LIFE CONTROLLING ISSUES

WHO IS DRIVING YOUR BUS???

This subject has such a wide berth of sub-topics and overlapping implications, integration's and complications that it would be impossible to cover it exhaustively. For the point of our discussion and edification I will attempt to be as general, yet poignant as possible in a few of the major issues that do control many lives. In focusing on the contemporary and most obviously identifiable, which in themselves encapsulate the essence of most of our difficulties are the areas of consumption, i.e., alcohol/drugs, etc.>> relationships, i.e., romantic, adversarial, general societal etc.>> ambition, i.e., greed, power, recognition, etc.>> self definition, i.e., self esteem, confidence, inferiority 

I like this clear and simple explanation of our major subject; “How does something become a life-controlling problem? It starts with what we are giving our thought-life over to. We become preoccupied with thoughts. We begin to plan around what we are thinking. When we are bored, we begin to think about what we have focused on, and give in to a substance, a behavior, or an unhealthy animate or inanimate relationship. Make your life a sacrifice to God striving to please Him, as an act of worship” Carey Kennon. 

 

Don’t conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind; Romans 12:1-2.

Many are under the ill informed impression that life controlling issues are singularly the fact of induced chemicals or general bodily consumption. Let us begin considering mind altering substances such as alcohol/drugs of a prescriptive or non-prescriptive nature, whether they are used orally, intravenously, nasally or by osmosis they all end up interacting with the central nervous system thus evoking chemical fireworks in the brain. Our conscious realities are altered to one degree or another dependent upon the strength and dosage of the substance. Now, for whatever reason the extent and duration to which the substance is used, be it for physical/emotional pain, general discomfort, or a boatload of various reasons to many to mention, they may more than likely become either physically addicting and/or psychologically habitual. In many cases the physically addictive substance will in fact require medical intervention to discontinue usage.

The time of active usage of the substance illuminates the Kennon description above in that our thought life as well as our behavior life is given over to the nurturing of self in maintaining the altered state received from the substance. This “giving over” is often more clearly recognized by those closest to us in our relational interaction with them as well as our modified daily routines.
Comfort derived from and by worldly means has been the deceitful scheme of the enemy since time began, initiated to only pull us further from the eternal love, safety and comfort that only Jesus Christ is able to provide.  It is typical that our recognition of our unhealthy transformation to whatever degree, is only unfortunately realized after self induced harm, circumstance, loss or truthful confrontation from those around us.

Until next post, please consider the issue, meditate and comment.

 

May God Bless You With His Favor