Set yourself free... stop being addicted!

A few months ago, I was reading an article in the newspaper about a footballer and his struggles to overcome a gambling addiction, just another person to add in the long list of pages dedicated to people who are struggling with one thing or another.

Addictions these days seem to be a part of the lives of those we hear about in the media. Famous people are constantly struggling with addictions with drugs, sex, alcohol, partying, self image. Their stories fill up the pages of our magazines, the news feeds on our phones, the Twitter feed and Facebook news snippets. You'd be forgiven for thinking that this is a new found famous person disease and that addictions only happen to you once you become popular, successful and have things to get addicted to.

It is important for us all to realise though, that we are not immune to addictions. I once read a piece from one of those famous 70's rockers that talked about addictions. The fact I can't remember the name of the rocker or where it came from means the article wasn't that good, but I do remember the one line that stood out to me, and that was this... Everyone is addicted to something.

Ok so perhaps this rocker just wanted to feel less guilty about their past actions, but the essence of this is still true.

The fact is, we are all at a vice to something- it is what makes us human. The fall of man put us here and anyone who say that they aren't affected by addictions is in my opinion either lying or unable to see the very thing they are addicted to.

Sure you might not be addicted to drugs, alcohol or pornography/sex (the common social addictions we hear about every day) but there are plenty of other addictions in our lives. You could be addicted to power, fear of failure,  food, self gratification, money, fitness, self pity- the list is endless.

I personally have numerous vices in my life that I constantly need to work on, I won't go into them now, but needless to say, I am not immune.

But if everyone is addicted or has a vice to something, then what's the big deal? Surely it's all about the level you are addicted to something that matters?

Well the answer to that is yes and no.

There is nothing wrong with being attracted to something. Our attractions- whether they are to people, to activities, to things- they help us to see what it is we are called for on this earth and the things that we are passionate about. Attraction to something can also help us to better appreciate the great things God has created in this world, increase our sense of gratitude and draw us closer to God through what he has given to us.

This is the line I want to focus on... Attraction is designed to help us draw closer to God through what he has given to us.

The issue with addiction (unless it's addiction to Jesus and even that's got conditions which I'll explain later) is that it normally goes from something that draws you closer to God, to something that replaces God.

Take for example the very simple idea of being interested/attracted to technology. There's nothing wrong with wanting to use a phone, the internet, emails etc.- we need these things to communicate in the world today.

The problem is though, our attraction can become an addiction very quickly if we don't watch it. We start seeing phones on TV and wanted that one because even though we bought our other phone a month ago, this one is better, so we buy it. This really doesn't make us any better than anyone else for having done this and we could have spent that money helping a charity or being generous to friends and family - the things that God calls us to as people.

Just as big a problem is to make sure that we aren't just doing something or interested in something because of the perceived need that it can bring us. When it comes to the technology issue at hand, whilst having interest in technology and using it isn't an issue- when it is used because we feel it can achieve a particular status symbol or having the latest tech will make us stand out more in the crowd- that is an issue. We should find our identity in knowing Jesus loves us and that's what matters- no matter how hard I know at times I find it to believe that as I'm lured by the traps of everything the world has to offer.

When it comes to non material things- like, as Robert Palmer said in his 80's classic- being addicted to love, the same principle applies. If you are with someone because they will offer you something, you feel they fill a hole missing in your life or you see them as being a way to better your status- it's time, in my opinion, to seriously re-think your relationship objectives- because these things can't be solved by anything but God's love- he solved the achings of our heart already, all we need to do is turn to him and be open to this love.

Which nicely leads me to the idea of being addicted to Jesus. Surely there's nothing wrong with that?

Well actually, there is. If you are sitting in a Church all day and not coming out as you feel that any contact with the outside world might ruin your relationship with Jesus, then you might need to check to see if you are living out God's call in your life. Jesus spent time in prayer- but he also spent time with the people, and more importantly, those who were seen as the least in society. It's important to have a strong faith life in the Church, but it's equally as important to live faith by action.

Even those in cloistered communities or living as hermits realise this. While they might not spend time with a lot of people and may spend time sitting in the Church all day, they are always praying for others and their hearts are set on others needs- which is what matters.

There is nothing wrong with having a complete and utter attraction and love to Jesus- it's what those in the religious life (priests, brothers, sisters/nuns) are all about. When your addiction to Jesus however becomes a status symbol to laud over your friends, or when a church, church group or youth group becomes a way to get out of dealing with family problems, issues of self worth, lack of security etc., then you've replaced God with something else.

No matter what your attraction is, whether it's to another, a particular activity, object or even to your church, it should never stand in the way of God's call in your life and ensuring that you live for him always.

At the end of it day, everything we have on earth is for this time on earth, which is a second compared to the infinite years of live with God, so rather than concern yourself with the now, set yourself free. Enjoy life and have many great interests and things you treasure, but make sure that at the end of the day, you treasure God first and foremost, because this is where true happiness comes.