Becoming strong and steady in our recovery requires that we keep on listening to and learning from God's Word and from the experience, strength, and hope of others. It's easy to be disrespectful of experiences some share with us simply because we don't like their personality or something in their journey is different from ours. In our arrogance we believe they are wrong in what they are saying and therefore have nothing to teach us. The sad truth is that when we do this we shut ourselves off from valuable lessons their life experience could teach us.
We need humility to listen to those who are newer to recovery than we are. Sometimes the freshness of their message and their description of the struggle can shine a needed light on areas of our own heart that still need attention. Their way of presenting may still be a bit rough around the edges but the truth at the core of their sharing might be just what we need today.
We need to hear and learn from those who offer constructive criticism and challenge habits or attitudes they observe in us. Stinking thinking creeps up on us in so many areas. The very fact that we are making fun of someone suggests there is some expression of a character defect that requires attention.
A good mentor or sponsor will bring things to the conversation that are inconvenient and challenging. Too often we are more ready to "get a new sponsor" than we are to ask God to show us the wisdom we're missing in what our sponsor is saying.
It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace. (Hebrews 12:11 CEV)
Today's invitation and challenge is to welcome the inconvenient or uncomfortable truth rather than reject and scorn what we are being taught.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I still have so much to learn. Please help me to be teachable each day. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear how You are speaking to me, particularly about things I find difficult to receive. Amen
©2023 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/Audio for Finding Wisdom In Uncomfortable Places
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.