Background Life

TRUTH

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

James‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬

REFLECTION

Drugs and alcohol are not the addict’s problem.

Lying and deceit are not the issue.

Resentment, fear and misconduct are not the root of the dilemma.

The problem is desire.

Not that we have it but that it’s misdirected. It’s gone off course. It’s gone absolutely crazy.

We have within us the infinite capacity for desire, for longing, for life. But it is easy for that to fester in the mundane and to dissipate into our background life.

We accidentally replace our God-given desire for the full life, the real life, with the treats of this life.

We are derailed by seemingly innocent thoughts that spark the fire. We begin to want things. We begin to want satisfaction. We begin to want the feeling of wholeness.

We pursue it.

We achieve it.

We lose it.

And we cycle through this endless pursuit.

This is addiction. This is the issue.

That we are so entangled with our desire for contentment that we sacrifice any chance of achieving it.

Substances enter the picture because they remedy the despair that the desire leaves in its wake.

We sought a physical solution to a spiritual problem.

God, direct the desires of my heart.

SPONSOR

Progress & Perfection is written on Notion, the happier workspace. I’ve been using Notion to organize these daily writings since December 2023. Try Notion now.

NEXT

When you’re ready, here are some tools for you:

1. Book List (amazon link)
   Some of my favorite reads related to recovery and/or wrestling with faith.

2. 4th Step Guide (free download)
   A PDF with instructions and worksheets for a thorough 4th step. Straight from the Big Book. Fearlessness not included.

3. 12-Step Christianity (YouTube)
   My thoughts on the parallels between discipleship and sponsorship.

KEEP LEANING FORWARD

Cheers, Eamonn
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