My declaration – Goodbye Gambling

Goodbye, gambling.

Not because you deserve closure because I do. This isn’t a goodbye for you. It’s a declaration for me.

You are not entertainment. You are not a “hobby.” You are a thief. You are a liar. You are a trap dressed up like opportunity. You promised wealth, excitement, and hope then you delivered stress, shame, chaos, and destruction.

You didn’t “almost” ruin my life you’ve taken enough.

You took my money. You took my peace. You took my sleep. You attacked my mind. You dragged my confidence through the dirt. You put distance where love should have been. You poisoned my joy and tried to make me forget who I am.

But hear this clearly.

You are done.

Not later. Not “after one more.” Not “when things calm down.” Today.

You don’t get access to my mind anymore.

You don’t get my time.

You don’t get my money.

You don’t get my family.

You don’t get my future.

I see you now for what you are – a machine built to feed on people’s weakness and call it “chance.” I see the bodies in your wake families broken, careers burned, health destroyed, souls crushed and I refuse to be another casualty.

You tried to bury me.

You tried to break me.

You tried to own me.

You failed!

I may walk away with scars, debts, regret, and consequences but I am walking away free. You don’t get the last word in my life. You don’t get to define me. You don’t get to write my story.

Today the rebuilding begins.

I will work. I will repay. I will get healthy. I will show up. I will face what I avoided. I will do the hard, honest work because that’s what real strength looks like.

And above all! Today I choose God.

Not a lucky streak. Not a false promise. Not a desperate chase.

I place my life in the hands of the One who actually loves me, formed me, and calls me to freedom.

Lord, I repent. Forgive me for running to sin and calling it relief. Forgive me for the words I said in anger and pain. Cleanse my heart. Renew my mind. Strengthen my spirit. Teach my hands to build what I used to tear down.

I reject the lie that I need gambling to feel alive.

I reject the lie that money is my savior.

I reject the lie that I’m too far gone.

In Christ Jesus, the chains are broken. I am not enslaved. I am not trapped. I am not owned.

I am done.

I am free.

And I am coming back stronger.