We often bring our “street smart” thinking into recovery with us. Evidence of this shows when we compare ourselves to others and decide we’re not so bad because others are doing worse things than we are. We gossip and feel important when we know something that others do not know. When someone challenges us and we counter-attack with a smart remark, we feel pretty good about ourselves. We use degrading words to embarrass or victimize a person or an ethnic group. Any of these practices are evidence that we’re not living wisely in recovery but are settling for “street smart” behaviour.
It doesn’t take long in recovery before “street smart” thinking is filtering into our minds. We begin to reflect on life in addiction and tell ourselves it “wasn’t so bad.” Things may not be changing quickly enough for us in recovery, so we tell ourselves that there are too many challenges and not enough people to help and we need to find some other way that will work for us. These familiar, but twisted ideas roll around in our heads challenging the truth that is still unfamiliar to us. If we obsess on this way of thinking, we will become discontented and well on our way to relapse.
The naive believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise are careful and avoid evil, but fools become excited and overconfident. Short-tempered people make stupid mistakes, and schemers are hated. (Proverbs 14:15-17 CEB)
God's desire is that we allow ourselves to be guided by His wisdom and replace our "street smarts" with His principles for living life to the full.
Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step to wisdom and good sense. (Psalm 111:10 CEV)
Prayer: Loving God, Lead me in Your truth and teach me Your ways for I put my hope in You. Amen
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