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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Expectations: Change for Success

We have experiences in life designed to encourage change. A crisis or a simple warning sign could elicit a promise from us to take immediate action to change. There are times when a specific course adjustment in life is required if we’re to remain spiritually healthy. For Jacob, that time came as he was running for his life.

Are your expectations in accordance with God’s expectations? Hear God’s word: “The Lord has declared that you are his people, his treasured possession, so honor all his commands. He will set you up for praise and honor high above all he has made. You will be a people holy to the Lord your God as he promised.”

What is required of us to persevere in our pledge to God? We must fight every distraction to remain focused on the object of our promise, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Then there must be dedication and commitment of our time and energy to keep us from forgetting our promises to God. Believe that God empowers you to love him completely. 

Challenges that Come with Change - Part 1

Political campaigns are a mixture of flattery and condemnation. Adlai Stevenson said, “I suppose flattery hurts no one, that is, if he or she does not inhale.” Some confessed, “I smoked dope, but I did not inhale.” Every-  one acknowledged they changed to avoid condemnation. People do change and give up old habits by God’s transforming grace.

Reinhold Niebuhr realized change was necessary, so he composed the Serenity Prayer in 1934. Listen for a moment: “God, give us grace to accept with serenity what cannot be changed, courage to change what can be changed, and wisdom to know the difference.” Serenity means composure and contentment.

Our past follows us into the future, but by God’s grace and mercy it surrenders the grasping choke-hold that enslaves us. God equips us with courage to step up to the challenge of change, to take hold of the newness of life that comes by faith in Christ Jesus. He is the giver of wisdom and permanent change to all who seek it.  

Change Is Coming...Embrace It! - Part 1

That pollution creates health problems is undeniable. While many world nations take steps to clean up the environment, others continue with disregard to pollute it. In same way, we pollute our mind and body with unhealthy habits, thinking patterns and relationships that transform us into something undesirable and out of compliance with God’s plan for us.

By our own choices combined with undesirable attitudes, we can be transformed into something unacceptable to God. For instance, permitting an attitude of anger to possess us can evolve into developing bitterness, hatred, major depression and unacceptable behaviors. Anger should not have control over our lives.

The desire for change and peace must come from within by the work of the Holy Spirit, whom we invited into our heart and soul. Peace can be achieved by being committed to this promise from Jesus: “Blessed are those who strive for peace because God calls them his children.” With empowerment from God himself, all things are possible.  

Insight: God's Light for Values - Part 1

One task of a counselor is to help clients gain insight for effective change. One of my psychology professors described insight simply as enlightenment. You now understand what was beyond comprehension. Insight is understanding, fused to wisdom, so that what you believe and the way you behave can be altered.

True, healthy insight is transforming because as it merges with your heart and soul, it changes how you live. Insight discovers at every age and stage of life new clues that identify who you are and what you can do. The pathway to ethical decisions and wiser choices comes from insight, as facts and truth are discovered about yourself and others.

Jesus said the true pathway to freedom is knowing the truth, accepting it and then finding ways of applying this knowledge to everyday life. Jesus promised to send the Counselor, whose role is to make known to every believer the truths of everything he taught. Isn't that exciting? Open your heart and mind and receive this promise.