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THE TWELVE LIFE RECOVERY GIFTS :: SERENITY

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH BEGINNING IN JANUARY. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC. COME ALONG. LET’S LEARN SOME NEW THINGS TOGETHER!
For my addiction recovery work this year I’m going through The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. On the third Friday of each month in 2021 I will be sharing the blessings God brings us to honor our choices and encourage our recovery journey.
This is the eleventh post in the series. Today we are learning about the life recovery gift of serenity.

Serenity is a gift given by God, who is the true source of serenity.  We experience the gift of serenity when we follow God’s will. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Those of us in the life of recovery know all too well, the never-ending search for peace of mind… the constant looking for the next escape from today’s emotional torture.

The often quoted first stanza of the famous Serenity Prayer gives us divine insight into how we can achieve the sought after state of being: SERENITY. Below is the complete Serenity Prayer but we will focus only on the first stanza today. Let’s take a deeper look.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world, as it is, not as I would have it.

Trusting that God will make all things right if I surrender to his will; so that I may be reasonable happy in this life, and supremely happy with him forever in the next. Amen 

ACCEPTANCE: the willingness to receive what life has given us and be content with it.

I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One who is my power and strength. ~ Philippians 4:13

For most people this is very difficult. Honestly, I believe, it is impossible without a solid relationship with God, and prayerfully staying in His Word daily. With God’s help we can learn to accept our past, present and whatever the future may hold. Because in the end, we can trust that He will make something good come from it for us.

COURAGE: the state of mind that enables one to face difficulties without fear.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! ~ Psalm 31:24

This is an attitude that also requires action on our part. We will need take steps that require physical activities in order to face and change some difficulties. In particular two of the 12 Steps fall into this category: processing our moral inventory and making amends. Taking responsibility for our lives requires courage.

WISDOM: the knowledge of what is right coupled with discernment and insight.

If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking. ~ James 1:5

Note that wisdom isn’t simply knowledge. Book knowledge doesn’t give us wisdom. There are plenty of knowledgeable people in this world who have little or no wisdom. OnlyGod is the source of all wisdom. Also, it’s important to point out that serenity doesn’t come from wisdom itself. Wisdom is a by product of seeking God’s will and spending time with Him.

“If we are willing to accept what can’t be changed and to have the courage to take action on what can be change, God will give us the wisdom to discern the difference.” ~ The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery

Take a few minutes to glean from, Stephen Arterburn, one of the authors of this excellent book that we’ve been studying all year. Here with his series Going Deeper: The Gift of Serenity.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT :: GIFTS OF ADMINISTRATION AND HELPS

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC OR MEDIA.
On the second  Friday of each month in 2021 we’re studying the Holy Spirit. We will learn who the Holy Spirit is, about His gifts and fruit which are given to us as believers and how to walk them out in our daily life. This is the eleventh post in The Holy Spirit Study series.

God has appointed gifts in the assembly: first emissaries, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and then those who speak with various unknown languages. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:28

In our Holy Spirit study today we’re looking at two gifts that are often overlooked among a list of powerful, visible gifts. People with these gifts usually serve behind the scenes supporting the needs of the ministry and the gifts of others. While the spiritual gifts of administration and helps may seem mild compared to other gifts, they are none the less important to the body of Christ and His ministries on this earth.

THE GIFT OF ADMINISTRATION

The spiritual gift of administration provides one the ability to manage and keep things running in line with God’s order and principles. This gift is sometimes seen as a team gift because those with the gift of administration have the ability to see what needs to be done and can organize a team of people with other spiritual gifts that can help the ministry operate more effectively or efficiently. In the secular world this person might be a project manager.

THE GIFT OF HELPS

The spiritual gift of helps gives one the ability to see what needs to be done and take care of it. People with this gift have a desire to help others by meeting daily responsibilities in practical ways. Rather than looking for someone else to do the task, they will often tackle it themselves. In the secular world this person might be a personal assistant.

SUPPORTIVE GIFTS

Both the gift of administration and helps are supportive to the body of Christ in very similar ways. Where the gift of administration takes on a leadership type role, the gift of helps is more of a assistant or servant type role. I find it fascinating how the Holy Spirit pulls together all the people gifted with just the right abilities needed to bring about the ministry He needs to impart to our world.

Contemplate the help of heaven in your life today with this beautiful song below. It has truly ministered to my heart and soul today. Be blessed…

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PSALM 91 :: CALL AND BE RESCUED

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR STUDY AND CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC.
On the first Friday of each month in 2021 we will be studying Psalm 91. We’ll be learning this powerful psalm and applying its phenomenal promises to our life one phrase at a time.  We continue today with verse 15.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.I will rescue and honor them.~ PSALM 91:15

Sometimes in the middle of our toughest struggle it’s more difficult to call out to God for help. Even though Scripture tells us that God knows all our needs before we ask for them, I believe the process of crying out to God is part of the process of receiving our answer.

Whatever our struggle may be, the humbling experience of recognizing that we need help and asking for it may actually bring our rescue faster.

 

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MOVIE REVIEW :: THE JESUS MUSIC

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR STUDY AND CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I REVIEW TOUCHING, INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC, film and media.
In every month with five Fridays in 2021 I’ve been reviewing Christian music that has inspired and touched me. This third post in the Review Series is going to look at music from a little different angle. Instead of reviewing an album, I’m reviewing the recently released music documentary film: The Jesus Music.

 

 

The Jesus Music

PG-13 | 2021 | 109 Minutes

This first-of-its-kind documentary by brothers Andrew and Jon Erwin, the filmmakers behind I Can Only Imagine, Woodlawn and I Still Believe, chronicles how young hippie singers from the 1960’s and 1970’s had life-changing encounters with Jesus and became the foundation for what is known today as Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).

With the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic having locked down all the Christian artists at the same time, the Erwins had the perfect opportunity to have extended interviews with not only the industry’s top artists and bands, but the producers, managers and publishers of Christian magazines.

The filmmakers are careful to not put any one artist or group on a pedestal as some music documentaries are prone to do. Rather, they took a well-balanced look at painful issues in CCM industry.  The mainstream Christian church in the 1970’s wasn’t so quick to embrace this new type of music. Ministers were harsh critics of the new music thought to be from the devil.

Without stepping on toes, the movie gently addresses how past racial bias in America and in the church still continues even in the CCM industry today. The documentary film also carefully discusses the controversial issues the artists have dealt with being in the media and limelight: infidelity, divorce, pornography and substance abuse… among others. Revealing that just because they are Christians artists doesn’t prevent them from struggling with the same demons the world does. As Bill Gaither beautifully stated:

“These are human beings who have been gifted in a special kind of way, yet they’re trying to work through these earthly bodies, and sometimes they make mistakes.”

Over the last 50+ years CCM, has grown into a multimillion-dollar industry and has changed the landscape and culture of Christian music forever. The market segments of music that have spawned from this movement is nothing short of amazing. Not only the diversity of music genres within CCM: rock, rap, metal, gospel, blue grass, pop, and worship just to name a few.  There’s the incredible explosion of recording, radio, video, concerts, merchandise, and now film!

The Jesus Music is a wonderful anthology that documents the beautiful story of Christian music that has influenced the better part of my life. While the primary audience is people who are familiar with Christian music The Jesus Music is a great introduction to Contemporary Christian Music to a completely new audience.

I really enjoyed seeing the old video footage from bands I hadn’t heard of before. The interviews were touching and the music and concert clips were well chosen. The Jesus Music is definitely worth going to the theater for and I highly recommend checking it out when it releases to streaming formats.

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THE DO IT AFRAID BOOK STUDY :: BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2021 we’re studying Joyce Meyer’s newest book: Do It Afraid. We’re learning how to understand fear, to recognize how it works in our life and finally how to confront fear. We will learn new mindsets that position us for freedom from our most common fears. Come along and let’s learn something new from Momma Joyce!
This is the tenth post in The Do It Afraid Book Study series.

FREEDOM FROM THE FEAR OF TRUSTING GOD AND OTHERS

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ~ Isaiah 26:3

Those of us who have been abused, hurt, abandoned or betrayed know all too well the difficulty of trusting God and people. Memories of our past pain can cause us to put up a wall of defense so high that we are unable to even enjoy our life.

Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. ~ James 4:8

When Jesus came to earth He had relationships with all kinds of people only because He first had a close relationship with His heavenly Father. Jesus wants us to have fear-free relationships with people on earth but we must start by developing  a healthy intimate relationship with God the Father first.

 

An intimate, trusting relationship with God is what sets us free from many tormenting fears and behavior patterns. ~ Joyce Meyer

Once we have a healthy intimate personal relationship with God we will no longer fear being hurt or taken advantage of. We can trust God to vindicate us when we are done wrong. We will no longer feel the need to constantly protect ourselves by withdrawing from or avoiding relationships. Our life will be less complicated and much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Be blessed by this teaching clip from Momma Joyce on Trusting God.

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THE TWELVE LIFE RECOVERY GIFTS :: HAPPINESS

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH BEGINNING IN JANUARY. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC. COME ALONG. LET’S LEARN SOME NEW THINGS TOGETHER!
For my addiction recovery work this year I’m going through The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. On the third Friday of each month in 2021 I will be sharing the blessings God brings us to honor our choices and encourage our recovery journey.
This is the tenth post in the series. Today we are learning about the gift of happiness.

Happiness is a gift given to all who make up their minds that they will enjoy life to the fullest. The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery

Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. ~ Psalm 86:4

Most people make searching for happiness the primary objective for their life. Happiness is never found when we are searching for it. True happiness is produced by a certain lifestyle. In other words, we can’t go find happiness in a person, place or a thing. We will only experience happiness when we choose a godly life.

The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing. ~ Proverbs 10:28

As our hearts become more and more in tune with the heart of God, we experience the gift of happiness as a by-product of a godly life. ~ The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery

There are two critical things we must do be certain the gift of happiness will continue in our life:

    • Avoid places or people that tempt us to fall back in old patterns.

   If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12

    • Do your best to live Step 12. As we do we will stay strong in our recovery.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. ~ Step 12

It’s not just a matter of removing bad habits and bad people from our lives. We must replace them with godly habits and godly, recovering people who are strong examples we can follow. Spend time with people that are involved with a life of recovery and are supportive to you. And remember, to work Step 12 and successfully help others in their recovery we must be solid in our own recovery success.

Be blessed by this short teaching from Stephen Arterburn Going Deeper on The Gift of Happiness.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT :: Fruit of Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-Control

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC.
On the second  Friday of each month in 2021 we’re studying the Holy Spirit. We will learn who the Holy Spirit is, about His gifts and fruit given to us as believers and how to walk those out in our life each day. This is the tenth post in The Holy Spirit Study series.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. ~ Galatians 5:22-23

All these character qualities are the virtues that Jesus Christ has and exhibits. By nature of being born-again into His body, the church, we are endowed by the power of the Holy Spirit to have these same qualities planted in seed form within our spirit. It’s then is up to us to mature the fruit seed, by spending time in God’s Word, in prayer and fellowship with the Father. Then the seed will grow into full fruit that bears the likeness of Christ to all who are in our presence.

  • FAITHFULNESS: the quality of steadfast loyalty or firm adherence to promises.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ~ Proverbs 3:3

In the world faithfulness is a rare character trait. But as believers, who have the fruit of faithfulness flowing in our lives, we can be depended on to do what is right even when no one is watching us.

  • GENTLENESS: mildness of manners or disposition.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~ Philippians 4:5

When our heart has been softened by the Holy Spirit after we are born again we are able to be milder in our behavior and moods toward others, especially to those who are difficult.

  • SELF-CONTROL: restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions or desires.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32

Another rare trait in our world today is self-control. The ungodly person lives by whatever their flesh desires. By the power of the Holy Spirit working in our life, self-control helps us keep our physical nature under control so that the other fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness can freely flow and witness the power of God to those around us.

These three character traits of Christ round off the fruit section of our Holy Spirit study. Next month we will focus on the gifts of administration and helps.

Be blessed by this great worship some by Elevation Worship on the faithfulness of God!

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PSALM 91 :: GOD LOVES US

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR STUDY AND CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC.
On the first Friday of each month in 2021 we will be studying Psalm 91. We’ll be learning this powerful psalm and applying its phenomenal promises to our life one phrase at a time.  We continue today with verse 14.

For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: “Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name, I will greatly protect you. ~ Psalm 91:14

Some say that we must qualify for God’s protective love. That couldn’t be further from the truth of what God’s Word tells us. God’s protection isn’t dependent on us loving Him in a perfect way. It is impossible for us to do that. No matter how hard we try, because of our humanity, we will always fall short in our love for the Lord.

This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. ~ 1 John 4:10

It isn’t because of anything we have done. God loved us long before we were even created. He showed us that pure love in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ~ Lamentations 3:22

God’s compassion is unfailing… His mercy is enough… His grace is sufficient… because His love is all infolding and never ending. It is God’s indescribable, immovable, relentless love for me, not my limited human love for Him, that makes me qualified for His love and protection.

In these incredibly uncertain and tumultuous times, it is so comforting to know that in fact we aren’t alone. We have a Father, a Friend and Savior Who is with us in every valley, every fire and storm! Crowder’s song attached below is one I listen to almost daily right now.

I pray you are blessed by this incredibly anointed song by Crowder.

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THE DO IT AFRAID BOOK STUDY :: YOU CAN RELAX

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC.
On the fourth Friday of each month in 2021 we’re studying Joyce Meyer’s newest book: Do It Afraid. We’re learning how to understand fear, to recognize how it works in our life and finally how to confront fear. We will learn new mindsets that position us for freedom from our most common fears. Come along and let’s learn something new from Momma Joyce!
This is the ninth post in The Do It Afraid Book Study series.

FREEDOM FROM THE FEAR OF NOT DOING ENOUGH

For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving. ~Ephesians 2:8-9

Many of us get caught up in the ‘doing’ trap. We do too much for others to make them like or love us. We work too much to prove worth to ourselves. We get sucked into serving too much in ministry hoping that God will approve of us more. The whole time we’re trying to prove to ourselves that God truly loves us when all we had to do was simply believe God’s Word!

God’s Word tells us our salvation isn’t a reward that we earn by anything we can humanly do. The gift of salvation is for those who have trusted in Christ to save them.  Because it is a gift from God through Christ, we cannot brag about it as if we had done it.

GOD HAS REDEEMED US

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. ~ Galatians 5:1

God has redeemed us from everything that Satan has taken from us. That means Christ purchased our freedom with His sacrifice on the cross. And one of those things Christ purchased for us was freedom from the fear of not doing enough.

WE’VE BEEN MADE ACCEPTABLE

…now you have been purified from sin, made holy, and given a perfect standing before God—all because of the power of the name of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, and through our union with the Spirit of our God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:11

We are made acceptable to God through our faith in Jesus Christ… we do not have to do a certain amount of work or make a certain number of sacrifices in order for Him to accept us.

JESUS CALLS THE WEARY TO HIM

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~ Matthew 11:28

Jesus didn’t tell us to come to Him and He would give us more things to do to be more acceptable to the Father. No. He wants to relieve us of these unnecessary burdens we have piled on our shoulders. In fact, the burden He gives us isn’t heavy at all, because He is helping us carry it. If we will let Him!

The only work we do that is acceptable to God is work that is done with a pure heart. ~ Joyce Meyer

WORK DONE FROM A PURE HEART (taken from Do It Afraid)

    1. Work done for God must be done purely because we love Him.
    2. Work done for God must be done in obedience to Him and His Word.
    3. Work done for God must be done in faith, leaning entirely on Him for its success.
    4. Work done for God must not be done to be seen and approved of by people, or to get their applause, admiration or acknowledgment. Purity of motive is God’s desire, and it should be ours, also.

Before we do anything we must check our motives. We don’t want to pray, study or do any works to gain approval from people or God. If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, God already approves of us. God loves us unconditionally. There is nothing I can do to make Him love me more today or tomorrow than He did yesterday.

I pray you will take a few minutes and contemplate how much God the Father loves you today. Because Jesus Christ came to earth, you can be free from all the tyrannical fears that torment you. If you haven’t accepted Christ as your Savior. Talk to Father God right now. He is listening!

Be blessed by this teaching clip from Momma Joyce!

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THE TWELVE LIFE RECOVERY GIFTS :: COURAGE

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH OF THE POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH BEGINNING IN JANUARY. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING TOUCHING INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC. COME ALONG. LET’S LEARN SOME NEW THINGS TOGETHER!
For my addiction recovery work this year I’m going through The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. On the third Friday of each month in 2021 I will be sharing the blessings God brings us to honor our choices and encourage our recovery journey.
This is the ninth post in the series. Today we are learning about the gift of courage.

The gift of courage: the ability to do something that frightens us… It replaces our old cowardice with boldness, strength and initiative. ~ The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery

COURAGE: the quality of mind which enables us to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, without fear or depression of spirit.

Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

Before most of us had the courage to change, we had to come to the complete end of ourselves. We had to get to the place where the pain of staying the same was greater than the fear of change. It requires courage to stop living in denial and face the reality that we need the help of others to get better.

“To succeed in life recovery, we must confront our fear and conquer it. By God’s gift of courage, we can succeed!” ~ The Twelve Gifts of Life Recovery

It takes courage to faithfully walk in daily realities when we’d rather self-medicate ourselves or simply run from them. Whatever our drug of choice was, sex, gambling, shopping, eating, or alcohol — they were all a mechanism we used to hide from life instead of facing the challenges in front of us.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

With God’s gift of courage we can solve our problems instead of avoid them. We can go forward working our Life Recovery Steps no matter how difficult. As we do, our self-worth improves and soon we will see those old character defects turn into new positive traits.

God replaces our cowardice with His gift of courage!

Receive it today! Amen.

Be blessed with this beautiful song by Tim Hughes.