Hey friends...
How are ya?? Let me just say that I'm super duper happy right now because 1) it's going to be 69 degrees here today (13 inches of snow were on the ground as of Monday) and 2) daylight savings time kicks in on Sunday. Praise Jesus for an extra hour of daylight. This makes me happy that SPRING IS COMING! SPRING IS COMING!!!!
Ok, totally switching gears....I want to let you in on a little secret....I have a strong addictive personality. And, therefore, I'm completely compassionate to those precious people who battle an addiction of any kind. But, don't we all battle something in some form or fashion?? Let me give you a list of some things that are daily battles as well as life battles....
addicted to coffee
addicted to routine
addicted to Bible study (that's not so bad, huh?)
addicted to all things social networking
could easily be addicted to alcohol or any "substance" for that matter
addicted to the approval of others
addicted to music
addicted to Bravo reality TV shows
not-so-much addicted to magazines any more
addicted to my family
Notice that I didn't put much out there as far as some serious addictions. I did mention the alcohol and substance abuse thing because I do have some experience there that I'm not real happy about. I just know that when you have an addictive personality you tend to go 210% into ANYTHING. I have to steer clear of a lot of things and I also have to keep things in check on a very regular basis. The addictive battle may be gone, but it's still a part of who I am.
For anyone out there who is struggling with a stronghold of any kind, I'm with ya. All strongholds DO NOT have to be hard core, but they can certainly be destructive all the same.
What can you share with me about your own struggles with addiction?
I realize that this is a very sensitive subject. I'm just fully aware of the big addictions that are within our church and also alive and active in a lost world. I don't ever want to appear to have it all together and can't relate to anyone or any thing.
I totally get it. I've lived a lot of it.
He is our refuge and our strength. He will set us free from the mess that so easily entangles us.
Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Freedom is what we want. Freedom is what we need.
I love each and every one of you. I pray for you today that you are walking in freedom. And, if you are not, I pray that you are on a journey toward freedom.
Blessings~
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Addiction
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24 comments:
Girl. Do you know that this popped up RIGHT WHEN I WAS SORELY BEING TEMPTED OVER SOMETHING??? I have a habit I'm trying to break, and today's the day I'm really chewing on scripture and fighting off the enemy.
I needed this word and Galatians 5:1 - right this second.
Love you Fran - Love God that He spoke through you,
Melinda
I so have an addictive personality as well. Alcoholism(addiction) is in my family so I made a decision after my first son was born that I would not drink anything with alcohol. I could see myself very easily falling into that trap. I am addicted to pretty much everything on your list and one big one for me is food. I have allowed it to be my God on numerous occasions. I feed every emotion which I should give to God and then I am constantly thinking I have got to get this weight off. Which takes my thoughts away from the Father. I find that I am very quick to give someone struggling in an area the right answers (pointing them to Jesus) yet I can't seem to take my own advice. Ugh.. Just rambling and from the length of this comment probably are sorry you asked.
Linda
getting real: so tough!
FOOD! History runs in the family but working through that. This manifests itself in many ways; one is "nutritional reading" meaning anything new that's out there I want to know about it. Big problem! I can "talk the talk" here but have a hard time walking it.
People pleasing - nough said, amen.
Was a FB games addict but that's been released greatly by God's grace. Not so into it right now...for now.
Not an addiction (I don't think) but I know I can be such a selfish person, and I despise it. Maybe it *is* an addiction to self? yikes!
So glad to sojourn with you girls as we are refined to be more like HIM and less like us.
much love,
rachel
Hello there my dear friend Fran. I just love how real you are. I think alot of people don't realize that just because you don't struggle with an addiction to drugs/alcohol, that doesn't mean you don't struggle with addiction.
I have a STRONG addiction to food. I do love to eat but it's not for the right reasons.
I am addicted to television.
I am addicted to KNOWING. I just need to KNOW what's going on.
I am addicted to email.
Wouldn't it be better if I was just addicted to Jesus?
love you. thanks for making me think today :)
Praying for you sweetie, thanks for sharing such a great post.
Girl I love you
I love your honesty and passion!
You are such an encouragement and inspiration to me!
and I am so excited that this weekend it will be SUNNY and 76 -WAHOO!!
Love you
Kim
Fran, I think we may be a lot alike. I am addicted to this computer...my friends...coffee...chocolate...food in general...shopping...amongst others. My biggest struggle is with food. I have always steered clear of too much alcohol, because honestly, I think I could be addicted too easily. I have a heart for people with addiction too. What beautiful words from God.
You are a blessing!
Does my Chap-stik addiction count? Cause I still have it - BIG TIME!
I am addicted to socializing....Facebook, Blog, computer.....I think its my outlet as a SAHM - a way to stay connected to the adult world.
I dont know if I have an addictive type personality or not, but I do believe that I could be easily addicted to lots of things. I think, even as Christians, we are all looking for something to fill a "void" in our lives that can only be filled by God and his Word.....fact is, we are looking for an easy, mindless fix to our restlessness and insecurities when the fix is in God's Word and prayer. I am as guilty as anyone for putting other things ahead of God.....that is really what addiction comes down to, isnt it?
I have an addictive personality, too. I am quite addicted to two things right now. Social networking is the first. I keep hoping it fulfill all my needs as an extrovert who stays home with two children all day. But it doesn't. Surprise!
My second it exercise/calorie counting. It's my way of convincing myself that I'm in control of something.
What a great post. Addiction has been on my mind for a week...the fact that if I am really honest, I am addicted to the computer, to TV, to emails and blogs, to approval of others, to diet coke and coffee (at least its just coffeee for you)....and none of those are bad things if they are in balance. I want to get a bit more addicted to Bible Study, Exercise, good food choices, and self acceptance. So glad to know we all face giants...some are just more socially acceptable than others....
Thanks for sharing so honestly....I love your blog.
Good post Girlfriend... I am addicted to several of the things you listed as well as some of the things your other friends listed in their comments...
I struggle when I am addicted to something, and then I see others who can enjoy that particular something without becoming addicted...that stops me from progressing... then I realize I need to turn my focus back on God, and let Him tell me what needs to go in my life... I know that if I don't conquer my addictions through Him, I will never truly live the abundant life He has called me too.
Also, I am in the stage now that I realize that many of my addictions are me just being plain disobedient to God, and sooner or later I will have to answer for that...
Love ya, Kim
You rock.
That is all.
Oh, except I HEART YOU!
Now, that is all.
Whew!! That preaches. Girl...
I just love you.
steph.
Yup yup. I have the same addiction issues. I quit smoking almost 2 years ago and I swear that has been one of the hardest things I have done and I battle it every day STILL! I have many other addictions (social networking would be one of them).
This time last year I was working on Breaking Free - It is for freedom that Christ has set me free!!!
Thanks, Fran. I literally just finished writing my blog on a former addiction. And yet, I sat there as I wrote weighing if I haven't replaced it with the addiction of the computer, facebook, visiting blogs, doing work at home, at once again the expense of my family. I can't believe I've pondered this the last few days, wrote my blog, and came here and found this. Thanks. I need that freedom again and again and again, for we are so easily entangled aren't we? Blessings!
Addictive personalities run rampit, literally, in my entire family. It is sick! And unfortunately, I didn't figure that out till later in life and I had pushed every sin I was dealing with down. All addictive, messy stuff.
I have to be so intentional about the things I do, eat, watch, say, read and whatnot to keep myself from addictive things! Even if they are 'good', harmless things.
There is some real, hard stuff going on in churches and christians all over! It's so sad to watch. But, all I can do is pray and know that I am not past one addictive thing. And oh, I pray that every addict is freed in Jesus' name!
Awesome post! I have the addictive personality too...except that I am too addicted to what little tiny bit of control God allows me to have to give it up to any sort of substance....except for Diet Coke....so I've always managed to steer clear of those types of addictions..:)
Now the teensy HGTV/so many projects I'll never ever finish with 2 small children addiction,.....well, that's a whole other issue!
Addictive personality here too. I am SO thankful for freedom in Christ! He is good.
Have a great weekend! I SO love you!
Girl I too have an addictive personality so everything is a possible addiction. I live on guard and with my eyes on the Lord. When I swerve off path His Holy Spirit gently nudges me back on again. Some things are easier to move away from then others but it is a journey and a process, amen!
Blessings,
Angela
remember me?
i used to be addicted to blogging...
i've been on like twice this year...
even blogger doesn't recognize my id anymore...
seriously, I lost so much of my childhood to alcoholism, mental illness, and abuse that as a young teen I quickly held on to whatever gave me life in this world (and it wasn't Jesus). I learned that for me to be attached to strong men and anything successful was life. Even when I became a Christian, I still attached to strong ministries and strong people and anything successful. God meets us in our weaknesses. He never intended for me to be attached to anything but Him. He continues to detach me from anything that brings me joy other than Him. That's it!
Thinking about you this a.m. and sending you a hug and my love.
I'm with Bev, I used to be addicted to blogging, too! Haha! FB is definitely one for me...and food. Food is a big one for me. Satan gets me big on that one telling me I NEED certain foods to make me happy. I hate that! I have experienced freedom in this area before, but never completely...he always seems to sneak back in with it. Argh.
Fran, thanks for being real and sharing from your heart! Blessings!
Fran -- it's my 'catch up on my blog reading' day and I HEART this post! It speaks to so much of me. I struggle with an addictive personality. I've struggled with it for years. I am addicted to being in control -- and God is working that out in me. This last year has been an amazing year of out of control and it's been good.
I also struggle with addiction to relationships -- I just adore friends, but I've been in a some toxic relationships that were so damaging. I've learned to surrender all before Him! I want to live in the freedome that is a life in Christ.
I wish I could be addicted to exercise and low-fat foods!
Seriously, this is me in a nutshell!
I am going to read it again just to get all the meat!
Thanks, Fran!
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