©2016 Nikki DuBose
father
The Hope Diary: Step Eleven: God’s Will be Done
Step eleven of the twelve step program teaches us that recovery is a daily renewal of our minds, bodies and souls. Without surrendering to God’s Will for our lives it is impossible to have a successful and abstinent day. I tried to live my life in recovery my way for a long time until I finally became exhausted because I kept ending up in the same place: failure! I just said “Ok God You win I give up! Your Will be done not mine!” Now whenever I feel myself getting frustrated it is a warning sign that I am trying to live life on my terms, and so I have to 1. Stop and 2. Simply ask God for His help. Man what humble pie tastes like going down! But the rewards of humility and surrender surely are sweeter than trying to do things alone.
Prayer does not have to be fancy. God wants us to come simply as we are. I often pray “Father, your will be done, not my own. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.” God is a God of hearts.
What is your Step 11 Prayer that you can use throughout the day?
Thank you to The Life Recovery Workbook for the following questions.
A New Hiding Place
2 Samuel 22:1-331. How was addiction a hiding place from life for me? Compare this with having God as a hiding place.
2. Describe how I experience “conscious contact” with God:
Thirst for God:
Psalm 27: 1-61. What do I most seek from God?
2. What is difficult about trusting God with my requests?
Joy in God’s Presence
Psalm 65:1-41. What keeps me from accepting God’s forgiveness?
2. What scares me about knowledge of God’s will for me?
Finding God
Psalm 105:1-91. Is my life changing daily? Am I noticing when I am resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid today? Identify ways that I am changing:
2. Am I aware of others’ feelings, needs, and rights? What have I noticed today?
Powerful Secrets
Psalm 119: 1-111. What am I hiding in my heart–secrets of old behaviors and issues, or God’s Word?
2. List what I can thank God for today:
Patient Waiting
Isaiah 40: 28-311. How does impatience show itself in my attitude and behaviors?
2. Am I impatient about my progress in recovery? Do I expect myself to “get it” the first time? Do I expect perfection?
3. Why is it hard to “trust in the Lord”?
Friends of the Light
John 3:18-211. In what areas of my life am I still afraid to seek God’s will?
2. When I think I am hearing God’s will, whose power do I act on? Am I tempted to do God’s will in my own power?
God Bless,
Nikki DuBose
God Loves You
I was so Blessed to receive this jewel of a devotional in my inbox this morning from a dear friend. What a great reminder is to to know that God loves us and delights in us just the way we are! It makes me feel released of stress and gives me a healthy dose of confidence to meditate on the Truth that my worth comes from Whose I am…God’s Child! 🙂 I hope you enjoy this devotional as much as I do.
God Bless,
Nikki
“… that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:23)
Have you ever seen a first-time father hold his new baby? It seems that the two connect immediately—and in some deep and unexplainable way. It’s as if the father instantly falls in love with his child. Even the baby seems to recognize and respond to his familiar, reassuring voice. The delight between the two is evident. Even as that baby grows, the father’s delight in his child can deepen, encompassing the child’s personality, gifts, talents, and even quirks.
Now, if a human father can take such delight in his children, imagine how God must delight in us!
Even though Jesus says it clearly in today’s Gospel reading, we can still find it hard to accept: God loves us “even as he has loved” Jesus. Can God really delight in us, with all of our sins, weaknesses, and failings, as much as he loved his only-begotten Son?
Since we know it is true—because Jesus tells us it is—let’s try to imagine it. Picture yourself sitting next to Jesus, enjoying the warm conversation of two close friends. Now imagine Jesus saying something like “You know, my Father really loves you. He’s as crazy about you as he is about me.” You nod politely, but in your heart you just can’t believe it—not even though Jesus himself said it.
Just then, God walks in and greets you with a huge smile. You lock eyes, and like the baby and the dad, you feel a love and familiarity that enfolds you. You immediately know that he delights in you, and that knowledge fills your heart with elation.
Go ahead and bask in your Father’s love today. Let it fill you with the courage you need to face your day. Let his love propel you to take up the battle against sin. Preserve this feeling of God’s perfect love for you throughout the day, and watch to see the effect it has on everything you do.
“Father, I am amazed that you could love me as much as you love your Jesus. Help me continue to enjoy the depth and the breadth of your love today, so that I can grow in my love for you.”
Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11