Recovery Christian Center Daily Meditation - 5/9/12 - Finding Real Joy
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9 NLT
Every saved Christian and person in recovery should have the attitude that we didn't get saved and come into recovery to be miserable. While we may be cautioned about unrealistic expectations, we should have an expectation of finding joy in no longer having to live the way we used to live. Unfortunately too many of us are caught up in the guilt and shame of our past and our belief that we are just unworthy of being anything else but miserable. We spend so much time trying to make up for a forgiven and forgotten past, and trying to pay God back for a freely given GIFT!
While we are not discounting the need to learn from our past or the need to make amends and change our behavior, this doesn't mean we have to live in a constant state of miserable penance trying to make up and apologize for no longer being who we used to be. God has called us out to stand for joyfully for Him, not to live cowering in the dark on our bellies. He intends for us to have joy and peace, not misery and worry. As long as we are practicing what we have learned and are doing our best to apply the Word of God and the principles of recovery to our lives, it is not only OK to enjoy our new lives, it is an expectation from God Himself!
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9 NLT
Every saved Christian and person in recovery should have the attitude that we didn't get saved and come into recovery to be miserable. While we may be cautioned about unrealistic expectations, we should have an expectation of finding joy in no longer having to live the way we used to live. Unfortunately too many of us are caught up in the guilt and shame of our past and our belief that we are just unworthy of being anything else but miserable. We spend so much time trying to make up for a forgiven and forgotten past, and trying to pay God back for a freely given GIFT!
While we are not discounting the need to learn from our past or the need to make amends and change our behavior, this doesn't mean we have to live in a constant state of miserable penance trying to make up and apologize for no longer being who we used to be. God has called us out to stand for joyfully for Him, not to live cowering in the dark on our bellies. He intends for us to have joy and peace, not misery and worry. As long as we are practicing what we have learned and are doing our best to apply the Word of God and the principles of recovery to our lives, it is not only OK to enjoy our new lives, it is an expectation from God Himself!
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