Addictions

This has been an eye opening year of meeting and being close to people with real, achingly hard addictions that they are facing, overcoming, battling.  People that I work with, love, study the Bible with and enjoy. 
A lady at work told me she has an eating disorder.
A man I love is in a program to overcome drugs and alcohol.
A woman I am getting to know confessed sex addiction to me.
And then there are other friends who more privately or jokingly whisper their less shocking but equally addictive behaviors with food, with shopping, with hoarding, with facebook, with work...
I've been thinking about all of this recently and here are some thoughts I have on the matter.
I think that even though we all struggle with something, alcohol and drugs seem to be the most shaming.  This makes me sad. 
All of us have sinned, the Bible says, and we all fall short of His glory.  It's an even playing ground, my friends.  I've got nothing.  You've got nothing.  He's got it all, and that all is His forgiveness and hope. 
Because I know we all struggle with something, I've had to come face to face with my own addiction, and my most private battle is comparison.  I struggle to accept myself for who I am and not to think higher or less of myself compared to others.  Like any addiction, I can feel those intense triggers and familiar way of thinking, but with God's help and grace, I'm healing and being set free.
If you're reading this and you're honest with yourself, I'm sure you've battled something yourself.  We are all more alike than we think, and know that you are not alone.  Most of all, know that God is there for you.