Life With God In Recovery Step One I Can't Do It Alone

Step One:  We ADMITTED that we were powerless over our dependencies, that our lives had become unmanageable.

It is natural to want to be in control of our life and our circumstances.  We don’t want pain and sadness from our past to overwhelm us.  We want to be prepared for events in the future so we are not surprised in a harmful way.  We want to feel good, be happy, and live free at all times.  However, there comes a time in many of our lives when we realize that this is just not possible.  We find ourselves with no way out but to admit defeat.

It can be a moment of self-pity or it can be an opportunity for beginning to live as we were created to live—in relationship with God our Saviour.  We can give in to despair or surrender to the unfailing love and new direction of the God who cares for us more than we care for ourselves.  We need help from a trustworthy source outside of ourselves and the only way to get it is to call out to God.  Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my body is in agony.  I am sick at heart ... Return, O Lord, and rescue me. Save me because of Your unfailing love … I am worn out from sobbing. Every night tears drench my bed; my pillow is wet from weeping. (Psalm 6:6 NIV)

For all of us there comes a time when we can no longer avoid the horrible realization that our lives are just a mess.  When we come to the realization that we are broken and helpless, and finally admit that all is not well, we have a choice to make.  We can try even harder to avoid the pain and hopelessness of our lives or we can step out into freedom.  How?  We must admit defeat, admit we can’t do things on our own and admit we need help.  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  (Romans 3:23 NLT)

The good news is that our helpless condition is not a surprise to God.  He knows that we fall short when we try to do things on our own and He stands ready to help us chart a new course and find a new life.  When we acknowledge that addictive behaviours are not helping us, God is able to show us the truth.  There are two active powers in our world which seek to influence us: the devil, who is seeking to bring us to harm, and God, who is seeking to bring us to life.  Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)  We are not left dangling helpless between the two for God has given us the power to choose the gift of life.

©2014 Partners in Hope