A few weeks ago Almost a year ago, I started thinking about the topic of addiction. The more I thought about it, the more I started to conclude that everyone is addicted to something. That may initially sound wrong, but hear me out. I am referring to addiction in the sense that everyone has something that they depend on, or are ruled by, and would struggle without.
Merriam Webster defines it this way:
ad·dic·tion [uh-dik-shuhn] noun
the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
At first pause, we might read that definition and think, “that’s not me – I’m no drug addict.” And I agree, that definition does sound a little harsh. However, I do think there are some good things to be discovered if we think about the things in our lives that their disappearance would cause severe trauma. I don’t have any scientific evidence, but I think we all have things like that in our lives.
When God created humanity, He created us to worship and obey Him. We were created to know and be known by Him, to walk with Him in the garden. We were created to be, in a sense, addicted to God. However, sin enters the scene and that idyllic situation is dashed (for now… hallelujah for heaven :)), but our desire to worship and obey didn’t disappear, it was just distorted. We listen to the serpent’s lies that we can be in control of our own lives and be like God. Instead of being addicted to worship and obedience of God we end up foolishly addicted to some other thing that cannot save or satisfy.
If, as Christians, we are called to become like Christ, who He gave up everything for us, should we really be willing to settle for anything less than complete devotion to Him?
Certainly, complete devotion to Christ does not happen overnight. Let me be the first example of one who still has a long way to go before she even gets close to complete dependence on God. However, I think we cheapen our daily fight to deny our sinful nature by not acknowledging the fight for what it is – a battle, a full-out war. What is more, we certainly don’t find Scripture downplaying the seriousness of our situation. In fact, in Ephesians, Paul tells us to suit up, because this war’s going to be a long one (but -spoiler alert- God wins).
Ephesians 6:11-13 (NIV)
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
A couple of weeks ago, one of my professors mentioned that in the times that our soul doesn’t feel like glorifying the Lord, sometimes we just have to tell our soul, “Soul! Glorify the Lord!” In this battle of addictions, as it were, I know I definitely have times where I don’t feel like glorifying God but this song is something that can help me exhort my soul to glorify God. So, I will close with this song and I hope that it encourages and strengthens you in the fight.
Much Love,
Sarah
p.s. I made it through my rough week of having work for both the regular semester and the J-term, so hopefully I’ll manage to post my second PHFR post this week. We’ll see. 😉
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