Opinion

This Valentine’s Day was a little bit different to say the least. It seems that slowly but surely life is becoming gradually more normal again as we continue to learn how to live in a pandemic. But just when things seemed normal, a massive snowstorm hits Oklahoma and Texas in historic proportions with temperatures in the negatives.

This past week was quite the adventure. Most will have had the same experience as those around them this past week. Some will have had it worse and some will have had it better, all depending on location and the amount of electricity they had and the duration in which they have had it.

The majority of my life I battled with addiction. I had an addictive personality, whether it was with drugs, overeating, video games and even online shopping. It was so easy for me to go overboard. Caught in this struggle with addiction, I fought with feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness and pain. I chased after my addictions hoping that they would alleviate the emptiness I felt inside. For years I had placed my faith in myself, believing that I could overcome these addictions on my own. Oftentimes in the past I would make empty promises to a God, I’m not sure I even believed in at the time, stating, “Just one more time, then I promise I’m done.” Then when opportunity for more came knocking, I used my pain as an excuse to break those promises. It was a downward spiral and the enemy had me believing so many lies. But now, with Christ, I learned how to love myself again despite my past. I took that Faith that I had in myself and exchanged it for Faith in Him. I learned how to look in the mirror with a smile on my face eager for what the future holds. I don’t need drugs to get through my struggles anymore and I can now face my problems with peace knowing that in everything, God is there with me.