Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

The pleas are urgent: If you’ve seen Joe, contact us immediately. No one has heard from him in two days. Cell phone is dead.

Joe, a high school classmate, has fought the demon of alcohol for years. No one knows if he’s back in its grip. But they’re worried. Deeply worried.

The demon I’m facing right now is food. Ballpark food like warm, drippy nachos. Summer food like ice cream, and movie theater popcorn. For seven months, I’ve been part of a weight management program, and I’ve been really successful. Almost 100 pounds lost. And tons of energy and self-confidence gained. But I’m stuck. And all these delicious, terrible foods are crying out.

Food isn’t a demon, of course. And neither is alcohol. But when we let them or anything else control our thoughts or steer us from good health, then they become dangerous masters.
Your demon might be alcohol or food. Or overworking. Gossip. Spending. Depression. We all have a couple of demons that lurk, waiting to sink their claws into us.

Of course we need willpower. But sometimes our willpower is a thin thread holding a semi truck over the chasm. Prayer is a powerful tool, and I know that without God’s help, I wouldn’t be where I am in my journey.

But I’m also convinced that one of the most important demon repellants is community. When our friends and family and church community rally around us, our ability to turn away from the siren's call is strengthened. When someone has our back, we’re better at saying no. When we know that the community is there to embrace and support us, we can more easily turn away from the temptations. 

This isn’t easy, of course. Addictions are powerful. Shame is too. And being vulnerable, admitting that we need help, is hard. 

When I confessed to my husband that I was in a rut, feeling very tempted—and sometimes giving into—high-calorie, high-fat foods, he didn’t berate me. He didn’t criticize or tell me how disappointed he was. Instead, he said, “OK. Let’s do this together.” He was willing to join me on the journey. To be a co-demon-fighter. 

My coworkers have been stalwart supporters, and my extended family and friends have set up a cheer section. So too has my church community. 

I can’t go it alone. And I suspect, neither can you. If you’re facing a demon, whatever it is, share your struggle. Ask for help. That’s what it means to be in community, to be part of the Body of Christ, on good days and especially on the bad.