THE GOOD ADDICTION
It’s almost been 5 months since the Lord called me to Him. The past couple of days I’ve been thinking about this obsession that I’ve had. I’ve been thinking about all of the things I’ve been praying about. I’ve been thinking about the things people have been praying for for me. To say the past 5 months have been easy would be a lie. They have been hard, which reminds me of Matt. 7:13-14. Following God IS hard. It’s not easy. Funny thing is, I actually prayed for hardship. I prayed for God to put me in the ring. “Test me, God” I prayed. I actually think I demanded it at some point. Over the past couple of months, I’ve fought lust, doubting my faith, learning holy sexuality, learning patience and acting in a way that honors the Lord. How I’ve been tested makes me laugh a little bit. God definitely knew what kind of situation would test me. I’m not writing to tell you about that test though. It’s too personal and if I told you it might tarnish some reputations that you have of other people. I am here to tell you that I’ve experienced nothing short of blessing and answer to prayer the past couple of weeks. The blessings are knocking at my door too, I didn’t have to go to them, they came to me. This has me thinking about happiness. What makes me happy? Is it evidence that God exists, yes. I love finding that evidence, but I also love being evidence. It brings me joy to know that I’ve persevered through some tough circumstances. It brings me greater joy to know that I need not worry about my life. If I die, it is for Christ. If I suffer, it is with Christ. If I live, it is because of Christ. There’s an element of worry that I think is present when people pray for me or ask to pray for me. I want you to know that you don’t need to worry, I’m here to tell you not to worry. God has me. I’m addicted.
The thing about worldly addiction is that it manifests through happiness. Something makes us happy, and that happiness fades away, so we seek that feeling, we crave happiness. “Do what makes you happy” they say. “As long as it makes you happy” we say. But what is it about happiness and why is it never discussed in the Bible. That’s because happiness, is actually not holy. Joy is. Joy is actually a fruit of the spirit, and there’s actually a reason happiness isn’t a fruit of the spirit. Those who seek happiness, will only find addiction to worldly things. Those who seek Joy, will find God, because He is the source of it. Happiness is also an emotion, and none of the fruits of the spirit are emotions, they’re traits. Fruits of the spirit are products of the Holy Spirit within us. They’re evidence that God resides within us. In Nehemiah 8, scripture tells us joy is our strength. When we are weak, we should seek joy.
In John 15:11, during the last supper, Jesus talks about being the True Vine. He specifically told His disciples about being the True Vine, so that they would have His joy, and that it would be full.
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
C.S. Lewis once said, "If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world." It brings me joy that I crave what the world cannot satisfy. I am assured of my beliefs through that craving. It’s different than a craving for worldly things. When we pursue things that the world can satisfy, we get consumed by those things. If I pursue an achievement or an award, I will consume myself with that activity. If I want a trophy, I have to play the sport. Why don’t we start desiring what the world can’t satisfy? How great is it though, that we will one day get to sit at the table with Jesus. How great is it that we already get to DIRECTLY communicate with our creator through prayer. This is just one of many reasons why we choose to follow Jesus, and choose to turn away from sin.
In light of all of this talk about happiness and joy, and how the fruits of the spirit aren’t emotions, remember to have FAITH over FEELINGS. For a bit I started to believe if I didn’t feel like God loves me or didn’t feel His presence that I wasn’t saved. How sad is that! How sad is it that I was putting myself in an environment that made me believe that I wasn’t saved! How sad is it that there are environments that claim to be of the Lord that make us believe such foolish ideas. We should put ourselves in environments that make us desire what the world cannot satisfy. Who am I to let the enemy that I have been saved from deceive me? It all goes back to the lies the devil tells us. THAT is how Satan gets us. He gets into your mind, questions your thoughts and beliefs…”but did God really say that?” “Is God really faithful” YES. This is why it’s so important we stay in the word and remind ourselves of the truth. I’m here to tell you that God IS faithful. He will provide. He will give you joy, peace, patience, self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, love, kindness, and goodness. He loved you. He loves you. He will love you. Have joy in the truth!
In the mean time, always remember Jesus’s sacrifice, and be sure to honor God in everything you enter, can, say, wish, will, want, remember do, pray, tell, think, or believe and choose the narrow gate.
-Elijah