30 ~ Hypnotist

By Kay Heitsch

After all the hoopla with the soot and furnace situation, I decided I should stop smoking. I had never tried to quit before.

I didn't figure it was going to be easy, so when I saw an ad that a hypnotist was coming to town to help people quit smoking, I suggested that Bill and I both sign up.

The day arrived, and we both went down. I felt uneasy about the whole thing, but I did it anyway. I didn't like the idea of letting someone control my mind.

The hypnotist said to think of some reason why you wanted to quit smoking, and every time you had a desire to smoke, this thought would override the desire to smoke. You were not to tell anyone your reason.

I was irritated at myself for spending this money on this hypnotist, so I made a pact with myself that I would at least get my money back by not spending any money on cigarettes.

I heard it would help to take showers to get the nicotine off your body, so I took a few showers a day. I quit cold turkey!

Bill's dad and his wife came to see our new baby, Shannon. I was going through a horrible time with sweating, headaches, feeling sick, and all kinds of issues. I didn't know why.

Bill's dad explained that I was going through withdrawal because I was addicted to nicotine. He said most people are addicted to the habit. But being addicted to nicotine was worse.

He also said I should never smoke another cigarette, or the nicotine addiction would be worse. I knew I did not want to go through this withdrawal again, so I never picked up another cigarette.

Also, during this withdrawal period, I had a nightmare that shook me to my core. I was walking around in a dirty, dark place. People looked ragged and angry, hurting each other.

I woke up in a sweat! I remember thinking, "Is this what hell is like?"

At the time, I didn't see God in this, but now I praise Him for giving me the strength to quit smoking completely. I'm not sure the nightmare came from God. But it sure got my attention.

"Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done, so that people not yet born will praise Him." Psalm 102:18