The following are excerpts from an article entitled “The Alternative to Alcohol” written by David Feddes.
You need to be under the influence of something outside yourself… The best and happiest life is when your thoughts and emotions and actions are affected by some other power that makes you someone you wouldn’t otherwise be. You shouldn’t be under the influence of alcohol, but you should be under the influence of the alternative to alcohol.
In Ephesians 5:18 the Bible says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” In other words, be divinely drunk, spiritually soused. God puts getting drunk side by side with being filled by his Spirit, and the Lord hints that there’s at least something in common. That’s a shocking comparison!
On the day of Pentecost, shortly after Jesus rose from the dead, God poured out his Holy Spirit with tremendous power on the followers of Jesus. When Jesus’ disciples were filled with the Spirit, they began to praise God and to speak of him in such a way that those who heard them could tell they were under the influence of something beyond themselves.
Day to Day Trials
Over the last several days I have been praying about some troubling circumstances and asking for peace and answers. Answers for me, for those I care about, and for enemies. Answers weren’t coming and as I found my despair rising, I was reminded that there was a time when I would have turned to alcohol to numb these emotions.
This morning I was getting caught up on our congregational Holy Week devotionals and was struck by Ann Voskamp’s message for Friday April 1st : https://annvoskamp.com/2021/03/1-word-that-will-revolutionize-your-holy-week-your-life/
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 tells us on the night he was BETRAYED, Jesus broke bread and gave THANKS. The article goes on to talk about giving thanks when fighting the dark. She says “If Jesus chooses to Practice Thanksgiving in the face of incomprehensible dark – why do we think there is any other better weapon against the dark?”
And there was my answer. The answer to my recent struggles and the answer when facing any darkness is a thankful heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. I tend to let the struggles and darkness consume me, but Paul commands us to focus on the gifts the Lord has given us. Today, I am thankful that by God’s grace and mercy, when the brokenness of this life is overwhelming, I can seek to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit instead of a drink. That chain has been broken and I praise the Lord.
God can and does work all things for our good. There are lessons to be learned in day to day struggles and darkness we face. There are lessons to be learned from addiction and that is the only way I can truly be thankful the scars.
May we all be thankful for the gifts God has given us, may we be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. May that influence lead us to be thankful for the gifts (good and bad) we receive from the Lord each and every day. On this Easter may we be thankful for the greatest gift ever given – Jesus Christ dying on the cross in our place and rising again so we can live in eternity with Him forever.
PRAISE THE LORD!!!
OTHER BLOG STUFF – Songs and Quotes…
Praise you in the Storm
Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
And once again
I say, “A-men” and it’s still rainin’
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You?
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I’ll raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
(I lift my eyes unto the hills)
(Where does my help come from?)
And I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
(Though my heart is torn)
I’ll praise You in this storm
(Praise You in this storm)
QUOTE
“Counting the hard gifts as good gifts is my quiver to make all the dark quake.”
Ann voskamp
Until next time I’m thankful for the Scars, may God Bless You!
KB