Any of my readers who suffer from addictive behaviors will certainly relate to this blog post! I recently gave up two addictions. I have severely limited my Facebook time and I have cut out certain kinds of shopping on ebay. I was not overspending on ebay. I was, however, spending bizarre amounts of time shopping and I was, though never going outside my budget, buying things I did not need.
How did I give these two things up? I made a commitment to God on both counts. I have broken the commitment a couple of times, which led to a quick confession and turnabout. Overall, this has worked, as I know there is no blessing on disobedience, and I fear the ramifications of making commitments to the Lord and then treating them lightly.
The upshot of giving up two things that had served as wonderful distractions (and they worked hand-in-hand as I loved to post my finds on my FB hobby pages) is that I have had to deal with the anxieties I had been using the addictions to run from. I have had all kinds of negative emotions flood to the surface now that I do not have the addictions to push them down and hold them under.
I know with my rational mind that this life is not about me. It is not about pleasure, even though I do believe that God wants us to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. It is about living for God, loving and serving others, and praising Him with our words, and with our lives. I know this. I think, though, that as you age and reconsider your priorities, you begin to see a pattern of NOT living like that. I had some watermarks I had wanted to reach by now. I have not and may not ever reach them. I am struggling with that.
Living exclusively for God infuses even the ordinary with meaning. It makes the world come alive with color, texture and joy. It chases the darkest shadows away. It makes horrible things bearable and wonderful things ten times better. I had a counselor once tell me that depression is nothing more than a person listening to the voice of Satan over the voice of the Holy Spirit.
I know there are people who are going through extremely difficult things right now who probably hate my "Pollyanna," feel-good approach to life. "Glad it works for you," is probably the sarcastic thought running through their minds as they scan the page. Truth is, it only works for me when I let it. The presence of God in the quiet of my home is a healing, strengthening, amazingly joy-filled experience. When I take time for Him, I am reminded that He is my reason for being, and He will never leave my side. He cannot be taken from me, or me from Him. There is everlasting joy in His presence. It doesn't have a whit to do with my circumstances, though He is concerned about those, too.
I will have to press into Him more than I ever have in coming months as, (watch out), I will be shedding more addictions, including sugar, naps, internet news searches, oh, the list will be long. At this rate, I may be dealing with emotions suppressed since infancy. I have decided that emotional wholeness IS my spiritual birthright. I can live happy and go to heaven fulfilled and peaceful.
How did I give these two things up? I made a commitment to God on both counts. I have broken the commitment a couple of times, which led to a quick confession and turnabout. Overall, this has worked, as I know there is no blessing on disobedience, and I fear the ramifications of making commitments to the Lord and then treating them lightly.
The upshot of giving up two things that had served as wonderful distractions (and they worked hand-in-hand as I loved to post my finds on my FB hobby pages) is that I have had to deal with the anxieties I had been using the addictions to run from. I have had all kinds of negative emotions flood to the surface now that I do not have the addictions to push them down and hold them under.
I know with my rational mind that this life is not about me. It is not about pleasure, even though I do believe that God wants us to enjoy life and live it to the fullest. It is about living for God, loving and serving others, and praising Him with our words, and with our lives. I know this. I think, though, that as you age and reconsider your priorities, you begin to see a pattern of NOT living like that. I had some watermarks I had wanted to reach by now. I have not and may not ever reach them. I am struggling with that.
Living exclusively for God infuses even the ordinary with meaning. It makes the world come alive with color, texture and joy. It chases the darkest shadows away. It makes horrible things bearable and wonderful things ten times better. I had a counselor once tell me that depression is nothing more than a person listening to the voice of Satan over the voice of the Holy Spirit.
I know there are people who are going through extremely difficult things right now who probably hate my "Pollyanna," feel-good approach to life. "Glad it works for you," is probably the sarcastic thought running through their minds as they scan the page. Truth is, it only works for me when I let it. The presence of God in the quiet of my home is a healing, strengthening, amazingly joy-filled experience. When I take time for Him, I am reminded that He is my reason for being, and He will never leave my side. He cannot be taken from me, or me from Him. There is everlasting joy in His presence. It doesn't have a whit to do with my circumstances, though He is concerned about those, too.
I will have to press into Him more than I ever have in coming months as, (watch out), I will be shedding more addictions, including sugar, naps, internet news searches, oh, the list will be long. At this rate, I may be dealing with emotions suppressed since infancy. I have decided that emotional wholeness IS my spiritual birthright. I can live happy and go to heaven fulfilled and peaceful.
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