All right, here it goes.
My name is John. I am a multiholic.
Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight. –Proverbs 12:22.
Since an early age, I have been addicted to overeating, caffeine, endless television viewing, gambling, pornography, and outbursts of anger. As I became older, alcohol, codependency, and overworking entered my life. I told myself that my actions were justified.
The lies: (Note that lies are often mixed with truth.) Eating is necessary to sustain life and it makes me feel good. If one jelly doughnut is good, two or three must be better. Caffeine also comes in appealing foods and beverages and helps me to stay awake so I can accomplish much more important stuff; two effects for the price of one. Television is entertaining and helps me to be informed. The more I watch, the smarter I’ll be. All that violence on Tom and Jerry and the Roadrunner cartoons were funny and we all know that laughter is good medicine. Gambling is also entertaining and puts extra money in my wallet. Pornography is an art form; looking at art is stimulating and uplifting. Expression of anger is just a bold form of communication. Passionate communication is a good thing! Alcohol helped relieve my stress and elevated my good cholesterol. You live longer with less stress and a higher HDL. Relationships must be based on being unselfish and dedicated to the well-being of others, which makes me indispensable, more lovable, and a worthwhile person. Overworking provides a larger income to assure that all necessities will be provided for my family.
The truth: All these addictions gave only a temporary or fleeting moment of pleasure or satisfaction, and they resulted in a consequence opposite to what I wanted. Being overweight has hurt my back, knees, and ankles, and makes me feel run-down and unable to do all the things I would like to do. Prior to eliminating caffeine from my diet, I had problems falling asleep, waking-up on time, and frequent headaches. Now I usually fall asleep quickly, rarely have problems getting-up on time, and have eliminated most of my headaches. Too much T.V. prevented me from developing and utilizing my talents and putting my knowledge to work. Gambling stole time and money away from more important activities. Too much work stole time away from my family when I could have been strengthening them. Codependency, pornography, violence, and anger have wounded, impaired, and desensitized my relationships with my spouse, others, and God, and has lowered my self-esteem.
My behaviors have caused ugliness and chaos. The physical, emotional, and spiritual damage has not only hurt myself, but hurt those I love and care about most in life. God’s love will help me overcome all this.
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. –1 John 4:16.
Tags: Honesty StepOne Christian
