Four Reasons People Want a Buzz

It’s the buzz we seek, no matter what means we use to get it. We want to alter our senses and feel less inhibited, less stressed. Why? There could be several reasons. I believe these four reasons would top the list:

• We are used to getting a buzz; it’s a familiar feeling.
• We like the way we feel when we have a buzz; it’s a comfortable feeling.
• We use the buzzed feeling to lighten up, escape our difficult lives; it’s a way to find a different existence.
• We get our buzz with those in our inner circle of closeness; it’s a shared experience.

Let’s explore why getting a buzz might be contrary to God’s will for our lives. 

It is written in Ephesians 5:15-20: 

“So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“It will ruin your life!” this scripture says. Thousands in recovery from alcoholism and the devastation it has brought can say, “Amen!” The same holds true for other addictions. Any buzz that we believe we must have, instead of turning to the One who gave His life for us will eventually bring ruin. It’s a dead-end street. Living our lives for Christ has no end. Jesus says in John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Many places in scripture we see that seeking God first and his righteousness describe his will for our lives. He wants to be our number one! He deserves to be in first place, not secondary to some buzz we seek. The question becomes, are we ready to admit that our buzz has become a little god? Are we seeking it for comfort? Are we wanting to get our buzz more than we want to spend time with Christ through prayer and reading the Bible? 

Don’t be deceived any longer. Remember how you felt at the time in your life when you were closest to Christ. That’s a Holy Spirit high! In 1 Samuel:1 and 2, the Bible tells the story of a woman named Hannah who was praying in deep sincerity and Eli the priest noticed her behavior and accused her of being drunk.

“’Oh no, sir!’ she replied. ‘I haven't been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD,’” 1 Samuel 1:15.

Most of the Psalms are written by David, who was so pumped up for the Lord that he wrote song after song expressing how much he enjoyed God’s comfort and presence. One might say that David enjoyed the high he received from seeking the Lord.

There are so many recovery programs to help us replace our addictions with the peace of God. We all have times when we want to feel comforted and not living under the lordship of our emotions. We can get our buzz from God; the scripture calls it “filled with the Holy Spirit.” It’s free, although Jesus paid a tremendous price for us to have it.

If you’ve never had this and want it, please call CBN’s prayer center 1-800-700-7000, call your pastor or local church, and ask how you can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let’s be honest and share our struggles and victories through Christ. Why do you seek a buzz? Do you want to stop? Why or why not?

Copyright © 2010 Beth Livingston, used with permission.