Step/Week 4, Day 7 – Spiritual Inventory and Confess: Sponsor Testimony
May 6, 2020 828
“A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when iron strikes iron” (Prov. 27:17, TLB).
I mentioned in the first day’s devotional that I would cover the subject of picking a sponsor in this testimony.
I knew a man who was on the journey to recovery, who was addicted to alcohol. He was married with two children. He had a good job. On the surface, all looked well, but he was a functioning alcoholic (meaning he could do his job relatively well despite his addiction).
However, as with all addictions, his life took a turn for the worse and he knew he had to be serious about his recovery, or else he might just not make it. He needed to find a sponsor. But who could that be?
He knew about the rule that opposite sex sponsors are discouraged, but he became friendly with a woman at the meetings. She seemed to understand him. So, he asked her if she would be his sponsor. She accepted.
They met regularly, working at his spiritual inventory and he fully confessed his sins. But all was not well. He started to feel attracted towards her. He started to lie to his wife about where he was going in the evenings. I don’t need to fill in any more details; I’m sure you’ll be able to do that yourselves.
Needless to say, both parties got extremely damaged and the man heavily relapsed. It took years for the mess that they had made to get to a point of reconciliation and some sort of normality for the man’s family life again.
So, the point of sharing this testimony is to show you a real-life example why it is not a wise idea to pick a member of the opposite sex as your sponsor, ever. Just don’t do it. There are plenty of men and women who would be willing to be your sponsor. You just need to choose carefully. When you do, you’ll experience the stimulation mentioned in our verse for today. Mutuality between both parties goes a long way to promote a safe and helpful relationship, as you journey together towards recovery.
– Graham Hood
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer to ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to whom I should ask to be my sponsor. Help me to make the right decision. Thank you that I am on this journey of recovery with You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
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