Can't Trust Me

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. (Proverbs 28:26)

A fool is someone who makes poor decisions, acts foolishly, or is easily tricked. Though it sounds harsh to think of someone as a fool, it’s kinda fitting for the addict. Think about the actions of someone who is addicted to something. I say something because there are addictions outside of drugs and alcohol. Addiction is a psychological diagnosis defined as a chronic condition that can affect many aspects of your life, including your physical and mental health, relationships and career. There are two main forms of addiction: substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Addiction is treatable. It’s crucial to seek help as soon as possible. Some other addictions include, but not limited to:

• Gambling.
• Eating.
• Exercising or dieting.
• Shopping.
• Shoplifting or other risky behaviors.
• Having sex.
• Viewing pornography.
• Video gaming (internet gaming disorder).
• Using the internet (such as on your phone or a computer).

Like the fool we make poor decisions regarding our behavior. Alcoholics choose to drink even when they know it is a negative influencer on their life and actions. The shopaholic will purchase even when they don’t have the money. Gamblers will continue to do so even when on the verge of losing their house. There are poor decisions regarding the addiction. This isn’t to say we are fools. Only that our actions are foolish and we are easily tricked into thinking everything is great. We have to get to the point that if left to ourselves we are doomed. So we must see the folly in our actions and believe there is a better way. There is wisdom greater than what we possess.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans put this way: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15). As human beings, and more so addicts, we do things and later feel sorry for our actions. These are the things we don’t what to do but do them anyway. The flavor we choose for our addiction  doesn’t matter. What matters is that we lose control of our actions and our participation in our addiction. Contrary to what we think and believe, we have lost control. We have become a prisoner of whatever it is that controls us. To this point we are powerless over our addiction and we can no longer manage our lives. 

Now we’re ready to move on to Step 2. As we do I want to leave you these words of the Apostle Paul. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).