The Habit Breaker – Ems HancockSample

Why do we get addicted?

Scientists, theologians and psychologists agree that as humans we were wired to seek PLEASURE.

God created us to crave relationship with Him, to need it and benefit from it. For example Psalm 42:2 (AMP) says:

"My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God.”

Countless times we will read verses in the Bible that show us that a close relationship with God is good for our health, our well-being, our minds, our bodies, our relationships … in fact, good for every area of life.

Other things will give us pleasure, of course, but it won’t be of the lasting, eternal kind and may have some pretty nasty side effects. God wants to give us joy that has no negative backlash and no “hang over”.

Read this scripture from Psalm 16:7-11 (GNT)

“I praise the Lord, because he guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. I am always aware of the Lord's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me. And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead. You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.”

The last line of this scripture blew me away! Did you miss it? Maybe read it again. It says that only His presence can bring us pleasure forever. If we please Him, we, in turn will be pleased. Pleasing God makes us truly, lastingly happy.

Our trouble is that we look for the satisfaction and pleasure found in God in all the wrong places. Rather than pleasing Him we look for ways to please ourselves. We try to manufacture pleasure in other ways. This is where our bad habits and addictions can take over. But all of those things have something in common: they are temporary.

It is so comforting for us to remember that Psalm 63:7 says:

“For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”

PRAYER:

Lord, forgive me for allowing temporary pleasures to take Your place. Show me how to give You more access and room in my life today. Amen.