Partners
In Hope

Desire To Change

Saturday April 20, 2024

Whether in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, Tradition three highlights that the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking alcohol or stop using narcotics.  

Jesus tells us:  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Matthew 26:41 NIV, Philippians 2:13 NLT)

It is not difficult to dislike the suffering and upheaval we experience while using and/or drinking.  However, it takes an act of God to change our desire to not drink or use again.  

It really is a miracle that God works in us so the obsession to pick up is removed.  We are told that we can expect a “daily reprieve” as we maintain our life with God on a continual daily basis.  We need God’s help to be sober today.  We need our actions to reflect God’s principles so inner change will show in our desire to obey what He says.

As we add one day of sobriety to another we will notice things change around us.  Our relationships become more pleasant, and we are more at peace.  We have success in some things we are doing, and confidence begins to grow in us.  The blur in our minds begins to clear.  We find ourselves laughing and enjoying simple pleasures.  All these things added together strengthen our desire to not drink or use.  

Underlying all of this is the fact that, as we experience conscious contact with God, He changes our desires.  The more we do what God says works, the more we experience the peace of God and a sense of well-being deep in our soul.  We truly can admit that our life with God in recovery is showing itself to be sweeter and more desirable than a life of drinking or using.

Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants. Live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your desires controlled by sin want you to do. (Psalm 37:4, Galatians 5:16 NIRV)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, Please change me from the inside out.  I want to enjoy Your blessings and ask that You strengthen me each day to follow Your ways so I may continue to experience that life with You is so much more desirable than a life of drinking or using.  Amen

 

Audio for Desire To Change

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