Welcome to a 2019! We all seek knowledge of God’s will for our lives (Step 11) but one of the things that I have realised over many years in recovery is after all the prayer, meditation and listening God’s will for our lives (mine anyway) usually becomes evident when I start to do something that moves me forward.
Someone told me a long time ago to “talk about what you know and you will know what you are talking about.” So armed with that and through conversation with the Holy Spirit this year I am going to focus on ‘The Twelve Steps’ of Living Life Recovery. During my conversation with the Holy spirit the following came to me: “Secular recovery says HALT but Jesus says GO!”
The HALT they are talking about is to not get to Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired and whilst I understand the need for balance in our emotions as we go through the process of recovery and grow spiritually I also understand that are all human emotions that God put within us to help us to understand ourselves, others and this world we live in.
So today I want to look at what the Bible says about these four himan emotions;
HUNGER
I want to begin by looking at what the Bible says about ‘Physical Hunger‘
Don’t Be Lazy
A lazy man sleeps soundly—and he goes hungry! Proverbs 19:15
We have all heard the saying ‘no gain without pain’ Recovery is not always easy.’ Admitting our lives are a mess and out of control is difficult for most, impossible for some but it is necessary in the recovery process if we want to move forward. Over my years in recovery i have heard people declare “I can do this without God!” But if you take God out of the Twelves Steps you are left with just this first step where you are in a mess, out of control and have no hope of achieving and maintaining recovery.
Look After Others
Feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink. Romans 12:20
Most of us during our times of addiction and compulsion have been unable to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. Right here at ‘Step One’ we need to make a conscious decision not only to pusrsue our own recovery but to also help others do the same.
Avoid Temptation
If anyone is really hungry he should eat at home so that he won’t bring punishment upon himself when you meet together. 1 Corinthians 11:34
‘If you sit in a barbers chair long enough you will get a haircut.’ ‘If you keep hanging around in groups that encourage sinful beahviour and attitudes you will end up back where you came from.’ we all know our triggers, even if we are not ready to admit and accept them yet but at sometime we are going to have to make a commitment to avoid them.
Spiritual Hunger
Through Our Faith God Will Do The Impossible
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies. He brought the exiles back from the farthest corners of the earth. They were wandering homeless in the desert, hungry and thirsty and faint. Psalm 107:2-5
Expect Him To Help
I faint for your salvation; but I expect your help, for you have promised it. Psalm 119:81
When We Expect Him To Help We Will Be Satisfied
What happiness there is for you who are now hungry, for you are going to be satisfied!
Luke 6:21
Jesus Is The Way To Recovery
Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. No one coming to me will ever be hungry again. John 6:35
ANGER
God Gets Angry When We Ignore The Truth
God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, evil men who push away the truth from them. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively; God has put this knowledge in their hearts. Romans 1:18-19
But He Still Loves Us
Jehovah is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of love. Psalm 145:8
Righteous Anger
Don’t Hold On To Anger ~ Let It Go
If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly; for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27
Resisting Anger
ACKNOWLEDGE ANGER AND PRAY
Lord! Don’t punish me in the heat of your anger. Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick.Psalm 6:1-2
Hear my prayers; listen to my cry, for my life is full of troubles, and death draws near. Psalm 88:2-3
Results of Anger
Anger Can Interfere With Our Relationship With God
“In mighty wrath I swore that they would never enter the Promised Land, the place of rest I planned for them.” Psalm 95:11
Anger Can Interfere With Us Getting The Help We Need
A short-tempered man must bear his own penalty; you can’t do much to help him. If you try once, you must try a dozen times! Proverbs 19:19
1 Timothy 2:8 “I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God,
free from sin and anger and resentment.”
James 1:20 “Anger doesn’t make us good, as God demands that we must be.”
LONELINESS
We Are Not Made To Be Alone
The Lord God said, “It isn’t good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs.” Genesis 2:18
You Can Pick Your Friends But You Can’t Pick Your Family
He gives families to the lonely. Psalm 68:6
God Is With Us Always
Be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
TIREDNESS
God Sees Your Pain
I am worn out with pain; every night my pillow is wet with tears. Psalm 6:6
He Will Respond Too It
I have wept until I am exhausted; my throat is dry and hoarse; my eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to act. Psalm 69:3
Not Always The Way You Expect Him To
Young man, do not resent it when God chastens and corrects you, for his punishment is proof of his love. Just as a father punishes a son he delights in to make him better, so the Lord corrects you. Proverbs 3:11
But Always For Your Benefit
God has come to save me! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and song; he is my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Galatians 6:9 Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will
reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
sharing my experience, strength and hope. 