One Inch at a Time is Fine

Many of us have made our New Year's resolutions.  We've promised ourselves, others and God things will be different.  We will be different.  Maybe be are off to a great start.  The last week had been filled with success.  I know that is usually how it works for me.  And then February rolls around...and maybe we falter a little.  Maybe we eat that extra piece of cake.  Maybe we feel our expectations were just a little to high and we need to lower them a bit.

Or maybe our resolutions were a little harder to keep, something we promised that was extremely difficult, like breaking addictions to drugs or alcohol.  And we've failed even before February came around.  But just because we fail does not mean we are a failure.  Maybe we thought we could break those serious chains on our own, when in reality we need help, a support system.  When I broke (or I really should say Jesus broke) the chains of addiction to drugs and alcohol, the Lord placed me into a terrific outpatient program where I got the support I needed.  Yes, I was blessed enough to have family help, but maybe someone's doesn't...either the family was never there or have walked away after your repeated lapses and oft broken promises.  All the more need to be involved in a recovery community along side working with the Holy Spirit to open those prison doors and flee the dark cell of addiction.  There is a great Bible that is called The Life Recovery Bible...it's based on the 12-Step program and walks the reader through each of the 12 Steps using the Scriptures.  This was probably my greatest tool when I was getting clean and sober.

Through all of the battle, whatever our addictions God stays.  He doesn't walk away.  He doesn't leave us no matter how many promises we break, how many times we fail.  He may let us hit rock bottom.  He may let us stew in our own mess and let us get so far down we don't even know where up is anymore in order for us to realize there is no where to go but to His arms.  And those arms are always open.

I didn't plan on writing this today.  But that is how I know it is Spirit led.  Someone needs to know that addiction isn't a life sentence.  There is freedom...I've experienced it for just over twenty-five years.  I can't tell you how many times I promised myself I was not going to buy drugs that day...then it was, well I'll only buy this much, then it was this much more....you know the drill.  But one day I kept that promise to myself.  And then God took over from there.  He led me to and led me through.  It was by no means easy.  It's hard!!!  Oh, my gosh, I know how hard!   Most of us don't get that instant deliverance.  It's a battle of inches, each inch a wonderful victory to celebrate.

You've got this.  Even if I am only talking to one person when I say that today...You've got this!  Jesus will be by your side.  Don't give up.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

Maybe you are one who does not have a drug addiction, but something else needs to go.  Anger, overeating, self-pity, procrastination....whatever struggle, whatever flaw or bad habit.  You've got this too!   Remember:  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

Lord, You are a chain breaking, prison door opening, freedom giving Savior!  I thank You today for my freedom and I thank You for the work You are doing in the lives of those who read this today.  Keep them going, step by step, inch by inch toward deliverance.  You are the God who stays, who never leaves  nor forsakes us.  You are not the God who counts our failures, but the God who leads us to victory.  As far as the east is from the west, that is how far You remove our sin from us.  Help us all to hang onto these truths, and to hang on to Your hand and to stand fast in Your strength and salvation.  In the powerful, delivering Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

You've got this.