Step/Week 11, Day 5 – Relapse and Gratitude: Be Grateful for Others
May 6, 2020 1149
“Let the peace of heart that comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of His body. And always be thankful…. singing to the Lord with thankful hearts” (Col. 3:15-16, TLB).
There is one thing that must have become completely obvious to you: you can’t travel this road to recovery alone. Loners don’t get very far down the road before coming unstuck and falling back into their old ways.
God has been travelling with you each day of your recovery and that is a very important factor, but hopefully, there are others who have been journeying with you, too. Those people who you trust to let into the process of your recovery. They’re probably in recovery as well, either fully recovered or at some point in the recovery process.
Here’s where today’s verse comes in. Christ lives within you through the Holy Spirit’s presence. One of the intangible benefits of knowing Christ is knowing “peace of heart” being “present in your hearts and lives”. It is “your responsibility and privilege” as being a part of the Church (“His body”) to let that peace flow outwards towards those around you. You should “always be thankful to the Lord” and others for the parts they play in your recovery journey.
Having a “thankful” heart will let the joy that God wants you to experience, flow outwards from your life. As people have made a great difference to your recovery, you can also be a shining example and make a similar difference in their recovery journeys (more about this in next week’s devotionals). Being grateful is a choice. Choose to be grateful for others, today and every day!
– Graham Hood
Personal Reflection: Which people have made a major difference to your recovery journey? Who is a trusted friend? Who could you not imagine being present in your life? Spend some time thanking God for putting these people in your life!
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