I’m trying to place two ideas side by side.

The first is addiction.
The second is emotional growth.

Why do people develop addictions? Often, addiction begins as an attempt to soothe deep emotional pain. To escape overwhelming hurt, a person turns to a substance or an escape routine that offers temporary relief.

Over time, what once brought relief can cross the line into addiction.

One of the tragic outcomes of addiction is that it stunts spiritual, emotional, and relational growth. While the addiction grows stronger, the person stops growing in the very areas that would help him heal.

I’m wondering if you could work on your spiritual,  emotional and relational growth to the point that the pain is healed. As healing increases, the use of substances and escape behaviors diminishes. As your emotional growth becomes deeper and wider the desire for the addiction shrinks.

Close

Let me close where I started: addiction verses growth.

You are either growing in your dependence on substances and escape behaviors, or you are growing in deeper spiritual, emotional, and relational insight.

Prayer

Father, please always be my Teacher. Help me become a greater student of Your spiritual, emotional, and relational truths. Amen.

Scripture

“Make every effort to add to your faith goodness… knowledge… self-control… perseverance… godliness… mutual affection… and love.”  2 Peter 1:5-8   (NIV)