The Real Answer to AddictionSample

God encourages us to look at the training regimen of athletes as examples to follow in our spiritual lives. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27a). Most great athletes train in pursuit of medals and fame that will pass away when they do, but we are training for a prize that doesn’t fade with time.

There are dozens of spiritual training exercises that you can apply in your daily life will grow you in godliness and allow you to experience more joy in God. Here are just a few you can start with:

PRAYER- Just how any relationship is cold and distant without communication, our relationship with God will grow cold if we never speak to Him from our hearts. As we learn to come to God to just talk, listen, adore, intercede, thank, and ask, we will find our hearts growing more in love with Him and we will experience greater depths of freedom.

BIBLE- Just as prayer is the way to talk to God, the Bible is one of the main ways God talks to us. The Bible is literally God’s Words to us. God spoke the universe into existence by His Word, and it still holds that much power today. As we read it, we experience His life and breath into our souls.

NIGHTLY REVIEW- Just as a professional athlete and his coach regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the training regimen in order to continually get better, we must also regularly evaluate each day to continue to improve. Taking some time each night to get alone with God and review your day will lead to lasting fruit.

The late Jim Rohn has famously said, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” Every person has this choice. Will we discipline ourselves today and experience the benefits, or will we punt on the pain of today surely to reap impending remorse in the future? 

I have looked at many addicts in their eyes as they tearfully experience this throbbing regret. They knew the right way to go but chose not to embrace the pain of discipline. Don’t let this be your story. Fully surrender everything to Jesus and live a life full of trust and training. Let’s run this race with discipline, knowing the eternal prize of endless joy is ours for the taking.

APPLICATION: 

• Construct a plan of how to pursue God through spiritual training with the same vigor that you pursued alcohol or drugs.
• What time(s) each day you will carve out to be with God in a more focused personal way?
• Where in the Bible will you begin reading? (if you don’t know where to start, I’d recommend starting in John)