Playing The Fool
Nearly everyone suffering the negative effects of addiction and compulsion engages in deceitfulness. It is a practice we needed to live the way we lived
Nearly everyone suffering the negative effects of addiction and compulsion engages in deceitfulness. It is a practice we needed to live the way we lived
I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. But I couldn’t always. The recipe is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a personal daily walk with the Holy Spirit.
I used to hear people say all the time early in recovery IT DOES GET BETTER and think to myself “the next person who tells me that I am going to hit.” It’s a bit like people in A.A. who used to say “keep coming back it works.” I don’t think they tell you enough in early recovery it takes TIME. God can and does change people’s lives overnight but I can tell you fro experience it’s rare.
God’s help in our lives comes in His timing and nothing we do will make it happen quicker. The Good News is that God doesn’t forget us. He knows what we are going through and He has a solution to overcome all our problems. Sometimes He wants us to learn a lesson before He acts.
Life does get better. Today, having been in recovery since 1987 I want to encourage anyone early in the process, eventually it will get better but there is a lot we have to do and He has to do in and through our lives before it does, KEEP MOVING FORWARD – One data at a time – One step at a time. The twelve steps are a process for a purpose. Spiritual growth, not spiritual perfection.
Double-mindedness is like a half-baked cake, according to the Bible. We will continue to be soggy and soft, while we lean a little in our old ways of living and a little in the new.
As I opened my mouth, he gave me the scroll to eat, saying, “Son of man, eat this book that I am giving you. Make a full meal of it!” So I ate it. It tasted so good—just like honey. Then he told me, “Son of man, go to the family of Israel and speak my Message. Look, I’m not sending you to a people who speak a hard-to-learn language with words you can hardly pronounce. Ezekiel 3:2-5
Ezekiel was commanded to eat the scroll that contained God’s Word. To take it all in and be directed by it in sharing with others. In recovery, we need to learn about the process before we are ready to share the process. Step 12 says Having gone through these steps and discovering the importance of an individual relationship with God through Jesus, I will try to live according to His principles and to lead others to a personal relationship with Him.
God, through his Holy Spirit, helps us by giving us an extra measure of wisdom and discernment THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE TWELVE STEPS
You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps and shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them, you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Psalm 91:1-4
Powerlessness to overcome our addictions and compulsions in our own strength leads to weakness. I don’t know about you but I got to a point where is believed “I will never get this! It’s too hard.” I couldn’t see how all the pieces of my life could ever be fixed after the life I had led and the things I had done.
But then God intervened. Alone with my thoughts and concerns He spoke to me and said “Archie, you do not need to live like this anymore. Follow me and I will lead you.” In His presence, I knew then and still know now, that I would be okay.
That day He became my One True Higher Power and He has protected me from that day till this, safe and secure in His arms.
Responsible Trust in God requires seeking His will and His power to carry it out.
Listen to Step five – Week Two podcast. Sorry about the mic. Use a different one next time,
God looks after us all, makes us robust with life, Psalm 41:2 MSG
Listen to podcast Step five – Week One
Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can’t afford in times like these. Aren’t you embarrassed that you’ve let this kind of thing go on as long as you have? 1 Corinthians 15:34 MSG