Do you need to be reminded of what’s been promised to you through the process of recovery? Have you fallen off that pink cloud you found yourself on during the early stages of sobriety? Have your thoughts reverted back to dangerous patterns? Have you lost your joy? Your happiness? Your hope?
What about your spiritual life? Has God slipped to the back of your priority list yet again? Have you forgotten all that He has done to save you time after time after time?
In these moments it sometimes best to be reminded of just what we are promised when we diligently work a spiritual recovery program. Regardless of the organization, AA, CR, NA or the like, each one is founded on one central-common theme.
God can and will change our lives, if we’ll just let Him.
So today, whether you find yourself struggling to maintain sobriety, scrapping to meet your rent payment for the month or doing all you can to stay out of the casino. Remember these promises that God has left us throughout the incredible pages of the Bible and Alcoholics Anonymous. These promises are still alive and well for you today. They are promised for a reason. Never to be taken back. So if you need to be reminded, just read on.
1. We will know a new freedom.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
2. We will know a new happiness.
He continued, “Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don’t have anything: This day is holy to God. Don’t feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10
3. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-10
4. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
5. We will see how our experience can benefit others.
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27
6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
6-7 When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you’re just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you’re going to make it, no doubt about it. 2 Corinthians 1:6-7
7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in others.
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4
8. Self-seeking will slip away.
Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:3-4
9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Philippians 4:11-12
10. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
11. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
12. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:13-14