"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will"
--- Mahatma Gandhi (Indian lawyer & political ethicist; 1869 - 1948)
*Note: This blog post will be discussing addiction, as well as bad habits in general. In addition to sharing some resources down below, I can't recommend enough that you seek professional help if you are struggling with addiction or other personal battles.
O.'s drinking problem wasn't unique (See "Ministering to the One"). We met people in far worse conditions. Unfortunately, many of them didn't want our help. But it was worth trying. I've said it before, Alcohol does zero good and leads to a million problems; you can probably think of other substances for which this is true (See "Word of Wisdom: Health"). You might recall my experience early on with a drunk man as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Mexico (See "A Close Encounter in Mexico"). Thankfully, O. was wholly committed to quitting drinking. His resolution was more than psychological, it was a change of heart. And a willing heart imbued with faith unto action is a powerful thing.
We focused on the concept of faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, which is really what every missionary lesson should come back to. Faith is, after all, the first principle of the gospel and it is faith that leads to true repentance (See "Repentance"). Whenever we taught an individual whose primary concern was temptation, we'd read the words of the Apostle Paul:
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
Temptation befalls us all from time to time but being tempted itself doesn't make us bad. It makes us human. To be tempted is not a sin. Even after His baptism at the start of his ministry, Jesus Christ was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness [and] tempted of the devil” (Matt 4:1). But Jesus didn't give in to those temptations. He countered temptation with scripture, fasting, and faith (Matt. 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). Jesus could have given in to temptation had He chosen to do so. Even though He was the Only Begotten of the Father, He was still mortal at the time, born of a mortal mother, and as susceptible to sin as He was to die. But He chose to not give in to temptation just as He chose to die for our sins (See "Great Sacrifice"). And it was because of His perfect sinless life that He enabled us to repent and be forgiven for our sins and overcome all the burdens of mortality including death. Everything that Jesus Christ did was to help us overcome the things of the world.
A past prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Howard W. Hunter, in 1976 made a powerful insight regarding the occasion previously mentioned, of when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, “We should take strength from this battle from the fact that Christ was victorious not as a God but as a man.” Take a minute and think about what that quote means. It was His will that conquered temptation and not some special divine ability that only He had. Had He used some method only available to Him, it wouldn't do us much good when we come face to face with temptation. But what He did in the face of temptation is an example of what anybody can do. Men and women, we are. Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted, how it feels, and how to help us escape it because He felt it and escaped it. His life is an example to us all of how to live.
The well-known martial artist Jackie Chan has said, “The best fights are the ones we avoid”. The first piece of advice I would give to someone battling temptation is to distance yourself from it. Throw it away or walk away. I'm not a licensed therapist or psychologist but I do have a degree in Psychology. Studies have shown that the repetitive cues accompanied by habitual behavior contribute to the psychological training of the brain. So even people, settings, and objects can become psychological cues that make it harder to resist because the brain becomes classically conditioned to react in preparation for the habitual behavior. In other words, cues are paired with behavior. Our brain is more likely to repeat actions when it is rewarded which is why it's important to reward desirable behavior instead of undesirable ones. That’s why therapies such as contingency-management therapy, which focus on positive reinforcement for desirable behavior work. Nevertheless, whenever possible, it’s best to get out of a situation before the temptation even comes. Change things up. Break the loop. It’s better to prepare and prevent than repair and repent.
Ponder Question: We're all tempted every now and then. How do you prepare beforehand to make the temptation easier to deal with?
There can be danger in asking, “What are the limits?” because some people have a tendency to get as close as they can before crossing the line. But getting close to limits is not a good idea. Military pilots have a limit as to how close they can get to the trees below but a smart pilot will set his limit high above the limit so as not to, intentionally or accidentally, crash. The same should be said of us; we should never toe the line. Those who fall victim to accidents never intend to be hurt. The pull of proximity can be fatal. By exercising wisdom, keeping our distance, and being where we should be, many accidents can be avoided. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so watch your step.
When we are striving to come back on the right path, let us too take great pride in each step. Don't get discouraged if things aren't fixed overnight. Keep going. Life by the yard is hard. Life by the inch is a cinch. If you feel like you can't quite see the light at the end of the long tunnel, just take things one day at a time. Take control of today. The here and now. Eventually, many "todays" will add up. One day will become two. Then three. Then a week. Then two weeks. Then a month. Then three months. And beyond. Point in the right direction, start moving, and you will get there.
Taught the Savior, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41). Prayer keeps us close to God and His angels. It invites the influence of the Holy Ghost which lends us power against temptation (See "A Still, Small Voice"). Doing things that invite the Holy Ghost into our lives is perhaps the greatest tool we have against the adversary.
One of Satan’s most effective strategies with those he has lured into sin is to whisper in their ears that they are not worthy to pray. He will tell you that Heavenly Father is so displeased with you that He will never hear your prayers. This is a lie, and he says it to deceive us. The burden of sin is great. If we are to extricate ourselves from it, especially serious sin, we must have a power greater than ourselves. No one is more anxious to help you flee from sin than your Father in Heaven. Go to Him. Be honest and committed to change, and then sincerely plead with Him for help (See "Prayers"). And then go and do better, put yourself in places where the spirit can be present, and seek the help of others. You don't have to go at anything alone. He has the power to help you triumph.
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ teaches us about the power of the word of God (scripture, prophets, etc.):
“And I said unto them that is was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.” (1 Nephi 15:24)
The New Testament also symbolically refers to temptations as fiery darts. Those familiar with the Armor of God metaphor in Ephesians 6 will recall the various parts of spiritual armor that help defend against enemies:
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph. 6:16)
Jesus fasted (abstaining from food or drink for at least two consecutive meals; See also "Fast"). It was by “prayer and fasting” that gave Jesus power to rebuke the devil (Matt. 17:14-21). Likewise, fasting gives us power and teaches us self-control, and mastery over the appetites of the flesh. Fasting builds faith because it requires faith which enables us to receive greater blessings.
Tools and means are available whereby we can overcome temptations of all sorts. I am a witness that people really can and do change when the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes the center of their lives. We have to learn to see people as they may become, not only as they once were, and that includes ourselves. We need to be future-oriented.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement shines. Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing in either case that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome.
O. gave up alcohol and even started losing a healthy amount of weight bit by bit. Most importantly, he became more hopeful and happier. The spirit came more abundantly into his life as he made the full turn and became an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints once again. With more time and work, O. was able to bless the sacrament and to join the other men in their weekly ministering visits.
O. was a large asset to God’s kingdom. He helped the missionaries with rides when needed. He always had his doors open to us. He shared his testimony at church and often expressed his gratitude through tears and a pink face how good God was to help him back to the gospel after over thirty years away from it (See "Testimonies and Trainers"). He continues one of the strongest members of his local Ward today; a happy priesthood man. And it all started with one person going out of his way to let someone know they were loved (See "Ministering to the One"). When we are willing and listening for God’s direction, He will speak. It is up to us to act.
There are many addiction recovery resources out there. I know that getting professional help has promising recovery rates. In some places, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints also has recovery groups similar to the well-known twelve-step program. You can look at https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng for more information.
In the U.S., you can check out SAMHSA's national helpline (Substance abuse and mental health services administration) at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline. This service provides free referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information and is available every second of every day at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Wherever you are, just remember that we are all in need of repentance and that everyone has something that they can work on. The road to recovery might be a long and difficult one, but I can promise you that it is worth it to receive all the blessings that your Heavenly Father desires to bless you with, even eternal life.
コメント