Experience, Strength And Hope (4)
No matter how strong we may feel, it’s not enough to bring us through to sustained recovery. We will tire out and give up the struggle if we rely on our own physical and mental strength.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 1:18-20 NIV)
Strength is a gift. Strength is the product of an ongoing relationship with God. Strength is the result of trusting God, waiting for God to act, and following God’s word and plan for fullness of life. This is what gives us joy, keeps us safe, and helps us understand and respond well to the events of each day.Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14 NLT)
Because we are feeling good, we may believe that we are strong enough to go the long haul of recovery by ourselves and start paying less attention to what God and our sponsors say works. God’s word tells us to throw off everything that hinders us, together with the sin that so easily entangles. We may secretly start to entertain thoughts of things or people from our past and feel we are strong enough to handle any situation. Thoughts like these, if acted on, will certainly end in relapse. We need to challenge this irrational thinking and remind ourselves that we truly are powerless over our addiction. We need to reaffirm the ongoing surrender of our will and our life to the care of God and fill our minds with truth. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10 NIV)
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