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The Craving

Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!” Numbers 11:4 Have you ever liked a food so much that you’ve eaten it until your stomach hurt? It starts out pleasant enough. You’re hungry and your…
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Maybe I Should Stop Complaining

And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Numbers 11:1 I have a great job, almost perfectly tailored for me. The Urgent Care…
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Take the Wheel God

At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. Numbers 9:23 Have you ever looked at someone else’s life and knew that they’d be better off if you made their decisions for them? Every choice they make is worse than the last as they perpetually self-destruct.…
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As Much as I Want

Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. Numbers 8:14 My addiction was a never-ending search for more pills. I wasn’t supposed to have access to unlimited opioids, and so, I was always seeking that next bottle. I dreamt of an infinite supply, never having…
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The Life God Wants for Me

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26 Does God want me to be happy? I’ve known those who believe they should do whatever they desire, supposing that…
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No More Haircuts

All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Numbers 6:5 Growing up, my interest in a girl was directly proportional to how attractive I found her. I know that’s shallow, but the reality was that my value of a girl was attached to her physical appearance. So, I believed…
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Near Beer

He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. Numbers 6:3-4 Way back when I was…
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The Radicals

When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. Numbers 6:2-3 It’s the Summer Olympics and so, every night, my wife and I sit and watch a recap of the day’s events, hoping…
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Becoming Board Certified in Addiction Medicine

. . . As the LORD commanded Moses. So he listed them in the wilderness of Sinai. Numbers 1:19 When I was in treatment ten years ago, I began plotting my comeback. My life had fallen apart, and I wanted to put it back together. I planned to get out of treatment and immediately become…
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Fake Sorry

But if they confess their iniquity . . . and they make amends for their iniquity, then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and I will remember my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. Leviticus 26:40-42 Every time I used drugs, I felt bad, asked God’s…
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