We were created to love and to be loved. Since this is a basic human need, people will go to extremes to have this need met.
Many, however, on their search for acceptance will be rejected, neglected and disrespected.
This is life. Life is not always fair. Life often hurts.
The pain from these life experiences is what will causes many to turn to drugs, alcohol, food, sex, work, etc. in order to numb their hurt and woundedness.
Eventually and over time, these individuals become addicted to their drug of choice.
There is a story in the Bible (John 4) about a lonely woman who had been looking for love, intimacy and security in all the wrong places. She had put her identity in man.
In her search to be loved, she had ended up having five failed marriages. She was now in a new relationship in hopes of finally finding her true love. The one who she thought was going to fulfill all her needs for intimacy.
Many make this same mistake of thinking that another human being will satisfy their needs.
This woman’s desire to be loved and accepted is a natural one. She, however, had become addicted to looking for her fulfillment in men.
The woman at the well was in bondage like many people are. Many will turn their natural need to be loved and accepted into an addiction.
It was not until the day she met Jesus at a well and He asked her to give Him a drink (John 4:7) of water that she learned the truth.
In John 4:10 Jesus says to her the following:
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
These words are for all of us who are looking to have our inner emptiness satisfied.
The truth is only Jesus Christ can quench our thirst for love, acceptance, security and identity. (Click to tweet)
In verse 13 it says: Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
Jesus offers us a glorious exchange; in place of our pain, He gives us healing.
In place of our hurt, He gives us new life.
In place of our addiction for fulfillment, He gives us Himself so we never thirst again.
Don’t allow your pain and suffering from the trials of life rob you anymore.
Life is not fair.
Terrible things happen.
There is suffering.
There is pain.
Hearts are broken.
Things precious to us are stolen.
There is a solution to your heartache that doesn’t have to lead to an unhealthy addiction.
Try a personal, deep, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as the healing balm for your pain.
Ask Him to give you living water, the water that will satisfy your every need, the water that leads you to never thirst for the pleasures of this world.
Let Jesus be what you crave.
Let Jesus fill you with His love.
He truly is the water of life, life that leads to eternal life.
If you are struggling with any addiction I challenge you to dig deep, and ask yourself why you keep taking the drug that you are taking. Most likely you have a deep woundedness inside of you from your childhood. I encourage you to write out your pain. Write out anything that comes to your heart (who, what, how).
After you have written this out, find a trusted friend to share this with (Also recovery programs such as a 12 step program, Celebrate Recovery, or other recovery programs are very helpful) and seek the healing you need.
Most importantly, open your heart to the Healer, Jesus Christ, and let Him teach you what real love is.
Let Jesus Christ be your addiction. He is not only the best addiction to have, He is the only addiction to have.
“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” ~ John 4:15.
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