Happiness - One Day at a Time

 Who doesn’t desire happiness? A peculiar question to ask. Yet, most people may not appear to fully achieve happiness. We may have a desire for happiness, talk about ways we are wanting to achieve a sense happiness; and yet, never seemed to possess happiness. That may be quite shameful.

Why is this? Many of us may not have a true understanding of happiness. It is not based on contingencies; the if’s and then’s.

If I get a better job, then I will be happy….

If I get a better car, then I’ll be happy…

If my spouse/partner listens to me…then I’ll be happy…

These if’s and then’s are the contingencies where we establish our expectations of happiness. Once achieved, we experience elation. However, it is short lived. Once the elation and happiness fades, we are back to our expectations and contingencies. Ever chasing and never achieving.

One is not able to make happiness a destination. We are only capable of creating happiness from our day-to-day commitment to mindful and purposeful living. The real way we experience and achieve happiness is to live one day at a time.

Here is the truth about happiness

To be happy, we do not place our expectations on those things we desire and want. It is not something that comes from luck or wealth. What we need to understand is this:

• We are happy from the joys we experience daily
• Our happiness and joy stem from the habits we form, and then how they form us
• It is difficult to move between happiness and sadness; however, they are both beneficial

Our daily lives become the product of our own process of self-actualization and transcendence. Whether we are focused on becoming better, or we are becoming worse. It is based on what we give ourselves over to. Allow me to provide some insights on the truth of happiness.

Seven steps toward genuine happiness

1. Make a commitment to grow and enjoy life where you stand: One of the greatest tragedies is people focusing too much on the past failures, mistakes, and regrets. Or they are to consume with what may or may not become; and fear any potential risks for growth down the road. Becoming mindful of the present moment and experiencing the intricate simplicity of the moment allows us to begin enjoying life in small ways. We begin to strive to do something that brings us a sense of worth, a sense of freedom, a sense of fun, and a sense of belonging. As we grow, we naturally start achieving our desires and have a better attitude of enjoying those advancements.
2. Value the process and the journey more than the destination: While setting SMART goals are a worthy venture (and how they lead us to successful growth), we do not want to get lost in the focus of our destination. Instead, we want to enjoy the journey and the process. Our own life is its own personal journey. Different life experiences and events help us with our decision making. However, it’s the very process of change and growth where we find joy and genuine happiness. We move from one stage to the next, stretching ourselves and taking calculated and necessary risk. We consistently improve.
3. Do not wait for inspiration and motivation: Procrastination is the poison to success and happiness. What we can put off for tomorrow may very well be what we can accomplish today. Happiness is not something we want on those “good days” where we have the energy to get much done. We give our best each day, regardless of how we may feel. This is where we learn to persevere.
4. Willingness and commitment to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity: It goes without saying, we only feel happy in those moments we experience pleasure. We crave pleasurable rewards and attempt to avoid unpleasurable experiences. Our society is about the instant gratifications – the “I’ve got to have it right now,” There is always a cost to our lives and the pleasures we want to experience. Chasing after our contingencies, we pay the price of loss opportunities and sacrifice self and others to only grasp happiness like elusive water in cupped hands.
5. Dream SMART and Big: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is oft quoted to say: “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” While it is good to dream big, we also want to be smart about how big our dreams are. They need to be specific in nature. They are to be measurable, achievable, result-focused by those outcomes measured and not activities pursued. Our dreams, and tied with our goals in achieving those dreams, are to be time-bound. This creates a sense of urgency and are practical in nature to secure success and happiness.
6. First things first – Priorities matter: Happiness occurs in the day-to-day moments when we remember the more important priorities. Stephen R. Covey related a story of a professor who utilized an illustration of a gallon jar, rocks, gravel, sand, and water. If we place the large rocks in first, we can then shift in the gravel, sand, and water. If we do not, when it comes to fit the rocks in, there may be no room. Planning our priorities takes simple time management skills. We manage our time and all things we engage in are done with purpose and meaning. Our time is structured, yet fluid and flexible. Time is our most valuable commodity.
7. Surrender illusion of control: Rami Shapiro, in Sacred Art of Recovery, states that our greatest desire is for happiness, however, our greater weakness is control. Bill W. (Co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) is also quoted as saying we need to stop playing God. The truth is: For us to grew and experience genuine happiness, we are to let go of our illusion of control. We also realize our greatest fear is our inability to overcome any obstacle we may be faced with. Much of the time, we will also experience opportunities to let go of those things we value for greater things of greater value. This requires faith and courage. We always want to trade up, never trade down or settle.

Life is met for growth and improvement. These seven principles help us keep in mind the path of our journey.

All religious ideologies have idiosyncratic beliefs that may lead a person toward self-actualization and transcendence. It is up to our own self-dedication to those spiritual principles and truths that determine whether we are growing. If we are meant to improve from day to day, then we are able to experience growth, achieve success, and experience genuine happiness.

Some days, we may experience elation and pleasure, yet other days may require stalwart discipline and focus to maintain our focus.

Recognition may come slowly. We do not want to be faint of heart. The more we work at focusing on being mindful, purposeful, and intentional each day, we are growing. The recognition will eventually come. Our focus is to maintain our overall sense of joy that produces our genuine sense of happiness.

It is when we shift our attitude and perception from what we want to accomplish to how we are choosing to live out our life day to day. Genuine happiness is waiting for you to make the first move.

Return Good for Reproach

 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake

~ Matthew 5:11 ~

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One of the challenges facing each of us are those who continue to be torn with hate. They despise the turning and transformation of our lives toward health and wellness. They revile against our recovery and progress we are making. They may even manufacture and spread falsehoods - which there is not a shred of truth. Yet, we continue to move forward in our journey through recovery. Even when people are prone to speak of our past mistakes, hurts, and Hangups. Recovery teaches us to be kind to ourselves and toward others. They despise us for the change we are making because they are unwilling to face the truth of their own powerlessness and unmanageable life.

We draw sweet comfort from our allies, from our Higher Power, and those whom we align with in sober support meetings. Our desire is to focus on the present. We have moved beyond our past failings, removed ourselves from unrealistic expectations of what the future may hold. Our recovery is not about proving to others we are capable of changing. Our recovery is about focusing on how we are changing toward a sober lifestyle.

Let us continue to go forward and return good for those that may reproach us. We continue to be helpful and generous with our kindness and generosity.

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Today's Thoughtful Meditation

I realize that people, whom I've associated with in the past, may revile against me and my recovery journey. I shall not bend ear toward their hatred for the progress and change I am making. My recovery is my own personal journey and through the grace and mercy of my Higher Power, I will continue to move forward in kindness toward self and others.

Growing in the Light of Recovery

 

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That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter....

~ Doctrine and Covenants 50:24 ~

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Our recovery is about growth and development. It is a march that leads to maturity, peace, and freedom. It is a profound challenge for any person to take on and journey through. We are to continually learn to rely on our Higher Power, on our allies that are supportive of our own journey. The light provides illumination in our own lives.

We've spent so long in the darkness of our own suffering and captivity that we initially squint at the evading light of truth and reality. And yet, we realize that our darkness is the very absence of light. As we grow and strengthen in our own recovery journey, we are growing in light and truth. We increase our own light in order to shine in the lives of others who are suffering.

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Today's Thoughtful Meditation

As I continue to rely on my Higher Power and support for my own journey, I realize I am growing in light and truth. I find greater peace and harmony with myself, others, and life. My light shines forth and illuminates my path daily.

Possessing Right Convictions

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 In this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right.

~ Gordon B. Hinckley ~

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Standing a little taller in our recovery requires our voice. It requires us to make a testimony of rescuing our own lives from a physical, emotional, and spiritual shipwreck that substance use has caused. It requires us to possess the right convictions.

Our problems never cease. They do not go away. Regardless of whether we are actively drinking or using. Nor do they subside as we engage in recovery. We are constantly threatened by daily challenges. Therefore, we stand taller and rise above complacency. We have a unique vantage point. Our point of view is moving toward that which is right for us and our recovery.

For us, we become involved, invested, and speak with a strong presence and voice for that which is right for our own sanity. We stand for freedom, and we stand for those who still suffer and struggle in their own powerlessness.

It is through our daily disciplines, our daily choosing of the right, and our daily struggles that we are able to succeed in finding freedom. Above all, we choose to possess the right convictions that continually sustain our sense of freedom.

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Today's thoughtful meditation

I have committed to possessing the right convictions for my own life and recovery. I speak with truth and peace of mind that I am working to overcome and strive for freedom in my own life. I become a voice that rises above anything that is mediocre or indifferent. I've gain freedom from the shipwreck my substance use had caused.

Beware of the Evils of Selfishness

 

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All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way ...

~ Isaiah 53:6 ~ 

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All of our troubles, dysfunctions, illusions, and what brings us back to using is selfishness. It is a vicious preoccupation with our own comforts and with our own means to satisfy our own appetites. We need to be aware of the evils of our own selfishness.

It is interesting that many scripture passages use the term "sheep". Even Jesus Christ refers to himself as the "good shepherd."

Sheep are not survivors. They are not like any other animal. They lack direction, they are not smart, and they certainly are defenseless. Like sheep, we come to realize that we are not survivors, we are directionless, and we are defenseless. When it comes to fight, flight, or posture, sheep merely gather around other sheep and run, with panic, in circles.

Given the right situation, without guidance, direction, and a strong defense, we succumb to the wiles of the coyotes of the world. This is the reality of being a sheep. The danger of our own selfishness is a return to a place where we are dumb, directionless, and defenseless.

By surrounding ourselves with others, we learn, gain wisdom and insight. By following our Higher Power, we are not left without direction, nor are we left defenseless in those times of need.

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Today's thoughtful Meditation

I will continually be aware of the evils of my own selfishness and keep myself within support of other people. There, I will find direction, meaning, purpose, and be able to have a strong defense when the coyotes of my addiction come to feed.

Having Become Meek and Humble

 

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Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth

~ Matthew 5:5 ~

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Many people share their stories of brokenness. How their substance use caused significant loss in their relationships with family, co-workers, loss of employment, loss of health, and even loss of one's freedom. They refer to this moment of awakening to spiritual destitution, reproach, and decay as their "rock bottom." In some ways, a person may express it in this manner:

It was not until I hit rock bottom that I realized I had a problem

Whatever your personal rock bottom is, it was the motivating factor to bring about change. It is what motivated you to engage in recovery. However, what we do not understand (and for that matter, realize) is that our rock bottom really is the catalyst that brought us to a place of humility and meekness. Because of our significant loss and negative impact substance use has had on our lives; we were brought to a place of being humble.

The blessings of our recovery come when we exercise strength through our Higher Power and come under His control. We demonstrate the grace, the mercy, and the love of our Higher Power as we recognize our need and dependence on His wisdom. It is through our experience of rock bottom that we have come to the end of our own self will and desire and realize we have a greater power invested in rescuing us. We need only to submit to His will. To do this, we are humbled and meek.

Meekness also means that we become gentle and kind toward our own sense of being. We are gentler and kinder towards others. Not by our own volition. Through the kindness and gentleness and grace our Higher Power invests within our own soul.

We also, through our own meekness and humility, come to recognize what we are capable of changing and what is beyond our control to change. Through it, we gain wisdom and courage:

God, Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

What we inherit, by turning and trusting in our Higher Power (as we may understand), is the abundant life and experience this world may offer to us. We inherit blessings of strength, courage, ability to bring under control our own sense of emotional and well-being. We may start inheriting good health and wellness. Through meekness and humility, we also inherit healthy relationships with other people. Our own finances may bless us with the means to maintain a healthy and economic lifestyle. Even our own since of spirituality increases and we inherit richer and more fulfilling spiritual growth.

The challenge is to remain in a state of humility and meekness, lest pride brings us back to what may cause our own downfall.

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Today's Thoughtful Meditation

I will focus on what brought me to a place of humility and develop a life based on being gentle and kind toward self and others. Through my own experience, it was not the fall that mattered, nor the negative consequences from my substance use: What matters is my ability to extend out toward my Higher Power and regain my life back through his control and mercy and grace.

The Value of Good Books

 

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Seek ye out of the best books, words of wisdom

~ Doctrine and Covenants 88:118 ~

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Good books are as friends, willing to give to us if we are willing to make a little effort

~ Gordon B. Hinckley ~

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The best investment one ought to make is finding those books that inspire, empower, and focus on personal and spiritual growth. When we think of reading, we mostly think of reading something that entertains us. We read mysteries, romance, general/literary fiction, and westerns. These help with distracting us. And there is nothing wrong with this.  However, we also want to read to learn, to improve our ability to grow mindfully and spiritually. We seek out books that inspire and provide wisdom and insight.

What we read may very well reflect how we relate and understand the external world. I propose that we read a variety of books. Fiction and Non-Fiction. Read something that may challenge your present way of thinking. And, read mindfully. Mindful reading helps us develop better assimilation of the information we are processing. This is true when we are reading something that may not conform to our present worldview.

Not only are we reading to learn, but we are also developing our own literary taste by spending some time alone and enjoying a good book. No television, no internet and social media. Just a good book, a cup of coffee, and some time exploring new worlds and destinations.

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Today's thoughtful Meditation

I will begin reading books that provide insight, inspiration, and empowerment as part of my ongoing recovery process. Through mindful reading, I will continue to stand a little taller.

Choose the Right Always

 Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love. 

~ Doctrine and Covenants 6:20 ~

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As we continue to stand a little taller in recovery. As we begin to embrace our journey and work toward a healthy lifestyle; we come to realize that choices are placed before us. We want to be true to our convictions. We now understand what is right and what is wrong. We know what we are doing. Recovery is the proper thing that begins to restore us to sanity. We discover our strength to engage in the right cause. Therefore, we want to be diligent, faithful, and true. This only comes when we choose the right, always.

Latter-day saint youth, and adults, sing a beautiful (and simple) song:

Choose the right when a choice is placed before you. In the right, the Holy Spirit Guides; And its light is forever shining o'er you, when in the right your heart confides. 

(Chorus)

Choose the Right! Choose the Right! let wisdom mark the way before. In its light, choose the right! And God will bless you evermore.

The choices we make determine the path we take through recovery. Our decisions either are moving us toward healing, wholeness, and overall wellness; or it is leading us back toward destruction, addiction, and unhealthy living. We grow in wisdom as we consistently make the right choices. We confide and walk within the light of grace and truth our recovery brings. We find blessings in ways we may never have fathomed.

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Today's Thoughtful Meditation

I am committed to my recovery program by choosing the right always. Recognizing that my decisions have an impact on my life, and the life of those around me. As I progress forward, striving to stand a little taller, I will make a consistent habit of making right choices.

 

Pursuing Hard After God

 Authentic Christianity begins with one main experience: pursuing hard after God. What does it mean to pursue hard after God?

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My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me

~ Psalm 63:8, ESV ~

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A. W. Tozer writes:

We pursue God because, and only because, He first put an urge within us that spurs us to to the pursuit (The Pursuit of God, 2013).

We approach the Sovereign creator because he first calls us into relationship with Him. Not of any good we have done in our own lives. He regenerates us by creating a new heart and gives us a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). We are drawn to Christ because it is God who draws us (John 6:44). Tozer continues:

...it is by this very prevenient drawing that God takes from us every vestige of credit for the act of coming. The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after Him; and all the time we are pursuing Him, we are already in His hand...

This idea of pursuing God requires we hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). It is our genuine response to what has already occurred in our own lives. We cultivate a genuine and personal relationship with the Savior because of God's grace in that while we were yet sinners, Christ had died for us (Romans 5:8).

Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know him. ... The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is ... not the end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart's happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead (Tozer, 2013).

Are you pursuing hard after God? Have you experienced the power of God's sovereign grace in your life and received a new heart and spirit whereby you hunger and thirst after His righteousness? Have you truly been saved and been born-again by the simple message of the Gospel and have truly received Christ as your Savior? Where do you stand in relation with God?

The days are growing short, the time is almost at hand. Come unto Christ and know that through God, we receive eternal life because he sent His only Son to die for each and every one of us. Through Christ, we receive forgiveness of our sins, and it is through Christ we may enter into the Kingdom of God.

 

How Opposition is Beneficial to an Authentic Christian Life

 For it must needs be, there is an opposition in all things ~ 2 Nephi 2:11

... it is as necessary that we should have difficulties to contend with, in order to make intelligent provision for our spiritual concerns, as it is that we should have the winter frosts and stormy weather to enable us to make discreet provision for our temporal necessities.

(Benefits of Opposition: Richards, Franklin D. Provo, Utah April 4, 1886).

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We live in a very fragile and vulnerable world. At any given moment, tragedy may strike us unannounced - leaving us devastated with great loss and mourning. Others struggle with vices they are no longer able to control. Still, many find themselves isolated, alone, and wondering if anyone truly cares. Each one of us are battling our own demons and face our own struggles. We question, become angry, and feel weighted down by these challenges. We are wrestling alone and in silent.

As Christians, we understand that there are going to be trials we will face. Through these trials, our faith will be increased.

How then does opposition benefit us? We know the reality of our fallen world. We know there is sin. We know that there is exposure to various trials and temptations. We understand that because of our fallen world, many have turned away from Christ. For us as Christians, there is peace and hope that many others are not fully aware of or are understanding toward.

This does not mean that we will have an easy life. This does not mean that we will not face our own struggles. What this means is how we are anchored in knowing that through these trials we are walking through, there is peace and sustaining support from our beloved Savior. If only we turn to him, even with very little faith, he will help us through those storms and those struggles.

 

Hungering and Thirsting after Sobriety

 

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Addiction is an appetite of desire. Its powerful grip holds the individual captive. Our most inner drive moves us to hunger and thirst after alcohol and/or drugs. The greater our hunger and thirst, the deeper we sink into the abyss. In order to recover from this, hold our addiction has on us, we must begin to thirst and hunger after sobriety. The appetite for alcohol and/or drugs compels us to satisfy those cravings that we have developed. Today's thought, therefore, focuses on the nature of how we must learn to develop a thirst and hunger for sobriety:

If we're going to stay sober, we've got to learn to want something else more than we want to drink. ... we couldn't imagine wanting anything else so much or more than drinking. So, we had to stop drinking on faith, on faith that someday we really would want something else more than drinking. But after ... we learn that a sober life can really be enjoyed. We learn how nice it is to get along well with our family, how nice it is to do our work well whether at home or outside how nice it is to try to help others. Have I found that when I keep sober, everything goes well for me?

How do we then begin to develop a thirst and hunger for sobriety? The answer depends on how we have first come to terms with the reality and severity of our addiction. It also comes to acknowledging the length of our journey from the abyss our addiction brought us into. However, once we have acknowledged and accepted the reality of our own powerlessness over alcohol and/or drugs, we begin to make our way toward sobriety. We begin to disassociate ourselves from those that continue to use. Our desire is to no longer "hang" with those type of people. Developing healthier relationships with others in their own journey through the recovery process will become the barometer by which we utilize as an empowering force to propel us forward.

Along the way, we also discover our hidden talents, or re-discover those talents we had long since abandoned. We begin to grow, become healthier and humbled in our own experiences and how we are progressing toward a more meaningful and balanced lifestyle. Our addiction begins to crumble as we develop a new thirst and hunger for a healthy sober lifestyle.

Recovery is an Intensive Spiritual Battle

 Put on the whole Armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

~ Ephesians 6:11-12 ~

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Recovery is an intense battle one will face. It is a battle for our minds, for our bodies, and for our very soul. Between active sobriety and active addiction, we come to embrace the truth or continue to live in our lies and dishonesty. Our Higher Power on one side and our powerful Satan (adversary/opposing one) on the other side.

For this reason, we need to stand a little taller where we stand on the principles of recovery and change. We are to be involved in the process that moves us through a transformation. Otherwise, we submit our lives and our will over to the power of our addiction.

What does our armor of recovery look like? If we involve ourselves with treatment, with attending recovery based sober support meetings, seeking out healthy mentors, and learning from them, developing and utilizing necessary tools, we are engaged in ways to protect ourselves at that time when we are called to battle.

The first element of our Armour is truth. Active substance use brought us into a life of deception, illusions, and lies. We break free from our denial's and recognize the first element of truth: I have become powerless over my substance use and the negative impact this has had on my life.

This occurs when we gird up our loins with truth. This means we are preparing and strengthening ourselves for what is to come.

The second element of our Armour is the breastplate of righteousness. The purpose of this breastplate is to protect our vital organs. In the koine Greek, we find that this refers to the justness or justice that comes in the form of protection against those who may speak wrongly of us. It protects our hearts from false accusations. Through recovery, we find justice and we find our lives, through recovery, acceptable.

The third element is that of our feet being shod. The twelfth step shares how we carry our message to the one who is suffering. In battle, there are obstacles that may injure a soldier's feet. Being prepared for any obstacles that may cause one to lose footing helps one maintain recovery. We also carry the message, our story, to others who may find themselves suffering from substance use.

The fourth element of our Armour is the shield of faith. Our faith in our recovery, in others, in ourselves, and most assuredly in our Higher Power helps us extinguish the fiery darts of the adversary. These come as doubts, people who attempt to enable us to return back to substance use. In Ancient Rome, the Roman Soldier's shield covered most of his body.

The fifth element of our recovery Armour is the helmet. This protects our most critical and viable part, our head. This is the seat of our mind, where our thoughts and emotions stem from. We begin protecting ourselves from those thoughts that may bring doubt, may enable us to engage in adverse behavior. We won't be protected from our own feelings (as they are natural human emotions); however, we will experience protection from managing and being aware of our own thoughts and feelings in order to protect ourselves from engaging in adverse behavior.

Finally, the last element of our Armour is the very sword we wield. This is the only offensive weapon that makes up our Armour. This is the sword that penetrates deep, it is the spirit of truth. Our words speak life or death. When we use it appropriately, our truth comes out and penetrates those we come in contact with. When engaged in battle, we use our truth, our story, as a means to defend and attack any and all things that may come as threat against our recovery and sobriety.

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Today's thoughtful meditation

I will remember to put on the full Armour that is needed. As, I realize that my recovery requires me to engage in battle against those things that come as a threat to my recovery and sobriety. I stand with courage and faith that I will strive toward sobriety, fully engaged in facing down my fears, my doubts, and my own illusions.

 

 

Spiritual Maturity through the Steps

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One of the greatest blessings is working with people who suffer addiction. Sitting in counsel with them and discussing presenting issues they are facing. And, coming up with a means to provide support, encouragement and hope for them is a very unique opportunity. An opportunity to see how a life transforms over time to where they become healthier individuals. I relate to my clients the following:

Recovery is not about abstaining from the use of alcohol and/or drugs. Recovery is about how one lives in a moment-to-moment of transformation from an active addictive lifestyle to an active sober lifestyle.

This is very true in Christianity. We are literally transforming our lives from the old life and living in a manner that produces a whole new life. A life that is centered on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. It is abandoning and moving away from old habits, thought processes, how we relate to others and what we come to believe and value in life.

One of my own personal struggles has always focused on "I believe in God, yet do not seem to see my life really changing to reflect what I know and believe to be true." Disappointment and frustration arise.

This all changed when I personally began to study the practical meanings of the 12-steps of recovery (originally developed for Alcoholics Anonymous). My purpose in studying the practical meanings behind the steps was to better educate and inform my clients a way to utilize these as tools for their recovery. Through this process, God has spoken to me and revealed to me what I've been missing all these years.

Approaching the steps - not from a recovery standpoint, however, from a spiritual application - a greater sense of inspiration has come about. This, I would like to share with my readers as a means to provide another tool that will hopefully develop a greater sense of authentic Christian living in their lives. In fact, the first statement in step twelve is this:

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps....

This is the heart of the Christian message and biblical worldview - to come to a place of spiritual awakening through Jesus Christ and to become living sacrifices through Him. It is a process that occurs throughout our entire lives. It is not something that occurs overnight.

Yes, we are saved by God's sovereign grace. Nothing in this life will earn our place in Heaven. And it is God who chooses us while we were yet sinful. However, there is greater work to be done in our lives from the moment of regeneration and justification. That begins at the moment we confess our belief in Christ Jesus and receive him as our own personal Savior.

If you have struggled with how to become spiritually mature as a Christian, struggling with sin, or simply finding yourself lacking in faith, then I ask for you to carefully read and ponder these thoughts and do what you are able to implement them in your life today. These steps were developed in the 1930's and many people have found hope by working these steps continually in their lives. I believe we are able to find greater hope in working these steps in our own spiritual lives as we continue to come unto Christ and follow after him.

Our Chief Endeavor

 

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If you were asked what the chief endeavor of the Christian life is - how may you answer? It is a strange phrase to begin with. Chief Endeavor, what does that entail? It simply means, the foremost goal we desire to achieve in the Christian life. And what is this foremost desire of our hearts? It is to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ. It is the pinnacle truth of the Christian message: He that followeth me, walketh not in darkness (see John 8:12)

It is not merely believing in Christ, Jesus for our salvation. It is not even confessing Him as our Lord and Savior (Yes! These are essential and important truths of the Gospel Message). What distinguishes Christians is the very act of imitating His life and manners as a result of believing in Christ and confessing Him as our Lord and Savior.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become enlightened to this simple and yet wonderful truth. It is where we receive sustenance from the Lord. This is because, through the Spirit of Christ, we are affected in a manner in which our lives are completely transformed. As we come to understand the words of Christ, we desire to conform our lives to mirror his life wholly and completely.

All other things become vain. King Solomon remarked, through his own personal experience, that all one endeavors to accomplish in life is nothing but vanity. The only truth, and a very profound and simple truth at that, is two things: Fearing God and Obedience to the commandments of God.

We are either driven to achieve the honors, wealth, and satisfy the desires of our present human existence; or we are driven to walk faithfully with our heart set on the Kingdom of God. Either we lose the favor of the Lord over our lives, or we gain his favor through grace by obedience and walking in humility after the manner in which Christ lived out his life.

Consider the Teachings

 

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~ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things ~ 

2 Timothy 2:7, KJV

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Whether it is listening to a favorite Christian broadcast, sermon, or a daily devotion - immersion into the word of God is not merely a chore to be accomplished. It requires sincere time of meditation in which we consider the words we hear or read. This is what the Apostle Paul was instructing Timothy on. Our understanding of the scriptures, of the teachings, and of those things pertaining to the kingdom of God come about when we first consider the teachings. 

What does it mean to consider? What are those things we are to consider? How does our consideration bring understanding from the Lord? Let us briefly explore.

Consideration - A Spiritual Mindset

The first principle of this is that of meditation. Psalm 1:2 shares that a man of God is blessed when he meditates day and night on the teachings (law) of God. When we look to receive blessings, we realize they come upon our time of reflection on what is being taught.

In addition to meditating upon God's word, we also come to a place where consideration has purpose in chastisement. One of the purposes of scripture is to correct. Not just the way we believe, the way we are living our lives.

Deuteronomy 8:5 says: "Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee" (KJV).

In the Hebrew, chasten is yasar, this means to discipline and admonish. Like a father may discipline and admonish his son, so also shall our God discipline and admonish us as we strive toward spiritual perfection.

Consideration of the Past

What makes each individual unique is their own past experience? Going further, the past experience and lives of those who have lived before us. Deuteronomy 32:7 provides this insight:

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. (KJV)

We learn from our elders and inherit their legacy of faith. Taking into consideration of not only our past, the past history of humanity and the teachings, experiences, and the faith exemplified in the many lives of men and women of God; we come to learn a great deal.

Consideration of the end of life

As Christians, we look forward to that blessed hope of standing before Jesus Christ. We come to know that this life has purpose and meaning. That purpose and meaning is to enter into an eternal rest.

Keeping with Deuteronomy, we read the following:

O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! (Deut. 32:29, KJV).

We are not only considering our past and the legacy of those who have come before us, we are also to consider and come to understand the legacy we also will leave behind for those who will come after us.

Consideration of God's Providential Blessings

We merely do not reflect on the words of God, the teachings inspired by His Holy Word; we are also tasked with the consideration of His providential blessings over our own lives. 1 Samuel 12:24 shares this: "Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you." (KJV). By reflecting on the blessings we have received, we come to understand God with a praise of gratitude.

When we begin to consider the things of God, we come to understand God's wonderful works (see Job 37:14). We also come to understand God's divine interest in mankind (see, Psalm 8:3-4). We also come to see how we develop a disappointment toward a worldly life (see, Haggai 1:6). We are to learn from nature as well (see, Matthew 6:28-29). More importantly, we are to consider the matchless life of Jesus Christ, (see Hebrews 12:3).

If we are to truly come to understand the things of God, we must take the time to consider all things in relation to God.

 

Becoming Wise

 

What matters most is what sort of person you are becoming. Wise individuals care only about whom they are today and who they can be tomorrow

~ Epictetus ~

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We must live by those lessons of the recovery life in order to become wise. Wisdom is not something that springs up overnight. Learning wisdom is a process that helps us begin to see life objectively and to handle life with healthy stability.

Do we continually seek after recovery and sobriety where we are able to learn wisdom? If so, we come to continually rely on our Higher Power that is the source of wisdom. We are to engage in seeking worthy mentors that are healthy, carefully listen to their insights, and begin associating with those who are working a healthy recovery program.

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Whoever walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. 

~ Proverbs 13:20, ESV ~

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When we focus on continually walking with our higher power, associate with others in recovery, we will begin to find wisdom. This leads us to become a blessing to our friends, our family, and within our community. We start living a recovery life that is above reproach.

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Today's Mindful Meditation

I will seek wisdom through association with others in recovery, working my own recovery program, and continually walking in relationship with my Higher Power.

At Peace with your Purpose

 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

~ Proverbs 3:6-8, NASB ~

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Are you at peace with the direction of your recovery and healing? Perhaps, you may be desiring new directions, or finding a renewed sense of purpose in your life. Let these things not rob you of genuine peace that comes through a personal relationship with your Higher Power. If you are a Christian, we come to know the true peace that comes through our relationship with Jesus Christ. For others, genuine peace may come from their concept of God as they understand.

If you are rushing after the illusion of peace and happiness, that seems promising, one will not find fulfillment, nor, feel satisfied. When we began our journey of recovery; we were not merely learning to live a life free of our addiction. We are reclaiming a spiritual birthright that brings inner peace. A peace that only comes from God.

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That peace, which has been described and which believers enjoy, is a participation of the peace which their glorious Lord and Master himself enjoys

~ Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) ~

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With this peace, we begin to experience harmony. A tranquil state of the soul where we have assurance of our freedom from the captivity of our addiction. We come to feel contentment with our lot in life. We find security in our relationships that are healing, we come to be at peace with others, experience prosperity in our lives (as we are beginning to grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and financially); And we find safety in our purpose of recovery.

Above all else, as we continually submit our will and life over to God, we find healing in our mind, body, and spirit. It is through Him we are able and capable of overcoming.

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Today's mindful meditation

I will continue to exercise faith in God, knowing He is directing me and guiding me through my journey. By doing so, I am reclaiming my spiritual birthright to experience inner peace and harmony with my self and others. For as I know, He works through me to overcome each day of my journey.

Daily Choices Affect my Recovery

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

~ Alma 37:8 ~

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I met a gentleman a few months ago. We both were taking public transportation and we engaged in an interesting conversation. The main take away of this conversation focused on his personal belief around choices. I recall him saying, "Decisions, decisions, decisions, decisions." The context of this focused on how we make choices that bring us to certain situations in life. And he is correct.

If you attend any sober support meeting, you become familiar with the sayings: One Step at a Time, One Day at a Time, Easy Does it. These are a small sampling of what one may hear. Recovery is a course in one's live that is seldom determined by any great, life-altering decisions. How we direct our life, as we are living in recovery, is often determined by the small, day-to-day decisions we make.  This is the very substance of living in recovery - our ability to make choices. 

Through our small and simple choices, we make to engage in maintaining a program of recovery, maintaining abstinence, and engaging in a life where we begin to find meaning and purpose, greater things begin to happen whereby we achieve sobriety and a transformed life: A life of meaning, purpose, and overall health and wellness.

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Today's Thoughtful Meditation

I will be aware of how my daily choices align with what I believe and value as I continue my journey through recovery. Knowing that these small day-to-day decisions are charting my own track on which I run.

 

 

 

Family Relationships

 See that ye love one another.... learn to impart one to another

~ Doctrine and Covenants 88:123 ~

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As we continue our journey through recovery, standing a little taller each day, we come to realize that part of our recovery is to restore family relationships. Because of our active substance use, we want to rely on our family to help support us. It is critical for one's recovery to have healthy and supportive relationships. 

We begin to heal and mend ourselves, while we are learning to heal and mend those fragile and broken relationships with our family. It takes time. In order to improve our relationships, we want to remember that our commitment to recovery is for our own good and not the good of others. This self-awareness of our own recovery being our own desire and commitment is what keeps us grounded and focused on living in recovery daily. Through our established routines, and consistencies, our family will begin to be receptive in rebuilding the broken relationship.

Another key component is building open lines of communication. This is something one may learn in treatment, or through family and/or individual therapy. Utilizing active listening skills, deepens our emotional and intimate connections with family members. This helps us share our own feelings and emotions in a healthy manner. We also share optimism, hope, and gratitude.

Recovery is a definite selfish adventure and process (because we are focused on ourselves), however, that does not mean we forget to nurture family relationships. By developing family rituals and traditions, we begin to reconnect, restore, and rebuild. We want this time to be meaningful.

Through empathy, we begin to consider another person's viewpoint. Learning to be slow to anger and utilizing empathy, we construct bridges of understanding. This requires our own ability to take responsibility for how we feel and managing our own emotions.

Finally, as we move through the process of restoring our family relationships, learning to love one another, and learning to impart one to another, we are finding ways to be of service through small acts of kindness. As we display concern and care toward our family members, we are building on a foundation of trust, intimacy, and respect. We grow sensitive to the needs of others and willfully help them with no expectations of reciprocation.

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Today's thoughtful meditation

As I continue to focus on my recovery, I will begin to work on bringing healing and restoration to my family relationships where I am able to develop and sustain trust and intimacy. They are my allies and are there to help support me through this process. I am there to help support them through their own healing process.

Lost Art of Speaking Kindly

 There is a deep-rooted problem in society today.

It appears that many people in our society have lost the art of speaking kindly to one another. Sure, there are probably small pockets of decent humanity where the art of speaking kindly is a delicatessen. However, in general, we seemed to have forgotten the importance of how we speak with others. This has a significant impact. And, majority of the time, we make up foolish excuses as to reasons we do not speak kindly to others.

In my early twenties, I had a gentleman counsel me. His words still ring true today. He remarked how people have an emotional bank account. With any bank account, we want to make sure that we always make enough deposits. If we do not, and we take too much money out, the account becomes overdrawn.

Today, we seemed to be making more withdrawals than we are making deposits.

And not only are we making significant withdrawals from other individuals, but we are also making significant withdrawals from our own emotional bank accounts.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

The lost art of speaking kindly to one another, and to our own self, starts with how we come to understand the way we treat self and others.

We begin to speak kindly too ourselves

This is important because we want to consider how we treat ourselves first. How we treat ourselves stems from how we speak to ourselves. Once we understand how we speak and treat our own personage, we begin to realize how we speak and treat other people around us. We fail to grasp the extreme and rigid viewpoint of either being selfless or selfish.

How do we repair an emotional bank account that is overdrawn? We start making daily deposits until the account goes from being a negative balance to a positive balance. We keep going to ensure that there is enough to cover any possible withdrawal. Yet, most of us tend to walk away in the hopes of avoiding the negative. Unfortunately, we continue to carry the negative balance throughout our lives. However, when we stop running from our fears and emotions, we begin to embrace and take responsibility for how we feel, and what we are saying; we begin to heal by speaking kindly. 

This requires grace toward self-identity. And the more grace we show ourselves, the more we pour into speaking kindly, the outcome naturally follows to where we are capable of speaking kindly toward other people.

How we speak into other people's lives leaves a significant impression on them

People will not remember what we have done for them. They may even forget what was even said to them. As Maya Angelou teaches us, they will remember how we have influenced the way they felt. If we speak harshly, with condemnation and judgment, they will remember how they felt angered, hurt, betrayed, or frustrated. However, if we speak with thoughtful and genuine kindness, they will remember the comfort and peace it brought into their lives.

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace ~ Buddha

When we are speaking into people's lives, we are using a powerful influence to contribute something meaningful and purposeful; or we are exerting our powerful influence to injure and hurt another person. This is because our tongue has a significant power to speak life or death:

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ~ Proverbs 12: 18, ESV

Our words either tear someone down or are uplifting and comforting them.

8 simple principles to remember

First, we want to begin speaking thoughtfully toward ourselves, and then toward other people. We speak with validation. There is acknowledgement, compassion, and empathy in how we speak to self and toward others. Our words truly reflect and illuminate who we are.

Secondly, we want to be kind toward self and others when we speak. This does not mean we have to forfeit our need to be direct and assertive. We have the capacity to show kindness even when we are making a firm and direct stance.

We have the power to influence people through our kindness than we do in detracting them with unpleasant and unkind methods.

Third, we develop a genuine need to listen attentively. This requires some patience on our part. Instead of processing what we want to say next, we are failing to connect with and understand the conversation. Even our own body language shows whether we are speaking kindly or not. In those quiet moments where we tend to listen attentively in order to show kindness toward self and others.

The next principle requires the art of mindfulness. Speaking kindly to self and others requires our ability to reserve any form of judgment. We all have personal biased opinions. As human beings, we also have a proneness to be reactionary from an emotional viewpoint.  We like to say, think before you speak! Yet, how many of us follow this rule of thumb? By reserving our judgment, we are thoughtfully engaged in hearing what another person is saying. It is when we are consciously aware of their own humanity, we become more invested in the interaction with them.

Fifth, we want to be honest. We want to speak kindly by maintaining integrity. We want to speak with truthfulness with compassion - even when speaking truthfully maybe hurtful for self and others to hear. There is no pussyfooting around the mulberry bush; especially when we are engaged in a more serious conversation.

Sixth principle is to understand the need to consider the other person's opinion. Many times, we are speaking in a manner to prove our sense of right! Some years back, I had engaged in an innocent conversation over Excedrin. It involved my daughter's mother. I had mentioned that I lived with a gentleman who liked to chew on Excedrin tablets. His reasoning was because of the codeine contained in the medication. We engaged in a bantering debate. Inevitably, she pulled out a bottle of Excedrin and had me read the ingredients. Sure enough, I was wrong. The problem: I pushed the issue because I believed I was right, especially without evidence.

We want to value the other person's opinion and we want to be open and receptive regarding their opinion. Because, when we are speaking kindly with self and others, we may be open and receptive to new possibilities and opportunities we may not have considered.

One of the important things we want to consider is not to yell. When we raise our voice, whatever it is we say becomes irrelevant. We are no longer talking with other people; we are talking at them. We also have come to a place where we've lost control and the conversation becomes different, sometimes volatile. We want to be at a place of managing our emotions so that we are not becoming emotionally reactive. Once we are emotionally reactive, we may say things that upon later reflection, we might regret, or say something that may cause a serious withdrawal from their emotional bank account.

We want to ensure that we bring ourselves to calm, collect our thoughts, take ownership of our own feelings, and respond kindly that communicates our own frustration and emotional state.

Finally, we want to show our appreciation and gratitude. Nothing speaks more volumes of kindness and appreciation than a simple "thank you for your time," or "I appreciate the hard work you are doing."

Where do we go from here?

Each of us has an emotional bank account. When we speak kindly to ourselves, and toward other people, we are engaging in a lost art of conversation. We are empowering, lifting others up, and being a person of influence. And, as we engage in this lost art of society, the hope is that by our speaking kindly and gently toward self and others is the motivating factor to influence others to begin speaking kindly.

Seek After God in Prayer and Meditation

 

Whichever ye shall ask ... which is right, believing that ye shall receive behold it shall be given unto you. 

~ 3 Nephi 18:20 ~

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Exercising our faith in our higher power, we grow confident in knowing that through thoughtful prayer and meditation, we may receive counsel and guidance each day. This not only requires our faith in our Higher Power; it requires our faith in understanding and knowing that we may receive answers to our prayers on a daily basis. We come to expect genuine answers and guidance each day we engage in meaningful prayer. We also grow to expect the answers to come in simple ways, through other people, and in those quiet moments we spend time meditating.

The greatest, and most healthy, relationship we learn to cultivate is the one we establish through faith. Daily prayer and meditation are something we do in solitude. Each day, we come to seek answers, we find relief and strength to face our challenges and struggles, and through the course of our journey - we come to rely on the sweet and savory comfort of the counsel and wisdom our time of prayer and meditation brings into our lives.

Not only do we develop a healthy expectation of receiving answers and comfort from our higher power: our daily time in prayer and meditation provides an improvement to our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We find greater peace, greater sense of happiness and joy, and we become more resilient in our ability to face adversity.

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Today's thoughtful meditation

I will continue to seek God, as I understand him/her, through daily prayer and meditation. Having an expectation that he may answer me through various means as I continue to seek wisdom, counsel, and increase in faith through my journey.

Three Things People Need in Recovery

 

With the increase, and awareness, of the opioid crisis there is also the ever-increasing number of people coming into recovery and treatment. We must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way to wholeness and peace. Each person stands in need of three things for recovery to, not only be possible but, to be successful.

A Friend

Having someone in our life that helps us see things objectively, holds us accountable, and assists us in being motivated is wonderful. Yet, when we have someone that accepts us and appreciates us unconditionally goes further in how we approach and engage recovery.

Responsibility

Developing responsibility for our own life, our own thoughts, and our own feelings helps us move toward wholeness as we begin to realize we are the only person responsible for our own life. This includes our own recovery.

Higher Power

Having a higher power helps us refocus ourselves back onto what is more important. This is where we develop faith, receive wisdom and insight, and able to find empowerment to face obstacles and challenges in recovery.

Those who are in a healthy place, and working a healthy recovery program, has a duty to provide these things to those coming into their own path and journey from substance use.

Today's mindful meditation

I will focus on making new connections, taking responsibility, and continually seeking guidance from my higher power. 

 

Healing Power of Recovery

 Healing is a matter of time, but sometimes it is a matter of opportunity

~ Hippocrates ~

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One's journey through recovery is a powerful healing process that exists among those faithful, courageous, and committed to change. This does not happen overnight. As much as we want to find a quick solution to a deep spiritual problem; we are gradually healing one day at a time.

It begins the moment we come to realize our dependence on substances is the reason for our sickness. We call on those who are already in recovery, enter into treatment, seek help for our physical ailments, and venture to seek out spiritual counsel.  Abstinence teaches us how to sustain short term recovery. Sustained and long-term abstinence requires learning and growth toward an adaptive healing process of change.

We are to live in recovery by adopting healthier skill sets and awareness of moving toward a whole and fulfilling healthy lifestyle.

Recovery, therefore, involves our own participation in healthy and meaningful life activities. This is based on our identified values, interests, and beliefs. We are also mindful of our own present thoughts and feelings, managing them - even when they are seemingly disturbing and uncomfortable. As we are healing, we are also rediscovering (or discovering for the first time) who we are as individuals. This, hopefully, leads us toward conscious awareness as we begin to sustain balance in our lives.

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Today's thoughtful meditation

I will focus on my own process of healing, taking one day at a time, experiencing my own conscious awareness in order to continue to sustain balance and harmony.

The Power of Prayer and Meditation

  As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

~ Nehemiah 1:4, ESV ~

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Believe in the Power of prayer - it is real, it is wonderful, it is tremendous

~ Gordon B. Hinckley ~

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Prayer is not merely a religious act. It is a fundamental spiritual discipline that connects an individual to their Higher Power. Authentic and genuine prayer begins when our true self (soul) ignites with fresh fire and fresh wind to reach out beyond oneself. Our heart draws close to something more majestic, more meaningful, and more powerful. And people typically reach a point in crisis where they cry out to God. There are no atheists in foxholes.

As we move forward in our journey of recovery, prayer and meditation helps quiet the mind, helps us focus on what is present, and keeps us connected to our higher power. Through prayer and meditation, we find guidance, comfort, peace, and when we listen carefully in this quiet state - we hear the still small voice.

Nehemiah served in the kings' court and received a report of those who had escaped and were exiled from Jerusalem. This happened during the Babylonian captivity and the destruction of the first Temple. Upon the report, Nehemiah rent his cloak, wept greatly, and began fasting and praying. This was not something he did one time. The text reports Nehemiah prayed and fasted "...for days." 

In the early stage of recovery, we begin to awaken to the report of the brokenness our substance use has caused us. We find ourselves in exile, servants, and the brokenness of our own homes.  We are moved with great compassion for our own reproach and affliction. Through prayer and meditation, through fasting and seeking, we may find solace and peace.

Real prayer begins with the understanding of how we meditate and contemplate on what it is we are praying for. We speak with our higher power as we are speaking one toward another. Through faith, surrender, and hope, we may receive the counsel and guidance in our recovery and journey toward sobriety.

Prayer is a daily spiritual discipline and practice that requires humility. We pray, not for God to calm the storm of our unmanageable life, we pray for guidance in how to adjust our sails in order to navigate through the storm of an unmanageable life.

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Today's thoughtful meditation

Today, I will develop the spiritual discipline of praying, meditating, and fasting as I navigate the storms of my life. That is where I will find peace of mind, comfort, strength, courage, and counsel.

The Year of Cultivation of a New Life

 

The first week of 2018 is almost closing out. How far along in your new year's resolution changes have you fully committed too? It is not too late to make necessary steps toward change. It begins with making an honest commitment to begin moving towards intention, purpose, meaning, and conscious living. Make 2018 all about cultivating a new life.

This single moment of commitment stems from the deep sense of impulse of one's desire to grow and change. This authentic impulse yearns for each of us to expand, embrace our larger potential and means to influence others. However, many of us make good intentions of wanting to change, yet we never follow through on those intentions. All paths that lead to hell are paved with good intentions.

Hell, in this context, is misery, pain, inadequacy, and suffrage. We desire to change, however, lack the commitment and motivation to follow through with seeing ourselves changing, growing, and enlarging into better people. Our desire for change requires a serious commitment and motivation for change to happen. This is one key principle I share with my patients. This does not make the journey, or the process, toward change an easy path to follow.

Commitment leads to sacrifice based on our willingness

The beginning path of conscious living, where we have meaning and purpose, begins with the understanding of our own willingness to commit ourselves toward necessary change. This requires necessary sacrifices needed to begin transforming our lives. For the person whose new year's resolution is to begin exercising requires the willingness to commit to exercising. Requires the willingness to change one's diet and eating habits, and making the sacrifices of time, money, and personal change of habits. For the person whose new year's resolution is to quit smoking, the willingness and commitment toward tobacco cessation.

Our level of commitment is our level of willingness. Lower our level of commitment, the lower our level of willingness to make change happen. The higher our level of commitment, the higher our willingness to make change happen becomes. And our commitment comes with sacrifice. That, I believe, is what frightens people from making an effort toward change. Our very desire is our very fear.

Without motivation, our commitment and willingness are futile

The final truth is this: it is not about our intentions. It is not even about our commitment, willingness, and our needed sacrifices. It is about what motivates us to not only start our journey, to keep going through those difficult times while we are engaged in change.

A farmer does not look at his land and say, "this is too difficult." Instead, he sees the various possibilities the land has in producing a bountiful crop. He is committed to cultivating the land, making the necessary sacrifices, and is willing to spend each day nurturing and cultivating. His motivation? It's not the actual bounty of the harvest he may gain. His motivation is the process of each day working, tilling, planting, nurturing, and being focused on what he has accomplished for that day alone.

 

Faith Overcomes

 

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There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith

~ Gordon B. Hinckley ~

There are many presenting challenges the moment an individual begins traversing their journey through recovery. One faces many different obstacles. Challenges may seem difficult to face. Yet, it takes great courage and bold faith to overcome our obstacles and challenges. As we continue to remind ourselves three important truths:

• Because of our substance use, we are powerless, and our lives are unmanageable
• Since we are powerless and our lives are unmanageable, it takes something greater and more powerful to help us find restoration and peace in our lives
• We decide to turn our lives and our personal will (volition) over to our higher power

Faith is essentially that which we hope for and yet is unseen. We have faith that our lives will be restored, and we will eventually experience peace, joy, and have meaning and purpose. Our faith grows as we continue to learn to trust in our own Higher Power.

In Barnes Notes on the Bible, we find the following:

The mustard-seed was the smallest of all seeds. It has been supposed by some, therefore, that he meant to say, If you have the smallest or feeblest faith that is genuine, you can do all things. The mustard-seed produced the largest of all herbs. It has been supposed by others, therefore, to mean, If you have increasing, expanding, enlarged faith, growing and strengthening from small beginnings, you can perform the most difficult undertaking. There is a principle of vitality in the grain of seed stretching forward to great results, which illustrates the nature of faith. Your faith should be like that. This is probably the true meaning.

Ye shall say unto this mountain ... - Probably he pointed to a mountain near, to assure them that if they had such faith they might accomplish the most difficult undertakings - things that at first would appear impossible.

Recovery from substance use requires the smallest amount of faith. This small faith becomes powerful in the life of the individual. It is the essential truth of all religious and spiritual belief systems. It is essential to recovery as well.  Our faith begets hope, and our hope begets peace; whereby we begin to experience healing in our lives. That is what recovery is about - healing and restoring ourselves.

The greatest enemy to one's sobriety and recovery is this: Fear of our inadequacies to overcome obstacles and challenges we may face. Our greatest ally is faith in our higher power where we draw confidence and strength to face our obstacles and challenges.

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Today's Thoughtful Meditation

I will begin exercising the smallest amount of faith when facing the challenges and obstacles that may hinder me from moving forward in my own recovery.