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.

Freedom from Emotional Torment: The Gift of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is often misunderstood. Many see it as a favor we extend to someone who has wronged us—a gesture of grace toward the offender. But as John’s story in Be Transformed – New Life Awaits by John Robin Murphy reveals, forgiveness is first and foremost a gift we give ourselves. It is the key that unlocks the door to emotional freedom and spiritual healing.

John’s life was marked by deep wounds—abuse, rejection, betrayal, and shame. These experiences left scars that shaped his identity and behavior for years. Even after accepting Christ, he found himself haunted by the emotional torment of his past. The pain didn’t disappear with salvation. It lingered, affecting his relationships, his peace, and his ability to connect with God.

The turning point came when John began to understand forgiveness not as a feeling, but as an act of obedience. He realized that waiting for the offender to apologize or change was not necessary. God was calling him to forgive regardless of the circumstances. And when he did—especially in forgiving his father—something powerful happened.

The emotional weight lifted. The bitterness dissolved. And in its place, peace flooded in.

Forgiveness is not about denying the pain or pretending the offense didn’t matter. It’s about releasing the judgment we hold and entrusting justice to God. It’s about choosing freedom over bondage. When we forgive, we break the spiritual ties that keep us connected to the offense. We stop reliving the hurt and start living in healing.

John’s story shows that forgiveness is a process, but it begins with a decision. He prayed a simple but powerful prayer, asking God to help him forgive those who had hurt him. He didn’t wait until he felt ready—he acted in faith. And God honored that obedience by bringing healing to his heart.

This kind of forgiveness is transformative. It doesn’t just change our emotions—it changes our spiritual posture. It opens us to deeper intimacy with God, greater clarity in our calling, and a renewed sense of purpose. It allows us to see others through the lens of grace, not pain.

If you’re holding onto unforgiveness, consider what it’s costing you. Are you stuck in emotional torment? Do you feel distant from God? Are your relationships strained? The path to freedom begins with a simple prayer: “Lord, help me forgive.”

You don’t have to do it alone. God will give you the strength, the courage, and the peace you need. And as you release the offense, you’ll find that the person most blessed by your forgiveness is you.