A year ago today I posted my first entry on this blog – I had gone 2 years without a drink. By the grace of God, I’m blessed to be able to say it’s now been 3 years.
This was my prayer a year ago and continues to be my prayer today:
My continued Prayer for this blog
My Father in Heaven, I thank you for your love, your grace and your mercy. I thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ who have helped me get to this point. I praise you and thank you for giving me this opportunity to praise you through the sharing of my story. I ask that by sharing I would honor you and show others how great your love is for all of us. I ask this is Jesus’ name – Amen!
Hopeless to Hope
I would like to encourage anyone who is struggling with an addiction that there is hope. One of my devotionals last week said “Hopelessness is the doorway to hope. You have to give up on yourself before you will be excited about the hope that is yours in Christ Jesus.”
Looking back, I was hopeless. Facing the loss of my family, I did not want to quit drinking and I couldn’t imagine a life without alcohol. But when I found my end, I found hope and here I am today able to write about being sober for 3 years.
How did it happen? During the summer of 2017, I got to the point where I had no choice but to give up on myself. I didn’t realize it at the time but the Lord was slowly changing me. Initially leading me to confess to my closest friends and family and trust them with my secret. Accepting the help that was being offered from friends and family. Convincing me to agree to attend counseling. Humbling me to accept offers to spend time together with my friends and family so I didn’t have to be alone. These small steps moved me closer to Jesus, where I found hope. That hope motivated additional small steps such as committing to start each day with prayer and Bible reading.
I would encourage anyone struggling with an addiction to take one small step towards recovery. Whatever step you take: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6.
I referenced this in my last post. I read it yesterday morning during my devotionals and feel it expresses what I’m trying to say about moving from a life of hopelessness to a life of hope.
New Morning Mercies
A Daily Gospel Devotional – Paul David Tripp
True faith lives on the basis of two unshakable realities — that God really does exist and that he always rewards those who seek him.
Grace has positioned me on two foundation stones that have redefined my identity, redirected my purpose, reshaped my desires, rescued my thoughts, and reformed my living. I have new reason to get up in the morning and face my day with courage, hope, joy, confidence, and rest. Your grace has changed everything, for it has made me sure that you exist and that you reward those who seek you (Heb. 11:6).
Grace changes us, changed me from a life of chains and addictions to a life of peace and freedom – hopelessness to hope. Thank you Jesus!
OTHER BLOG STUFF – Songs and Quotes…
The Father’s House
Cory Asbury
Sometimes on this journey
I get lost in my mistakes
What looks to me like weakness
Is a canvas for your strength
And my story isn’t over
My story’s just begun
And failure won’t define me
‘Cause that’s what my Father does
Yeah, failure won’t define me
‘Cause that’s what my Father does
Ooh, lay your burdens down
Ooh, here in the Father’s house
Check your shame at the door
‘Cause it ain’t welcome anymore
Ooh, you’re in the Father’s house
Arrival’s not the end game
The journey’s where you are
You never wanted perfect
You just wanted my heart
And the story isn’t over
If the story isn’t good
And failure’s never final
When the Father’s in the room
And failure’s never final
When the Father’s in the room
Ooh, lay your burdens down
Ooh, here in the Father’s house
Check your shame at the door
‘Cause it ain’t welcome anymore
Ooh, you’re in the Father’s house
Yeah, you’re in the Father’s house
Yeah-yeah
Prodigals come home
The helpless find hope
Love is on the move
When the Father’s in the room
Prison doors fling wide
The dead come to life
Love is on the move
When the Father’s in the room
Miracles take place
The cynical find faith
And love is breaking through
When the Father’s in the room
The Jericho walls are quaking
Strongholds now are shaking
Love is breaking through
When the Father’s in the room
I said, love is breaking through
When the Father’s in the room
Ooh, lay your burdens down
Ooh, here in the Father’s house
Check your shame at the door
‘Cause it ain’t welcome anymore
Ooh, you’re in the Father’s house
Yeah, lay your burdens down
Ooh, here in the Father’s house
Check your shame at the door
(Welcome anymore)
Ooh, you’re in the Father’s house
QUOTES
“Time with God can combat hopelessness. It moves our attention from the circumstances to the Father’s great love for us.”
In Touch devotional, Charles Stanley
“Optimism is psychological; hope is theological. Optimism focuses on what you think you can do. Hope trusts what God can do.”
rick warren
Until next time I’m thankful for the Scars, may God Bless You!
KB