Character Strength Being Thorough

Sunday October 20, 2024

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path .... With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. (How It Works, Big Book)

One of the great indicators of success in maintaining sobriety is being thorough. Old timers in the program tell us that it was the things they failed to deal with that tripped them up. Things changed only when they were willing to come completely clean, became willing to have God remove all their defects of character, and made amends for all the trouble caused in their relationships. It didn't happen in a day but the willingness to get on with the job and stick with it until it was done – being thorough – has been key to their sobriety.

Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. (Psalm 119:140 NIV)

God sets the pattern for us by being thorough in what He has done. He gave us His written word of truth in the Bible, and He gave us Jesus, the living truth. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, forgiveness and cleansing of our sins is fully accomplished.

He gave himself for us. By doing that, he set us free from all evil. He wanted to make us pure. He wanted us to be his very own people. He wanted us to desire to do what is good. (Titus 2:14 NIRV)

Walking the path of life with God in recovery is clearly laid out for us in God's word, so we are "thoroughly equipped" to be people of integrity and good work.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

What dark corner of our soul needs the light of God’s truth today? What needs sorting out so we can be thorough in making things right in all our affairs?

Prayer: Gracious Father, I want to be thorough in everything I do. Help me to let go of my old ideas and fix my eyes on Your Word and be intentional on following You in all my ways. Amen

Video Encouragement and Prayer

Character Strength Being Thorough

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AFFIRMED AND ACCOMPANIED BY A LOVING GOD

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