Addiction is a difficult affliction that destroys lives, often ending in the death of the addict. No one starts out with the idea of becoming an addict. Sometimes, like in several cases of opioid addiction, the individual is following doctor’s orders as part of the healing process for a wound or ache. Addiction is a chronic disease marked by compulsive behaviors seeking to satisfy the dependency. Over time, it becomes more and more difficult to control, despite the harmful consequences stemming from it. At first, the decision to drink or to take drugs is voluntary for most people. However, repeated use leads to changes in the brain, challenging an addicted person’s perception of reality, diminishing their self-control and interfering with their ability to resist the intense urges to fuel their addiction. In the beginning, everything feels better. Then, the compulsive behavior begins to surface, rearing its ugly head in the most unexpected moments. Addicts, regardless of the type of addiction, simply cannot get enough. They crave for their appetites to be fulfilled. There is momentary bliss, followed by the angst of withdrawal—after all, no ride lasts forever—before the hunt for more begins. Rinse and repeat.
Recovery is no picnic either. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. You quit using, but the behaviors and attitudes remain. Take it easy, they tell you in the rooms. The rooms are where other like-minded individuals with similar afflictions gather to do the hard work of recovery. Take it easy? Yes. Don’t worry about the past or the future. Concentrate on today. Focus on the moment. Don’t let resentments, hatred, and anger creep in. You know they don’t do you know good. Don’t be your addiction’s whipping post.
Relax. Don’t overdue it. Help others. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
Got resentments? Let them go. They are no good to you. Your “self” cannot take center stage. Let go of the hurts others have caused you and leave behind the wrongs done to you. Who are you to feel hurt and abused? Have you forgotten the wake of destruction you left behind? Humble yourself. Let God shine through you. He must increase, you must decrease.
Quit taking other people’s inventory. You got enough of your own to take before you go measuring other people’s inadequacies and shortcomings. Don’t fall into that trap. Work on you, let others work on themselves. Leave the rest to God.
Take it easy, my friend. Let go of the hate and the fear. Live life one day at a time.
The Devotional Guy™ 