Addicted-Who Me?

Parked down the street from my home, I hid in my car to make sure my husband and children wouldn’t see (or perhaps want a bite of) my chocolate treat. The ritual of enjoying my sweet indulgences in such privacy had become routine. My addiction to chocolates had been growing since childhood— inherited from my dessert-loving parents. In a busy household with five children, my dad secretly stashed his goodies inside an empty oatmeal container in the cupboard! I hid mine in my car.

A One-Sided Love Affair

Sadly, my chocolate love affair is one-sided. While I love chocolate, it does not love me back. Over the years, this relationship has brought me headaches, sinus infections, lack of energy, and arthritis symptoms.

Besides these negative health consequences, this addiction has become an unwelcome companion that traipses after me, dragging guilt along. The scriptures teach that my body is a temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit within me (Galatians 5:22-23). While I commit to do better, invariably something triggers my emotions: conflicts, trying circumstances, disappointments, loneliness, or just the desires of my flesh. Then, I yield to temptation, rushing for the chocolate fix and sugar high. Will I ever overcome this lifelong struggle? How can I satisfy this gnawing desire?

Seeking comfort in food, like any other craving, can become a substitute for satisfaction in God. Dianna Carroll recently wrote a blogpost about alcohol and drug abuse. She observed that those who look to the false gods of alcohol or drugs for comfort or escape instead of seeking the true and living God are idolators.

Subtle Forms of Idolatry

Reading Carroll’s blog brought me relief: Thankfully I am not one of those addicts! Quickly, however, the Holy Spirit reminded me that idolatry takes many forms—as in my craving for chocolate. Instead of running to Jesus and His Word for comfort, I seek chocolate’s immediate gratification to soothe my aching heart or fleshly desire. Somehow, though, chocolate bars never satisfy completely. I still feel empty, always wanting more.

Recently, I read Wendy Speak’s book The 40 Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation. Her message is not about weight loss but about a deeper, more intimate walk with the Lord. She calls her readers to lean on Jesus, not themselves. Speak’s discussion goes beyond merely sugar fasting. Its truths, presented in short, daily devotions, encouraged me to pursue a deeper relationship with my Savior.

Sugar desires like other addictions bring mental, physical, and spiritual battles! As Dianna Carroll observes, “Addiction is enslavement which can wreak havoc in the life of the addicted.” Like those drug addicts, sugar addiction is physical as well as emotional and spiritual. We cannot live without our fix. In our own strength, this is probably true.

Finding Help

But God! He is our hope, our strength, our friend, the only one we can completely trust. He wants us to run to Him in our fleshly fights to find His strength. He cares about every struggle we have, for the battles are real. That’s why the apostle Paul told us to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-12). With spiritual armor, we can stand against the schemes and strategies of the devil. No one wins a battle without preparation and equipment. These struggles may require fellow soldiers who come alongside to encourage and hold us accountable. The Word of God is our best source of strength as we seek to know and obey it. Then, the Spirit’s gift of self-control will grow stronger in us.

Verses for the Journey

“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).”

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12).”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Never Give Up

When we lose a battle, we must keep on. Even though Satan whispers that we are hopeless and doomed, we remember that he is a liar. He wants us to live in defeat, but “greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). With renewed confidence, we can silence that inner voice that cries, Why do I even try? Nothing will ever change.

Yet to concede defeat means we’ll continue our frustrated lives. But we don’t have to remain stuck! We are blessed with the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ who resides within those who have trusted Him as Savior, so we are not doomed to chronic failure. Through His Spirit, Jesus daily bestows power on His children to be conformed to His image, to become like Him (Romans 8:29). The Apostle Paul assures us, “He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8). He never gives up on us. Therefore, neither should we!

Pastor David Anderson observed, “One of the kindest acts Jesus does for us is to expose our weaknesses and needs.” He never leaves us in our sin. Remember, striving toward the goal of Christlikeness takes hard work and intentional planning. Bad habits take a lifetime to develop and will not be easily overcome. In fact, we will fight some for the rest of our lives. Removing all temptation from my home (and car!) is a good start while replacing them with healthy, enjoyable alternatives.

Because regret is a well-worn path, daily adopt the apostle Paul’s strategy: “Forgetting those things that are behind ... I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Each day, we can begin anew in the Lord’s power and strength. He forgets our sins and failings, and so must we. Great is His faithfulness: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness“(Lamentations 3:22-23).

I am not my successes or failures. I am a forgiven child of a great King. Let us live in that reality everyday.