Why are things that taste so good, so bad for you?
From super sized McDonalds to the sweet fruit of the vine that temped Eve. The nectar of lust is the sweetest flavor of all, yet the potential for damage matches its appeal. The high of a needle, puff, snort or sip has the potential to be detrimental or deadly to your natural or spiritual existence.
We are expected to live in the middle. Not too low, and not too high. Not too sweet, not too sour. Not too fast, but not too slow. God promises riches if we abide by his rules. This I believe, yet it is the sensitivity of the palate that 
determines riches. Once you get that first fix, that second taste, that third rush, your palate will crave the wave of ecstasy that the wind in your face presents. The recklessness of the role of the dice, the click of the chamber as the barrel rest on your temple is what is so addictive. For some, this is the only way to live. Without it they’d withdraw, they’d have cold sweats and feel as if death were approaching with depression, boredom and anxiety.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
How do you turn down the knob of excitement without missing the race of chemical surging through your veins that once told you that you were living it up? Do we have to die in order to live? Do we need a mental or public ceremony to symbolize the death of the old and the rebirth or resurrection of a pure intention and a successful effort at this walk?
What can you do without in your life? What wraps a weight around your ankle as you attempt to keep pace with Jesus on this shoreline path? How do you find the key to your freedom? What in your past was overcame to aid in your rebirth? Was it a battle? How did you live to prosper against such devilish forces in your life?
I asked God to one day give me the strength to walk out that door and never come back. One day he did. I told Bobby I was going to the store for some milk and sugar. I went to the airport and never came back.
“How did you live to prosper against such devilish forces in your life?” – The wages of sin is death/destruction (Romans 6:23). I have no other choice but to choose to live according to God’s word because each time I try to do anything on my own strength, it always leads to destruction, so now I choose life. Not only do I choose life for myself, but also for my family and future love ones. I have faith that in my new life I will remain true to myself and I have faith that I will be happy more abundantly.
I was locked in a bad relationship for years. He had my heart and wouldn’t let go. I tried to leave many times, but between the kids, my worry of what he’d do without me or what he’d do to get me back, I stayed.
He got worse towards me. He was not happy with his life, and I was not happy either. He used drugs more and more, and I followed him because we both wanted to get away from the bad feelings.
But once I had enough and realized that this is not good for my kids to see and not good for my own mental and physical health I said happiness comes first.
I’ve learned that drinking too much was not my problem. My problem was not even that first drink. My problem was deciding to even go to the bar with friends. I’d think that I’ll just have one drink, or just water this time. From there my wife would not see me for 2 days as one drink turned into a binge. I learned that the boundaries had to be so tight that the first step towards a bar was where my problem lied.
You know you have a problem when you here this statement come out of your mouth “I can stop anytime I want too!” The simple fact that someone talked to you and forced you to respond with that statment proves that you’ve got a problem brother. Once I admitted that to myself while on the floor of a public restroom, the next step was to understand that the happiness of drinking would be replaced by a greater happiness if I just made the change. I was afraid that life without drinking was going to be miserable. I’d have to face the stresses of life sober.
Sobriety is the best thing in the world to me now. Now I know that happiness comes from the respect from my family and friends, and from me being able to respect myself. That beats the bottom of any bottle. I found that many of my stresses disappeared when I stopped drinking. Talking about chasing your tail.