Everybody Has One.

No, I’m not talking about butts, I’m talking about *gasp* addictions. That’s right. I believe that everyone has some sort of addiction whether you call it that or not. We are addicted to our phones, our computers, our Instagrams, our jobs. We are addicted to alcohol, pills, porn, sex. I think that our culture, and our Christianity has given us a skewed view on what addiction truly means.

I had an eye-opening talk with a good friend recently about how our growing up the church has somewhat hindered our worldview. We were both raised to keep private matters private. To not talk about our problems and to not trust those outside of our home with things like addiction because they might judge us or get the wrong idea about who we are. Sometimes even to the point of not discussing our problems within the safety of our own homes. I do agree with this to a point, I think that if it isn’t your problem then it isn’t yours to tell, but if you have something that needs to be worked on, there is absolutely nothing wrong and in fact, everything right, with sharing with those who can encourage and help you with your problems.

The Bible encourages us to lean upon one another, to confess our sins, pray for one another, to ask for the big “H” word- HELP. We cannot conquer our addictions alone. I have struggled for years with addictions that no one has been aware of. I have problems that I don’t think I would have the strength to work through without the love and support and prayers of my Christian brothers and sisters. James tells us to “confess our sins to one another and pray for one another because the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” I don’t know about you, but knowing that someone who loves me and cares for me and believes in the power of the Lord is praying for me and supporting me is a pretty big thing.

It is not our job to decide what is going to condemn someone else to hell. It is not our job to judge someone because their belief system is different than ours. It is our job to love one another, pray for one another, support one another, and show others Jesus. We need to ensure that in our everyday life we don’t let our addictions become our identities, but to own up to our struggles and use that to help others find the love and support that they need.

Having an addiction does not make you weak, getting help makes you strong. Asking for help does not make you weak, trusting other people means you are surrounded by love.

My name is Molly and I have an addiction. I choose to fight my addiction, to ask for support, to pray for myself and others who struggle. I choose to work at it and not to let my addiction consume me. I choose to trust in the Lord and know that he is good. I choose to love others who struggle. I choose to let God take control.