New research is revealing why Americans become addicted. In Time Magazine, Michael D. Lemonick reports, “Armed with an array of increasing sophisticated technology, including fMRIS and Pet Scans, investigators have begun to figure out exactly what goes wrong in the brain of an addict—which neurotransmitting chemicals are out of balance and what regions of the brain are affected. They are developing a more detailed understanding of how deeply and completely addiction can affect the brain, by hijacking memory-making processes and by exploiting emotions. Using that knowledge, they’ve begun to design new drugs that are showing promise in cutting off the craving that drives an addict irresistibly toward relapse—the greatest risk facing even the most dedicated abstainer.”
Well, we can try drugs to cure us of our addictions, or we can try God’s remedy. Obviously, our thought life determines our behavior. Jesus taught that our bad behavior comes from the sin that is in our hearts. In Matthew 15:19 He says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
I submit to you, my faithful readers, that there is a better way to renew our mind. And that better way is feeding on God’s words contained in the Bible. Addiction results from our desire to seek and feel joy or pleasure. Jeremiah, one of God’s prophets, knew the secret to true joy and delight. In Jeremiah 15:16 he says, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear you name, O Lord God Almighty.”
The article also reports on one important discovery. Evidence is building to support the 90-day rehabilitation model, which was stumbled upon by AA (new members are advised to attend a meeting a day for the first 90 days) and is the duration of a typical stint in a drug treatment program. It turns out that this is just about how long it takes for the brain to reset itself and shake off the immediate influence of a drug. Researchers at Yale University have documented what they call the sleeper effect—a gradual re-engaging of proper decision making and analytical functions in the brain’s prefrontal cortex—after an addict has abstained for at least 90 days.
If you are struggling with addictive behaviors or just trying to discover God’s will for your life, take the next 90 days and change your behavior.
I recommend the following:
(1) Read chapter of the Bible, starting in the Book of John, and one Psalm (start with Psalm 1 and finish with Psalm 90) and one Proverb (There are 31 proverbs, so you should be able to read the book of Proverbs 3 times in 90 days). Then, meditate on and pray about what you just read. Be sure to ask God in your prayer time to give you wisdom to know Jesus and His will for your life.
(2 Make notes about what you are learning and hearing from God in the Bible.
(3) Find a committed follower of Jesus and talk to them about what you are learning.
(4) Think and act differently. Apply what you are reading and learning.
(5) Attend a Bible believing church for the next 90 days. If you don’t have a church, try Every Nation Tallahassee and tell me about the changes you are making in your life.
As jars of clay, we are filled with joy when we live to please God. The only addictive behavior we should engage in is the worship of our great God. As we offer our lives to him as living sacrifices, he will transform us by renewing our minds to enjoy the only One that satisfies our souls.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (2) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
Ultimately, God’s words and His way is the best solution to break destructive habits and give us the joy and pleasure we all long for deep in our hearts.
2 comments:
I have also seen us as "containers". I see us as different size containers depending upon our spiritual maturity.
The more I mature spiritually the larger my container becomes and the more God can fill me up; but if I am hardened, resistant, and rebellious, etc. then my container cannot expand and will remain small.
Imagine after a hard work out or playing basketball in the sun, you go into the store to get a drink and the only cups available are a shot glass. You're thirsty enough to drink a gallon of water and all they have is a shot of water.
Imagine eating at a restaurant and you get a little 6 oz. cup and have to continue asking your waiter for refills every 3 minutes. You want a nice sized 32 oz. cup. So how annoying is that?
I see it the same way with us and God sometimes. God wants our container to expand so He can pour more of Himself into us, but too much of the time we are like a shot glass and not the gallon that He wants us to be.
Gary E.
Very good post and very relevant issue to not only the world, but just as much to the church. Unfortunately the church has a high percentage of people in bondage to all sorts of addictions. These are the types of posts that need to be shouted from the mountain tops.
I for one am a very devoted Christian, but at the same time still struggle with a few bad habits. I have a bad habit of getting discouraged and then getting lazy. I have a bad habit of being very inconsistent. I have a bad habit of watching more TV than reading. I have a bad habit of eating the wrong kinds of foods.
All of these things affect my spiritual life. I like this post b/c it helps get my attention and prompts me to evaluate myself and my habits and try to replace bad habits with good ones.
Keep writing Pastor Ron. You and Clayton are both touching up on some great topics.
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