Thursday, December 20, 2007

"Take the edge off"

I usually hear people say this when they are referring to anti-depressants or anxiety medicine. I believe that the drugs used to treat both of those do actually take some sort of edge of something off, but I struggle with wanting some "thing" to take the edge off of my discontentment or my irritability.

It's a difficult thing for me to confess that I want to turn to a drink or a pill or some sort of numbing device. It's a great thing that I don't turn to such impulses because of God's grace in my life keeping me from giving in to them. I just desire to be at a place where I allow God to take the edge off of my funk. For some reason I just don't believe that He will do it. I know that He freely gives us anything we need to avoid falling into such temptations. But, for some reason I compartmentalize Him in that I don't see Him offering some "thing" for me to take the edge off. My prayer today and in future days is that when I have the desire to self medicate, I will turn in submission to Him and allow Him to do what he wants with whatever edges I'm not happy with at that moment!

6 comments:

Stacey said...

Thanks, Rachel!

Good confession, too. I think most of us can identify with it in one way or another.

I hope you have a very merry Christmas, also - and enjoy your guests!

shanna said...

I am right there with you! I think He allows us to get to those "edgy" places so we cry out to Him and be reminded of our need for Him. I need to cry out to Him more in those moments....

Chelle said...

Love this post, and your openness and honesty. Thank you.

I believe, especially in our society, we want the quick fix, immediate gratification. We're a fast food nation and we want immediate results and such.

Thanks to our finite understanding, we don't see the inner workings of what God is doing and how He is doing it. We miss a lot (I do anyway) because we are in such a hurry. Sometimes the "edge" is what motivates us into action or change, which is never bad either. Praying for you and for your heart to be surrounded and overflowing with JOY!

Dina said...

Great Post!! Relatable. I stopped drinking socially when I was pregnant and my husband quit with me ( he thinks thats real unfair when pregnant women CAN'T DRINK and their husband still continues...I was blessed with his decision.) I used to smoke cigarettes (before being a mom) and VOWED to God and myself that since I had her , that I would take care of MYSELF FOR her!! that would probably be THEE BEST GIFT I COULD GIVE HER.( I lost both parents and KNOW I don't want to contribute to my daughters sadness in life if I can help it) ANYWAY... when I drink ,I want to SMOKE A CIGARETTE, so I HAD to quit drinking. after 4 years I've had 3 occassions when I'll drink wine ,WITH DINNER. But it IS SO EASY to take the edge off quickly. I just fast forward the "tape of life" and see where my decision will lead me, then I THANK GOD.

Hope you remember to FAST FORWARD any and ALL decisions and see if it's where God would want you to do.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Emily said...

Great post and comments from friends too!
Hope you are having a great Christmas!!! I finally got a new camera so I have some recent pics (like-today!) up on my blog.
Love and miss you!

Mari said...

Thanks for your honesty...I can relate totally.
Mari