What are you addicted to? No one likes to admit it, but almost everyone is addicted to something. Some addictions are considered normal by society. Pornography falls into this category. Some addictions are never admitted. People with food addictions tend to never admit it and think they are eating normal or healthy. We all know about the addictions of drugs and alcohol. They seem to be the only ones that society thinks are harmful; yet, everyone thinks, “I will never have a problem with that.”
Holidays can be a time of great temptation for those of us that suffer food addiction. Cakes, sweets, even salt laden fatty meats are not staples of the day-to-day diet. However, these very foods are iconic foods synonymous with Easter and other similar holidays. Yesterday has become less about Jesus’s resurrection and more about the secular pleasures of sugar rushes and chocolate comas. Most children think of a bunny that brings sugary jelly beans and chocolate eggs, instead of the miracle that He is risen.
“So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 NLT
This passage is all about self-discipline and being alert in our current situations. Self-discipline is important to Christians so that we may help others to recognize and understand the Bible. We must live the Bible and not just speak it to others in order to bring people to Christ. We never want to come off as hypocritical and push people away from Jesus. Saying no to any addiction is tough whether it is food, pornography, or alcohol; and only with Jesus Christ could we overcome those addictions. The next passage shows that the Bible clearly tells us that we are not alone in facing these challenges.
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Everybody deals with challenges in life. Unfortunately, for many, these challenges come in the form of addictions. Many people don’t want to accept their addictions, but addictions don’t make you any less of a human. Accept that you have a problem and come to Jesus. He won’t turn his back on you.
“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.””
Matthew 19:26 NLT
Messengers of Mercy 