Sucker Punch – Conquering Addiction - Thursday
Today’s Verse
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (ESV)
When I hit thirty (some years ago) I decided to set myself on a journey to radically change my life. By the grace of God, I overcame depression, lost 200 pounds, bought a house, changed careers, learned to set healthy boundaries, built community, and as of 2024 I’ve gotten married to the most amazing, God-fearing woman and we are expecting our first baby (a girl) next Spring! God has honored my obedience in the most incredible ways and I am humbled and grateful for what He has done in my life.
When I lost the 200 pounds (which took 3 years by the way) the only way I was able to accomplish that feat was to become obsessed. I committed to losing the weight and dealing with the issues behind weight gain. I tracked calories as if my life depended on it, developed new disciplines, and chose to do the things that made me uncomfortable. After losing the weight I shifted gears and found a new obsession—working out. At first, I became an avid runner. I joined a running club and we would hit the pavement at 5 am every morning. Soon I found myself running an average of 8 to 10 miles a day. After a couple of years of running, I found another new obsession—lifting weights. I got a personal trainer and 5 to 6 days a week I was lifting heavy weights at his gym.
While I was in the best shape of my adult life, I realized one day that I was just trading one obsession for another. Obsession took me from overweight to lifting heavy weights. My addictions may have changed, but being addicted did not. I searched for freedom, but only found it in Christ. In Matthew 6:24 Christ proclaimed, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (ESV) While being fit and healthy is a good thing, it became an ultimate thing. It became an obsession. There is only one devotion that should be exalted above all others: that is devotion to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).
REFLECTION
In Philippians 4:8 Paul writes, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (ESV) Do you delight in the Lord and think about things worthy of praise? What Master are you devoted to? Do your thoughts and actions reflect this devotion?