BY CryStal Starnes

LIFE Member, Gaston County


Dear Addiction, 

     For as long as I can remember, you have been a part of my life, even as a small child, you made your presence known. But the Lord knew me when I was in my mother’s womb.
     You’ve taken my family from me, not once, but twice. Once as a small child, and now as an adult. But the Lord gave me a new family. I am a child of the King and He calls me His own.
     You took all the good feelings I once knew as a child, like happiness, and joy, and left me with hopelessness and despair. Eventually, you even took those bad feelings and left me with nothing; just numb. But the Lord restored my happiness, and my hope is in God and God alone.
     You’ve taken my self-esteem. How can I feel pretty with such a nasty and ugly disease? But the Lord told me I was beautiful and I’m made in His image.
     You took my faith in God. How can I believe in anything unless it makes me feel the way you make me feel? But God never left me, and by His Amazing Grace, my faith has been restored.
     You’ve taken my sanity and left me with the craziness going on inside my head. But God took that craziness and gave me a sound mind.
     You took my dreams I had as a child and left them shattered on the ground. But my God says, surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:18)
     You took my freedom and left me in the chains of bondage, but thanks to God above I know the chain breaker. He holds the key.
     You’ve taken my strength to fight, why bother when I know you’re going to win every time. I was defeated. But the word says: “For everyone who has been born of God, overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.” (1 John 5:4)
     You’ve introduced me to so many people, and since we stick close to our own kind, other addicts, you took those same people. But there is one you can’t take,  “For I know my redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the Earth.” (Job 19:25)
     Every day is a battle, but there is a whole war to fight, and with the Lord by my side, you don’t stand a chance. He is the way, the truth, and the light that guides me and gives me hope, love and joy. You will no longer defeat me. I loved you for far too long. Now my heart is set on Jesus and loving others. His grace and mercy have set me on the path of righteousness. I am free and no longer need you in my life. So goodbye!

~Crystal Starnes