Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6 is one of the 8 Beatitudes (blessings). The Beatitudes are sayings attributed to Jesus, and in particular eight blessings recounted by Jesus in what we commonly refer to as The Sermon on the Mount. Each is a proverb-like proclamation, without narrative. And I would imagine if anyone else recited these simple generalizations, there wouldn’t be much fanfare. But because it was Jesus, these blessings have endured the test of time and have become the lifeblood of the people of God that truly understand them, and keep them in their hearts. So, this morning as we prepare to share in First Sunday Communion, I can’t think of a more fitting scripture for us to ponder and discuss.
I think by now we all understand how ingesting the wrong things impact our physical health. But did you know the same principles apply to our spiritual health as well? Poor spiritual diets are just as detrimental to our wellbeing as natural diets…even more so. But the problem with both is that very often the abuser is not purposely overindulging, but honestly has a control problem. They are addicted to harmful habits and unhealthy routines.
I was reading an interesting article title, ‘13 Signs You Might Have An Addictive Personality.’ They suggest, personalities, including addictive personalities, are very complex. While there’s not one specific type that’s more prone to addiction than others, there are several factors that can combine to make someone more likely to become addicted.
We don’t want to think of ourselves as addicted because having an addictive personality conjures up images of drug addicts and alcoholics, but in all reality, anyone could be affected. It depends on their personality type as to whether they have a greater chance of having an addiction. And it could be an addiction to anything, really. Not just drugs and alcohol. It can be shopping, food, video games, gambling, work; just about anything.
And that statement found me. Yes, I admit it. I am prone to have an addictive personality. Though I’m not on drugs, alcohol or other socially unacceptable substances, I still suffer from an addictive personality. All of the signs are there.
If I buy cookies, I’m eating the entire bag. I don’t mean too. It wasn’t my original intention. But at the end of the day, they get eaten. And the same is true of overindulgence at work or play, or whatever. I find if I’m not careful, I have a tendency to ‘go overboard’.
So today, if there is someone who understands what I’m saying, I’d like to offer you some advice that I found during my search for an answer. Conventional wisdom says we must deal with our addiction. We must develop strength and fortitude. Discipline (as if we haven’t been trying that all our lives). This morning I maintain it is not about discipline. It’s about change. All that all we have to do is change our diets. Yes, it’s just that easy. Changing our diets will change our destinies.
Watch this. What if I applied the same insatiable desire for unhealthy food, to daily praise and worship? What if I put the same amount of time in prayer as I did in unfruitful relationships, or time on the internet? You see where I’m going with this? The addiction is less the problem than what we allow ourselves to become addicted to.
Addiction is not so bad if I allow myself to become addicted to the things of God. Now I get it. We truly are what we eat.
Dear Children of God, the Lord is honored and glorified when his child is totally indulged in service, love and affection. There’s no stigma in loving the Lord too much. There’s no ill affects associated with giving God your all. Yes, I do have an addictive personality; and I pray you do too: A personality addicted to hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
God bless
