We are often overwhelmed with feelings of sadness when we begin the recovery process.
O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:1-3 NLT)
We feel sad because of the crooked road we have travelled and the harmful choices we have made. We recognize the complete disregard we had for the well-being of our loved ones and for ourselves and this guilt contributes to our sadness. We condemn ourselves because we think that if only we had been stronger, the people we care about would not have had to suffer and we would not be in the mess we now find ourselves in. We somehow believe we deserve to be sad. These feelings often contribute to our inability to do the daily things we need to do in order to stay clean and sober and can lead to a relapse. How can God help in these circumstances?
The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. (Psalm 9:9-10 NLT)
When we accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, God forgives us completely. God neither condemns nor abandons us. Allowing self-condemnation for our past mistakes to continue in our minds goes against what God says and will not help us move forward in recovery. Jesus has opened up our future and closed our past. We need to renew our minds with this fact and move forward in the grace that God is showering on us. We need to fix our thoughts on good things. We need to determine in our hearts to do those daily things which will contribute to our well-being, whether we feel like doing them or not. We need to remember; God is always with us, we need never face any problem alone.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. (Romans 8:1; Psalm 9:1-2 NLT)
Today, let’s give God praise and rejoice in the future He has opened up for us.
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