*grumble grumble grumble*

[msjones21]

Yes, I am complaining again. This time I think my frustration is valid. I started smoking about a year ago during an extremely stressful period in my life. Almost everyone in my family smokes so I've been raised around it. My sister and her boyfriend smoke. I always prided myself in never taking up this nasty habit, until I fell into some troubled times and found comfort in puffing away on the 'ol cancer stick. So anyway, when I turned my life around I smoked my last pack and vowed never to smoke again. So what happens? I go through some crud at work, I'm super stressed, and my sister lights one up in front of me. I couldn't resist. I bummed one from her and am now right back into the habit. It bites big time!

I had someone on another board tell me I'm not really saved because I smoke (ya know, not letting go of sinful behaviors and so forth?) and it really bothered me. Can you be a Christian and still smoke? Any advice on how to quit? Is anyone going through the same thing right now? Oh please oh please help me out!

 

[secretdawn]

I am actually
I don't believe you aren't a christian...I smoke and I have all my faith in God and pray he will give me the strength to quit, but I haven't been able to...it is an ongoing battle, I will think about throwing them out then light one up cause thinking about quitting made me crave one...I don't smoke as much as I used to though, so I am getting there...it is rude for your family to smoke around you though...and to bum to you...they should be supporting you and not bringing you down w/ them

 

[SelfProtect]

Msjones, Yes, you can smoke and still be a Christian. I'm a recovering alcoholic so I am fully aware of addictions. I've been clean and sober for 8 years now. It is the first one that gets you hooked. This is my opinion, but you need to take it to the Lord: I think you should allow yourself a season of smoking, say for instance, until this stressful "thing" is over or for 3 more weeks or something. Like if you know an end to the stress is clearly in sight allow yourself until it is over. I think if you focus too much on NOT doing it then it becomes more of a stronghold. Also consider seeing a dr. and getting a patch or something.

Also check your heart and make sure you are not blaming your sister for your actions, you are responsible for your own downfall, denial and blaming will also hinder your recovery.

Allow yourself to be human, allow yourself to make mistakes, know God loves you unconditionally - whether you smoke or not. When you have the freedom to choose to continue in it sometimes it frees you mentally of that very stronghold.

Hang in there!

 

[jenptcfan]

Of course you can fall into smoking and still be a Christian. We all have things that we struggle with and need God's help with. Congratulations on your willingness to try to quit. Some people never get that far. I'm sure that with God's help you can overcome this thing!

God bless!
J

 

[stray bullet]

I had someone on another board tell me I'm not really saved because I smoke (ya know, not letting go of sinful behaviors and so forth?) and it really bothered me. Can you be a Christian and still smoke? Any advice on how to quit? Is anyone going through the same thing right now? Oh please oh please help me out!

That's just silly, every christian struggles with trying to overcome something. Everyone has bad habits, attitudes and behaviors they need to improve upon. Just because yours happens to be smoking doesn't make you less Christian. You are hooked on something, which is bad... however, at the same time you desire to stop it, which is good
Everyone has their own problems, be it eating too much food, too focused on money, anger, jealousy...

Sinning doesn't make you unchristian, although going about it like it isn't a sin is where the real harm lay.

 

[klewlis]

I'm not going through that, but I do work with lots of people having addictions.

Be sure to:
- take it slowly
- get lots of support from friends and family
- know that you will probably mess up, and be ok with that (it's all part of the process!)
- forgive yourself
- continue bringing it to God
- look at the root causes--you said that you started because of stress. What are other, better ways to deal with stress so that you won't crave the cigarettes as much, or at least can get past your cravings?

one of my girls who is addicted to some pretty hard drugs finds it really helpful to keep a log of all of her cravings. She records answers to these questions: When did the craving start? How long did it last? What triggered it? How strong was it (on a scale of 1 to 10)? How did I get through it? What can I do in the future to help get through it again?

She writes all of this down each time and it helps her to evaluate her progress and what she can do differently in the future. She also shares her log with us so that she can have that added support of knowing that someone else is paying attention to her cravings, failures and victories as well.

 

[mina]

ok this is really funny that my high school teacher used to say, so I hope I don't offend , i'm just trying to be funny, haha

"Smoking won't send you to hell, but you will sure smell like you've been there"

 

[Stanfi]

msjones,

I think you are a Christian. I don't think smoking is wrong, but I do think you should quit for your own health. Smoking destroyed my dad's health.

 

[charligirl]

I smoke 20-30 a day for years and years before I gave up... 5 years ago this spring.

I read the Alan Carr book 'the ONLY way to stop smoking permenantly' and stopped overnight, no cravings and no weight gain!!!! He has a 95% success rate, read the reviews on Amazon!

I have recommended it to many people.. all have given up as well