The Solution: Walking Out of the Darkness

I’ve always loved the story about when Robert Louis Stevenson was growing up in Scotland. One evening, as the lamplighters went along lighting the street lamps, it’s said he turned to his parents and said, “Look, they’re punching holes in the darkness.”

What a great visual. The world can feel dark, especially if you’re caught in an addiction. But Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12, NIV). So how do you follow Christ in a dark world? How do you punch holes in the darkness of addiction?

It all begins with your thinking and then moves from mind to deed. The best way to treat addiction is to learn to avoid it before it happens. When the thoughts first come, confront them and deal with them then and there. However, it’s never too late to start applying God’s love and power to your life.

Mental Preparation

In 1 Peter, the apostle wrote, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13, NASB). We might say, “Roll up the sleeves of your mind.” That is, get mentally ready; intentionally prepare your thought life.

And “exercise self-control” (1 Peter 1:13, NLT). This means to think clearly and be morally decisive. What you believe determines how you behave; thought decides actions. The Bible says, “As [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). If you walk in darkness in your mind, you will walk in darkness in life. But if you prepare your mind to walk in His light, you’ll find it much easier to punch holes in the darkness.

Perpetual Motivation

I’ll never forget being a little boy in 1969 and watching the first walk on the moon. The headlines declared, “We Have Conquered Outer Space.” But we have yet to conquer inner space: our minds and hearts. This is where God should reign enthroned, but we let so many other things try to fill His seat.

This is why Peter also encouraged us to “set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming” (1 Peter 1:13, NIV). Everyone sets their hope on something. Sometimes, in the heart of darkness, our hope is set on smaller victories—another day without using, another day without viewing, another day without laying a bet.

But as Christians, our ultimate hope should be set on the coming of Jesus Christ. Our ultimate motivation is to see His face and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” When we live each day with the hope of what’s coming at the end of it, we’ll be able to punch holes in the darkness of addiction.

For Further Thought

What does it mean to punch holes in the darkness, and why is this an effective metaphor for dealing with addiction? As a believer in Jesus Christ, how can looking ahead to your ultimate destination motivate you in your present struggles? What addictions are you willing to turn over to God? Once you’ve made that decision, seek out a trusted Christian friend, counselor, or pastor and ask them to come alongside you in prayer, counsel, and accountability.