What Gives Addictions Power?

When I was an adolescent, my mother warned me about the dangers of addictions and how difficult it is to overcome them. My father began smoking as a preteen and developed a cough which was a prelude to emphysema that eventually killed him. He felt powerless to break the habit until it was too late.

Unfortunately, so many of today’s youth think current addictions are cool. While you may not be addicted to alcohol, tobacco, or other habits that can be detrimental to your physical and emotional health, there are behavior patterns that are embarrassing or even frustrating to you. For some people lying, being untruthful, and fabricating falsehoods can become habitual. 

The power to break habits comes by permitting Jesus Christ to create in you a new way of thinking that has control over the old thought patterns. This is done by being honest about your habits and then permitting God to give you the tools to make significant life changes.  

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You were doing so well until someone made you turn from the truth. And that person certainly was not sent by the one who chose you…My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.

~Galatians 5:7-8,13 Contemporary English Version 

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Facing the Breaking Point

Everyone and every relationship will be subjected to strenuous periods of testing. A marriage may produce enough intense conflict to stretch its moral and emotional fiber to the breaking point. Even when conflict is unavoidable, it can be managed by establishing communication so that forgiveness can be explored and experienced. 

Forgiveness is both a spiritual and a moral responsibility although not easy to initiate or achieve. Yet those who have experienced forgiveness know how transforming it can be. Transformation occurs when you accept another's willingness to apologize and to make things right by changing their behavior that had caused you pain and suffering.

Forgiveness includes changing your mind about someone so there can be a favorable response that replaces doubt, distrust or even hatred. Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation involves renewing your mind, including a newness to the way you think. Forgiveness is transforming because it produces an atmosphere where love and affection can flourish.

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Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him and perfect.

~Romans 12:2 Phillips – The New Testament in Modern English

“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never – I promise – regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.”

~Luke 6:35-36 The Message