Relationship Challenge: Urges

by Les Palmer, Celebrate Recovery

Who has not experienced urges? They can be innocent and spontaneous impulses or sometimes naughty and even dangerously destructive.  Checkout stands are great for creating impulse buying, and who has not suddenly wanted to make an Andy’s run! The more naughty impulses tend towards computer pop-ups and/or links to places someone might not go otherwise. And then we have the more destructive behaviors centered around misdirected anger and chemical dependence. When urges become compulsive is when trouble starts. Compulsive behaviors can easily become addictions and can include food, gambling, chemical, and even sex.  One definition of compulsive behavior states, “resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes.” Romans 7:18 quickly comes to mind, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”

When I considered to stop smoking, I was told that there was about eight seconds when every cell in my body would seem to scream for nicotine.  If I could manage those eight seconds then I was well on my way to being successful. I chose to use anti-smoking aids to combat the physiological battle as well as the psychological battle and it was still hard.

Obsessive, compulsive behaviors can quickly become habitual coping behaviors. We all know how difficult it is to replace a less effective habit with a more effective one. Just ask someone to stop chewing their fingernails!  When chemicals are introduced into the behavior, it is exponentially more difficult. That is why those who are addicted to prescription medicines, street drugs, and alcohol find themselves frequently relapsing. They are fighting both psychological and physiological urges that are overwhelming. Sure, some people have quit “cold turkey” and there are examples of God quickly removing the desire, but, for most people, breaking an addictive behavior requires discipline over time. The purpose of support groups is to combat the habitual behavior, to offer accountability and acceptance. If you would like someone to walk beside you in this challenge, please contact us today.

Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step faith-based program that helps individuals heal from a variety of hurts, hang-ups and habits. We do it in an atmosphere of acceptance and without judgement. Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday night, beginning at 6 p.m. at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri.