James 1:2-18 - Addiction

Addiction…I get so frustrated with dealing with families being torn apart by it.  As I was praying this morning for protection over some families the Lord brought to my attention that if people would be addicted to Him life would be so different.  I guess I've always thought about the negative when it comes to addiction.  Children being verbally and sometimes physically abused because of a parent being high make me sick to my stomach.  I hesitate to even use the title of "parent" with such a person.  Or a spouse who is emotionally abused because of their partner being addicted to porn is another one that is heart breaking.  What happened to people taking their marriage vows seriously?  What happened to people making a conscious decision on having children?  Oh dear Lord, You are so needed in lives.  

A life addiction to the Lord would give peace, hope, love, contentment, satisfaction…the list goes on and on.  A life addicted to the "junk" of this world gives turmoil, fighting, anger, frustration, mistrust…the list goes on and on.  I know it may not be the way the Lord wants me to think but oh how I wish I could smack some people up the side of the head and get them to wake up.  I honestly don't know how the Lord deals with people who blatantly do things against Him.  

I was reading in the first chapter of James this morning.  Verse twelve stood out to me on why we should not give into temptation but stand firm in the Lord.  It is only through living in this way that we will spend eternity with Him.

Trials and Temptations

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.  9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.  12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving me even though I may not always have the right thoughts.  I get so frustrated with the decisions people make which in turn hurt those that I love.  Father, be with those addicted to things that are hurting their bodies.  Not just their physical body but most importantly their spiritual body.  Open their eyes, minds, and hearts to You.  Father, put people before them who will say or do something to make a difference in their life.  Lord, I pray for more of You and less of me as I love on people.  Give me Your attitude along with Your words.  Father, thank You for being The One I Am Addicted To.  Amen