Why isn't God as satisfying as my addictions?

"Hey, My addictions keep coming back? I traded them for God. Why isn't he as satisfying?" sincerely Kantkic Dahabit.

Hey Kantkic,

There is something about your question that captures the struggle of so many, so well.

There is so much I could write about addictions and because this stuff is pretty important I'm going to try to stay on task. But I could not possibly get into everything that may be helpful in one post. So here's a blip, hopefully it will raise some more questions and we can continue this conversation in the future.

Addictions are linked to tolerance and dependence. Our body builds up a tolerance for a certain substance and then our normal mode of functioning (on the inside) is altered to a new normal. In simple terms, we now need the substance to feel normal. We depend on the substance to feel normal, physically, and emotionally. Unfortunately it doesn't stop there. Often we continue to tolerate more and more of the substance, which means it takes more and more of the substance to feel normal and we need more to get lit up, high, smashed, stoned (whatever you want to call it.)

Each substance (or thing) we get addicted too has its own unique way of affecting our brains and bodies so it is difficult to talk specifics without knowing what addictions you struggle with. People struggle with addictions to drugs, sex, alcohol, pornography, nicotine, adrenaline, prescription drugs, food...the list could go on and on. To really get the help, you need to talk to someone who can talk you through some specifics and help you get the help you need.

One thing they all seem to have in common is the way they affect the pleasure centers of your brain. Addictions alter the normal functioning of these pleasure centers as well. They cause you to be dependent on substance to feel pleasure plus it takes more and more to feel the pleasure you were seeking. Remove the substance and crash...withdraw, which often includes depression.

Addictions are not something you just trade away in a day. The body has to go through the process of getting back its original mode of operation. Sometimes the process of beating an addiction takes a long time and a lot of hard work. Deciding to do the work is a great first step...if they keep coming back I think it is time you got some help, talk to a school counselor, call a private counselor, or talk to your doctor. The point is to get some professional help.

Addictions have consequences and eventually these consequences get pretty messy. These addictions don't just affect the addict. Inevitably a lot of people get hurt by the addiction.

I think these consequences affect our relationship with God as well. We replace God with our addiction. We come to depend on our addiction to fill our needs instead of depending on God to fill them.

I think to start to get ourselves back to a good spiritual place, its good to ask ourselves what our needs are, or what pain or hurt we are try to make go away. I guess I am suggestion you look into why you have been starting on the roads to your addictions. And then start to take those things to God and ask him to help you deal with them. That might be hard for you to do if you don't really understand who God is. I find so many people think God is some kind of angry, punishing, disappointed God. He is not like that at all. There is no one more on your side than God is. He loves you completely and nothing you could do could ever make him love you less, nothing you could do could ever make him love you more. He might not be as satisfying because you have not really started to search him, to know him to understand his love.

I think God doesn't feel as satisfying sometimes, because we don't give Him the chance to be. We expect a quick high, when the reality is the real change that leads to real satisfaction takes healing and time. What God has for you is so much better and lasting and real than what the addictions have to offer. In the short term a drug may seem more satisfying but in the long run it makes a huge mess of your life. The life God has for you is so much better, filled with so much hope and love. Its hard to trust that everyday and I find myself having to remember that. I guess it really boils down to trust. Who do you trust with your life, with your future?

I wrote a little more about addictions some time ago...here's the link: ADDICTION LINK

I hope this helps, or at least helps you form some different question. Feel free to get back in touch with me. ottjgefc@verizon.net

And please seek professional help.

Josh