DAY 30

Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and you heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ’They have struck me, but I was not hurt; they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’ - Proverbs 23:31-35.

A woman in Darby, Pennsylvania was shopping for groceries when someone running by slapped her on the back of the neck. At least that’s what Darlene Jones thought. She finished her grocery shopping and bought a newspaper before walking the half-mile back to her home. After Darlene returned home her daughter noticed something sticking out of Darlene’s neck. It was the handle of a kitchen knife. When the daughter jerked out the knife Darlene began to bleed and they rushed her to the hospital. Saturday she was listed in fair condition. The incident was described as a “random, vicious attack.”

Amazing that someone could have a knife in their neck for so long and not know!? Darlene would have eventually died from her wound if her daughter had not noticed the knife. Darby Police Chief Robert Smythe said “five or six people walked right past her without even noticing.” How many people have been struck with an addiction and don’t even know it? How many people have started drinking, or doing drugs, or looking at pornography and don’t realize they have a wound that could destroy them? Most people can walk by them and would not notice their mortal wound.

In Proverbs 23:29 we are asked: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause?” The writer of Proverbs is talking about drinkers but it seems to apply to all those with addictions. If you have an addiction you will have woe, sorrow, contentions, and complaints. Now’s the time to pull the knife out and get help before it is too late.