Helpfinder Sampler - Flipbook - Page 5
PROMISE FROM GOD
Who in his right mind would volunteer to become a slave, chained to a life of bondage?
Yet• that’s
addiction
self-imposed and
slavery,
selling
oneself
bondage
towith
PS A L Mjust
1 0 3what
: 8 | The
Lord isis:compassionate
merciful,
slow
to get into
angry
and filled
habitunfailing
or a substance.
While we typically think of addiction as a problem related to drugs
love.
or alcohol, there are other addictions that can also be destructive. We may become
addicted to work, addicted to gambling, or addicted to pornography. We all have our
See also
Hope;bad
Pain;
Stress;
Worry
addictions, whether
theyGrief;
are “minor”
habits
or dangerous
dependencies. One thing
we
are
all
dangerously
addicted
to
is
sin.
When
it
comes
to
rejecting
God’s
way of living
Pressures in our lives can build and pull us in different directions. These
pressures
pull
and
doing
seems
best to us—well,
we are
hooked.
against
ourwhat
sense
of well-being,
and anxiety
begins
to overwhelm us. Trying to do too
So how
wetoo
break
chains
offew
our resources
sin addiction?
Ironically,
is by submitting
to
much
workdo
with
littlethe
time
or too
can stretch
us itbeyond
our capacity.
the
control
of God
Holy Spirit.
We are
stillwithout
controlled,
but his
controlcan
is always
for
Trying
to cope
withand
the his
financial
demands
of life
adequate
income
make us
our
benefit
health, not
our destruction.
transforming
power is the
only thing
begin
to feeland
desperate.
Difficulties
in maritalGod’s
relationships,
in parent-child
relationships,
that
ultimately
heal us
or in can
work
relationships
canfrom
leadall
toaddictions.
deep anxiety and a sense of hopelessness. What is
Anxiety
the answer? We need a perspective that comes from God. And we also need the help
Can
addiction
involve
more who
thanGod
substance
abuse?
of wise
counselors
and friends
can use to
bring us his presence, wisdom,
P E T E R 2 : 1 9 | [These false teachers] promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of
• 2hope.
and
sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. (See note on page 1136.)
Should I be surprised by the anxiety I am experiencing in my life?
The key to addiction is control. What controls you? Whenever we have a master,
O Hare
N 1 6slaves.
: 3 3 | “I
have toldisyou
all this so that
you may
peace inofme.
Here on earth
you
• Jwe
Addiction
relinquishing
ourselves
tohave
the control
something
or
will have many
someone
else. trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
A
to expect
stress
trouble
in this
life. This
worldglorious
is filled with
trials
RO MA Nwarned
S 3 :2 3 us
| For
everyone
has and
sinned;
we all
fall short
of God’s
standard.
• Jesus
and sorrows that generate deep seated anxiety. The key to dealing with anxiety is to not
L O S S I A N S 1 : 2 2 | You are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single
• CO
be surprised when it comes, but to learn how to respond when it comes. While there are
fault. healthy and positive ways to handle anxiety, never neglect the spiritual help the
many
HelpFinder
you cleansed;
ask.
1 C O RSpirit
I N T H Ipromises
A N S 6 :1 1 to| provide
But you ifwere
you were made holy; you were made right
• Holy
with God.
What are some causes of anxiety?
Sin is the most deeply ingrained addiction of every human being. You can’t go to a
N ESto
I S overcome
3 :6 , 2 3 | So
took
of the
ateto
it.aThen
she gave some
to her
• GE
clinic
sinshe
once
andsome
for all.
Butfruit
you and
can go
person—Jesus
Christ,
the
husband
. . . andhelp
he ate
too. .the
. . So
God
banished
them from
the what’s
Gardenleft.
Son of God—to
youit,resist
sinthe
in Lord
your life
and
to completely
forgive
of
Eden.
When
he forgives you, he looks at you as though you have never sinned, and when
your
life
earth
is over,
he will
give you
eternal
life
where
you will
forever
freeservant
N ES
I S on
4 4 :1
8 | Then
Judah
stepped
forward
and
said,
“Please,
mybe
lord,
let your
• GE
fromjust
sin.one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful
say
RO MA
N S 8 :5himself.”
, 7 | Those
dominated
by the sinful nature think about sinful things.
• as
Pharaoh
(Seewho
note are
on Stress
on page 44.)
the
to God.
It never did
obey
God’s
it
M UE
L 1sinful
1 :4 ; 1nature
2 :1 3 -14is always
| Then hostile
David sent
messengers
to get
her;
and laws,
when and
she came
to
• 2. . S. AFor
never
will.
the palace, he slept with her. . . . Nathan replied, “. . . the Lord has forgiven you, and you
You
your own sinful
nature,
can dominate your thoughts and
won’tcan
diebe
foraddicted
this sin. to
Nevertheless
. . . your
childwhich
will die.”
actions.
• L U K E 2 2 :5 6 - 6 2 | Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!” But Peter denied
M AT
T H EW 1 9 : he
2 1 -said,
2 2 | “I
Jesus
him,
“Ifhim!”
you want
be perfect,
all your
• it.
“Woman,”
don’ttold
even
know
. . . Attothat
moment go
theand
Lordsell
turned
and
possessions
and. .give
money
to the
poor, and
you will
have treasure in heaven. Then
looked
at Peter.
. Andthe
Peter
left the
courtyard,
weeping
bitterly.
come,
follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had
Anxiety can have roots in things we have done in the past. When we sin, we can bring
many
anxietypossessions.
along with sin’s painful consequences into our lives.
Possessions can be addictive.
• E X O D US 1 6 :2 - 3 | The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If
MAthe
N S Lord
1 :2 6 - had
2 7 | killed
That us
is why
abandoned
them to their
shameful
desires.
• RO
only
backGod
in Egypt,”
they moaned.
(See note
on Stress
on pageEven
67.) the
women
turned
against
the
natural
way
to
have
sex
and
instead
indulged
in
sex
with
each
Anxiety can build when we fail to trust God for help.
other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with
AT T H EW 1 : 1 8 - 1 9 | Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage
•M
lust for each other.
took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the
Sexual perversions can be addictive.
Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to
O V E R Bher
S 2 1publicly,
:1 7 | Those
love pleasure
become
poor; those
who love wine and luxury
• PR
disgrace
so hewho
decided
to break the
engagement
quietly.
will never be rich.
Change often produces anxiety in our lives.
Pleasure, a luxurious lifestyle, and wealth can be addictive.
• J A M ES 1 :2 - 4 | Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,
A L M 3 9it: 6an| opportunity
All our busyfor
rushing
in nothing.
• PS
consider
great ends
joy. For
you know that when your faith is tested, your
A R K 6 :3 1 has
| Then
Jesus to
said,
“Let’s
goitoff
by ourselves
a quiet
place and
restdeveloped,
awhile.”
•M
endurance
a chance
grow.
So let
grow,
for when to
your
endurance
is fully
you will
bebe
perfect
and complete,
Work
can
addictive.
Make sureneeding
you findnothing.
time to rest and refresh your body and spirit.
Adversity
and say
the normal
problems
of drugs?
life cause anxiety. Sometimes anxiety is the result of
Does
the Bible
anything
about
wounds from the past that were not your fault.
• 1 CORIN THIAN S 6:12- 13 | You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything
ERBS
| Those
who love
become
those who
lovenot
wine
and luxury
• PisROV
good
for 21:17
you. And
even though
“Ipleasure
am allowed
to dopoor;
anything,”
I must
become
a
will never
be rich. . . . [Our bodies] were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about
slave
to anything.
our bodies.
Laziness
and poor planning can lead to anxiety.
1 CORIN
THIAN
S 6:1920 | allowance
Don’t you realize
yourfaults,
body and
is theforgive
temple
of the who
Holyoffends
Spirit,
S IAN
S 3:13
| Make
for eachthat
other’s
anyone
• COLOS
who
lives in you the
andLord
was forgave
given toyou,
youso
byyou
God?
Youforgive
do notothers.
belong to yourself, for God
you. Remember,
must
bought you
with acan
highlead
price.
So you must
God in
with
Making
mistakes
to anxiety
in ourhonor
lives and
theyour
livesbody.
of our friends.
THIAN
S 10:31
| So whether
you eat
orand
drink,
or whatever
do,for
dothere
it all is
forgoing
the
• 11 CORIN
S AMUEL
25:1720 | “You
need to know
this
figure
out whatyou
to do,
•
glory
of God. for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can
to
be trouble
The
doesn’t
mention
the kind
of druggathered
addiction200
common
many
evenBible
talk to
him!” specifically
Abigail wasted
no time.
She quickly
loavesamong
of bread
...
people
today,ofbut
it does
address
things
into your
that areand
harmful
that
100 clusters
raisins,
and
200 figputting
cakes. She
packed
thembody
on donkeys
said and
to her
impair your ability to function. Taking drugs to get a high produces an artificial happiness
servants, “Go on ahead. I will follow you shortly.” But she didn’t tell her husband Nabal
or escape that is a cheap substitute for the true joy of being filled by the Holy Spirit. When
what
she was doing. As she was riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David
the Holy Spirit controls your life, your joy is authentic and contagious.
and his men coming toward her.
against the
clock,and
especially
an ongoing
basis,
cause deep anxiety.
CanWorking
I be devoted
to God
other on
things
too? Is
thatcan
addiction?
• MATTHEW 6:24 | “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other.”
What are some of the dangers of anxiety?
Devotion and addiction are different, but devotion can lead to addiction. You can be
UMBERSto11:10Moses heard
the families
standing
in the
of to
their
tents
•N
devoted
family14
and| friends
and toall
helping
other people.
You
candoorways
be devoted
a worthy
whining,
andshows
the Lord
Moses
was also
veryit aggravated.
Andthat
cause.
This
you became
care. Butextremely
devotion angry.
becomes
addiction
when
so absorbs you
Moses
to theyour
Lord,
“Why
are and
you distracts
treating me,
sotime
harshly?
mercy
God
is said
no longer
first
priority
youyour
fromservant,
spending
with Have
him. You
must
evaluate
who
or to
what
is most
A clue
to determining
this is
see
on me!
What did
I do
deserve
theimportant
burden ofto
allyou.
these
people?
. . . I can’t carry
alltothese
where
spend most
of your
time.
peopleyou
by myself!
The load
is far
too heavy!”
1:8 | We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the
• 2 CORIN
What
is theTHIAN
bestS way
to be free from my addictions and bad habits?
trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed
S 6:16 | Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to
• ROMAN
beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.
obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God,
The intense demands of life have the potential to overwhelm you. The expectations, the
which leads to righteous living.
criticism, and the scope of needs and responsibilities can threaten to crush even the
Submission
is a choice. We daily stand at the crossroads, choosing sinful ways or God’s
strongest person.
way. Choose wisely.
• LUKE 10:40- 41 | But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She
ROMAN S 12:2 | Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform
• came
to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here
you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s
while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear
will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!”
JOHN 4:4 | You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory . . .
• 1MATTHEW
13:22 | “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s
•
because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure
1 JOHN
5:4| Every
of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory
• of
wealth,
so5 no
fruit ischild
produced.”
through
our
faith.
And
who
can
winthe
this
battle
theimportant.
world? Only
those whosqueezes
believe
Anxiety can cause you to focus on
trivial
andagainst
miss the
As pressure
that Jesus
is the Son
of God.
your
perspective
inward,
you lose the big picture. Preoccupation with the issues of the
Freedom
from
addictionblind
comes
change
focus and the way you think.
moment can
sometimes
youas
toyou
what’s
reallyyour
important.
You do this by trusting Christ to transform you and empower you to resist temptation.
What
canit Iisdo
whenand
I’mimportant
overwhelmed
by anxiety?
While
healthy
to seek the
help of others, with God’s help, you have
ultimate
power
addiction.
focus on Christ
when
eyes
2 CORIN
THIAN
S 4:9 to
| overcome
We are hunted
down, It’s
buthard
nevertoabandoned
by God.
We your
get knocked
• the
are
fixed
It’s hard to focus on worldliness when your eyes are fixed on
down,
buton
wethis
areworld.
not destroyed.
Christ.
Keep going! Knowing that God is by your side during times of anxiety can help you to keep
from
giving up.let anything control us, why do we submit to the
If we
shouldn’t
P S ALMSpirit’s
55:22 | control?
Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not
• Holy
(See note on Stress on page 508.)
permit
the
godly
andthe
fall.
23slip
| But
Holy
Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy,
• GALATIAN S 5:22-to
AIAH patience,
41:10 | “Don’t
be afraid,
for I faithfulness,
am with you. gentleness,
Don’t be discouraged,
for I am
your
God.
• IS
peace,
kindness,
goodness,
and self-control.
(See
note
on
I will1063.)
strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
page
S ALM S62:2
aloneyour
is my
rocknature
and mycontrol
salvation,
fortress
I willBut
never
be the
8:6 || He
Letting
sinful
yourmy
mind
leadswhere
to death.
letting
• PROMAN
shaken.
Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
JOHN 14:1
control
| “Don’t
is the only
let your
kindhearts
of control
be troubled.
that produces
Trust in
completely
God, and positive
trust alsoresults.
in me.”
• God’s
A
Addiction See also Desires; Guilt; Lust; Temptation
Anger continued
page A21
A31
HelpFinder
page A20
A30
