My new year’s resolution is… or was (fill in the blank)…
Sound familiar?
Yes, it’s that time of year again. The
infamous New Year’s resolutions have started and/or have been broken by now. How
many of us feel “what’s the point?” Adding to that already negative experience,
those of us in recovery can often feel all the more hopeless pressure and
failure if we “resolved” to stop a behavior which relates to our addictions,
compulsions and disorders. Be honest: what did you swear you’d do or never do again?
So, we’re into a brand new year. Are
we already off to a disappointing start?
The old adage states a journey of a
thousand miles begins with one step. So, what does that say about each one we
take in this new year?
Some steps in the recovery journey are
steps of progress. But what hits us with devastation are those other steps,
right? Sometimes, in recovery, the step we’re taking feels like one of failure
or relapse. We may even feel like the best we can hope for is to trudge and
sink our footsteps into barren cold snow.
How are we to regard those
kinds of steps? As hopeless? As final? As paralysis? No. they are just as much
a part of progress as any victory, “good day,” or “good step.”
Motivational speaker, John Maxwell, wrote
a book on a wonderful concept to consider, especially in moments of failure and
relapse: “Failing Forward.”
Think about that.
In life, unfortunately, we often will
fail. Recovery is not immune from that failure reality either. But there is hope;
with each failure; whether you feel it or not, you and I are moving forward,
making progress. One of my favorite scriptures, encouraging me through many
dark, trying steps, has been that of 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“And we all, who with
unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed
into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is
the Spirit.”
Recovery means going from step to
step, glory to glory and even, sometimes failure to failure. But please know
that God’s in control of our every step, regardless of our feelings about where
we’re going. We are moving forward;
God is too wonderful to allow us to be left.
“I will never leave you nor
forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
It may be at a snail’s pace, this
progress we’re seeking. But that snail; gets a bad rap. A hugely inspiring
quote is from the 19th century English preacher, Charles H.
Spurgeon:
“By perseverance the snail reached the
ark.”
We need to keep that slow movement in
mind. Slow movement does not mean no
movement. And the end result for the snail was the goal, the ark. Did the snail
have obstacles, rough terrain and dangers along the way? Probably. Did that
stop the snail? No. The snail moved slowly, in small increments. As do we.
“For who has despised the day of small things? for they shall
rejoice..”.
Zechariah 4:10
Yes, progress seems slow, if it can be
even seen at all. You don’t see any positive results from all of your efforts,
tears and pain. You feel like you’re going nowhere, nowhere good, anyhow.
But there is meaning in this tiny,
gradual step each of us may be taking, whether it be in life, in recovery- or in both, at the same time.
Taking these tiny steps, one by one, does
have a cumulative effect. It builds upon our future and individual destinies.
And yes, that applies to the new year, resolution or no resolution.
We need to remember that God is our
loving Father, seeing us as His children. Because of that perspective, He’s always
helping and preparing us. It doesn’t matter if/when we fail or fall. He’s still
our loving Father, who desires to bless His children. In fact, scripture tells
us…
“So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those
who keep on asking him!”
Matthew 7:11
So, take that next step. Remember Jeremiah 29:11. It includes-
it never excludes- you!
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.”
It’s all in how we look at it. How
then, are we choosing to look at our recovery processes and our lives? Do we
see beauty, value and potential? Or do we see ugliness, worthlessness, failure
and a pointless existence? We can choose.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I
have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose
life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”
The fact is, just because we feel a
certain way, doesn’t mean that’s truly the way it is.
“When
I was a child, I spake as a child,I understood as a child, I thought as a
child:
but when I became a man, I put awaychildish things. For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face: nowI know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known.”
but when I became a man, I put awaychildish things. For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face: nowI know in part; but then shall I know even
as also I am known.”
1
Corinthians 13:11
We may feel hopeless or like a failure.
But those are feelings. God’s Word,
instead, is the Truth! And yes, once
again, here’s what God says about us:
“Since
you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”
Isaiah
43:4
“I
have chosen you and have not cast you away.”
Isaiah
41:9
“For
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace
and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah
29:11
Let’s see ourselves differently. We
may feel we are one way, but why limit ourselves to that, especially if it’s
harmful? God has more for each one of us than just our present situation,
perception and condition.
We’re in a brand new year right now.
What kind of step are you taking today in this new start? Whatever it may be,
please realize that it is one which is lovingly guided by God. Having a great
step today? Wonderful! Thank God for it! Having a struggling step or a
“failure” step today? Please recognize that God’s allowing it to move you to another place of victory, recovery,
success and help. You will get there; you ARE
getting there. Remember your journey, not just today’s step. There’s more to
your life, more to God in your life
than you realize!
Happy New Year! Have a wonderful,
healthy, grace-filled journey this next year and beyond, step by step.
Copyright © 2014 by Sheryle Cruse
No comments:
Post a Comment