Before I tell you this story, I want you to know God anointed me to talk about the subjects we too often dismiss in the body of Christ while our people, especially our youth are struggling with them and are in desperate need of guidance and answers.
Now, back to the story.
At the beginning of this year, I was fervently praying that weed, commonly called Marijuana or cannabis would become legal, so I could smoke without committing a sin.
I used to be against all forms of smoking before I met some people. It was disappointingly bad the first few times, but then, they taught me how to get into it. My friends, bad company, really do corrupt good character.
I really quickly became a huge fan; so much that even my heart issues didn't seem as much of an issue anymore.
When I rededicated my life to Christ, I stopped smoking, not because it ever felt sinful, but because illegally acquiring the substance was the real sin.
Like a lot of people in my generation, I started to think the negative effects were propaganda in order to keep us from benefiting from the healing powers of the plant, keep us dependent on Big Pharma, limit our potential, etc...
My thoughts were consumed the desire to smoke, to escape reality, to feel happy day and night, so much that in all honesty, had I known someone, I could have bought some.
One day, as I was busy thinking of when would be the next time I could get high, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, I heard Him so clearly say:
"All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]."
I was surprised at first, but passed the shock I asked myself, is smoking really beneficial to me? I decided that no, it wasn't. Although I knew I would miss the high, it never lasted anyway. I trusted that God had a good reason to push me, first, towards quitting doing it, and quitting wanting it.
Fast forward to yesterday, November 07, 2023, I saw an article on CNN online about a study that said, and I quote:" People who reported daily marijuana use had a 34% increased risk of developing heart failure, compared to those who reported never using marijuana."
It clicked in my head, and I immediately understood what God had protected me from.
He protected from having my senses so clouded that I would never realize that I was desiring something that would slowly destroy me, and for what?
Today, I'm here, alive and well, extremely grateful to God, but who knows what would've happened if I had decided to hold on to my old ways?
The lesson in all of this is the following:
You have to become comfortable in letting go of anything that God asks you to let go of. Doesn't matter how much you want to hold on to it, how innocent and unharming it seems at the time, it doesn't matter how much you believe it is good for you, remember that the Lord your God knows your future, He knows the end of your story. Trust that He loves you, cares about you, and wants your story to end well. He will protect against everything, even against yourself, so let the old you die, with all its old ways and stay obedient!
Ressources to meditate on :
1) 1 Corinthians 15:33
2) 1 Corinthians 10:23