Addiction to any substance, or other thing affects not only the person that is addicted but other persons in their lives. Addictions can run in families for generations.
Frequently a person is addicted to more than one thing. Addictions control a person’s life. They are often harmful to the person physically and to other members of the family emotionally.
Breaking free of the addiction is challenging to both the one that is addicted and their loved ones. Years ago, I would hear an ad running on the local television station that said, “You know what alcohol does to him, do you know what it does to you?”
My husband, now a recovering alcoholic for over 30 years, drank excessively every day. Without realizing it I had changed and not for the better. This ad made me acutely aware of this. Internally I had become bitter, I had a hard shell around me. I would nag about his drinking that accomplished absolutely nothing. The oldest of my three children was also affected. Only years later did I become aware that he had threatened to kill her if she told me, he had been drinking.
He didn’t realize I could tell by his actions that he had imbibed.
Today my youngest daughter is an alcoholic. For the most part her life is a mess. She can hold a job, but her personal life is in shambles. Her alcoholism affects her boyfriend, and two oldest sons. Her daughter is young enough not to realize what is going on. Proverbs 9:10 (NASB) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Seeking wisdom is a foreign concept to her.
I need to point out that the actions of people in our lives cuts both ways. The actions of one can impact the actions of the other. However, each person needs to own their actions and decisions.
The choices we make directly impact the quality of our life. Proverbs 1:7 New American Standard Bible “7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
James 3:17-18 New American Standard Bible "17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Psalm 1:1-6 (NASB) ”Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, And on His Law, he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4 The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.”
See how different the life outcomes of those who seek the Lord and those who do not. Since my youngest was about eight she has always run from God, but she would vehemently deny this. It would be interesting to ask her where her life aligns with God’s word.
I am not saying this to be critical of her but to point out that when people desire to follow God and His Word their lives are different from those running from God. I would like to point out that as long as there is breath in our bodies it is never too late to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This is pointed out in scripture by the thief on the cross. Luke 23:42-44 (NASB) 42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
2 Peter 3:9 (NASB) “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” Repentance means turning from sin and desiring to live a righteous life. We are all sinners, but our goal should be to be more like Jesus every day. This is an on-going process throughout our life. We cannot do it on our own. It is a natural working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
If you would like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it is as simple as praying asking forgiveness for your sins and for Jesus to come into your heart.