Why We Medicate: Escaping Pain vs. Finding Peace

We all seek comfort. Whether it’s a warm meal, a favorite show, or a moment of distraction, comfort can feel like a refuge from the chaos of life. But what happens when comfort becomes a crutch—when it’s no longer a momentary relief, but a strategy for survival?

In Be Transformed – New Life Awaits by John Robin Murphy, John shares how his early emotional wounds led him to seek comfort in food, pornography, and achievement. These behaviors weren’t random—they were attempts to medicate the deep pain of rejection, shame, and worthlessness that had taken root in his heart.

By age 12, John weighed over 200 pounds. Food had become a way to numb the emotional torment. Later, pornography and performance-based accomplishments joined the list. Each behavior offered a temporary escape, but none brought healing. Instead, they reinforced the lie that he was unlovable and inadequate.

This is the spiritual danger of medicating pain: it replaces God’s healing with temporary relief. It’s a counterfeit comfort that never satisfies. The Bible warns us not to turn to idols, yet many of us unknowingly do so when we seek peace in things that cannot heal our hearts.

John’s breakthrough came when he recognized these behaviors as symptoms—not solutions. He began to see that his heart needed healing, not distraction. Through surrender, prayer, and counseling, he invited God into the places he had tried to hide. The result was transformation—not just of behavior, but of identity.

One of the most powerful moments in John’s journey was when he realized that even as a Christian, he had returned to old comfort-seeking patterns. Television, once a harmless pastime, had become an idol. It was a way to escape the discomfort of spiritual dryness. But instead of bringing peace, it created distance from God.

This realization led to a decision: to surrender the idol and trust God for comfort. It wasn’t easy. The temptation to return to old habits was strong. But through repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit, John experienced freedom. He discovered that true peace doesn’t come from escape—it comes from presence. God’s presence.

If you find yourself medicating pain with comfort-seeking behaviors, ask yourself: What am I trying to avoid? What wound am I trying to soothe? God doesn’t condemn your need for comfort—He invites you to find it in Him. His peace is lasting. His healing is complete.

The Power of Confession: Breaking the Chains of Shame

Shame is a heavy burden. It isolates, distorts identity, and keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God’s love. For many believers, shame is not just a feeling—it’s a spiritual stronghold that blocks intimacy with God and others. But Scripture offers a powerful remedy: confession.

In Be Transformed – New Life Awaits by John Robin Murphy, John shares how his healing journey took a dramatic turn when he stepped into a safe, prayerful setting and confessed the sins that had haunted him for years. These weren’t just surface-level behaviors—they were deeply rooted patterns tied to emotional wounds, past trauma, and spiritual bondage.

The act of confession was not easy. John describes the moment as one of the most difficult challenges of his Christian life. Memories of public ridicule and childhood hazing surged to the surface, threatening to overwhelm him. But in that moment of vulnerability, a fellow believer embraced him with prayer and encouragement, helping him push through the fear and shame.

What followed was a two-hour session of confession, repentance, and forgiveness. John named the sins, released the offenses, and invited God into the places he had kept hidden. The result was profound: not only did a spiritual burden lift, but a physical one did too. He felt lighter, freer, and more connected to God than ever before.

This is the biblical power of confession. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” Healing comes when we bring darkness into the light. When we expose sin—not to shame ourselves, but to surrender it—we break the enemy’s hold and invite God’s grace to flood in.

Confession is not about punishment. It’s about restoration. It’s a declaration that we trust God more than our fear, more than our pride, and more than our need to protect our image. It’s a step toward freedom.

John’s story reminds us that we don’t have to carry shame alone. There is healing in community, in prayer, and in obedience. When we confess, we align ourselves with God’s truth and open the door to transformation.

If you’re struggling with shame or hidden sin, consider finding a safe, Spirit-led environment where you can confess and pray. You don’t have to live in torment. God is ready to meet you in that place and bring healing to your heart.