We cease to be in charge of our own lives the day our addictions take control. On that day, we lose our freedom and become slaves to our addictions. They become the central aim and purpose of our lives, making us dependent on the satisfaction of that addiction in order to feel good, happy, or successful. To regain control of our lives, we must free ourselves from the chains of addiction.
An addiction is the desperate need to have or do something. It creates a habit that enslaves us, making us dependent on that habit. It convinces us that we need it, taking away our control, and when we are not in charge of our lives, we are not in charge of anything. This means our life is left to chance. We become like a boat drifting in the ocean of life, pushed by the current of our addictions. Where will we end up? Only God knows. What are the odds? We are likely heading straight for failure.
Can we do something about it? Can we change our direction? Absolutely. How can we do that? By taking back control of our lives and telling our addictions: “Hey, you! You are no longer in charge here. You have no power over my life; you don’t control me, so move on and give me my life back!”
“Sometimes you can only find Heaven by slowly backing away from Hell.” – Carrie Fisher
Okay, I know it sounds nice and easy, but you may be wondering: how do I start? Is it really possible to move away from my addiction? And the answer is yes, it is. Do you want to know how I know that? Because you’ve already taken the first and most important step of all: You’ve decided that this is something you want to change in your life. The ability to recognize that something is not giving you what you truly want is the first step toward a better life.
If you really want to change—if you truly want something and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it—you will get there. But it requires hard work, and by “hard work,” I don’t mean working hard one day and slacking off the next. I mean, working at it every single day for the rest of your life. Overcoming addiction is a lifelong commitment. It’s not something you do today and forget about tomorrow.
Our addictions are our weak spots, and they need constant reinforcement, even when we feel strong. We must always remain vigilant, ready to fight them whenever the occasion arises. So, the first step is accepting that something in our life needs to change—something that doesn’t help us but holds us back, something that brings us not success but failure.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
The first thing to understand is that addictions don’t save us or change our reality. They don’t give us what we truly want; instead, they condemn us to a life of failure. They fill our minds with lies, convincing us we need them, only to trap us.
The second step is finding the source of the addiction. There is something that drives your need to satisfy that addiction. This need becomes so strong that it feels inevitable and leads you into the clutches of addiction. So what should you do? Move away from that source. Don’t expect to get out safely if you keep falling into the same trap. Anything that strengthens your addiction—get rid of it.
“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The next step is focus. It’s all about focusing your mind on the things you really want in life, the things that will get you to where you want to be and help reveal your true potential. It’s not about resisting temptation; it’s about ending it. And how do we do that? Once again, it’s all about focus. We are surrounded by so many things, but we only notice what we focus on. So, focus on the things that will bring you happiness, peace, and success. Forget about the things that destroy you—make them disappear. Put your heart into what is best for you, not your mind into what doesn’t serve you, and you will see your whole life change.
Regardless of your addiction, always remember this: You are a masterpiece of God. You have greatness within you and the power to overcome any challenge. It all depends on your commitment and perseverance. How much you’re willing to sacrifice to achieve victory will determine your success. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it!
