February 5, 2012 Don't be fooled I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that our country has become a very addictive country. Almost every family in our country has a relative that is struggling with some type of addiction. Dealing with addiction has taken a toll on the individual, on family life, on productivity and on the national economy. It is hard to overcome an addiction, because of the pleasure involved with the addiction as well as the dependency that the person quickly develops. For decades the federal government has spent millions and millions of dollars try to alert our people to the dangers of addictions. Our school systems have done their share to try to keep our young people from falling into the trap of addictive behavior. On the program today, I want to share with you a story that shows how a person can easily fool himself. The story is written by Iron Eyes Cody. "Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude on what is called a vision quest to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley, green with trees and bright with flowers. There he fasted and prayed. But on the third day, as he looked up at the surrounding mountains, he noticed one tall rugged peak, capped with dazzling snow. "I will test myself against that mountain," he pondered. He put on his buckskin shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders and set off to climb the peak. When he reached the top, he gazed out from the rim of the world. He could see forever, and his heart swelled with pride. Then he heard a rustle of leaves at his feet, and looking down, he saw a slithering snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke. "I am about to die," whispered the snake. "it's too cold for me up here; I'm freezing. There's no food and I'm starving. Put me under your shirt where I'll be warm and take me down to the valley." "No," said the youth. "I'm forewarned. I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite, and your bite will kill me." "Not so," said the snake. "I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special to me, and I will not harm you." "But you promised….", cried the youth. "You knew what I was when you picked me up," said the snake as it slithered away." The author concludes by saying: "I tell that story especially to young people who might be tempted by drugs, alcohol or other temptations. I want them to remember the words of the snake: "You knew what I was when you picked me up." I like that story very much. Many a young person experiments with drugs, alcohol, gambling and sex even when they have been warned about the inherent dangers involved with their behavior. They justify their behavior by saying I will know when to stop. I won't let it go too far. I will try it just this once and then I won't do it again. Benjamin Franklin said: "The easiest thing in the world to do is for a man to fool himself." As I said earlier: the scourge of addiction has wrecked havoc in both individual's lives as well as in society in general. It takes great courage and humility for a person to say: "My life is out of control, I have to turn it over to a higher power." Yet when these words are said with absolute sincerity, wonderful things can happen. I want to encourage any listener who may be struggling with some form of addiction to seek help immediately. There are people ready to help you in a non-judgmental program. Please do seek help before it is too late. Begin by praying with me right now the first three lines of the Serenity Prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can. And wisdom to know the difference. Our prayer partners this week are the people we know who are struggling with an addiction. May they allow God to free them! |