how will they stop if I don’t do it first?  The Spirit God has given us is more than enough to deliver ANYONE from addiction if they call on Him and believe He’ll do it.  I believe a sound mind includes being able to choose to not do addictive behaviors. His arm is NOT to short to save, His hand not too small to hold us!

Actually, God made us to be addicted, but He meant us to be addicted to Him!  Remember the verses that tell us to meditate on the Word?  To hide it in our heart? To eat it?

^{1Timothy 1:13} Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Getting back to Psalm 91, verses 7-9:

“A thousand will fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.  Only with your eyes will you behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD, Who is my refuge, the Most High, your habitation“

If we believe and trust God to be there, if we choose to make Him our refuge and habitation, we need not fear.  Peggy Ruth Joyce shares how they stayed in their friend’s beach house in Alabama a year after hurricane Ivan hit.  Buildings around them were gutted; there were still piles of destruction all around, but their house had no damage at all.  These friends also owned a beach front condo 3 blocks away.  The eye of the hurricane had gone directly over the building, but the windows were not blown out; not a picture on the wall was disturbed in the midst of devastation.  The friends had called Peggy when the hurricane was coming, declaring their total trust in the Lord’s Psalm 91 covenant of protection, asking her family to join in faith with them.

She pointed out Jesus suffered persecution, but never calamity, disaster or mishap; accidents never approached Him.  We have the same covenant of protection that He had!  Choose to hide yourself in the LORD and you will dwell in safety; also, you will be able to keep from hating the enemy because you have God’s perspective.