When we are not feeling good about ourselves or our performance and someone takes the time to encourage us with kind words, we immediately start to feel better. Kind words are like scaffolding that helps support our confidence as we move forward. Early recovery is not easy and requires patience amid the chaos. If we have been in recovery for a time, we need to continue to be patient with ourselves and supportive of those who are just newbies on the path. “Rome was not built in a day” is a true saying.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24 NKJV)
Attending recovery meetings is a way to be supported and give support to others. Being truthful about where we are at or what we have learned, may help another person. Honouring each person’s role is important as well as following the principle of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Doing our best to not provoke anger in another is another way to be supportive. We need to bless and pray for each other. God said people were to support and bless others with the following words:
May the Lord bless you and take good care of you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26 NIRV)
When we pray for discernment in how to bless a person, God will give us the appropriate words to say. If we follow this path of seeking God’s input, all our words will be supportive and an encouragement to those who hear them.
Let us stop judging one another. Instead, decide not to put anything in the way of a brother or sister. Don’t put anything in their way that would make them trip and fall. (Romans 14:13 NIRV)
Prayer: Loving God, Please keep me from causing a person to stumble by the words I speak. Set a watch over my mouth so that my words are always sweet to another’s soul and health to their whole body. Help me to be like scaffolding, supportive in all my ways. Amen
©2019 Partners in Hope
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