The Light on Your Way

When we look back along the road we have traveled, we tend to focus only on the negative things. Because the past had its share of problems, many people expect the same from the future.

But this is a negative way of looking at life. The prayers of your heart every day should be, "Lead me, O Light of the world!" Jesus Christ is still the Light of the world and He has promised that those who follow Him will never walk in darkness. Take His hand in faith and trust and experience Him as the light of your life.

God said , "Let there be light," and there was light. Genesis 1:3

-- It's so very hard to try and be positive in the midst of battling an addiction, but this is when we need to stay positive the most. Because of past behaviors it's very hard to trust ourselves to make the right choices for the future and we might even be very cynical that we can. But the great thing is that we don't have to be the one leading the charge. God does. We just need to follow Him. If I allow myself to make decisions through the lens of His redemption of me, I know I'll make better choices. Don't forget about all the tools that are available for you - He created those. Use them.  The Bible, 12 step meetings or Celebrate Recovery Meetings, accountability partners or sponsors, counselors, friends, Bible studies, devotions, prayer and yes, even aids like technology apps are all things available to you from Him to help you reframe your perspective on life.

Grace for Each Moment

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A Little Lump of Clay

Jeremiah 18:1-6

At the Potter’s House

18 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ² “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” ³ So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. ⁴ But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

⁵ Then the word of the Lord came to me. ⁶ He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.

Ever think, "There is no way God can change me!" Or what about "I just can't change, I'm such a failure." You (and I) am thinking about addiction in terms of human eyes and human limitations - our personal limitations.

In this verse, the message is clear. God is like the potter who takes the marred clay pot and reshapes it into something else. Our lives filled with addiction, hurts, hang-ups, habits, and sin are that marred pot and God simply reshapes us.

When we finally decide to allow God to mold us and stop living in doubt or trying to control the outcome, our attitude of humility allows us to finally accept that our Creator can do anything. Anything! He may remold our lives into something that looks similar to the one before we gave up control, or he may mold it into something completely different.  It may be scary, but it will be something beautiful. Just hold still and let Him mold us.

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God, Please Remember Me

Psalm 38

A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

Many of my readers or followers on Twitter know that I am a musician. Music brings healing to me during so many hard times in my life. Did you know that worship music often comes straight from the Bible?  The more I read and study the Bible, the more I catch those references when listening to music. Often when I get stuck not finding the right words to pray (as I am not one who is good with words), I search out a good song to help me get started with my prayer to God.

King David, who had his share of troubles in life, was a man after God's heart. And he was a musician and for me I can so relate to his Psalms because of his genuine openness about his failures. Below is Psalm 38 where David is crying out to God for help.  I can relate to David in so many ways - I've made such bad choices, have hard decisions to make, want so desperately to please God, and fall short over and over again, oh yeah, did I mention he was a musician.

My point, is that when we need to pray and can't find the words, it's OK to look to other sources for help - the Bible for scripture, worship music, printed prayers, or just ask the Holy Spirit to pray for you on your behalf.

Psalm 38

¹ O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your rage!
² Your arrows have struck deep,
    and your blows are crushing me.
³ Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
    my health is broken because of my sins.
⁴ My guilt overwhelms me—
    it is a burden too heavy to bear.
⁵ My wounds fester and stink
    because of my foolish sins.
⁶ I am bent over and racked with pain.
    All day long I walk around filled with grief.
⁷ A raging fever burns within me,
    and my health is broken.
⁸ I am exhausted and completely crushed.
    My groans come from an anguished heart.

⁹ You know what I long for, Lord;
    you hear my every sigh.
¹⁰ My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
    and I am going blind.
¹¹ My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
    Even my own family stands at a distance.
¹² Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
    Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
    All day long they plan their treachery.

¹³ But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
¹⁴ I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.
¹⁵ For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
¹⁶ I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
    or rejoice at my downfall.”

¹⁷ I am on the verge of collapse,
    facing constant pain.
¹⁸ But I confess my sins;
    I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
¹⁹ I have many aggressive enemies;
    they hate me without reason.
²⁰ They repay me evil for good
    and oppose me for pursuing good.
²¹ Do not abandon me, O Lord.
    Do not stand at a distance, my God.
²² Come quickly to help me,
    O Lord my savior.

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Let's Praise Him With Thanksgiving

Psalm 95:1-6
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker." (KJV)

This time of year , in the United States, we celebrate a holiday called Thanksgiving. I wish everyone would stop and give thanksgiving each day for all the blessings that we have been given, but it just doesn't happen unless we make a decision to incorporate that type of thinking into our daily lives and prayers. The more we search out our blessings each day, the more our eyes are opened to how God truly is working in our lives in ways we never could have imagined.

Those who suffer from addictions or habits, hang-ups, etc and are in recovery because of making that important decision to end the insanity truly understand the blessing of a new day to paint a new picture. 

And while I'm very thankful to have this day to spend with my family, I want us to all take a moment each day and thank God for something he has done in our lives. Have a wonderful holiday and make a joyful noise to the Lord in thanksgiving.

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Confessing Our Sins As They Occur

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John: 8-9

When we are living in our worlds of addictions, habits, hurts, hang-ups, etc we are living in what verse 8 says "we claim to be without sin". It's where we might say something like "I can kick this anytime I want", when the truth of the matter is we can't. Perhaps it's because we just don't want to admit the truth -- which is that we have a problem and need help.

But once we move past that piece of denial, and confess our sins, we can begin to heal. Verse nine says that our sins will be forgiven and we will be purified from all unrighteousness. The "he" referred to in these verse is the Lord, God Almighty. And only He has the power to truly free us as this verse says.

To "confess our sins" is telling God that we agree with him that our actions are wrong. Now the key to really moving on and having that relationship with God is to be able to confess as our sins occur - (even if it's the tenth or one-hundredth time). And in order for that to happen, we must be vigilant about analyzing our lives. Each time we confess our sins, he forgives us. He wipes our slate clean (as my mom used to say). 

For those going through a Celebrate Recovery program or a traditional 12 step program, having an accountability partner is a way to help us recognize when our actions are unhealthy and help keep us accountable. No, these sponsors and accountability partners are not a substitute for our relationship with God, but they can help by having someone to talk your actions over with.

Going to God and asking forgiveness should not be something that's awkward. In fact, it's something that the Lord wants us to do in order to maintain a relationship with him. He already died for our sins and wants you to reap the benefits. Let's not deny him the satisfaction of his sacrifice and his gift of redemption freely given.

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When There's a Hole in Your Soul

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

"So what is a hole in your soul? It is a deep, dark well that resides in the core of your being. And the harder you work to fill it with stuff, the bigger the doggone thing gets!"

The author goes on to talk about filling it with stuff - like clothes, romance, status, etc.  but what about alcohol, drugs, food, pornography - OK..you get the drift. We have a hole and we are trying to fill it with things or actions -  basically filling it with a god.  With things that make us feel good - or at least temporarily  But not THE God who will fill us with good things eternally.

Try trusting in God and letting Him fill that hole. As humans we choose wrong waaaayyyy to many times - but He will always choose right. ANd I don't know about you but an eternity of good sounds so much better than an earthly good.

One Year Book of Inspiration

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Believing without Seeing

Therefore we are always confident. We live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinth 5:6-7

When you are facing problems, difficulties or tough decisions, do you trust God sufficiently to put yourself and your future in His hands?

Jesus came to confirm that God loves you unconditionally. His care, help and compassion are unquestionable. You are precious in His sight. Therefore, Christ will not allow anything to harm you.

With this assurance, you can trust God unconditionally in everything. Then you will walk along His path, doing His will.

If you do this, you will experience peace and tranquility of mind. Even if you cannot see the complete road ahead, faith will carry you through.

-- Let's face it, we are creatures that just have a hard time believing without seeing the proof. In fact these days, we as a people are so cynical about just about anything. Think about it..ever see something on facebook and immediately go to snoops to check out if it's real? I do it all the time myself.

However, I don't do that with my faith in God. My life is too important to risk filling my head with bad garbage. When I need to do a litmus test on something, I head on over to the Bible. Following that practice has never failed me. When you hear the devil speaking to you (and yes he does), don't listen to him. Go snoop in the Bible! Are you worried that you might not be reading scripture correctly - ask your pastor, or sponsor, or accountability partner.

Remember we recently talked about how God has a plan for us and it is to do good!  Whatever you are contemplating..taking a quick drink, placing that bet, just taking a look at that Victoria's Secret catalogue...ask yourself if that makes sense with God's good plan for you.

Have a great day!!  Remember to take care of those basic needs to make some good choices today.

Grace for Each Moment

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What Do You Crave?

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

At my church this weekend, the service was about getting rid of the ugliness about us. For those who are in addiction recovery, we know this list is kinda long and extends past just the actual addiction.

Our pastor pointed out something in the passage that I really never noticed before..it was the word "crave". The passage does not say "drink" the spiritual milk, but rather that we need to crave it. When I first became a Christian, a friend remarked that I was so "hungry" for the Word of God. And only later did I realize what she was referring to.

When we crave something, it's our brain saying that we have to have "it", that we can't control the impulse and that it's almost impossible to resist. Umm...sound familiar? Just have to have that drink? Just one more? Just have to watch that porn on the computer? Just have to always be right? Just have to shoot up? Just have to buy those pants even though I have 12 other pairs at home? Can't resist it, huh? 

Once we have tasted the goodness of the Lord, it's what we need to crave. It's the spiritual milk that is going to heal us and help us move on from the world of addiction. I'm not perfect at all and I too need to work on this craving of the Lord in everything I do. And I'm also learning that when the temptation comes for my addiction, that I have to have a plan in place to handle the physical crave.  We can still have the end reward (the feelings we got from the addiction), but we need to replace the bad habit with a new habit.  

Practical applications - replace the addiction with reading the Bible, talking to a friend, going to the gym, attending a Celebrate Recovery meeting or a traditional 12 step meeting, any Green Light recoveryBox light!!

And so I ask you to think about this today. "What do you crave?"

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Healing By Confessing

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

About ten years ago I got into my minivan that was parked on the street (we live on a hill), put it into reverse (by mistake) and drove it right into my husband's car - which then popped his car out of gear and rolled down the hill.  I had no idea how bad it was until I got out of the minivan. I saw my sweet husband running down the road after his car before it smashed it into someone's house. And what did I say? "Oh my gosh - I think there is something wrong with the minivan because I know I put it in drive and it just felt like it slipped."

After I said those words I almost slapped myself but I kept with my story. This is not one of my prouder moments. I stuck with it until later that week we went to church and was about to receive communion. And then it hit me - how awful a thing it was that I did. I made a mistake and then lied about it  (and really stuck to my story too).

It is so hard to admit when we are wrong. Sometimes, I think I might die before I admit I was wrong. And I've wondered, why should I do that in front of others? I tell my kids all the time it's OK to say that "I was wrong and I'm sorry" but then when it comes to me - my pride rears it's ugly head.

Let's all agree that admitting we are wrong is hard. If it wasn't, then I think the admission step of recovery would just be a bunch of words. And, I think it's easier to admit to God when we are wrong - (and this is my opinion) because we are not face to face. I have considered this before actually. If I was before God, would it be as easy to say "I screwed up!"?  

James is telling us to confess our sins to another righteous person. He's not saying to go out and look for the holiest person you can find. But rather, he is saying someone that is doing what God and man wants. 

It's why in Celebrate Recovery and a traditional 12 Step program, the 5th step involves that we admit to not only God and ourselves AND another being that we are wrong.  If we can find this type of person (and often it's someone who has gone before us such as a sponsor) usually that kind of righteous person isn't going to judge you - but rather understand your journey.

Personally, when I admit my sins I tend to feel a whole lot lighter - almost with a spring in my step because I know the ugliness is behind me. I'm not going to look back and dwell on it but look ahead and learn, knowing that I've admitted I was wrong.

I hope that I don't have anymore runaway minivans in my life and my prayer is that you too go get the "minivan" in your life and admit to someone so that you can embrace God's healing power.

recoveryBox can help be a daily accountability tool during your recovery journey.

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Be Still!

Psalm 46:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Be still! Goodness, it's something I must say to my kids at least ten times a day. Maybe it's just boys but mine are always on the move.  I joke around (sometimes) and tell my husband that they must get this desire to always be moving or doing something from his side of the family. But then he quickly tells me it's gotta be my side of the family.

This morning I drove my youngest to school as I normally do. As I pulled into my driveway I realized I couldn't remember how I got home. In fact, I don't remember any of the driving part. But the sad thing is I remember the entire conversation I had in my head. I remember telling myself I need to go start a load of laundry before I practice for tonight's practice at church. I told myself to start the dishwasher. I was envisioning what I was going to code today. I was thinking about this past weekend when I was so bored out of my mind just sitting on the couch resting my foot still in a cast.

Whoa - how in the word did I have time to think/plan all these things (and more) on my short ride home from school. I know we live in a society that is just screaming at full volume about all things that we have to accomplish in order to be successful. And then I realized - yes I am just like my kids in that I am never stopping myself to "just be" and "rest".

Perhaps, if I rest I am worried about what will happen if boredom sets in? I know for me, boredom leads to me being cranky and then I start to get involved in everyone's business and - well, let's just say I'm not going to even allow myself to think down that CoDependent route!

As I was driving I could hear this voice in my head saying - "Be Still! Be Still!" Over and over. I knew it's that voice I hear when God is speaking to me. So today, I choose to be still and reflect on Him. I know I'm a doer - but sometimes we need that time to reflect on our lives and our recovery journey and on Him. And sometimes we need to allow ourselves to be still - just so that we can overcome.  Can you be still today?

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Grow In Faith

Many Christians urge fellow believers to, "Just believe!" but it's not always as easy as that, especially when the storm clouds close in around you.

Fortunately, through the grace of God it is easy to develop a mature and sincere faith. Recall an incident in your life when something out of the ordinary happened and thank God for it. It might not be something big or significant, but when you recall the incident it strengthens your faith in a wonderful way.

Make a habit of remembering small answers to prayer, and your faith will gradually grow to the extent where you will receive bigger revelations from God. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed 'I do believe. Help me overcome  my unbelief!". Mark 9:24

-- When an addict decides to stop the insane life that revolves around that next hit, or drink, or whatever the addiction is, hopefully it is a decision to be kept for life.  Staying in a 12 step program or Celebrate Recovery will help maintain that sober life because of clinging to God. Yes, I know it's hard to say 'Well, where was He all those times I cried out and nothing happened?'  Goodness knows we all have a million of those types of questions. But as the author points out, believe in the little things and you will begin to have eyes that are able to perceive the bigger things that God does for us each day.

I find for me, counting my blessings each day makes a huge difference.  I used to have a small list that started with thank you for the sun today, my kids, my husband to later much more mature thoughts such as thank you for opening my eyes to the unhealthy relationship that I needed to severe, etc.

It takes time but it is worth it!

Grace For Each Moment

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God IS In Control

Everywhere you go you will meet pessimistic people - people who see no hope for the future and carry an atmosphere of gloom around with them.

Rather than give in to despair, consider the greatness of God. Look back over the years and you will see many examples of the wonderful ways in which God transforms despair into hope; sorrow into joy; and defeat into victory.

When things around you appear dark and terrifying, hold onto the promises of God. Remember the mighty deeds that He has performed, and continue in confidence and with the certain knowledge that He is wholly in control.

Job replied to the Lord, "I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted". Job 42:1

-- I must say, for me the idea that no plan of God can be thwarted is such a promise.  The Bible also says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." With those two promises how can we go wrong. Who are we to doubt God?

Yes, when on is in the depths of an addiction it's almost impossible to see these truths - but when that moment comes and we decide enough is enough and it's time to let go of the old ways - trust in these truths. Because the life that God planned for us is about to begin.  And It's gonna be a good one!

Grace For Each Moment

Feb 7th

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Courage to Change the Things That Should be Changed

God, give me grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

Those who attend any Celebrate Recovery meeting or traditional 12 step meeting know that the Serenity Prayer is often said together as a group. If you want to read about the history behind this prayer, check out this blog post  http://recoveryboxapp.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-serenity-prayer-history-behind-it.html

I'm not going to say exactly what you should feel or think when you pray this prayer because your circumstance are different than mine - and prayers are personal.  But yesterday when I had my cup of apple cider and I saw the "Courage Mug"  (see yesterday's post if you are not up to speed) it reminded me of this prayer. 

"Courage to change the things that should be changed." The first time I ever read this prayer was at my grandmother's house. I didn't understand what it meant then being only 12 years old. Later in life I came to understand that my grandmother was an alcoholic and struggled a lot..perhaps that's why she had the prayer in her house. It's a shame because I can't ask her  what the prayer meant to her because she suffers from Alzheimers. So I can only speculate.

The line I find intriguing especially as someone who wants to solve everyone's problems is "the Wisdom to distingush one from another".  That's what I need to work on. I have got to figure out what is mine to change and what is mine to leave for others. Perhaps it sounds so easy but not for someone who deals with CoDepenedency. 

So today, there is no verse but rather I pray the Serenity Prayer and ask for the wisdom to know the difference.

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Who Do We Offer Our Grace to Each Day?

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.  All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Many of my readers know that I have a son who has special needs. Because of his disabilities, he gets very emotional and add that to the impulsivity that comes with ADHD, he often explodes into rage even before we have a moment to help him process the situation.  Now, add in the momma bear factor and my struggles with CoDependency --well you guess I'm a mess. I just want to fix his problems for him and I can't.

Lately, he's been working on some electronics projects that require programming (that's where he needs my help - with the programming). And lately, he's been in so much trouble at school that we had to follow through with consequences at home - which involved taking away all his electronics (these were some serious infractions folks).  And so now we don't have our special projects to work on.

The verse talks about having perseverance and faith in all the trial I'm (we) am enduring. Well, I'm struggling huge with this. My son and I have very little to bond over, and he would rather play by himself than engage with the family. So when we finally found this common interest recently, it broke my heart that we had to take away his electronics. I feel like I'm being punished - I want what's best for him and I don't want to wait anymore for him to "get with the program" so we can work on these cool projects together.  I want him to figure these things out now!

And so I wonder, is this what God feels? Is he waiting for me to "get with the program" so we can start working on our relationship together? Is he just as frustrated with me for my choices as I am with my son? I wonder. I mean, I try to make the right choices and yet I fall short a lot. I know what's expected of me and yet I don't follow through. Wow! It's like I"m seeing my son by looking in the mirror at myself.

God is waiting for me to make the right choices and is offering up tools to help me along the way AND his patience is forever. I'm thinking he's telling me that I must extend that same grace to my son, and when he starts to "get with the program" we will start to have the moments I feel normal relationships should have. But honestly, what is normal anyway?

The more I really embrace this parenting gig, the more I realize how much I have dissapointed my Father in heaven. I so want to please Him but I fall short so many times and yet he keeps extending me grace. God gives me that grace with no strings attached and it's such a blessing to have no shame and to continue to walk with Him each day. That's what I want with my own son. And so as God extends me grace on a daily basis, that's what I must do with my own son.

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Putting Childish Thoughts Behind

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. 1st Corinthians 13:11

This morning, my son and I were having a heated discussion about his chore money. He felt that I owed him money even when I explained to him that he did not follow through with all of his responsibilities. And for the next fifteen minutes, in his childish ways he whined, tried to reason, complained and even threw a tantrum like a child will. And I expect that from my kids - because their reasoning ability is all centered around themselves - what is fair to them, what makes them feel good, what they can get for the least amount of work.

I get it (even though at 7:10 in the morning right before his bus is supposed to come, this "discussion" was trying my patience - huge!) And what can I do besides stick to my parenting guns - I can pray that he will grow into a young man who sees life not just though his selfish eyes - but consider the world and people in it around him.

As adults, aren't we supposed to have this all figured out? When we see our kids throwing a tantrum about something like this - it's obvious right? Or is it?

For some of us - I don't think it is. If it was, we wouldn't be in this world of addiction, hurts, hang-ups, habits. If it was so obvious, shouldn't we just be able to stop?

Perhaps, you never received the type of parenting that you needed in order to be able to cope with life and instead you chose addiction as the answer. Now as an adult you see your life crumbling around you and perhaps are wondering why? It's time we stop reasoning like a child and put on our big girl (or boy) pants and make adult choices. If you feel like you don't know how - seek help with a counselor, attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting, or a 12 step meeting, ask a trusted friend for their honest truth.  

It's time to put childish thinking, child reasoning and actions aside. It's time to getting our healing on!  What pants are you wearing today?

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Nothing But the Truth

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. John 17:17

God demands and teaches absolute truth. Jesus came and preached the Good News - which is the truth. He didn't mince his words and try to skirt the big issues because our lives are just too short for that. Jesus just preached the raw truth. And while many were offended by it, many were relieved and set free.

See, living a life filled with deception is actually very tiring. Those who view pornography and try to do it without getting caught live in a constant state of anxiety. Are you trying to hide a drinking problem from your spouse by disguising it as happy hour?  What about a shopping addiction? Do you get home from a binge and quick hide everything in the closet and don't show your spouse the credit card bills?  Your minds are working so hard to try and plan it so we don't get caught. Well, I'm here to tell you the truth. You are already BUSTED! God already knows.

So, who are you really hiding the truth from? Your spouse, your family and friends? I think the most important person you are hiding from is yourself! True healing from an addiction, or hurt or habit is going to come when you finally accept the truth. That took me a while to do. But once we accept this truth, it's really freeing. At that point there are other things we have to deal with..but the first step is accepting the truth of the situation.  It's a huge step - but healing will only come when you take the first step. Infact, it's the first step in both the Celebrate Recovery program or a traditional 12 step program. Are you ready to take the first step?

And what if you have already done that? What if you are well into your journey of recovery? There are things that we can do. First, we can continue to be accountable to others so that we don't fall and act out again. Second, we can be that person for someone who has just taken the first step. We can be someone's accountability partner or sponsor and give guidance. This carries huge responsibilities with it too. Telling someone the truth can be a tricky thing. It can push others away or it can bring others to us. Sometimes it needs to be just said flat out - and other times we need to help lead the person to the truth but let them discover it on their own. Anyway you slice it, speaking truth to someone carries risks. The only advice I can offer here is to speak the truth in love. You are not responsible for the actions of others - but you are responsible to speak the truth.

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Are You Ready to Make the Choice?

Hebrews 4:12-13

New International Version (NIV)
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Just like the word of God is alive and working in our lives today, so is sin. Just like the word can penetrate deep into our souls and our very being, so can sin. Just like God can see the good in our hearts, He also sees the sin.

The choice then becomes ours - do we want to try and live in denial about our habits and addictions - OR, do we uncover it and lay it before God. We have to decide what type of lives we want to live. Either way, the choice will have a profound affect upon us. If we choose to live for God, our actions will begin to reflect the good in our lives and all that we have to offer. If we choose to hide in shame, ultimately it will destroy us.

Either way, we are accountable for our actions and God already knows. So doesn't it make sense to stop the make believe and give it up? The Bible, programs such as Celebrate Recovery or a traditional 12 step program, friends, family, counselors, accountability partners, sponsors - these are all tools or people to help us turn away from deadly issues in our lives. Are you ready to make that choice. He already knows all about your life.

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Keeping "Things" in Place

Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.  Proverbs 22:24-25

My husband writes his devotional verse on a white board every morning so that the kids can read it too (not sure they do -- but who knows..maybe they do). Anyway, this morning I read it and thought about how this verse really applies to any addiction or bad habit.  Omit the word "angry" and put in any negative habit in place and then the verse really become personal.

For anger, we tend to want to get back at the person when they say something hurtful to us. It doesn't help the situation really. When we live in a state of that "feeling" - in this case anger, we tend to fester those negative feelings and we actually justify that anger as being legit too. Oh the dangerous things our mind can do. What we really need to do is steer clear of the anger. Sin just breeds more sin and so if you want to break that cycle you need to take the upper road. And often that means, just choosing not to be near angry or negative people.

For any addiction or hurtful habit (esp those that are triggered by the presence of a person), it's often best to just steer clear of the person. You will notice when tracking your lights (habits) in recoveryBox, this is actually a yellow light. It's a warning to you that this person has the potential to take you down a slippery slope and you shouldn't be near them.

Today, when someone has the potential to harm you, walk away. If you use recoveryBox, give yourself a Green Light for making that choice too! And make sure to share that with your accountability partner or sponsor too.

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Making an Idol

Ephesians 5:1818 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit

Many people wonder about the Church and it's stance on wine. And it's amazing when I hear sermons that condone drinking even a glass of wine as a ticket straight to hell.   In fact, this legalistic type of preaching really makes me sad as a Christian. Sermons like this are taking scripture out of context.  

Hold on -- I know this is a devo blog for addictions..keep reading and I'll get to my point.

This verse says that drinking in excess is wrong. Jesus himself performed his first miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding.  There are many things that the Bible clearly says are wrong: adultery, stealing, drinking to excess, making things into idols.

When we use things such as alcohol or drugs or view pornography to escape the world then they have become an idol. An idol is anything that we use to replace our need for God in our lives with something else. So for some it can be watching too much TV, playing video games, our desire to be the best at any cost, over-exercising, collecting items, fantasizing, laziness - these are things that just aren't so obvious.. And that's when it would be wise to create a new healthy habit to replace the bad habit that we have chosen to deal with our deep feelings such as anxiety and feelings of no self-worth, boredom, etc.

For someone dealing with an addiction, it's a choice to totally get rid of the unhealthy habit. For some addictions such as alcohol, drugs, viewing porn it's obvious that total abstinence is going to be key for recovery. But for other addictions such playing video games, using devices, exercising, working - it isn't as clear cut. We can't just get rid of these things from our lives because they are part of every day life. And so this is where today's verse hits the nail on the head. We are being warned of not being obsessive - as that's the addiction.

So, whatever your addiction is, you have to be the one (hopefully with the guidance of a sponsor or accountability partner)  to set what your limits need to be and a plan to develop new habits to replace the old habits.

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Do You Believe You Can Give Up the Addiction?

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16

Ever notice that those in life who are pessimists just tend to bring you down? They sap the very energy out of you? OK, maybe it's just me but I truly have a hard time being around those who think so negatively. An observation that I do have, is that those who think in such a negative fashion tend to get stuck when it's time to make a change for the better.

What makes recovery from an addiction possible has more to do with your belief in the outcome rather than the steps. Many who attend meetings like AA or Celebrate Recovery and relapse over and over again, find that as they unfold the truth, is that they don't truly believe it can work.

Yes, having support systems, and following proven steps, and using apps such as recoveryBox which aids you in discovering what your triggers and habits truly are  - well, those are just tools. The bottom line is as simple as this - "Do You Believe?"

If you don't fully believe that you can beat this addiction then you aren't going to. Ever wonder why AA has sponsors or accountability partners? Why do these folks remain in the program when many can simply walk away and never drink again, or never use drugs again or never view porn again or never enter that bad habit again? It's because they fully believe in the process and want to help others. They want to impart the wisdom and counsel they have from taking this journey before you.

So, today, I ask you. What do you believe?  If you don't know, it might be wise to take time and examine that question.

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