BBD 12.14.15 Overcoming Addiction (New)
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The Burning
Bush Devotional
12.14.15
Overcoming
Addiction
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who
has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has
redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of
mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the
cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and
stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will
utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of
the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: “They have struck
me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall
I awake, that I may seek another drink?” - Proverbs 23:29-34 NKJV.
Zhang Rui is 30-years-old, and he
is an alcoholic who lives in Bengbu, China. Up until six months ago, Zhang had
a job as a truck driver, he had a wife and children, and he was gentle
non-violent person. All of that changed after Zhang began drinking, because he
became very violent and abusive. In a very short period of time he lost his
job, his wife and children and found himself on the streets begging for money
for another drink.
Zhang, unlike many, has decided
to do something about his alcoholism. He has chosen an unusual way of doing
that, and one I wouldn't recommend, but it may just work. Zhang is living at
home now with his mother. Doesn't sound too bad, but Zhang is chained up where
he cannot leave his attic room. The locked 12 ft chain weighs 22lbs and is
wrapped around his neck. He plans to stay locked up in the attic for at least
six months, or until his desire to drink is gone, in the hope that this will
solve his alcohol addiction. (Shanghaiist 12.10.15)
The problem for Zhang, and for
most with addictions is the tendency to relapse. From my observations of, and
conversations with the addicted, it is clear that for some there may be several
relapses before a sustained period of abstinence is obtained. 30-day treatment
programs or even Zhang's radical approach are effective for drying a person
out, but not much else. The longer the addiction treatment program, the longer
the abstinence that is usually obtained. Traditionally, the legal system has
mandated aftercare programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Sometimes counseling sessions with an addiction counselor is also required. AA,
NA, and Addiction counseling are all helpful tools, but they do not guarantee
success.
From my observations as a parole
officer and as a pastor I do not know of any addicts who have successfully
abstained from their addiction for years without there being a spiritual
component. Sounds like there is not much hope for someone with an addiction,
but there is hope. The very best way of all to overcome an addiction is not to
develop one. However, that is of no help to anyone who has one. Here is what I
would recommend to anyone that does have an addiction:
1. Turn to God in repentance and
ask for His help to overcome the addiction.
2. Use the tools of treatment
programs and aftercare which is just good common sense.
3. Use the tools that God
provides: Prayer, Bible, and Church. Immerse yourself in the resources of God.
The closer you are to God, the less power the addiction will have over you (“Therefore
submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and
He will draw near to you. Cleanse your
hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” - James 4:7-8 NKJV).
Links to additional Burning Bush Devotionals about
Addictions:
The Daily Battle
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=80261&columnid=6908
Just Wasting Time
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=79409&columnid=6908
Lay It Aside
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=76500&columnid=6485
One More Night
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=71014&columnid=5272
The Joys of Drinking
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=67704&columnid=5272
Foolish Living
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=62449&columnid=5272
The Legacy
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=54705&columnid=5272
Do Not Feed the Monkeys
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=54306&columnid=5272
Pull It Out
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=54275&columnid=5272
Sucking Eggs
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=21816&columnid=2416
Your Cup of Life
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=12238&columnid=1748
The Sting of a Viper
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=14148&columnid=1874
The Sting of a Viper – Part 2
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=13167&columnid=1874
Ladies Night
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=14704&columnid=2134
A Radical Choice
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=17455&columnid=2134
The Paraclete
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=18410&columnid=2134
Who has Woe?
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=18459&columnid=2134
The Cost of Sin
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=18668&columnid=2662
Loving God More – Part 3
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=18601&columnid=2662
The Rollercoaster from
Hell
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=18711&columnid=2662
That Sinking Feeling
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=22116&columnid=2662
In Your Right Mind
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=23948&columnid=2981
All That Glitters
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=24643&columnid=2981
Runaway
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=26330&columnid=2981
Sinking in the Mud
http://www.theburningbush.net/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=31707&columnid=2981
Copyright © 2015. Ed Wrather. The
Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998
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Please pray for all those affected by the
tragedy at Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Please pray for all those affected
by the horrific terror attack in Paris and the attack in San Bernardino and please
continue to pray for Michelle, Justin Lewis, Shane Hall (He is very thin and
weak, but he has preached since leaving the hospital), Reta (my sister), Mallory
Henson and Beverly (Jeanie’s sister).
All good news from Jeanie's
doctor visits Monday. PET scan showed no signs of cancer! The lymph nodes that
had been a concern on previous scan were no longer lit up. Jeanie is still
having pain from her back, but doctor is planning nerve blocks which he thinks
will eliminate the pain. (Four years ago in December 2011, Jeanie had a large
stage 3 cancerous ovarian tumor removed and began chemo the next month in
January 2012.) Thanks again for all of your prayers!!
Please pray for an end to the
racial hatred in the USA and that it will be replaced with peace and love. Many
prayer needs are posted at the Burning Bush website on the Prayer Request page.
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