A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.Job 6:14 At some point during the recovery process we re-examine our most fundamental beliefs. A long process of sorting, examining and questioning takes place. And, in that process, our relationship with God is challenged. It is possible that our relationship with God will deepen and … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.Psalm 63:1 When a young child is separated from her parents, she will protest their absence. She will experience sadness, anxiety, anger and a longing for her parents to return. These intense emotions are not a sign of her failure as a child. Her protest is … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has born? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.Isaiah 49:15-16 We may experience abandonment from a spouse who turns away from us to their addiction of choice. We may experience feeling like we have been rejected by friends. We may struggle with memories of … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
How long, O Lord, must I call for help but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.Habakkuk 1:2-3,13 Where were you God? Where were you when I needed you? Didn't you see the violence? The abuse? The injustice? … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.Isaiah 41:10 Many of us struggle with fear. It is a very uncomfortable emotion. We would be happy to be rid of it. It causes our hearts to race, our focus of attention to narrow, and terrible possibilities to enter our minds. We wish we could … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.Hosea 6:3 There are days when we feel God's presence. We sense God's love. We see God's power. But we do not always feel or sense or see. There are times of silence, distance and uncertainty. There are the … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4 Sometimes the recovery journey takes us through the valley of the shadow of death. It is a frightening valley. What a difference it makes in times like this to hear God's promise to be with us. It's not that the fears vanish, they don't always. But we experience them differently when … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:7 Sometimes it feels like our hearts are breaking. And sometimes we worry that we will lose our minds. Both our hearts and our minds need protection. When we let go of the defenses that have protected us for so long, and we allow ourselves to be honest and vulnerable, … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
If I go to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.Psalm 139:8 Sometimes life is hell. That's how it feels. It feels like we have taken up residence in hell. Sometimes the darkness overwhelms us. Sometimes we hurt so much that we can't imagine experiencing joy or peace ever again. Sometimes we seem to have 'made our bed ' in a place that God has deserted, a place … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love
Rooted in God’s Love
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.Isaiah 43:2 There are times in the recovery process when it feels like we will drown in sorrow. The losses, the betrayals, the failures threaten to overwhelm us. The intensity of the emotional pain frightens us in times like this. We feel ourselves loosing ground as life swirls … [Read more...] about Rooted in God’s Love