Craig Clouston

The Beginning of Healing

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1

Sitting at the bar—well, slouching would have been a more accurate description—Gil realized he’d done it again. He was half drunk and couldn't tell you how or why it had happened. He’d stopped here with the intention of having one drink then going home.
Must be my sixth or seventh, he thought, looking at the amber liquid in his glass.
It had been two years since he’d had anything to drink. The last episode had seen him waking up in a holding cell, surrounded by a dozen other men. He’d served six days in the county lockup for his involvement in a bar fight and under the direction of the court, attended a few AA meetings.
I’m not a drunk, he’d thought at his first meeting. I only drink once in a great while. How dare they associate me with a group like this! These people are mostly bums; some of them are even homeless! This had been his egotistical attitude. Gil had lost his job as a result of his nefarious behavior and had sworn it would never happen again. So much for never. If I get arrested again, Belle’s gonna come unglued! Then, another thought came unbidden. I can’t possibly be a drunk, can I? Maybe I need help.

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Addiction is found in all walks of life—teachers, lawyers, preachers, engineers, public employees, sports writers, evangelists, steel workers, nuns, PTO moms. The list knows no boundaries.
As future citizens of heaven, we are to be disciplined. Constant obsession removes that ability. When we give in to cravings, it dishonors God and harms our witness.
Addictions come in many forms. (Fill in the blank) If you can’t stop _____ when you want, if you find yourself in trouble each time you ____, if your family life, relationships, or job suffer when you ____, or if you can’t control your behavior when you ____, you have a problem. Facing the truth and asking for help is the beginning of healing.

Prayer

“I submit my life and actions to Your care in this moment, Lord. Renew my life and set me free. I’m good at hiding, Lord, so cleanse me from the inside out. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”