The Beginning of Healing
June 8
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.
h
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 fam-
ily 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.”
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