In today’s world with technology soaring and machines taking the place of laborious jobs, we are all becoming addicts.

Webster’s defines an addict as a person addicted to some habit. We usually place drugs as the primary source of addictions but times are changing and social networking and automation are now becoming major sources of addiction. Whatever the case may be, Americans and humans everywhere are becoming lazy at alarming rates due to changes in technology. Are all addictions unhealthy? I can only think of one that is not.

I will use a correlation to drugs to signify my healthy addiction, but you can substitute whatever fits your criteria. Webster’s defines drug as a medicine, and medicine as a substance that prevents or cures illness. So my drug of choice, or in other words my addiction, is God. He is the most powerful healer known.

Once we give up our earthly desires and turn to God to satisfy our addictive personalities, we can understand this correlation. Paul tells us in Romans 6:22-23, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” So this drug (God) is free, favorable in benefits and with no unhealthy side effects.

We also want a drug to be good as well as available all the time. Psalms 100:5, takes care of these, “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.”

Along with these traits, the intensity of our drug is also important. Several verses tell of this power. Psalms 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite.” And Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, all power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.”

With most drugs there are adverse effects such as overdose, when safe amount is exceeded. And then there is the dreaded “hangover.” With God these are non-existent, due to both being physical ailments rather than spiritual. The justification for this is stated in John 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” So no physical withdrawals are present when taking in vast quantities of God.

Then there are legal issues with most drugs (prescribed pharmaceuticals as well as illicit). For now, God is legal in the United States and is accepted in most Biblically based churches. Jesus tells us in Matt 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” This tells me that if we fellowship with others anywhere, He will be with us.

I think we have covered most concerns of an addict: cost, intensity, duration of “high,” quantity available and taken, withdrawals and downfalls, benefits, legal and social acceptance. God turns out to be the perfect “fix” for our addictive lifestyles. All criteria seem to be fulfilled, with most impressive results.

So next time you find yourself falling into your learned habit or addiction, pick up your Holy Bible. Fill that need with the Word of God. Turn your unhealthy addiction into one that will change both your outlook on this earthly life as well as fulfill your life everlasting. Admit to God that you are a sinner. Ask Him to forgive you and come into your life as He fills the void that only He can fill. Satisfy your addiction with His Word and turn that nasty habit into a grand reward (heaven).

God bless all.

 Jeff Long lives in Salisbury.