A number of years ago I wrote a series called ‘The 40 Days of Recovery’ –Spiritual Foundations for Living Life in Recovery. My plan was that every year through my website I would share the 40 days of recovery for those starting out in recovery to help them to realize a relationship with Jesus Christ as our One True Higher Power is the only way I know to achieve, maintain and continually grow in Life Recovery. I don’t think I have ever finished a series on this website since it was written. Life got in the way. I 2020 I produced a number of podcasts, which I wish to share this year and hopefully add to encourage those in recovery searching for a way to discover and develop a personal relationship with Jesus and His way of achieving life transformation through putting our faith in Him.
Read: Exodus 40: 1-10
Step One: In the Living Life Recovery 12 Steps says, “I admit that my life is a mess and I am out of control.”
There is a lot of talk in recovery programs and rooms about the ‘WE’ through this series what I want to do and always wanted to do is to focus on the ‘ME’ What do I need to do to achieve, maintain, and grow spiritually?
Through many years of experience in the process of recovery, I can honestly say “There are a lot of people who want to take the glory when you are doing well.” “The same people will be the first to say ‘I TOLD YOU SO!’ when you relapse.” So right at the start of these 40 days, I want to say – depend on God ! He alone is the only reliable source I have discovered when it comes to recovery. He knows all about you. Knows all your bad habits and about your selfish ambitions to completing the recovery process and, He loves you anyway. When it comes to the recovery process:
I. GOD DEFINES WHEN THINGS BEGIN
Exodus 40:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Set up the holy tent, the Tent of Meeting. Set it up on the first day of the first month.
None of us got up one day and thought to ourselves ‘it’s a great day today I think I will start recovery‘ In each of our lives God has created a series of circumstances that led us to the decision I can’t do this anymore, I need help to change my life. Moses did not feel he was the right person to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. But God had other plans and for us, God has other plans.
As I said He created circumstances in our lives to bring us to the point where we recognized that help is available to each of us if we are willing to put our faith and trust in Him and do whatever He prompts us to do, through an individual relationship with Him. He will show us what to do and when to do it and if we are obedient to His leading He promises us we will be saved. Jeremiah 30:7 In all history there has never been such a time of terror. It will be a time of trouble for my people. Yet in the end, they will be saved!
II. GOD DEFINES WHAT IS IMPORTANT
Exodus 40:9 “Set apart the holy tent and everything that belongs to it. Then it will be holy.”
When we first come into recovery, alone and confused we don’t know how to start the process. Early on I believe we need to put some daily processes in place to keep us on the right track. How do we define those processes? Talk to God about them. For me, it was a simple thing. When I first arrived in rehab in 1987 I was introduced to ‘Daily Devotions’ or ‘Daily Quiet Time’ if you prefer. Each day commenced with reading the A.A. book ’24 hours a Day’ which included a thought for the day – meditation for the day and prayer for the day. A process I still adhere to till this day. I have changed the books I use but the process is the same. I begin every day with Jesus I am convinced it makes a huge difference to how my day progresses. God defined morning devotions as important in my life and He will define for you what is important in yours if you ask Him and listen to His prompting.
III. GOD DEFINES THE PURPOSE OF THINGS
Exodus 40:38 The cloud of the Lord was above the holy tent during the day. Fire was in the cloud at night. The whole community of Israel could see the cloud during all of their travels.
When we first come into recovery and get a few days, months of clean time in I believe we all want to help others discover what we have discovered. But there is a process and for each of us, God will walk us through a step at a time the correct process for us. What does that have to do with ‘Starting with the end in mind? for me the end I wanted to achieve when I finally God serious about recovery was ‘To live the life God has planned for me’ The only way I knew how to do that was to put all my effort in recovery in the part of the eleventh step that says. “Improved my conscious contact with God, praying only for His will for me.”
My hope and prayer is that as I share these forty days of recovery someone will hear something that helps them and lead them to experience the strength and hope God has prepared for them. Below are some suggested verses for beginning the process of recovery according to God’s plan. I hope you find them helpful.
Suggested Support Verses:
Romans 3:23
1 Corinthians 6:19
1 Corinthians 6:9
Numbers 23:19
2 Corinthians 4:2
Isaiah 41:10
sharing my experience, strength and hope. 