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Addiction is a terrible thing. It can destroy the body, relationships and all aspects of healthy supports. My family unfortunately has experienced addiction with family members and as a result, when I intersect with addicted people or families with addiction struggles my heart goes out to them. However, it is not just the run of the mill drugs, alcohol, sex … I see it now with gaming, the tongue … watching the news 24/7 or scrolling on Facebook. The body, relationships and supports are affected when a person is so drawn to something else, that they do not have time for taking care of the body, building relationships or engaging in healthy supports.

The Word says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). And 1 John says, “For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world.”

As Christ Followers it is important that we trust God when we like something “too much.” 1 Peter 5 tells us, we have to be on guard. If we are not diligent to trust God everyday with our body, our relationships and healthy supports, then Satan can slip in there. Before you know it, a grounded Christ Follower can be off shore and out in deep water drifting without being tied to the “Anchor.”

Not only does God desire us to trust Him with the “too much,” but He also desires us to respond with godly behavior to others who are in a constant state of addiction. Christ Followers understand that godly behavior is love, but that love does not mean that we are a stumbling block. 1 Corinthians tells us if we know someone is weak then we do not support that behavior. Jesus even said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Matthew 16:23).

As Christ Followers we always support the godly behavior and never support the addiction. To do so means that we are saying it is OK to not trust God with the “too much.” This week let us allow God to check our lives for the “too much.” If it is present, let us ask God for deliverance.

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.