When we finally admitted that we were powerless over our dependencies and that our life had become empty and unmanageable, we sought a recovery program. We stopped using our substance of choice and began the struggle to deal with the vulnerable feelings which previously contributed to our addictive lifestyle. In sobriety, how can we actually face overwhelming feelings such as the pain of loneliness, frustration, disappointment, and even shame, without picking up again?
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT)
The more we experience life in recovery, the more we begin to trust God to meet our deepest needs and invite Him, on a daily basis, to fill us up with the power of His Holy Spirit. We intentionally reflect on what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will—which promises to satisfy the nagging emptiness within us. We ask God for understanding of His word and how to apply His principles to our lives. We read the Bible daily and discuss what we’ve read with our pastor, sponsor, mentor or other Godly persons, in order that we may fully understand what God is saying to us. This is how we begin to be “filled up” on a daily basis.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)
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