TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Leaving behind a lifestyle of self-centered isolation and coming into community with others is both a gift and a challenge.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT)

Clearly God knows that we need one another to successfully get ahead.  We need to be encouraged by one another's experience, strength, and hope and learn from each other.  We need the mentoring and challenging of sponsors and the assistance of those who have walked this path before us and picked up useful lessons that we can learn from.  When times are tough, we need the strength that comes from both giving and receiving comfort and understanding. We need to hear warnings when we're going astray and affirmation when we have achieved tough goals.

Carry one another’s heavy loads. If you do, you will fulfill the law of Christ. A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes. We are many persons. But in Christ we are one body and each part of the body belongs to all the other parts. (Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 17:17, Romans 12:5 NIRV)

God's view is that we need one another just like a body needs each of its parts. We are called to work, pray, and worship together. If we try to live distant or disconnected, we harm not only ourselves but others.  While we are all growing and learning how to let go of character defects, it's difficult to tolerate each other, but God will certainly help us.  We will grow stronger more quickly as together with others we do our part in the community as God planned. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your gift of my brothers and sisters in recovery.  Help me to see where I fit in with my recovery family and subsequently become a useful member of the community.  Amen