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When he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.  2 Chronicles 33:12 Change, for me, has usually required significant discomfort. When I pursue a destructive path that brings me pleasure, I am unlikely to turn around, until I encounter the…
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They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men’s hands.  2 Chronicles 32:19 As difficult as it is for me to abandon an addictive, destructive behavior to follow God, it is impossible to change while I remain unwilling to…
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The Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him. 2 Chronicles 30:9 I ate a donut. I’ve had a full year clean from donuts, but I recently brought them to work for a special occasion and though I planned to abstain, the temptation…
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Have you not sins of your own against the Lord your God? 2 Chronicles 28:10 Here is the danger in attaining success in any struggle of my flesh natured: When I find some victory over food, drugs or lust, I tend to become prideful. I think, I’ve dealt with my mess so I’m good now. I see myself…
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  King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 26:21 Once, while speaking of my addiction and how it has brought me closer to God, a wise friend suggested that my addiction…
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But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.  2 Chronicles 26:16 I recently spoke in church after which a little old lady (sorry little old lady) approached me to tell me that I had a brilliant mind. I liked that part, but she quickly added that I was too prideful. That stung…
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The Lord has declared disaster concerning you. 2 Chronicles 18:22 You have a problem and you obviously need help. I can still hear the words of the one who gave me a not-so-subtle push into treatment. I hated him for it at the time, but looking back, I have nothing but admiration and appreciation for the…
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Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.  2 Chronicles 18:12 Integral to sobriety is a family/social support structure that encourages recovery. Watching men leave prison then, only to go back to a drug-filled environment, is painful. I know their chances of staying sober – and out of prison…
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You abandoned me, so I have abandoned you to the hand of Shishak. 2 Chronicles 12:5 Whenever I have followed some destructive desire, my conscience has initially objected. Don’t do this. Because I want it though, I override my conscience with excuses. The protest of my conscience is uncomfortable, but I need not worry. With repetitive…
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If my people humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 A friend recently asked me if God changes our appetites. As we follow God, do our destructive desires go away? Or…
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