Home Page (Sunday 12th May 2019)
Christian greetings friends, Last Sunday Rev. Francis Osire preached to the three ASCK congregations about the Reality of Addictions drawing references from Proverbs 23:29-35 & Romans 7:21-25. He referred to the term addiction as the following; depress literally or figuratively, abase self, self affliction by mistake, deal hardly with, defile self, self hurt/ ravish, submit self, weaken self continuously by mistake, trouble self unconsciously. Addiction is the act of devoting or giving up in practice; the state of being devoted to something, it is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) that creates pleasure but its continuous use becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, health Or it is a complicated disease involving an inability to stop taking a substance or carrying out a particularly damaging behavior. It can lead to a range of adverse psychological, physiological and personal effects. It affects psychologically and physically bringing about inability to stop consuming a chemical/drug/substance, an activity that causes psychological and physical harm.
Reverend Osire surprised the congregants with several statistics and press captions that vividly showed a growing trend of drug and substance abuse among the young members of our
families. He further mentioned that some of these cases are funded by peer groups and parents
who facilitate the issuance on money without accountability and unchecked freedom to members of our families especially Children and young Adults.
WHO Survey among students in Uganda; The WHO launched the Global School-based Student
Health Survey (GSHS) and in 2003, a survey was conducted among 3,215 standards 1, 2 and 3
students (ages 13-15 years). This survey showed that 12.8% of the students in this group had at
least one drink containing alcohol on one or more days during the past 30 days. 15.2% of students drunk so much alcohol that they drunk one or more times in their lives. 21% of students said they had a hang-over, felt sick, got into trouble with their family or friends, missed school, or got into fights as a result of drinking alcohol one or more times during their life.
Other Behavioural Addictions include; Gambling [Betting], Social Media, Smart phones, Internet, Radio, Computer, video games, Pornography, Work, Shopping, Sex, games and soccer,
Television and many other daily habits to mention but a few.
Reverend Osire suggested possible solutions to overcome these addictions namely; Don’t desire to try, have self-control and reconsider your ways, seek professional help like counseling and medical assistance or Rehabilitation], and ABOVE all seek forgiveness from the Lord, for He will surely deliver you from any addiction [Luke 7:36-50] not forgetting that you can’t hide these signs.
Guiding Questions and Prayer Items:
1) As a Cell, reflecting on the above topic, share a successful story that became an eye opener to your family, friends and fellowship.
2) As Christians today; where have we failed or succeeded in dealing with the above mentioned addictions? Using Biblical references what does God want us to do?
3] Spend time praying for individuals known and unknown to you [In Your Families, Communities, place of work, School[s] and Nation] that are struggling with the above mentioned addictions;
Rev. Patrick Kamara
Priest in Charge: Home Cell and Pastoral Care
0772482433/0754 482433 /0753922448