We are in the midst of a national epidemic of the use of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, heroin and other drugs to get high. There are daily reports about overdoses, death and crimes committed. The damage on a national scale is almost incomprehensible. But of all the chemical drugs and methods people use to get high, what is the worst one?
Believe it or not, there is a dangerous drug you haven’t heard of but need to know about, because you will be tempted to use it! What’s it called? “Hopium.”
What is “Hopium?” Hopium can be defined as: “making decisions based on hope,” “breaking the rules but hoping things will work out okay,” or “choosing not to think about evidence that does not support what you hope for.” Hopium can also be understood as being dishonest with yourself when you choose to do something you know you should not do, reasoning that somehow the rules won’t apply this time. Hopium is often based on emotions or wants, not facts and reality.
Hopium in Action
So, what are some examples of Hopium in action? Besides chemical drug use, here are some simple examples to consider:
Have you ever neglected to study for an exam and hoped that somehow you would still get a good grade? Hopium, causes you to develop habits, and habits shape your future. Choosing to waste time during school or neglect homework while assuming you will have a great career with excellent income can be one costly result of Hopium.
Gambling is another example of Hopium in action. Millions of people regularly spend their hard-earned money chasing the illusion of easy winnings from a machine or lottery game. Gambling machines and games exist to take money from people, not give it away. False hope—Hopium—clouds our vision by replacing the truth with a fantasy. The Bible gives us the formula for financial success in Proverbs chapter six: Follow the example of the ant working hard and saving up for the future. We are also warned in Proverbs 15:27, “He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house.”
Impulse purchases are also often the result of Hopium. It is easy to make an emotional decision to buy clothes, gadgets or even a car that you cannot afford. Hopium results in signing your name on the line for a loan that is beyond your budget, hoping that somehow you will be able to pay it off later. Engaging in use of this drug, Hopium, causes you to ignore the warning: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).
We are warned by James, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).
Hopium in Love
Hopium does some of its greatest damage when it enters into relationships. To share just one story: Mary (name changed) called her minister in tears. Her husband was in jail for driving under the influence. When my wife and I arrived at her house, she said she was afraid because her first two husbands had died in auto accidents while driving drunk. She was 29 years old and had married a third alcoholic. When asked why she married men she knew had a drinking problem, she replied, “I always thought they would quit once they were married to me.” Unfortunately, Mary’s Hopium story is all too common.
When our Creator designed us as male and female He said, “It is very good!” And indeed, it is when done God’s way. To find a life-mate who shares your desire to obey God and be in His kingdom is one of the greatest experiences a person can have in this life. Peter (the apostle referred to as being married and taking his wife with him on his travels) describes this as being co-heirs “together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7). When dating and thinking about romance, the aim of finding a like-minded, godly mate should be at the forefront of your mind. The most important qualities to assess about anyone you’re considering dating are their character and dedication to following God. Everything else is secondary.
All too often, the emotions and desires of a relationship provide lots of room for Hopium to do great damage. While young men are just as able to deceive themselves about a girl they are interested in, it’s the young ladies who are often in the greatest danger of a Hopium-induced romance that can damage them for many years to come.