Hi, friends. Let's talk about idols.
In recovery, we often talk about our "drug of choice,". I call it The Thing. My thing started out as one thing and changed to something else. Apparently, I didn’t learn from the first decade of chaos and headed right into another one with a new thing. I know I’m not the only one! I believe that’s a familiar pattern for a lot of us.
Have you ever considered how The Thing becomes an idol in our lives?
Idols aren’t just ancient statues. They’re anything we prioritize above our relationship with God. In addiction, The Thing can become that idol, consuming our thoughts, actions, and desires. We will do anything for our idol. We worship it, give it our time and energy, change our lives to accommodate it. An idol becomes the thing we love most in life. Isn’t it sad that we end up idolizing something that’s trying to kill us?
When you’re in active addiction, it can feel like every thought, every moment is focused on The Thing.
Do I have enough?
Do I need more?
What time is it?
Is it time?
I feel sick.
I need it.
I’m doing it again.
Is it time to do it again?
If you’ve been on this never-ending cycle of misery, you know what that’s like. Our Thing dominates our thoughts and actions and pushes everything else aside. Even our love of the Lord. Sometimes even especially that.
I read somewhere that our first thought in the morning when we wake up in the morning is what we idolize. Yikes. What was your first thought about this morning? Work, kids, family problems, the weather, sports, The Thing…. Or was it Jesus?
Colossians 3:2 says, “Think about the things of heaven and not things of earth.”
Thankfully breaking free from addiction means dismantling these idols. Sometimes little by little and sometimes all at once.
Exodus 20:3 says, “You must not have any other god but me.” This commandment tells us that God must be the focus and head of our lives. When addiction takes precedence, when the the Thing takes over, it becomes an idol competing with our devotion to God.
Matthew 6:24 reminds us, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved money.” You can put anything there in place of money. Whatever the thing is that dominates your thoughts and time. This verse illustrates the impossibility of serving both God and addiction simultaneously. We have to choose. Seven years later, I’m so grateful I chose God and continue to choose Him.
1 Corinthians 10:14 tells us, “Therefore, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.” We’re called not only to recognize idols but also to actively flee from them. Get away from them. Set them aside. This includes fleeing from the grip of addiction, seeking freedom in God.
Jonah 2:8 says, “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” Looking back, I see how worthless my Things were. I pretty much knew it then too, but I didn’t know how to break free or replace them with something good and true.
Now, how can we apply this to our lives in recovery?
First, acknowledge that recovery isn’t just about stopping substance use. It’s about shifting our devotion from our Thing to God. It requires a transformation of our priorities and behaviors. An overhaul of our hearts. I’m sure we’ve all met people in recovery who aren’t using anymore but a transformation, a real change has not happened. I have a very close family member that has lived like that for years. For me, this was a process. A much longer process than I wanted. If we keep at it, keep redirecting our focus and attention to what is “true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable” as Philipians 4:8 tells us.
We almost must recognize the conflicting loyalties in our lives. Where have we placed our trust and dependence? Are you seeking solace and fulfillment in your past, grieving over what we no longer have, or in God's unwavering love?
Lastly, we must actively pursue a life centered on God. When we start this, everything changes. Read our bible, spend time in prayer, seek support from other believers, and immerse ourselves in spiritual growth. We need to fill the void left by addiction with the richness of a relationship with God.
I want my Heavenly Father to be my one and only idol. I wasted years idolizing the wrong things. I always loved God, but I certainly wasn’t putting Him first in my life. When I started to put Him there, When I let the Holy Spirit come into my life, everything changed. I honestly can’t believe how MUCH everything has changed and it’s all because I surrendered my life to God.
In recovery, acknowledging our idols is the first step to overcoming them. Breaking free requires more than just abstinence. We must embrace a new way of life centered on God’s love and grace. May God grant all of us the courage and strength to live free and the wisdom to forge a life devoted to Him.
