It has happened several times since we moved to Florida, just a few miles from the coast. A hurricane has threatened to relocate us to Georgia. Each time that happens, I get a truck, run down to a lumber yard, and buy a bunch of plywood. Once again, it’s time to board up.
We cut the wood and nail it to the house, covering the windows. At that point, we almost want to the hurricane to hit, to justify the work we have done to protect the house. And while two hurricanes have given us indirect hits, each with winds of 80 mile per hour, we have avoided a the devastation that hit just a few miles away.
No more.
We just bought storm windows. While each window cost more than my first car (not an exaggeration), it is worth it. We will probably never actually need windows that will sustain winds above 180 miles per hour, but the windows are well worth the price.
Why? So we can sleep in peace the next time a major hurricane even threatens to come our way.
We should treat our addictions the same way. The Bible says that in the face of danger, King Hezekiah “built a second wall of defense” (2 Chronicles 32:5). It was a wall he never actually needed. But I’m pretty sure his people slept better at night, knowing it was there.
Recovery Step: What new wall of defense will you build in order to stay sober?
