When it comes to being freed from a habit or an addiction, we need to get to the root of it to be truly set free. As a young kid I struggled with a sugar addiction. I grew up in a big family and I was greedy for all the good foods. Specifically I would overindulge in eating sweets. It eventually damaged my body and in middle school I became lactose intolerant, because of all the excessive dairy I ate my body couldn't break down the sugar lactose anymore. But I loved sweets too much and I couldn't help myself, even though I would get sick. I would over eat then I would feel sick and then I would regret I did that and then I would fall back into that cycle. I just loved my ice creams and sweets too much. Whenever I saw sweets I had to eat it and I couldn't stop thinking of it until I had it. Thoughts of uneaten sweets in the house would pretty much take over my mind until I gave in and ate it. This affected my body with all the excessive sugar intake. In my adulthood I wanted to be free from eating sweets, but I loved it too much still to give it up and I always failed every time. I got a little bit stronger but I would fail every time I saw sweets and I would just give in. I asked God to help me and he led me to my inner transformation, where my mind was renewed. I was an emotional eater as well and when I ate I couldn't feel when I was full. Basically my brain never told me when my stomach was full. What was amazing is God healed that part of my brain, and I could feel full.  I couldn't do this on my own it was only by God's help. I wanted to be free and this was the first step to the right direction; me wanting to change.

When I was a kid I didn't even think to change, until I got older and was educated about health and nutrition. I would get sugar highs and lows and I would constantly be stuck in a cycle. I would tell myself to stop but I couldn't and I craved for another sugar fix and I would get shaky and angry if I didn't eat. I couldn't go without food for over two hours it was that bad. Later, with many months of prayer, and half days of fasting and fighting with myself. I finally was set free.  This is how it happened. I saw a donut, I hadn't eaten any sweets yet that day, but I couldn't help myself like usual and I took a bite into that donut, but this time half way through the donut I felt full and became nauseous and I put the donut down. I stopped desiring sweets that day and I saw sweets differently. It was like my eyes were open. I felt different and I felt the sugar affecting my body. I could feel it in me now but before I couldn't feel.

When you violate your conscience, it affects your will and can hinder you from doing things. The Bible says whatever we do, eating or drinking, to do all for the glory of God, and whatever is not of faith is sin so because my eating was not of faith, I experienced consequences to that. I could eat a whole box of donuts without feeling full, but I only ate a half a donut and I felt full. This was a miracle for me. I stopped craving sweets after this and I was able to go without sweets tor days. I didn't desire them anymore like I used to. Only God was able to do that for me! Eating sweets in itself isn't a sin. But, because I had the knowledge I was overindulging on sugar that was hurting my body. This was when I knew it was sin. It comes down to when it takes away from your life that is when it's bad. Basically what Jesus said; "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10. Something that I was always seeking for was wholeness and good health, I wanted my life to be more abundant and I have found that in Christ.

Here are a few tips based on my experience and research to overcoming addictions:

When it comes to addictions, mental strength is needed, it's an psychological thing not a physical thing when it comes to addictions. Keep that in mind. The key is the inner part and changing your mind

The change starts with you. God can help and assist you, but you have to do your part as well and want to give it up. God doesn't control us He has given us free will. It takes faith to be able to believe you can overcome it and succeed. God is your strength and hope you can lean on.

There are triggers and every person has different reasons why they keep falling into it. Alot of the times it's the love of the feeling you get from the addiction. An example is when someone is stressed out the will smoke a cigarette, and that feeling of blowing relaxes them. Everything we do is based on our feelings.

Some people say it takes 21 days to break a habit. I don't agree fully because I believe it all depends how long you have been addicted for. If you were only addicted 5 years then maybe 21 days will work for you. But if it is 30 years of addictions, the 21 days most likely will not work for you. A great analogy would be is a hole, if we digged a little then it is easier to climb out but the deeper the whole the harder to get out. This is why some people cannot be freed from addiction and God is their only hope.

With some addictions we may need a replacement.  A great example is this one movie called Holes where Mr. Sir was always chewing on sunflower seeds because he quit smoking, he had a replacement. This is what replacing a old habit with a new habit looks like. Let's say if your feelings led you to go to a habit, then maybe dealing with those feelings head on is what will help you break that habit. Spending time in prayer can be a good replacement.

Ultimately the keys to be freed from addiction is faith, discipline and keep believing and never giving up. And miracles happen weather you've been addicted for 10 years or 40 years there is always hope for a change.