Alcohol & Drug Strongholds

January 1, 2021

This short in a nutshell blog is the second in the stronghold series.

Alcohol and/or drugs can devastate a person, they can destroy your relationships with family and friends, they can destroy your career and/or your future, they can destroy a home in ending your marriage and the love and trust of your kids.  They can and will block your relationship with the Lord. I know many of ya are probably thinking I don't drink or do drugs...a chemical stronghold which is what this is can be defined as a dependency on chemicals to address, cope with or find relief from the struggles and stress of life.  Did you notice in that definition the word(s) "addiction" or "addicted to" were no where in it? That's probably because many people don't really understand what an addiction to be and would quit reading because they're not addicted to anything and this isn't just about addiction it's about control.  Ever say something like "I just a drink at night to unwind" or "I just need a smoke to reduce the stress" maybe "I ugly until get my first cup of coffee"? All three of these say the exact same thing...I cannot be what I was meant to be until I ingest these chemicals. The problem comes in the attempt to get the physical world to provide the fix for what is really a spiritual pain, lack or emptiness. 

That drink, cigarette, pill, cup of coffee or drug - whatever it is you struggle with...IS NOT TO BE THE MASTER OVER YOU.  Because of God's grace.

Now, I can hear what you're saying, "it's not as simple as that. You don't know how deep my problem is. You don't know my people, my situation, my past, my regrets...they drive me to do what I do in order to cope. Friend, I Do understand because I've lived life too. I beat an addiction to smokeless tobacco that lasted for about 35 years. I quit drinking except for an occasional drink that carried on for as nearly as long as I dipped.  If I have a drink now it's because I want to have one and not because I need it.  The smokeless tobacco is a different story I completely avoid it because it was a true addiction that I used to deal with people rather than living a Christian life...I understand that your problems are what drives you, but what I'm saying is that it's driving you in the wrong direction. Where it ought to drive you can be found Ephesians. We read,

 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled instead with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) 

When live crashes in on you don't turn to _______, because that will be be a dissipation - a waste. Go to the lord in worship and be filled with the Holy Spirit instead.  Simply stated the Holy Spirits presence involves worship and needs to be visited on a daily bases and as often as possible. Worship (being in God's presence) includes several things:

Speaking His truth (I think it's important to have someone to talk with about Jesus...a spouse, your pastor, a Christian mentor or just a friend)

Singing (hymns/spiritual songs, I do this in private or my head...no sense in punishing others)

Meditation (This is my alone time with him with no music/TV/computer nothing but me and him for discussion and prayer)

Gratitude (Give thanks...I do it daily just thanking Him for giving me another sunrise if nothing else.  Just let Him know you appreciate everything He gives you, even the simplest of things.)

Being filled with the Holy Spirit means making worship a way of life. When the Holy Spirit's presence fills you, you will discover your cravings change. You don't have to live as a slave to what you crave, the Holy Spirit will set you free to be all you were created to be and to enjoy life.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was though the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirements of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

To repeat a story I heard Dr. Evans tell...

"I was once physically trapped in an elevator. Being trapped is an uncomfortable feeling, especially in a high rise in the elevator between floors. When it happened the immediate reaction around me was to panic. Some cried, some yelled for help and some started banging on the door. I stood there for a moment watching the reactions of the others  around me, until the elevator phone caught my eye. When I saw it, I simply made my way to the other side of the elevator, picked up the phone and waited for an answer. A voice at the other end said "Is there a problem?" I answered , "Yes sir, we are trapped. Can we get some help?"..."We'll be right there, sir" the man replied. It was as simple as that"

When you feel trapped in an addiction or by a habit, it's easy to forget that God has put a lifeline in each of our lives (prayer) and he's just waiting for us to pick up the phone and give Him a call. You don't even have to cry, scream or beat on doors...He can hear ya whisper. This is the best lasting way to do it in my opinion, but I've learned that programs like "Celebrate Recovery" or such a program my pastor does an FB Live course call "Recovery through Discipleship that I would suggest.

***If you fill as if you need help finding further direction or help do not hesitate to contact me through this forum or message me on Facebook if that's more comfortable for privacy reasons or you can text me at 501-514-7139 and I'll get back with you as quickly as I can. I may not personally be able to help you much further but I can put you in contact with someone who can and it's all as confidential as you want it to be. I'm currently going through his program as well as trying to help others.