Johnhwilburn.com

Tabernacle Baptist Church is in a unique area. Just down the road from us is a shop where people drink rum all day, and across the street men are usually sitting on steps smoking marijuana.

My heart breaks for them because of their addiction….

But the real burden comes because I know WHY they drink and smoke.

The men of Barrouallie (my community) experience many challenges. Towards the top of the list is lack of money, and consistent jobs. It isn’t uncommon for them to spend the day looking for work, and end up with $20 in their pocket.

The problem with lack of consistent jobs is there isn’t a lot you can do to fix it.

So because they cannot fix the problem…..

they escape the problem.

These men drink and smoke as a way to escape the stress of an issue that can’t be conquered. But what they don’t understand is the problem doesn’t go away. In fact it gets bigger. Actually, I guess they do understand this. But it’s easier to put off the stress till tomorrow.

Unfortunately, as the problem gets larger you have to do more and more to escape it. For some I have heard that means mixing cocaine with their marijuana. But no matter what they try, that much bigger problem will be there waiting for them when the high or alcoholic buzz is gone.

For some it seems as if this cycle of addiction will never end.

Until they realize face their problems with Christ’s help.

The Gospel tells us that we don’t fight our battles, God fights them for us. So as we trust the Lord and obey, He will fix our problems that we cannot conquer. But in order for this happen we must face those challenges boldly.

Sometimes it seems as if most of us are running from our problems.

oh this may not come from weed or alcohol! But things like food, television, social media, music, or a number of other things can be used to ESCAPE OUR PROBLEMS just like this these men try to escape theirs.

As someone who has tried that more than once let me tell you friends

The problem does not go away.

it just gets bigger!!!

So, find your strength in Christ, and face that small lizard you allowed to become a dragon.

Or it will still be there tomorrow