Contributor: Ryan Moffat, BS in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. Pastor of Vast Church.
Recently I read a study that says the average American sees over 4,000 messages per week that appeal to how “lame” or “incomplete” your life is without a certain product.
Whether it’s Reebok telling you that you better start flipping tires and climbing ropes or else you’re endangering yourself of becoming obsolete and chunky or watching the latest Maybelline commercial convincing you that unless your eyelashes are 2 inches long and perfectly groomed you’ll never be anything than an ugly old hag the overwhelming “ethos” of the day is “BUY THIS PRODUCT AND YOUR LIFE WILL STOP SUCKING”.
My buddy Brett is a marketing guy; he’s really good at building brands and marketing campaigns. I’ve asked him before, “Hey Brett, what’s the key to a good marketing piece?” Brett’s answer was an instant classic;
- Step #1- Show the people how lame their life is without the product.
- Step #2- Show people with the product and how awesome their life is with the product.
That’s pretty much it.”
What Are You Hearing
No wonder that anxiety, fear, and depression are some of the fastest growing ailments crippling millions of Americans. We’re hearing, “You suck without (fill in the blank)” 4,000 times/week and we’re actually believing it.
Where do you go for peace, sanity, and safety in such a cruel, manipulative, and “dog eat dog” culture? How do you find peace when everything around screams, “CHAOS!!!!”?
Believe it or not, we actually get to decide what messages we will believe about God, about life, and about ourselves. We aren’t brainless dummies walking around as helpless victims ruled by the “gods” of the airwaves.
Peace isn’t something that I purchase to get to the white beaches of Hawaii or by doing enough Yoga (although proper exercise and nutrition can help). Peace is an internal disposition of the heart.
Peace is achieved not by trying harder, but rather by admitting your helplessness. Peace is a by-product of believing the truest things about God, about life and about yourself. Such as you are able to have a life of recovery from addiction.
This is why we so easily identify with the book of Psalms in the Bible. The Psalmist screams the deepest sorrows and distress while, at the same time, coaching himself/herself to trust in God. For instance, look at Psalm 23….
- “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (statement of anything BUT peace)
- “I will fear no evil” (Statement of trust in God)
- “For His rod and staff are with me” (Statement of trust in God’s presence in the midst of chaos and confusion).
So let me exhort you, my friends…. you don’t need new makeup, new shoes, the latest car or an updated phone to attain peace. Chasing such trivial things will only lead to ceaseless striving. Rather the antidote to chasing after peace is to live the vision and invitation of Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God and that I will be exalted among the nations.”
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What have you found to bring you peace in your recovery?
About the Author: Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR
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Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on November 19, 2015
Published on AddictionHope.com