Partners
In Hope

God's Guidance Brings Joy

Saturday August 5, 2023
 

Thinking and acting on our own self-centered thoughts often results in confusion and grief. Too often when we choose to follow our familiar selfish ways and ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit we end up in despair.  On the other hand, when we walk surrendered to, and empowered by, the Holy Spirit we experience more and more confidence and hope. 

 Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLV)

What steals our joy in recovery and causes us to stumble? The main root cause is pride.  We begin to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.  We start to find fault in our recovery program, the people around us, and our leaders and mentors.  We blame others and our environment for our discontent. We begin to feel confident in our own ability to manage our own recovery.  We begin to believe that we could return to our old lifestyle and handle it more successfully than we did in the past. Our prideful thinking makes us feel we can succeed on our own without the help and guidance of God, and that sadly is a deadly error of judgment. 
You have felt secure in your evil ways.  You have said, ‘No one sees what I’m doing.’ Your wisdom and knowledge lead you down the wrong path.  You say to yourself, ‘I am like a god. No one is greater than I am.’ (Isaiah 47:10 NIRV)

God is a God of order; He is not a God of confusion.  Surrendering our minds to Him brings peace to our whole being.  When our hearts are quiet we begin to notice beauty around us, and in us, and in others, and that results in quiet joy deep within. 

Prayer:  Gracious God, Forgive me for the times I think I can take care of myself.  Once again, I admit that I am powerless to live life without You.  I turn my will and my life over to Your care.  Help me to know the peace and joy that comes from wholeheartedly surrendering to You and Your ways.  Amen

©2023 Partners in Hope 

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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.