Wednesday, October 2, 2013 -- Finding Joy In Our New Life

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  (James 1:2-4 NKJV)

Life in recovery can be challenging at times.  We have joy in the fact that we are no longer in the pit of our addiction, but, we are now treading waters that are unfamiliar to us.  People around us are encouraging us to stay the course but we are unsure, and even fearful, of our new environment. This is a natural reaction to changing our lifestyle and learning new ways to cope with what goes on inside us. We may have been “experts” in coping with our dysfunctional lifestyle but we are “newbies” in coping with life in recovery. Thankfully, God has promised to be with us in this transition process. 

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  (Psalm 16:1; 11 NKJV)

The transition from living for self-fulfillment to living life for the glory of God is a testing of our will.  Is there truly joy in walking in the ways of God?  Sometimes we can say a definite “yes” as we experience joy in having made good decisions.  Other times, we find ourselves in a battle with our will, having been drawn to do those dysfunctional things in our past that caused us to grovel in the darkness of addiction. God called us out of the darkness we were in and invited us to walk in the light of His presence.  Like any child learning to walk we may stumble as we move forward.  However, God has promised to uphold us with His righteous right hand.  Like any good Father, he rejoices with us when we walk steadily forward and, is willing to support us when we stumble and fall down.  God is always calling us to fullness of joy in Him. 

How happy are the people who know the sound of joy! They walk in the light of Your face, O Lord. They are full of joy in Your name all day long. And by being right with You, they are honored.  (Psalm 89:15-16 NLV)

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