Battering

TRUTH

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

James‬ ‭1‬:‭5

REFLECTION

Is this a shortcut that actually works?

It’s widely accepted that wisdom comes with age and experience.

Or rather, by paying attention to what’s actually happening over the course of a lifetime.

There are plenty of unwise people with both age and experience under their belts, so it’s not a given that we’ll get wise if we wait it out.

What we think of as wisdom is sometimes simply well-packaged truth from a calmer demeanor.

That’s good too. But we have access to this before we creep into the twilight of our lives.

We are undergoing experiences daily, like everyone else.

What we do with them—whether we discard or pay attention or double down or despair—this can pave the way for storing up wisdom or plodding through our days unaware.

Addiction provides a wealth of experience, if nothing else. We’ve come out the other side and can be tempted to become dazed longer than need be.

Pausing to collect ourselves is good, but the tendency to putt around in low gear with a bittersweet outlook is sure to depress us rather than spur us into this new life.

We need God’s help and intervention. We need a spark. We need fuel for days that will feel like weeks.

We need to ask for it. As many times as needed.

We may already have the beginnings of the wisdom we thought was reserved for our elders.

We just need help tempering our actions. We can help the next person far sooner than we anticipated.

They’re looking for the short-term wisdom that we just unlocked.

God, let me loose but hold me close.

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
Contact on LinkedIn, YouTube & Twitter.