Are We There Yet?

Our overall theme for the evening was “Encountering God, the Creator of everything.”   [Eph. 3.14] Having a correct view of God as a Father who cares deeply for humanity regardless of their past.

“Are we there yet?”  Those of us who have traveled any distance with kids (and adults) have heard that question asked numerous times.  When Dawn and I travel, we often say, “I am so ready to be there.” 

Often times, on the journey of recovery, we become discouraged and have those same thoughts... “Am I there yet?” and “I am so ready to be there.”  Our desire is to “get there; to arrive; to be “normal.”  And, yet, we know in our hearts that our journey will never be over and we’ll never be normal.  And discouragement can easily set in and cause us to give up – quite trying and relapse.

How do we disarm discouragement? 

HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.  I think the best way to look at your journey is to have the mindset that you are going to do your best on the path of recovery with the firm understanding that no one ever completes it perfectly on this side of eternity.  

Accept and embrace a “progress not perfection” attitude.

BE PERSISTENT.  Even though you know you’ll never achieve perfection or become a “former addict,” never quit the journey.  GOD NEVER GIVES UP ON YOU… and if HE doesn’t give up, why should you?  Do you think you know you better than God knows you?  What’s best for you? 

Never give up because God never gives up! 

YOU’RE NOT ALONE on the journey.   At Remedy not only are we in recovery together, we do life together!  More importantly is the fact is that God is with you, too. 

In fact, HE IS TRAVELING WITH YOU.  Philippians 2.13: “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”   

The combination of a positive attitude and energetic effort is a part of the mystery of our cooperative effort with God “to do what pleases Him.” 

This verse states that God is working with you not against you.  The sense that God is working against us is most prevalent when we face trials and problems.  (Read Romans 5.3&4.)  We would all like an “instant recovery”!   God could change us in an instant but He chooses to change us one step at a time using trials and problems that allow us to develop endurance (persistence) and strength of character.  So, although it may seem like at times He’s against you, in reality, He’s got your back!   He knows what’s best and He wants the very best for you.  God has not left us alone in our struggles.  He wants to come alongside us and be within us to help.  God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.  The secret to a changed life is to submit to God’s control and let Him work.  “Work like it’s all up to God; pray like it’s all up to you.” 

This verse also tells us that He has picked the trail for us to follow.  Your addiction is NOT unique but YOU are!  God knows you personally and knows what it is in YOUR life that needs to be done “to please Him.” 

Discouragement often occurs when the way we think things should go don’t work out the way WE think they should.  Basically, we’ve picked the trail and headed down the wrong fork in the trail.  To get back on, we need to surrender every aspect of our life to HIS control and guidance. 

There is no shortcut on the path to wholeness.   To disarm discouragement:  1. Have a positive attitude.  2.  Be persistent.  3.  You are not alone.   4.  God is working for you not against you.  5.  Follow the path God has selected.6.  Surrender

E – Teaching – Ephesians 3.12 -21

Encountering God, the Creator of everything [Eph. 3.14]

A correct view of God as a Father who cares deeply for humanity regardless of their past

We are “image bearers” of God [see Genesis 1.27]

Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit [3.16]

                Power to change core beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors

We are empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Experiencing the love of Christ [3.18 & 19]

                A love so great it cannot be explained only experienced.

The love of Christ reaches into every corner of our life experience.

The love of Christ is wide: it reaches every experience in life. 

It is long: it continues the length of our lives. 

It is high:  it rises to the heights of our celebration and elation. 

It is deep: it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death. 

When you feel shut out or isolated, remember you can never be lost to the love of Christ. 

Experiencing becoming a fully functioning human through the implantation of Christ [3.19-21]

In union with Christ and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are complete.   We have all the fullness of God available to us.  We must appropriate that fullness through faith and prayer as we daily live for him.