Thursday, January 07, 2010

Addictions of the mind

My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart (Job 17:11).

Addiction can take many different forms. Addiction can be described as a compulsive behavior, something you just have to do in order to relax. Many people are addicted to the Internet. Some check their email over and over again throughout the day; others crave the stimulation of pornographic images. Gambling can be addictive. If you are on a winning streak, you want to ride it to the end; if you’ve been losing steadily, you believe that pretty soon now your luck is going to change. Many folks are addicted to collecting. Some will pay almost anything for a hard to find item, while others are constantly on the lookout for something new that will make their display even better.

What makes these behaviors addictive? The Internet provides a constant flow of newness—new emails, new products to check out. For people who seek distraction from their daily routine, the Internet is a constantly changing Main Street where places to meet and shop are always open. Gambling draws its’ addictive power from hope—a woman gambles because she is certain that sooner or later, the odds will turn in her favor. For collectors, it’s about the thrill of the hunt; each purchase is a kind of victory. And there is always something else to go searching for…

Make no mistake—cravings of the mind are just as addictive as cravings of the body. Watch how an Internet addict sweats if he has a slow connection, or no connection at all. Think of the stuff that a gambler is willing to sell in order to get cash for the casino. Listen to a collector justify her purchases as an investment that will grow with time.

We use such things as distractions to escape our problems. We want to accomplish something with our efforts, but we come up against one roadblock after another. We want our days to be filled with fun and excitement, but much of our work is hard and the hours crawl by. Home should be a place of love and support, but many people live alone or with others who are emotionally distant.

But you don’t solve problems by ignoring them. If an addictive pastime is the only part of your life that gives you pleasure, it’s time for a change. Addictions cannot give you love and affection; they can’t fill your life with purpose or satisfaction. Only Christ can make your days worth living, and give you peace when your head hits the pillow.

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