Sometimes It Takes a Mountain: A Journey in Claiming the Idols of My Addiction

By Amanda Reed

Do you struggle with addictive behaviors and tendencies? Have these behaviors damaged relationships and caused you heartaches and frustrations? Do you feel hopeless to overcome these tendencies? Sometimes It Takes a Mountain addresses the author's addictive behaviors and the grace of God that brought her to recognize her need to surrender control of her life to God. In addition to sharing her specific addiction story, the author provides resources from the Word of God, with the hope that you too can overcome your addiction and restore relationships for good and for God's glory.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098063627

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Sometimes It Takes a Mountain

A Journey in Claiming the Idols of My Addiction

Amanda Reed

Copyright © 2020 by Amanda Reed

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Goal—Take 1

The Story

The Mountain Range

Let’s Try This Trail

Well, This Trail Looks Fine

Sidetracked

Help!

What Now?

Getting Down the Mountain

Facing the Crowds

Preparing for Another Climb

The Goal—Take 2

In the Everyday Passes

Dedicated to my husband who so patiently loves me, and to my parents who have never stopped praying.

Introduction

Webster’s Dictionary provides two definitions of the word addiction. The first definition is this: a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity having harmful physical, psychological, or social effects and typically causing well-defined symptoms (such as anxiety, irritability, tremors, or nausea) upon withdrawal or abstinence: the state of being addicted. The second definition, though more subtle, indicates a similar, though not as physically detrimental, dependency: a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly.

Addiction reveals itself to us in a variety of ways. The most commonly noted addictive behaviors are those behaviors that closely associate with definition number one: drugs, alcohol, anorexia, bulimia, cutting, pornography, and sexual addictions. The second definition allows for a wider array of addictions, such as food, cell phones, social media usage, work, money, success, power, control, exercise, fitness, and more.

The struggle with addictions lies not with the definition but, rather, with the ability to admit whether or not you personally suffer from an addiction. One can say, Oh, I am addicted to this show on Netflix! or I am addicted to ice cream. These types of addictive statements seem to hold no negative stigma or any devastating repercussions. However, when someone says, I am addicted to pornography, or I cut, or I struggle with anorexia, an immediate reaction (usually negative) follows.

Addictions change a person’s life. This may seem like a no-brainer statement, but those of us who have endured the consequences of our addiction can say, I will never be the same since my addiction. Addiction is not selective. Addiction can happen to anyone. And for the Christian, addiction remains a prevalent problem.

As a Christian, I have been saved through faith in God’s grace, the grace given through the free gift of His Son, Jesus, when He died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sin (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8–9). I have been forgiven of my sin (I John 1:9). I am guaranteed a home in heaven when I die. I have the Holy Spirit at work in my life, helping me live to please and honor God (Romans 7:4–6). So as I began to reflect and try to heal from my addiction (anorexia and binge eating), I thought about so many other Christians I know who struggle/have struggled with addictions too. I wrestled within myself: "Why, as a child of God, would I struggle with addictive behaviors? How did this happen? And how can I help others who struggle too?"

I want to clearly iterate this book is by no means a self-help or conclusive book on curing anorexia or any addiction. I am by no means a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. Rather, this book is more accurately described as an autobiography. Each chapter focuses on how God used His Word in my life to help me realize how addiction ruled my life and how I needed His help to overcome my addictive behaviors.

I understand each person’s struggle with addiction will be different. I trust the truths from God’s Word and the revelation of His work in my life will encourage you to overcome whatever addictive struggle you may have. If you are a child of God, He has promised to complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6). Don’t give up! Let’s press on together, learning and growing, to become more like the image of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of [all] our sins! (Colossians 1:14).

The Goal—Take 1

Sometimes it takes a mountain;

Sometimes a troubled sea;

Sometimes it takes a desert

To get ahold of me."

—Sometimes It Takes a Mountain by Mark Mathes and Gloria Gaither

I have always wanted to write a book. When I was a child, books were my favorite things. I loved visiting the library. I read all the time. I