Griefs

TRUTH

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

James‬ ‭3‬:‭14

REFLECTION

It’s hard to find a newly sober and grateful addict.

The newly minted ones may profess being grateful, but it’s usually because the pain stopped.

We need to stop relying on emotion to carry us from one action to another.

We need to tap into the otherworldly, spiritual reliance on God for direction in this world.

The reliance required for long-term joy depends on the short-term surrendering to things we may not at first fully belief.

I definitely didn’t understand them.

But I wanted to.

I was open to the possibility. That separates having a chance at full sobriety vs meager dry living.

And so, belief began in the borrowed faith of others and the bits of hope I scraped together by looking around.

I couldn’t see far. I didn’t know who to trust. But it didn’t take long to start to see the truth.

The sad thing is that I never truly didn’t know the right path. Arrogance bred apathy bred anger, but none of it was founded on anything more than my own feelings, my own selfish desires.

Turning back takes a small step in boots weighted by our own grief and broken pride.

God, give me grief enough to plant gratitude.

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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