[Article "From the Minister's Study" for Blyth/Brussels newspaper The Citizen]
“He
really doesn’t drink that much.”
“Paul
drinks more than I do.”
“Look
honey, I have a tough job; I work hard. I need a few drinks to relax. It
doesn’t mean that I have a problem.”
Do
any of these statements sound familiar to you? Chances are you may be dealing
with someone who has an addiction. Consuming substances obsessively can be an
attempt to cover over pain that needs to be dealt with. Un-truths and cover-ups
result.
Or
perhaps you encounter denial in areas other than substance abuse. What might
that sound like?
“Billy,
if we don’t talk about it, it will go away.”
“It
really doesn’t hurt when he does that; I’m fine!”
“I
eat because you make me so mad!”
“I’m
not hurting anyone but myself.”
Behavioral
addictions may not involve drugs or alcohol, but can be equally life-damaging.
Our mental health can be affected, potentially resulting in depression, chronic
anger, or even suicide. As Jesus Christ observed about the devil, “The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10) Addictions drive us to
consume or react in ways that we suppose will numb the pain – but that can have
devastating effects.
Consider
the havoc wreaked just by substance abuse. AddictionCenter.com points out the
following Canadian facts:
•
In 2012, it was
estimated that 21.6% of Canada’s population met the criteria for a substance
use disorder. That’s close to 8 million people suffering from addiction in
Canada.
•
Alcohol, by a
wide margin, is the most abused substance in Canada.
•
More people were
hospitalized in 2015 through 2016 for alcohol-related harm than heart attacks.
(Think of it as hospital beds that were taken from 77,000 other people who may
have needed them.)
•
According to the
United Nations, Canada is the world’s largest producer of ecstasy and
methamphetamines. There aren’t any prescription options to substitute for meth,
and the side effects of the drug makes users trying to recover violent and
unpredictable. “[Meth] eventually gets you, and when it takes you down, it
takes you down and you lose absolutely everything.”
•
Approximately 4
people in Canada are killed each day in car crashes involving a driver under
the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both. (1,451 in 2013)
We
can see from the above that the addiction of substance abuse alone takes a
considerable toll on the well-being of Canadian society. The cost of avoiding
recovering is considerable!
The
Bible offers several instances warning that overconsumption of alcohol can
become problematic. Noah survived a cataclysmic environmental disaster only to
become inebriated and undress himself in embarrassing fashion. (Genesis 9:21ff)
The daughters of Lot (Abraham’s nephew) employed alcohol in order to induce
their father into a state where he was vulnerable to involuntary incest (Gen.
19:31). Later, King Belshazzar of Babylon was drinking wine when he praised
gods of gold and silver, and brought God’s indictment upon himself for his
rebellion, idolatry, and irreverence (Daniel 5:2,4,23)
Addictions
drive us into behaviours that are damaging in the long term to ourselves and to
others near us. So the Bible advises us to guard ourselves from the slavery of
intoxication. “Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on
meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in
rags.” (Prov. 23:20) And in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns, “The
acts of the sinful nature are obvious: ... drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I
warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the
kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19ff) And – “Do not get drunk on wine, which
leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)
There
is a BETTER alternative, as Paul says: being filled with God’s Spirit. Celebrate
Recovery is a program beginning locally September 24th which is
based on Christian principles derived from Jesus’ teaching. For example, the
first half of the eight principles are as follows:
•
Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am
powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is
unmanageable.
•
Earnestly believe
that God exists, that I matter to Him and that He has the power to help me
recover.
•
Consciously
choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
•
Openly examine
and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
Recovery is not easy. It is seldom quick. There are often
setbacks and re-starts. But those who stick with the program discover God’s
help for their temptations – their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Finding a
supportive small group and accountability partner are key. Just opening up to
admit one’s failings is a big start. There we learn to be humble, to walk alongside
others who are also in the journey, and to discover God’s healing power for
those who look to Him – before it’s too late.
