No Shame

Poor doggie!

Our dog, Charlie, has an addiction.  OK, probably more than one addiction... he does all kinds of weird doggy things, but the addiction that's causing him trouble right now is his continual ear scratching.  We discovered that the scratching was hurting his ears.  Looking closer, and with the help of a veterinarian's microscope, we learned that his urge to scratch came from itching--and the itching was caused by mites.

He's now on medication for the mites and the itching, but still, he's got a cone on his head.  There is no shame in this.  It's just an uncomfortable but necessary tool that will keep him from scratching his ears.  It will allow him to heal.

Human beings are different in some ways, but we can be physically addicted to behaviors that hurt us and others.  There's an unconscious physical side to our bodies and brains that are almost impossible to control with will power alone.

Thankfully, help is available!  Medical help.  Psychological help.  Psychiatric help.  Use the help you can find and talk with someone you trust to seek the help you need.

Don't be too hard on yourself.  It's possible you're feeling guilty for something that isn't sinful at all.  You may be suffering from false guilt.  However, if you are addicted, and if your addiction is causing you or others harm, or if it's clearly against the commands of God, get help!  There is no shame in getting help to deal with behaviors or other addictions that we know need to be left behind.

Unlike Charlie the dog, we humans don't need to wear "a cone of shame."  Now that's something to be thankful for!

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