When we wandered in addiction we found ourselves trying to be loyal to our families, but our loyalty to our drug of choice often took priority. We wanted to do what was right but, in a moment of need, we threw away our moral principles and did whatever we thought we had to do to get what we thought we needed. We were people of divided loyalties.
In our new life with God in recovery, we get to lay down the false facades, move away from unhealthy people, and walk with a single focus. More and more we can experience the weight lifting off our shoulders as we walk in truth with nothing to hide and no games to play. God’s word describes this shift.
I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees. But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws! I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations. (Psalm 119:113-120 NLT)
The way to a life of peace and joy is single mindedly focusing on God’s will and God’s instructions. As we do this on a daily basis, we will find that the fear and stress in our heart settles down. The sense of restlessness and always needing to “be on the alert” diminishes. Joy and peace stay with us longer, even when we go through situations that challenge us. Hope grows within us that we really can have a meaningful life, one day at a time. As we choose to follow God’s principles, we begin to experience joy and true relaxation taking hold of our minds in a wonderful way.
God’s ways work. The more consistently we embrace God, learn His ways, and reject everything else, the more quickly we will stand in awe of all the gifts we experience in our new life with God in recovery.
©2016 Partners in Hope
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