Part 6: Home and Family
Drugs? Who needs them? Why should we need anything except the wonders God gives us to enjoy? Some of these are good foods, fresh air and sunshine. We really don't need much else. We are God's most wonderful creation. He has made both our minds and our bodies able to do all He wishes us to do.
Drugs are chemicals, something like medicines. Some drugs are taken by mouth, like pills. Others are breathed into the body by smoking. Some drugs are injected with a needle. Do you remember how much you disliked the doctor to give you a shot with a needle?
We are not talking about the drugs given when you are sick. The doctor or your parents feel these are needed. We are talking about drugs that do not help cure an illness. Neither a doctor nor a parent would want you to take them. People who take these kinds of drugs want to feel stronger, better or smarter. Some take drugs to help them forget about their problems. People who use drugs for these reasons are called "drug abusers." Sometimes people take drugs because a friend wants them to.
For a little while, these drugs do make the user feel the way he wants to feel. But, soon more and more of the drug is needed to make him feel good. Then, if he wants to quit taking the drug, he often finds he cannot stop. His mind or his body gives him great pain or anxiety. Anxiety is a strong feeling of fear and worry. To avoid anxiety, the user must continue to take the drug. When this happens, the user has become addicted to that drug. Then, drug users are called "drug addicts." They think only of how and where they can get more drugs. They no longer enjoy the sunshine or the fresh air and beauty means nothing to them. They stop being nice and often will steal or hurt others to get money to buy drugs. Sometimes they might even hurt a friend or a parent.
Drugs can change the way a person sees, feels and thinks. Some drug users see things that aren't really there. Sometimes they feel able to do impossible things. Drugs can cause serious injury to the brain or the body. They can even cause death. Drug users have been killed jumping from high buildings thinking they could fly.
Drugs are very dangerous. This is why you must never take them unless your doctor or parents approve. Drugs are not candy. Never play with drugs!
The great men of the Bible and of our country's history did not use drugs. Yet they did all of the great things that history shows them to have done. Remember Noah who built the ark and Moses who set his people free. Remember George Washington, our first president? Washington led the patriots to begin our nation. What do you think might have happened if Washington had become addicted to drugs and had started to think only about getting more drugs? Would we live in a free country today?
You are much like God. You, too, will be able to do great things. You can love one another and be thoughtful and kind. Wouldn't it be bad to change the wonderful creation you are into someone who wants only more drugs? This is what drugs do when one becomes addicted.
The Bible tells us that God was very pleased after He made Adam and Eve. He is also pleased when He looks at you and all the other children. You were born with everything needed to be good and great in God's sight. Some children might be taller, or faster, or able to learn more quickly than you. But this does not matter to God, your parents or to your true friends.
Always treasure the goodness that is within you. Treasure yourself more than you would a great amount of money. God has said that you are worth more than the whole world. See the book of Mark, Chapter 8, Verse 36. This is what God thinks of you.
Because God loves you so much you should never do things that disappoint Him. Taking drugs when you are not ill can make you sick or do bad things. These will disappoint God and your parents. Never even think about taking drugs for any reason unless your doctor or parents approve. Even if your best friend should tell you to take drugs, even just a little, don't!
No true friend will ever ask you to do bad things. True friends love you. They don't want you to be hurt in any way.
Always remember what your worth is to God.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Do your best for others and yourself. This is the only way to enjoy true happiness for all of your life.