Friday, May 27, 2016

In front of me stands HOPE!

Principle 2: Earnestly believe that God exist, that I matter to Him, and the He has the power to help me recover. "Happy are those who Mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

Step 2: I came to believe that a power greater than myself could restore me to sanity. "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Philippians 2:13)

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When I first came to Celebrate Recovery, not only was I full of shame, but I felt I was hopeless. I believed that I had fallen too far from grace since I felt there was no way a Christian could knowingly continue in sin in over-indulgence.  That burden of hopelessness was too much carry. It paralyzed me during the beginning stages of my recovery.  

But God is faithful and He wrapped his arms of love around me, reminding me that he bore all of my sins - past, present, and future.  Wow. I was comforted by his peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) as He reassured me that I was completely forgiven.  It’s difficult to comprehend, but God not only forgave me, He wiped my slate clean promising to remember my sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).  I no longer felt separated from Him because He lifted the weight of condemnation and shame.  I no longer needed to focus on the greatness of my sins.  I began to focus on the greatness of my Savior. And for the first time I began to have hope again.

My Sponsor kept challenging me not to quit before the miracle happened. That hope is what opened the door to the next level of recovery. By His grace I was finally able to forgive myself; and His grace is what kept bringing me closer and closer to Him. God is now using my story to give hope to others.

Even as I face the largest mountain that I've ever endured, there is still hope in front of me.  God promises me that He has the best intentions for me and that I still have a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  I know that I'm going to be okay because His hands are still holding me.

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