Morgan's Musings

On Addictions

The soul has an endless depth of need. Like a bottomless pit, it is never satisfied, never fully at peace, unless something endless fills it. My story is one filled with much pain, and from experience, addictive behavior has never satisfied me, not for long.

I, like everyone else, am made to crave, so it seems the Lord freed me by captivating my heart. Not to say that I don't have struggles still, but he provided a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He touched my heart so I could touch others and so they can see his goodness through me. I know that only He can satisfy, and God brings so much more meaning to life. It is my belief that people with addictions have forgotten their fist love; they have forgotten to delight themselves in the Lord, for He will give them the desire of their hearts (Psalm 37:4). We can defeat temptation with delighting ourselves in the Lord, and by marinating our souls in his Spirit of truth and strength. We were made to be loved and consumed in God's satisfying love. Life is a constant battle where we are torn between:

the lust of the flesh vs. valuing the soul,

food for the stomach vs. the word of life,

drunkenness vs. filled with the Spirit,

high on substance vs. delighting in the Lord,

and emotional dependence vs. depending on God's love

We must forsake these idols in our lives that keep us from our God. When people act on addictive behavior, they choose to believe that the temporary pleasures outweigh the longterm side effects. They place more worth in idols than in God and others. I want my heart to be captivated by the love and mercy of God, not enslaved by a gravitational pull to worldliness. Then, when my whole heart is found in him, an endless, caring God, I can truly give, and not focus on filling a bottomless cup of a soul.