Out of character prayer request

[Doug Parrish]

After some serious soul-searching for months now, and seeking advice from someone I felt would give an honest reply, I'm going to request a specific prayer for me. This is really hard for me to do in a public manner, so please bear with me.
I've been dipping since I was 10. I'm now 36. I've been able to put it down for sometimes months at a time, but for some reason (it's called a sinful nature) I'd go to put gas in my truck and come out with a can of snuff. Well, I'm ready. I had already set this week as my "target date" (after failing once already this fall) to quit and to give it all the way to God. I'm going to need prayer.
I've tried to not pass judgment or throw stones except for really cut-and-dried issues with folks, for not wanting to be hypocritical. I mean, if I'm dipping, wouldn't that make me a hypocrite for telling someone steroid abuse is wrong? (Notice how I worded that, please, before we get into the issue again....) Also, I feel like it's hurting my testimony if I tell folks "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" but then can't quit dipping.
So, seeking Godly council, and following the advice given to me, I am humbly asking yall's prayers for me to be able to defeat this personal demon physically, mentally, and spiritually, and that during that time, if anything else becomes evident to me, to be able to whoop that as well.

Whew, that wasn't as hard as I thought.

Thanks, brothers and sisters, and God Bless.
Doug P.

[Tom Isbell]

I think nicotine has a powerful grip. I have a buddy that is a paramedic like me and he always had some dip in. I dont know that anything is terribly wrong with dipping in my opinion. I wouldnt encourage a young person to start it up. I bet 90% of my firefighter friends dip or chew. It is commonplace for me to see it so I guess I dont think much about dip. Anyways I asked him how much it costs and how much he dipped and he could make a car payment with that money!
I will remember you in my prayers Doug.

God Bless

[Doug Parrish]

Thanks for the encouragement and prayers, brother Tom.

God Bless.

[lovelace]

You're in my prayers as well! I will be fighting the food battle real soon! After the Dec.03 meet, it is time to get really healthy and fine tune this temple that God has loaned me.

I am with ya brother, Mike

[Doug Parrish]

We're in this fight together, bro! Let's do this thing!

Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there in the midst!

I'm on it, brother, let's go!

Thanks, brother, and God Bless.
Doug

[Shane Gaydon]

As a former dipper, smoker, drinker and drug user I can feel your pain brother. Out of all the horrible substances I have abused nicotine was the absolute hardest to quit. I tried hundreds of times to quit before I was saved and never could. It was not until I stopped trying to walk on my own and I leaned on my blessed Saviour that I was able to overcome the addiction. There is no addiction as powerful as nicotine addiction but praise God He is the Great Physician that can deliver you from it. There is no drug or nicotine therapy that can compare to His touch. He won't make it easy on you though. Just remember that with every temptation comes an open door that God has provided for you to leave it. I will be praying for you brother. If I can kick it so can you. And also keep in mind that everytime you win, the devil loses!

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

[Doug Parrish]

I haven't killed anybody yet, I haven't gnawed a hole in my jaw, and I haven't ground my teeth down to the nub.

This morning I heard a timely sermon point on the way into the gym. Dr. David Jeremiah can be a tad liberal from time to time, and sometimes I have a hard time following his train of thought, but I listen to him to pick up the nuggets. This morning one of his sermon points was about spiritual warfare. I realized something Bryan had told me earlier about tackling this from a physical, mental, and spiritual approach. It's not just a spiritual challenge, it's 100% all out full-frontal assault warfare. That one little change in perspective just might be what it takes to whoop this thing for good!

Yall's continued prayers are greatly appreciated.
God Bless.
Doug P.

[Thane]

Doug, right there with you brother. Been dipping since I was 13 so that makes 19 years now. I quit for 6 months before going on a trip to Cancun with my family and after hitting all those cigars down there, the dipping was started all over again when I got back. The other day I had a fear put in me about somethings in my life, a fear from God, that I never wish on anyone. That was Friday, I walked out of work, threw my can across the parking lot, and proclaimed it in Jesus' name that I was done with it and not going to start again. Havent even had an urge, He took it all!

[Doug Parrish]

Amen and Praise God! That is a wonderful praise report, Thane, and I feel encouraged and strengthened by it!

God Bless.
Doug