Rehab.

Galatians 4:8-9
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.  But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?  Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

What about human nature makes us crave the familiar?  Why do we become such creatures of habit?

I will use the illustration of sugar although it can be anything one craves (soda, alcohol, sex, shopping and a myriad of other things).  I do love me some sweets - especially cookies and candy.  However, now that I have been off sugar for the last 60 days, I no longer crave them.  In fact, I had some sugar today and found it had lost its hold on me.  I ate it but knew it was not having the same effect it used to.  It was not that great.  I can honestly do without it. 

However, if you'd given me sugar even 45 days ago, just the mere taste of it would have thrown me back into addiction.  It could have easily spiraled me out of control.  I've tried to kick the habit before and have felt enslaved to the cravings.  I always went back for more.  The really sad part of addiction is that you go back for more knowing full well the item is not good for you and in fact, is even harming you. 

Funny thing about being enslaved - even though you may want out, you find that being out is uncomfortable.   It's not familiar.   In fact, it's downright scary.

When bondage has become the norm, it's extremely hard to break free even if you want to.  Those things that enslaved us before are really not that difficult to overcome; it only requires the choice to live free from them.    When we keep going back for more - we, in essence, put ourselves back into prison.  We willingly become captive to our unhealthy desires whatever they may be. 

The verse above asks why we do this and I've now had two counselors point out that I have a tendency to do this.  I have a really hard time accepting my freedom.   I am now free from the bondage of sugar and sweets.  It took time and making right choices every day.  I suppose the same theory applies to my personal life as well.  I made a choice to turn away from an unhealthy relationship - not because I didn't want it, not because I didn't crave it but because it had started to get the best of me.  If I am to be whole, I had to break free.

One of the predominant feelings I had when I quit sugar was that I felt like I had lost my best friend.   That parallels my feelings now only the truth is that I have actually given up my best friend.   This is the worst detox I've ever been through.  I'm fighting with every thing I've got not to have even one taste and the withdrawals may completely do me in.   

The key to freedom is realizing, as the verse says, I am known by God.  I know God, yes; but I am also KNOWN by GOD.  This means He knows my heart, He knows my needs and He can set me free from this.  Trusting, Hoping and keeping the Faith - day by day; making good choices as I go.