Problem Gambling
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What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.
To see some hard facts, check out these PDF's:
2006 Gross Gambling Revenues by Industry
Indian Gambling Fact Sheet
Pathological Gambling Criteria
10 Questions About Gambling Behavior
1. You have often gambled longer than you had planned.
2. You have often gambled until your last dollar was gone.
3. Thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep.
4. You have used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid.
5. You have made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.
6. You have broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling.
7. You have borrowed money to finance your gambling.
8. You have felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses.
9. You have been remorseful after gambling.
10. You have gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations.
If you or someone you know answers “Yes” to any of these questions, consider seeking assistance from a professional regarding this gambling behavior.
New Creations: Trash to Treasures
I became a child of the living God; a born-again, sold-out on Jesus, on fire for the Lord Christian in 1998. God delivered me from addiction to drugs, alcohol and destructive relationships. I thought I was healed and whole and was standing tall.
Then the weeds of worry, the concerns of this world, the weight of debt and wants and needs started growing wild, choking out my faith. I became resentful. The cost of living, rent, utilities, clothing, food, gas, car repair, insurance, emergency dental and medical care were too heavy a burden to bear. And I was carrying the entire financial burden by myself-my husband wanted no part in it-he had enough problems dealing with his feelings of shame for having the debt he had.
In fact, I did a slow burn; resentment eating at my love for my husband, my respect for him, my trust in God to provide, and my gratefulness to God for bringing us together. I was angry. Remember, I was supposed to be the born-again redeemed daughter of the living God.
I chose to get even; I didn’t file taxes for two years. I also accepted every credit card that I had been pre-approved for and maxed them out with cash advances to use at the casino. I figured sometimes people win a lot of money there and I was sure that money was what we needed. I hid this from everyone.
My secret sin cost dearly. I became a master of deception. I intercepted the mail each day so my husband wouldn’t see the collection letters. Like lightening, every time the phone rang I was on it, because it was almost always a bill collector. I isolated myself from my family because I couldn’t be at the casino and at home at the same time. I isolated myself from friends too and my soul was sick. I was spiraling downward rapidly, further from God, further from the light, further from hope. I became so anxious I couldn’t sleep. I prayed that God would redeem me; either make my car break down on the way to the casino or give me a jackpot. He didn’t do either one.
Instead, God gave me debilitating headaches: cluster headaches and suicide headaches. Worse than ever, I couldn’t work and the medication that I used wasn’t working. I prayed for healing. My husband, my church family, my co-workers, my friends… all prayed for physical healing. But I was holding onto my secret sin. I was reading a book by A.B. Simpson about healing and he said that we have to confess our sins for God to hear our prayers. Well, I figured God already knew, and everyone else that was praying was cool with God, so it didn’t seem necessary to me. But the Holy Spirit was convicting me.
Finally, between the physical pain of the headaches, and the spiritual pain of my sin, I was totally broken. I took out all of my medication and counted out the pills and figured it was enough to do the job. Then I thought about my husband finding my body. I thought about my children, and the full weight of what I had done and what I was thinking of doing fell on me. I cried out to God to deliver me, to forgive me, to redeem me. I called on God to finish the work he had started in me.
Praise God! God forgave me. My husband forgave me. I still struggle with the headaches, but I’m free at last. What of the consequences? Well…
I had three backpacks full of opened and unopened bills, collection letters and IRS letters. I laid it all out for my husband and explained that I couldn’t carry it any more. He took over the finances and he bought me a shredder for our anniversary. Is that romantic or what?
So, now we come to the Trash to Treasure part. I shredded all of that paper. Then God did something different. At the library he steered me to the papermaking section. And now, I make paper from the evidence of my sins. Shredded, soaked in the blood of Jesus, conformed to the image of Christ, pressed and framed into a new creation. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). Amen and Amen.
Jesus can redeem your time, your talents, and your life also. That’s why he came. If you have “stuff” that you would love to be able to shred, and have God turn into something unique, beautiful and useful, please don’t wait another day to accept salvation.
It’s easy. If you have read this far, God’s calling you. Please answer Him. “God, I am a sinner. I can’t be good enough on my own and I don’t even understand all of this. But please forgive me. I want Jesus Christ to be my Savior and the Lord of my life. And I’m asking this in His name. Amen.”
If you prayed that, then there is now a major party going on in Heaven. The angels are singing, God is smiling, and you can now be absolutely certain where you’ll be in a millisecond after you die. Welcome home, Christian!
Find a church, because it’s important to be around other believers to strengthen you and guide you in your new walk. Red the Bible, even 5 minutes a day, and you can start anywhere you want: James is a very cool book. If you don’t have a Bible, contact ANY Christian non-profit in town, like the Good News Rescue Mission, or ask at your church.
The joy of the Lord will be your strength. May you be blessed every minute and be showered with God’s grace!
Kathy
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