Keeping Joy Alive
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous discusses building relationships and how joy will impact our ability to do so. “We aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life.” (Big Book Page 132)
The founders of AA linked misery to self-will and addictive habits and joy to an open loving relationship with God. They followed God’s ways and recognized how it brought joy to their relationship with God and others. Joy is a quality we surely need as we move forward in our life with God in recovery.
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)
What steals our joy? It very often is pride. We begin to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. We start to find fault in our recovery program, in the people around us, and in our leaders and mentors. We blame others and our environment for our discontent.
If we desire to be joyful in our recovery, we will need to be mindful of our thoughts and actions. We need to find out what God’s principles are for successful living and reshape our behaviour around them. We need to surrender pride every time it raises its ugly head, remembering that the Holy Spirit is always with us to give us wisdom and guidance as we submit to His ways.
Prayer: Forgive me for being prideful and believing that I could live a joyful life in recovery without You and without those who counsel and mentor me. I am forever grateful that You, the God of hope, will fill me with all joy and peace as I trust Your ways to take me forward in my recovery. Amen
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