The fight of a hero
He was a complete American hero.
Some say he was the greatest ballplayer who ever lived.4 Mickey Mantle seemed to have it all: fame, fortune, and millions of fans. The day he graduated from high school in 1950, he signed a contract with the world-renowned New York Yankees, a decision that began his path to fame. Statistics confirm his superstar status: He hit 536 career home runs, won three Most Valuable Player awards, had a 298 batting average, participated in seven world championships, and earned baseball’s triple crown, which means he triumphed in the major league in its three categories: highest batting average, highest number of home runs, and highest number of runs.
However, he also lived a lifestyle of excesses and alcoholism characterized by different types of abuse. When he was diagnosed with liver cancer, it became clear that his years of drinking had aggravated his condition. Although he was successfully treated for alcoholism, the damage was too severe and death inexorably followed. During the last inning of his life, Mickey stood in front of the microphones at a press conference and pointed to himself and said, “Don’t be like me,” so the world would know he wasn’t a role model. mock “.
What brought the world’s greatest ballplayer down from adoration to addiction? Why are there millions of people who follow the same path every year? The Bible explains it by saying:
“There is a way that seems right to man, but the end of it is the way of death.”
“If I am a habitual and compulsive drinker, is it possible to change and leave the vice permanently?”
All habits, compulsions and addictions are very persistent and therefore, they are difficult to leave, but not impossible. It is a fact that repetitive actions alter the brain, making it more difficult to change a pattern of behavior. However, we can all learn new behavior patterns. If you are a true believer, you have the word of God, the church of Christ and specialized community support groups to support you in changing your life. You also have the Holy Spirit who will give you the power you need from within to change your thinking and persevere in your desire to stop drinking.
“Because God is the one who produces in you both to want and to do, by his good will.”
“Why should I stop drinking? I am a recent convert and I want to do what pleases God.”
Although the Bible does not prohibit the consumption of alcohol completely, it does warn against the misuse of wine, beer, and strong alcoholic beverages. “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever errs by them is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). But for many, the strongest argument for living in abstinence is that of “stumbling.” That is, that we can stumble another because of our questionable example.
Since people tend to be followers, if you drink alcohol, or take drugs, those who imitate your example may stumble and their lives will be damaged by following in your footsteps.
“It is good not to eat meat, or drink wine, or anything that your brother stumbles over, or offends, or weakens.”
How to get out of dependency
#1 Accept that you don’t have the strength to quit. (2 Corinthians 1:9)
#2 Admit that God is your Creator and that he has power to restore you. (Psalm 71:20,21)
#3 Submit your will to God’s. (Matthew 16:24,25)
#4 Face reality and recognize who you really are. (Psalms 139:23,24)
#5 Accept before God and another person that you are fighting against sin. (1 John 1:8)
#6 Humbly accept God’s help in changing your past behavior patterns. (1 Peter 5:6,7)
#7 Confess your flaws and continuous falls. (Psalm 51:10,12)
#8 Apologize to those you have offended. (Matthew 5:23,24)
#9 Give back what you have taken from others. (Ezekiel 33:15,16)
#10 Accept that you have been wrong and fix the things you have done wrong. (Titus 2:11,12)
#11 Pray and know God’s path for his life. (Psalms 25:4,5)
#12 Reach out to others with your hands and heart. (Galatians 6:2)
10 Spiritual Tips for Achieving Recovery
- Today is the day you should start your recovery. (Hebrews 3:15)
- Accept that recovery is a lifelong process, not a one-time event. (Philippians 3:12)
- Pray daily to the Lord and ask for victory. God protects you when you pray. (Matthew 26:41)
- Read your Bible daily for divine strength. (Psalms 119:28)
- Meditate on the Scriptures to avoid falling into sin. (Psalms 119:11)
- Attend church every week to worship God and grow with others. (Hebrews 10:24,25)
- Share your struggles with people who love and care about you. (James 5:16)
- Trust God! Try to deepen your relationship with him. (Mathew 6:33)
- Depend on the strength of Christ to stay away from his addiction. (Philippians 4:13)
- Recognize that permanent change is possible. (Luke 1:37)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Set beneficial limits for the addict
- Give up your expectations of the addict. (Psalms 62:5)
- Learn to isolate yourself from the addict’s problem. (Psalms 25:15)
- Focus on your own reactions and stay away from the addict’s unhealthy behavior. (Lamentations 3:40)
- Put an end to attitudes that facilitate addiction (justify, protect). (Psalms 50:21)
- Inform the addict of the effect his behavior has on you and others. (Ephesians 4:25)
- Ask God to bring to the addict the consequences of his behavior. (Proverbs 5:21,23)
key verse to memorize
“For I am the Lord your God, who holds you by your right hand and says to you: Do not be afraid, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
Key passage to read and meditate
“Above all else, guard your heart; because life flows from it”.
Seven Obstacles to Liberation
- Don’t fight addiction alone. Participate in a legitimate recovery program. (Ecclesiastes 4:9,10)
- Don’t kid yourself about your ability to lie to yourself and others. (Jeremiah 17:9)
- Do not socialize with those who invite you to continue with your habit. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- Don’t worry about the future. Walk with God one day at a time. (Matthew 6:34)
- Don’t give up if you relapse. It is never too late to get back on track. (1 John 1:9)
- Don’t brag about your success in going through the recovery process. (Proverbs 16:18)
- Don’t be surprised when you are tempted! (1 Corinthians 10:13)
“He who makes light of discipline despises his soul; but he who listens to correction has understanding.”