I pray this note finds you well this week particularly since this is an Independence weekend.
Pastor Tinashe Zinyemba
It is that same spirit of Independence that I would like to carry over into today’s article. There are many youths who feel bound or tied to situations in their lives.
We want to tackle addictions.
By definition an addiction is a dependence, a habituation, or even an abnormal strong craving.
One definition I found particularly enlightening is that it is a form of surrender to a master. So we have people who are addicted to alcohol, drugs, pornography, swearing, sex, television, music, food just to mention a few.
Then we also have addictive behaviours such as lying, gossiping, violence, stealing, being argumentative, the list is endless.
So in essence if you are addicted to something that means that it is your master…. Shocking hey.
One tends to get addicted to something for various reasons. For some it starts of as a form of comforting yourself and develops into an addiction. For others it starts of as a pass time and it eventually grows into an addiction.
Again for others it starts of as a game until it becomes uncontrollable.
Also there are some youths who start certain habits out of peer pressure until it eventually takes control of their lives.
Generally too much of anything is bad for your health.
Most of the time those who are in addiction are usually in denial and will not accept help.
So I thought I would list a few of the signs and symptoms of addiction.
I got these from Dr Phil who said that you have an addiction if you have:
Recurrent failure (pattern) to resist impulses;
Frequently engaging in those behaviours to a greater extent or over a longer period of time than intended;
Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to stop, reduce or control those behaviours;
Inordinate amount of time spent in obtaining the object of addiction and/or engaging in or recovering from the behaviour;
Preoccupation with the behaviour or preparatory activities;
Frequently engaging in behaviour when expected to fulfil occupational, academic, domestic or social obligations;
Continuation of the behaviour despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, academic, financial, psychological or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by the behaviour;
Need to increase the intensity, frequency, number or risk of behaviours to achieve the desired effect, or diminished effect with continued behaviours at the same level of intensity, frequency, number or risk;
Giving up or limiting social, occupational or recreational activities because of the behaviour; and
Resorting to distress, anxiety, restlessness or violence if unable to engage in the behaviour at times.
For many youths addictions border around areas such alcohol, drugs, pornography, masturbation, food, lying, aggressive behaviours and other such related traits.
You do not have to live your life like this.
You do not have to be a slave to your addiction. Your addiction does not have to be your master.
In Matthew 17 vs 14-21, there is the story of a young man who was a slave to a tormenting spirit that would throw him into the fire and the water, in other words he was a slave to this spirit.
The young man’s father went to Jesus seeking for help.
In Mark 5 vs 1-20 we find another young man who is afflicted by demonic spirits such that he had become an outcast to the extent that he lived in the tombs and was always naked.
Can you imagine that level of being a slave to something?
The good news is that Jesus came to seek and to save to heal and to deliver. In Luke4vs18 Jesus said “He came to preach deliverance to the captives …”
In this weekend of Independence my message is very simple you can be set free from that bondage, you don’t have to be bound to whatever it Is that has made itself a master over your life.
Jesus is your answer.
If you know of anyone who is addicted to something, take them to Jesus in prayer, be patient with them, get them professional help if need be. Don’t lose hope.
If you are the one who is addicted, believe God for your deliverance.
You have to be strong and fight the addiction. Find someone stronger than you in that area of weakness, and I know you will be set free.Till next time… God bless.
The writer is a pastor with New Life Covenant Church. Email feedback at tinashezinyemba@yahoo.com