Shifting Our Focus
Saturday March 24, 2018
In our addiction we tried to cover the hurts in our past with substances or destructive behaviour because that was what seemed good at the time. We suffered injustice and so we believed we deserved comfort and pursued comfort in whatever convenient ways we could find it. We didn’t consider the impact our choices might have on others. We did what we felt we “had to do” to survive and have a little bit of happiness. Sadly, despite some momentary pleasure, we fell deeper and deeper into sin and heartache. As we move forward in recovery, God invites us to shift our focus from our self-centered and harmful actions to a life focused on the healing power of Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)
In the past, in our misguided effort to cover up the pain deep within us, we allowed problems to give us excuses to use. Now in recovery, it’s time to decide whether or not we are ready to stop allowing our problems to steal the good life God has for us. If we are, we need to be willing to give up our obsessive thinking about our problems and shift our attention to the care and guidance of God. We need to train our hearts and minds to stay focused on solutions and the healing power of God which is always available to us, even in the middle of our problems.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV))
Persevering in shifting our focus from obsessing on our problems to embracing God’s love and care for us, will result in a life that is safe and satisfying.
Prayer: Gracious God, please set me free from the obsession of justifying my behaviour based on past hurts. Help me to refocus my mind on Your power to heal and restore me to new life. Amen
©2018 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/
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