When we first come into recovery, we tend to focus on our past behaviour and the things we have done wrong. For years we tried to cover our pain with addictive substances or destructive behaviour because that was what seemed good at the time. We felt anger, guilt and shame, often to an overwhelming degree. We suffered injustice and so we felt we deserved comfort and went after comfort in whatever convenient ways we found it. We didn’t question the impact our choices might have had on others. We did what we felt we “had to do” to survive and have a little happiness. Sadly, despite some momentary pleasure, we fell deeper and deeper into sin and heartache. God invites us now to shift our focus from what was self-motivated destructive behaviour to a life focused on the healing power of Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)
God wants us to live a good satisfying life. We all want that life, who wouldn’t? Or do we? We know we have problems – we’ve had them all our lives. Problems give us excuses to think about using whatever we have chosen in the past to cover the pain deep within us. Are we ready to stop allowing our problems to steal the new life God is giving us? If we are, we need to be willing to give up our obsessive thinking about how to cover up our pain, and allow the healing power of God to restore us to new life.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV))
God’s call to us today is to take our focus off our problems and let Him show us solutions. Are we willing to make the shift?
Prayer: Loving God, you are reaching out to us today, encouraging us to receive the healing you are offering. Help us to humbly surrender to You and walk in Your ways. Amen
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