Hello Friend, Welcome! Today, I want to talk about the God-shaped hole that exists in all of us. Ever since you and I were born, there was this God-shaped hole inside of us. This points to the fact that only God can and was meant to fill this hole. The fundamental orientation of the human heart is to seek God, the peace, the connection, the love, the validation, the power, the pleasure and the truth that only he can bring. The problem however, is that many people, myself included, were not taught this so, instead of chasing after God, they spend some or most of their lives chasing after other things until they either become exhausted, frustrated or in so much pain that their incessant chasing either leads them to depression, panic attacks, addiction, financial turmoil, great suffering, suicide or, hopefully, back to God. Many of us, do not look to God to fill our God shaped holes. Why? This could be for a number of reasons. Perhaps you had a bad experience with religion or with someone at church and, as a result, you don't want anything to do with God now. It could be because you don't believe in a God that exists in a world of death and destruction. It could be because you are falling prey to the many distractions and counterfeits prowling around the world offering you instant gratification at any moment which are blocking you from God. Your reason for not chasing after God could be different than all of these. Maybe you are chasing after God. Praise God! You have free will and can do what you want. We can chase after men, women, romance, attention, validation, drugs, alcohol, money, pleasure, wealth, power, prestige, position and knowledge, but is it ever enough? Does it actually make you feel truly satisfied and fully content? Or, when you are being really honest with yourself, do you always feel like there's something missing? I wanted nothing to do with God when I went off on my own to college and could finally make my own choices. I spent years chasing alcohol and then fell on my knees in 2006 after a life changing encounter with Jesus that led me to chasing after God for many years. But then I started chasing the attention, validation and affection of men and fell away from my walk with God. Thankfully, I have come back to Jesus and know, through experience, that nothing can fill this God shaped hole. For today's devotional I want to focus on how many of us, me included, have tried to find answers in the bottle and how that is just not the answer. Ephesians 5:18 says, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." For years, like I said earlier, I got drunk on the spirit of alcohol. I used it to escape, to mask how I actually felt, to give me false courage, to make me feel confident and to make me feel better. But all alcohol ever did was offer me a counterfeit and a distraction. Every time I reached for the bottle, I was shortchanging myself. I was leaning on the wrong spirit as a crutch that was keeping me in bondage to lesser and lower things like fear, self-doubt and insecurity. Here is what the spirit of alcohol does:
The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Abusing alcohol harms both your physical and spiritual well-being. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." I struggled with the spirit of alcohol for many years. But, when I truly realized I was powerless over it and how much it was taking from me, I asked Jesus to come in and save me. Jesus came immediately. He gave me his power. He saved me. I gave up the bottle and Jesus gave me the Holy Spirit. It is now my job to believe that that I am no longer under the shackles of the spirit of alcohol and to never get under it again. Therefore, I now live in the Spirit. The one true Spirit of God. And let me tell you, it is so much better. In fact, there is NOTHING BETTER. Proverbs 20:1 says, "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise." If you need help putting down the booze first off I want to say it is possible. Many people struggle with alcohol. No matter what your present situation is, you can change. Trust me, I seen the impossible happen and have been through it big time! There are many things that can support you in the journey and you are worth the help. Even if you have fallen down seven times, get up the eighth time! Jesus has relentless patience and power. You don't have to and cannot do it alone. This is not an exhaustive list but may I suggest the following as sources of help and inspiration: a local detox program, celebrate recovery at your local church, a 12 step program like Alcoholics Anonymous, ask Jesus to help you, call a trusted friend and let them know you are struggling or reach out to me and book a session. I love you! Mandy Resources: Celebrate Recovery: https://welcome.saddleback.com/sections/get-care/celebrate-recovery/ Alcoholics Anonymous: www.aa.org Book a mentorship session with Mandy: https://calendly.com/mandytardifcoaching/privatecoaching?month=2024-04
0 Comments
|
Author: Mandy TardifI hope you are inspired, filled with hope, built up in your faith and enjoy these stories, bible studies, devotionals and art based on my life and adventures with Jesus. ArchivesCategories |