Principle 4/Step 4

Hi All,

Glad you came back! If you look to the right of the page, you'll notice that we're going to be spending the next several weeks on Principle 4/Step 4, so I thought I'd mention some things that pertain to this particular area of recovery since a large chunk of our time will be devoted to it.

Principle/Step 4 is really where the rubber meets the road. This is where we get down and dirty and do some serious soul searching. It is vital that you do not proceed without a sponsor. An accountability partner won't cut it for this step. What's the difference? Glad you asked. A sponsor is someone who has been through the steps and has completed each one with a sponsor of their own to walk them through it. Who better to teach than someone who's walked in your shoes? An accountability partner is someone who is maybe in the same boat you are. Someone who hasn't been through the steps before and who also needs guidance. It's someone whom you can call and can cry to or vent to or spill your guts to, but not someone who's qualified (I don't like using that word, but it's the most appropriate for our discussion) to take you through the steps.

This is probably the toughest, and longest, step you'll go through. I can't stress enough the importance of having a sponsor for this phase of recovery in order to fully grasp the reality and gravity of what we've done (relationships that need repair). In recovery, the most important thing is to go through the steps/principles thoroughly and without anything left behind. This is how a sponsor can help manage your recovery in making sure you're thorough enough to get through what may be the hardest thing you'll do in recovery.

It is my hope and prayer that you get through this most important step/principle with the utmost honesty and integrity. When we go through the fire, God will refine us and make us stronger when we come out because of what we've been through. It is these circumstances that make us who we are in Christ. He is the best solution to our problems. It doesn't matter what we've done, He still loves you and desires your attention and is excited when we come Home to Him. Read the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) Rejoice in your suffering, it leads to His glory within you.

Dean

Getting Through Our Struggles

Greetings All,

In our struggles to live a somewhat "normal" life, to break through the pain and suffering of this world, sometimes we have more questions than answers and we don't understand the things that go on in our lives. Well, I got another email from James MacDonald that directly answers some questions we might have. The following is from him. It is my hope that this speaks clearly to all of us who are in the midst of the storm of life.





Will I Get Through This?



2 Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? 3Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. 4So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted. — habakkuk 1:2-4

Many of the people in the pages of the Bible were as confused and filled with questions as we are today. One of the great things about God’s Word is that He decided to include a lot of their questions alongside the answers He gave them. Such is the case of Habakkuk, above. Don’t his questions sound familiar?

Like us, Habakkuk wondered if he would get through what he was facing. But in his third chapter, Habakkuk moves from questions to answers, and he models something for us that is incredible. In response to the question, “Will I get through this?”

Habakkuk prayed.

His survival strategy involved prayer. Chapter 3 begins, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet…” When you think about difficulties, you’re like, “Prayer? That’s hard!” I know what you mean; sometimes prayer can be very difficult. Fortunately, Habakkuk has a few insights for us.

He began with reverence for God’s Word: “O Lord, I have heard the report of You, and Your work, O Lord, I do fear” (Habakkuk 3:2). Habakkuk is ridding his heart of all anxiety, and stress, and burden. He’s also praying to God as He has revealed Himself: a God who is to be feared. A God who is mighty —who can do anything. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7a).

Habbakuk also is remembering God’s mighty works on behalf of His people. This reverence for “Your work” is followed by reverence for God’s Word. And that’s why he prays, “In the midst of years revive it” (v.2). Verses 3-16 review God’s work in history.

After reverence for God’s Word and God’s work, a time of praise is in order. Habakkuk decided to rejoice in the Lord. In verse 17 he says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines. . . ” God knows what the deepest valley will be for you. But to come to the place where you can say, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (v.18), you are no longer just getting through, you are overcoming!

And then Habakkuk finishes with this, a decision to rely on God’s strength. He says, “God, the Lord, is my strength” (v.19). What a great way to say, yes, I will get through this—God will get me through. — James MacDonald


Journal:

What place does prayer play in my survival plans?
How would adopting Habakkuk’s “get through this” prayer plan affect my prayer life?



Prayer:
Lord, when I pause long enough to pay attention, the power of Your Word, and the evidence of Your work, are always infinitely above what I’m facing. But it’s Your faithfulness that I want to stand on when all around me gives way. I know I won’t get through unless You are with me—that’s exactly what You’ve promised to do! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God's Control of Your Life

Last week we talked about God being in control of all things, and that he's got a plan in all circumstances. Sometimes we may not always be able to understand why we have to go through the things we go through, but God is always in control.

In a letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent to the surviving elders among the Jews in exile, God told them He had a plan. Sometimes we want His plan unfolded now. But we have to wait sometimes longer than we'd like. Life would be so much better if we could end the pain and bondage, but listen to this: Jeremiah 29:10, "This is what the Lord says: 'When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place." They had to wait 70 years for God to make good on a promise! For many, if not most, that was longer than a lifetime! Be patient in your suffering. Wait on the Lord, He's in control and He has plans for each and every one of us.

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Amen! Your future is bright, although we may not be able to see it now, it's coming. The day is coming when the Lord will give us a future rich with His blessings. There is hope in Him, He's the only hope we have of being freed from bondage. Hang on a little while longer in your suffering. There's a hope and a future for you and me. 1 Peter 5:10-11, "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." Praise God!