Choosing Well Every Time

Many people who choose for life with God in recovery think they can live any way they want as long as they attend meetings, complete an honest set of steps, pray on occasion, and don't pick up.  They believe these activities put them in right standing with God regardless of the fact they continue to behave in ways they know are disobeying the word of God.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.  Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.   (1 Peter 3:12, Matthew 7:21 NLT)

Too often we choose to do whatever we feel like doing whenever we feel like doing it.  If our desire is to have a relationship with God in recovery, we cannot behave in this way.  A person who chooses to live for God will follow God's principles in every area of their life, not just when coping with drinking or drugging or any other destructive habit they are seeking to change.  

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.  Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7 NIV) 

  When we are fully surrendered to God we will choose to obey Him because we are committed to doing what God says is right, regardless of our feelings.  Obeying God will result in the positive change we are seeking.  It may not be instant change but, as we live one day at a time surrendered to God, our relationship with Him and others will prosper and grow and life will take on new meaning.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I surrender every area of my life to You.  Help me to know and follow Your principles in every choice I need to make and to love and respect each person with whom I have contact.  Amen

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