Addiction…SUCKS!!!!

Addictions suck. Plain and simple and for so many of us these vengeful life destroyers seek to do only one thing and it is definitely to hold us back from achieving all we can. Whether it’s tobacco or alcohol, drugs, porn, gluttony, workaholic, or lying. All these and many others are the catalyst for destroying many lives, and families as well as squashing many hopes and dreams. So why do so many of us fall prey to these addictions?

I believe that the key to these issues lies in part to a lack of self esteem and confidence in ourselves as well as a huge lack in confidence of what GOD is truly capable of much less what He really does desire to do for us.

I have my own list of issues I struggle with the least of which is an addiction to chewing tobacco. I have dipped since I was 15 and I will be 30 this summer. I have spent half of my life spitting money and my health out on the ground or in a cup. I have made my sorry attempts to quit but as with many half-assed attempts at things here I am still dipping (even as I write this).

I had an epiphany today at work while I was talking to a guy I work with. I made a comment that basically said, I haven’t quit yet because I haven’t wanted to. Plainly stated all the other attempts at quitting were for someone else and not for me so that I could better serve GOD and fulfill the call He has on my life. I contemplated this statement a lot today and I know that there is only one way to kick this addiction and I would say that this answer could do some serious good for a majority of us struggling with addictions.

I have to give this issue to GOD and rest upon the promises He has given me. Philippians 4:13 “I am able to do all things through HIM whom strengthens me.”

I ask that you would pray for me as I battle this issue again and I will more than happily pray for you if you want. Have a great day

Joseph was/is the man!

So have you ever thought about how awesome Joseph (Jesus’ earthly dad) was? Think about it this guy was engaged to Mary looking forward to marring her and then come to find out she is pregnant! I don’t know about you but I would have an extremely hard time just looking past that. Not to mention there is the whole she got pregnant by an immaculate conception piece that would throw anyone for a loop. Finally you have the enormous pressure of raising Jesus. I mean come on would anybody have blamed the poor guy for hitting the road and not looking back?

Do you know what the best part is though… He manned up and stood next to his wife no matter the opposition. As a husband I can really learn a lot from such an unsung hero like Joseph.

1. Nothing is bad enough to leave

2. Roll with the punches

3. Put my desires to the side and lift up my wife

4. Be a man and make the best life you can

These are just a few things that are jumping out at me.

What do you think men? Women feel free to comment as well, what can we learn from Joseph?