PAIN-KILLERS
Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. —Proverbs 31:6-7
Alcohol has been the ruin of many lives. I find it interesting that with such a problem the State still builds State Liquor stores near very busy roads, seeking to pull in customers. In 2017 there were 72,558 alcohol related deaths, 2.6% of all deaths in the U.S. One million people died from alcohol related deaths between 1999 and 2017. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/alcohol-related-deaths-increasing-united-states
Why do people drink alcohol? There are many reasons, no doubt. In the above verses a few are given:
- Those who are dying
- Those in anguish
- Those in poverty
- Thos experiencing misery
Today there are drugs that dull the pain for those dying from different painful diseases. Yet there are those who also still use alcohol cloak the pain. Those going through any type of suffering sorrow or grief also use alcohol to forget or escape their circumstances. Then there are those in poverty who use alcohol to flee from their situation momentarily. Anyone experiencing any type of misery may turn to the bottle as well. Yes, there are reasons people turn to alcohol.
I remember those days that I used to drink heavily. There was a hopelessness, a purposelessness, a sadness, a desire to be with others to follow for direction. All this led me in wrong directions. There are so many people in the same situation like mine in the sense that they are depending on alcohol for some relief from their situation, regardless of what it is.
But then I found The Way (John 14:6) or I should say, He drew me to Himself (John 6:44). “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). He gives purpose, He gives direction, He is life, He is love and He loves me— the unlovable. I am so grateful Dear Father for Your compassion, mercy and grace upon me. Now may I live faithfully for You in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son. So be it!