It states below, “Either we will find a power greater than ourselves to help us, or we will stay in bondage.” God needs to be in our recovery! This is my personal belief, and I know some of you struggle with this because of your pain and belief "where was God in all of this?" and I certainly can understand.
But, I know I am powerless, and I know there is a God that is powerful!! And most of all, a God Who Does Not Shame Us!
I love where it says that we do not serve a co-dependent God! How awesome is that!!
I pray that this devotional will encourage you, as it has me!
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. Psalm 107:13-16
Addictions and compulsions are a kind of bondage. Painful memories are also like chains that bind us. We try harder and harder to change. But sometimes the harder we try, the tighter the chains become. Recovery begins when we recognize that our bondage is too great for us. We are not powerful enough to break these chains. Either we will find a power greater than ourselves to help us, or we will stay in bondage.
Many people find the idea of powerlessness to be very troubling. We want to be competent and self-reliant. And, many of us have had people attempt to 'rescue' us in ways that have increased our shame and self-contempt. So, why should we welcome the God-who-rescues? Won't he also shame us?
First, notice in this text that God's intervention is in response to a request. We do not serve a codependent God. God is not entangled in our compulsions. God will not rescue in ways that are shame-full. God knows that we need to be ready to be helped and that we need to cry out for help.
Notice also in this text that it is the God-of-unfailing-love who is our higher power. Because so many of us are convinced that God is vindictive, punitive and abusive, it can be terrifying in our powerlessness to focus on the power of God. We are sure that all of that power will be used against us. But the God-of-unfailing-love is not a vindictive, punitive or abusive God. God is a God-of-tough-love. That's the only kind of love that can be 'unfailing.' But God is not 'against' us. God is 'for' us.
Recovery is being set free by God's powerful love.
I was powerless, Lord.
I expected you to increase my shame and self-contempt.
But you are a God of unfailing love.
I expected you to use your power against me.
But when I called, you came.
You crashed the gates.
You cut the bars.
You broke the chains.
You are leading me out of this darkness and
deepest gloom into the light of day.
Thank you. Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
It is sad when people think that God punishes instead of Him being "love"...I posted about God's love today and you did, too...We may write different words...but the bottom line: God is love. Glory to God! Have a great weekend JBR!
ReplyDeleteJBR,
ReplyDeleteGod is truly powerful enough to break through those chains that bind us to our sorrows and past and I am so thankful that like the girl in the picture, God even has to power to lift us out of any pit we find ourselves in and make us whole again.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
So amazing is that at least 5 people posted today about God's love, and also loving ourselves. This is so cool!
ReplyDelete((((((((HUGS)))))))
Thank you all for your comments. I guess "love" is on peoples minds today.
ReplyDeleteEven though it is extremely hard for me to share on the topic of God's love, I do it because I do know the truth that He does love us, even if I cannot experience it right now.
Without God's love, what would be the use of trying?
ReplyDeleteSince the time He touched me, delivering me instantly from a 14 year drug addiciton, I trusted Him. I never felt He judged me even though I still cut myself or threw up or even screamed at Him, His gentleness never wavered. How awesome and cool is that! Without Him, I am nothing. Sarah
ReplyDeleteThank you Wanda and Sarah for sharing! Sarah, very cool and very awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Bible study. These things are so true. Like you said, God needs to be in our recovery.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for a God who is bigger than all of my darkest moments. It took me so long to accept Him, but seeds were planted by many for many years.
I finished my testimony today if you want to get to the good part.
Thanks for reading the first part.
God is love, He is all you need.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, JBR, and as I listen, I try to absorb some of your faith...and your words.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know if others think when bad things happen to otherwise good people, do you think your being punished or tested? I went through something recently that shook my trust in people but not in God. A lot of judgement reared it's ugly head at me and I had to quickly find my way out of the ugly of it all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being open about your faith.
ReplyDeleteTake care, my dear Friend. I have battles with my mum twice a week, and I still alieve. You are on you own, and your Mum the same. You two are two independence persons, who can live, as you want it. Be sure and happy of the way you want to live, so you Mum will be happy for you. I think so. All the best for you :-)*
ReplyDeleteJBR- I can only respond about the Christian God, for I am unlearned of the others. Anyone who has read a bible through could never be unsure that suffering and affliction come to the children of light. The process of a Christian life is not one of healing and blessings but of a heart being made right through trials. Just the way it is. ~rick
ReplyDelete"We do not serve a codependent God....God will not rescue in ways that are shame-full."
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent!! Thank you for posting that, JBR. Pretty much says it all for me and is something I needed to hear.
I don't even argue anymore. I just do what I want and don't give in. It is easy now. I'm doing what I want to do and do not feel guilty. I just got Sick and Tired of Feeling Co-Dependent... and having to explain (or felt I had to explain) why I was doing what I had to do.
ReplyDeleteI would explain so much that I think the other person knew (and I knew too) I would relent and do as they wished (but not anymore).
I learned the 3 Bs Be Brief; Be Firm; Be GONE..
I mean to put this post for August 23 not August 22 post.
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky that I have learned to find a place in my life for God. I never thought I would be able to do that, and it is so much better than I even imagined it could be.
ReplyDeleteI am not where you are yet, but I am learning and I am trying to turn things over to God as needed. When it works for me, it is spectacular.
I ♥ U.
ReplyDelete