are you addicted too

Addictions are rabid.

They are overwhelming, made up of a combination of physical and psychological needs.

It’s your body telling you that you need it.

It’s your mind saying you can’t survive without it.

But addictions aren’t just physical. They could be ideas or concepts. They aren’t black and white either: not just plain old

GOOD

or

BAD.

So, what are you addicted to?

Maybe it’s an idea.

Maybe you feel like if you just had that; if you could just achieve that; if you could just get over that hump, everything will turn around.

I’ve had ideas like that. In fact, the other day I realized that I’ve always been addicted to an idea.

It started when I was nine and self conscious about my glasses.

If only I could get contacts and not look so weird.

Then I got contacts and it evolved into

If only I could get braces for my vampire fangs.

Before long, it was

If only I could get my braces off.

If only I could get on the soccer team.

If only I could be in a different stage of my life.

Things spiraled out of control.

If only the pain would go away.

Then I had a great victory . . . only to find myself back in that spiral.

If only I could lose a couple pounds.

If only this would really take off and I could have a source of income this fall.

Why have I never been content?

When I had my braces on, little did I know but that six years later I’d give anything to be back there so when I looked in the mirror I saw a person I liked. So I could fit in kids’ size jeans.

Little did I know but when I wanted to be in a different stage, terrible pain was coming that I would’ve given anything to avoid.

That made me wonder what idea I’m addicted to now . . . and what, looking back, I’d wish I had then that I have now.

WOW.

Maybe it’s a person.

I watch so many people following after a person. I know I’ve been like that sometimes before and, when you aren’t in it, it’s so obvious.

The people following celebrities, athletes, singers, even pastors or boyfriends or really great people like Joanna Gaines.

We weren’t made to find a fallible man or woman to follow. We weren’t made to seek the advice or wisdom of someone instead of God; to wish we looked like them or had their gifts instead of the ones God gave us because obviously He didn’t know what He was doing.

The first step is realizing you’re addicted. And it’s okay: maybe you are, but you aren’t alone. You also have hope, a way out. There’s no addiction that can’t be treated with a reassigning of God to His rightful place in our lives.

It’s okay, beloved. We’re all addicted to something in our own way. But God always has a way for hope to take root.

Not all prescriptions come in an orange bottle.