Happy Joyous And Free
Thursday September 29, 2016
Life in recovery can be challenging at times. We have joy in the fact that we are no longer in the pit of our addiction, but, we are now treading waters that are unfamiliar to us. People around us are encouraging us to stay the course but we are unsure, and even fearful, of our new environment. This is a natural reaction to changing our lifestyle and learning new ways to cope with what goes on inside us. We may have been “experts” in coping with our dysfunctional lifestyle but we are “newbies” in coping with life in recovery. Thankfully, God has promised to be with us in this transition process to life that is happy, joyous, and free.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)
The transition from living in self-will to living in God’s will is a real test of faith. Is there truly joy in walking in the ways of God? Sometimes we can say a definite “yes” as we experience joy in having made good decisions. Other times, we find ourselves in a battle with our will, having been drawn to do those dysfunctional things in our past that caused us to grovel in the darkness of addiction.
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (Psalm 16:1; 11 NLT)
God called us out of the darkness we were in and invites us to walk in the light of His presence. Like any child learning to walk we may stumble and fall down as we endeavour to move forward. Like any good Father, God rejoices with us when we walk steadily forward and, is willing to lift us up when we stumble and fall down. God is always calling us to fullness of joy in Him. Even though we may feel unsteady, let’s take one more step forward on God’s path of life and recovery today.
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