Meditations on ""

Scientific evidence suggests that being cheerful seems to have positive benefits on our over-all health. There are studies that suggest being cheerful and optimistic limits stress, reduces pain, supports our immune system, and even helps to protect our heart. Is it any wonder that long before there were tests to prove it, the Bible already had this important information available?

How often have we found ourselves in conversation with someone and a remark is made that “pushes our button?” When something like this happens, we need to consider the cause. We are clearly not at peace with something inside us and whatever that is, it needs to be brought to the light so that we can be healed.

As we regularly replace our will with God’s will and plan for our lives, our life will take on new meaning and will be satisfying.

Integrity can and will be developed in a person who lives according to the Word of God and whose confidence is in God alone.

We do not have all the answers for our future and perhaps feel insecure about some of the unknowns. God’s promise to us is that if we will follow Him, live with integrity, and do what is right, He will fill our lives with good things and our hearts with joy.

We do a disservice to others when we continually do things for them that, with instruction, they can do for themselves.

The courage to change that Jesus offers us is the willingness to let go of those things that have kept us in bondage to hopelessness and instead begin to believe in His availability and willingness to heal us.

Anyone who has made an honest attempt at recovery knows the hard work that is required. What gives us encouragement and hope is that many who have diligently done the required work have succeeded.

To show discretion is to know the right thing to do in a situation and to behave in such a way that we don't cause offense. Quite the challenge.

God says we are precious in His sight. God, through Jesus, has provided a way for us to leave shame behind and live in honour and dignity, regardless of what has happened in our past.

Although we know that "half measures avail us nothing," it's also wonderful to have the promise that, "If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through." (Big Book, pg 83-84)

As we come out of the isolation of addiction and move into the life God created us to live it’s good to ask ourselves, “How am I being a friend?”