Done something wrong? Frustrated?

1 Samuel 12:20-21 "Don't be fearful. It's true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don't chase after ghost-gods.

Frustration comes through foolish indiscretion. After a lot of repetitious mistakes failure becomes the familiar. After which comes inevitable frustration. Should we be content to live with frustration? It is often difficult in recovery to break the bondage of frustration. Sadly, wallowing in it will stop us from reaching the freedom God wants us to experience.

Frustration is a form of captivity. Depression from frustration can lock us into ourselves, imprisoning our spirit. Life need not be permanent captivity. Freedom from frustration is offered by Christ. Turning to Him for the cure involves us accepting our limitations, adjusting our ideas, abandoning the causes of our frustration and availing ourselves of the total victory and full salvation which is only found in Him. As we give Him control of our lives the door of darkness closes and His light shines in and through us.

Done something wrong? Frustrated?

1 Samuel 12:20-21 "Don't be fearful. It's true that you have done something very wrong. All the same, don't turn your back on God. Worship and serve him heart and soul! Don't chase after ghost-gods.

Frustration comes through foolish indiscretion. After a lot of repetitious mistakes failure becomes the familiar. After which comes inevitable frustration. Should we be content to live with frustration? It is often difficult in recovery to break the bondage of frustration. Sadly, wallowing in it will stop us from reaching the freedom God wants us to experience.

Frustration is a form of captivity. Depression from frustration can lock us into ourselves, imprisoning our spirit. Life need not be permanent captivity. Freedom from frustration is offered by Christ. Turning to Him for the cure involves us accepting our limitations, adjusting our ideas, abandoning the causes of our frustration and availing ourselves of the total victory and full salvation which is only found in Him. As we give Him control of our lives the door of darkness closes and His light shines in and through us.

Reconciliation

Colossians 4: 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

In recovery Steps 8&9 are about reconciliation.

With whom are we to be reconciled?

First, we are to be reconciled with our own conscience.
Second, we must reconcile with other people.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, as we have reconciled with ourselves and others, we are now prepared to reconcile with God.

Reconciliation

Colossians 4: 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

In recovery Steps 8&9 are about reconciliation.

With whom are we to be reconciled?

First, we are to be reconciled with our own conscience.
Second, we must reconcile with other people.
Third, and perhaps most importantly, as we have reconciled with ourselves and others, we are now prepared to reconcile with God.

Say "I'm sorry and mean it!"

Colossians 3:13
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Step 9 says we need to make amends to others: Luke 6:38 says "Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

It is clear from the Bible that in recovery God wants us and expects us to forgive, as He has forgiven us. Making amends and forgiving others are a necessary part of the recovery process.

Say "I'm sorry and mean it!"

Colossians 3:13
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Step 9 says we need to make amends to others: Luke 6:38 says "Give and it shall be given you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

It is clear from the Bible that in recovery God wants us and expects us to forgive, as He has forgiven us. Making amends and forgiving others are a necessary part of the recovery process.

Rigorous Honesty!

"Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

It appears that some people do not constitutionally seem capable of being honest. We can only treat them as unfortunates. Recovery from addiction can only begin when we face being honest with ourselves, and others, especially those within our support networks. Those who never make it are usually the ones who refrain from complete honesty. There is no immediate requirement of sudden outbursts of frank confession when we begin our new life of recovery. But we are destined to a life of honesty and it is here that many stumble. It is easier to choose a short-term period of self-revelation, than to maintain a close walk with God in which honesty is a priority claim. He knows every niche and corner of our lives, and reads the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and minds so why cover-up?


MEDITATION
I am called to daily accountability to God now and not just an end- of-the-road reporting of my life's doings. This is to my advantage, in that I can quickly confess my faults, failings and sins and this off-loading saves me from building up guilt and the associated ills that surround the burden of condoning sin. In as much as we can let go, we can let God; account for our sin, pardon and renew us. How much wiser than trying to camouflage our misdeeds, and grievances?

Are we prepared for an honest facing-up to our responsibilities?The Bible offers us this encouragement, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

PRAYER
God, I find it easy to hide from my innermost self, and to gloss over my shortcomings. Please help me be honest. I confess my need just now.

Rigorous Honesty!

"Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

It appears that some people do not constitutionally seem capable of being honest. We can only treat them as unfortunates. Recovery from addiction can only begin when we face being honest with ourselves, and others, especially those within our support networks. Those who never make it are usually the ones who refrain from complete honesty. There is no immediate requirement of sudden outbursts of frank confession when we begin our new life of recovery. But we are destined to a life of honesty and it is here that many stumble. It is easier to choose a short-term period of self-revelation, than to maintain a close walk with God in which honesty is a priority claim. He knows every niche and corner of our lives, and reads the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and minds so why cover-up?


MEDITATION
I am called to daily accountability to God now and not just an end- of-the-road reporting of my life's doings. This is to my advantage, in that I can quickly confess my faults, failings and sins and this off-loading saves me from building up guilt and the associated ills that surround the burden of condoning sin. In as much as we can let go, we can let God; account for our sin, pardon and renew us. How much wiser than trying to camouflage our misdeeds, and grievances?

Are we prepared for an honest facing-up to our responsibilities?The Bible offers us this encouragement, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

PRAYER
God, I find it easy to hide from my innermost self, and to gloss over my shortcomings. Please help me be honest. I confess my need just now.