Hope

Many times I feel like I am losing hope with my daily struggles to be come better more pure and spiritual.

The Readings!

Hope:

The Second Step in the addiction recovery program is Hope or "Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health."

A few points that I really like are:

..."turn to God and find hope in the Atonement of Jesus Christ." "Finally humbled, we reached out for help."

I need so much help sometimes I feel like I shouldn't even be in this program because my addictions seem so minor and insignificant where as many others have these huge ones right. No not at all my addictions affect my family just as greatly if not more so than others. I am loved and needing help I have to change I need the Atonement of Christ. A hope in Christ helps to accomplish using the Atonement. Then we will have faith to endure to the end and overcome our addictions.

"We are grateful to hear that if we would turn to the Lord, there would be "no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no offense exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness" ( Boyd K Packer, in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 22; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 19)

I have so many bad habits it is hard to see the tree for the forest or see the light at the end of the tunnel to let go. I have done so many bad things because I am so frustrated with myself that I just want to hide under a rock.  I love my babies.  I love my husband and I love my family. I have to be better so I can serve them and overcome these weaknesses and be successful in my life. I know if I turn to Christ He will help let go of all the hurt and pain because He knows what it feels like. He knows me and Loves me. Heavenly Father gave His only begotten son so that all His children could come back if we would just hold onto the Iron Rod and not let go for anything. Then we will reach Eternal salvation.

"We began to believe that He could deliver us form the bondage of addiction. We followed the example of our recovering friends. We attended meetings, prayed, renewed our activity in the Church, and pondered and applied the scriptures, and our own miracles began to happen. We found ourselves blessed with the grace of Jesus Christ to maintain our abstinence one day at a time."

I thought I was good because I was going to church and I was reading the scriptures, but it is not enough. I have miss understood and miss interpreted many things. I have to be better. I have to be better. I know I will be blessed if I can just get better one day at a time. If I mess up I can repent and start again. Move forward with a steadfastness in Christ. With Heavenly Father's help I can do this. I can get better. I love the gospel and the Atonement it does give us peace and hope.

"We became willing to replace trust in ourselves and our addiction with faith in the love and power of Jesus Christ. We took this step in our minds and in our hearts,  and we experienced the truth that the foundation of recovery from addiction must be spiritual."

Recovery is definitely a spiritual one because our spirit and our body are connected as a soul. If our body cravings the addiction then our soul does as well. If our spirit is willing to change it can learn to control the natural man cravings of the body. I am feeling a definite change in myself and feel more of the Spirit as I continue on my journey towards recovery. I must keep the faith and PRAY often because as soon as I do not pray I slip. I have to keep it up I will keep it up.

..."you find yourself being restored to spiritual health through your newfound relationship with the Lord. His Spirit will help you begin to see your choices more honestly and clearly; you will make decisions in harmony with gospel principle."

I feel so much closer to the Lord as I study the scriptures and follow the steps to recovery. I feel more hope and joy. I will overcome. :)

"The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubles times in which we do now and will yet live."

I can see more of His mercies as I pray often and study the scriptures. I can feel that sweetness. Oh how wonderful our Heavenly Father and our brother Christ are. How much they do love us and want us to be happy. Thank Thee Lord for all you do for me.

"...We may falsely think that such blessings and gifts are reserved for other people who appear to be more righteous or who serve in visible Church callings. I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us" (in Conference Report. Apr. 2005, 106-7; or Ensign, May 005, 100-101).

Yes I felt his often but I have also felt that though I am trying to be good I do not receive as many blessings as those who are not going to church or following the Gospel as they should. I keep thinking I have missed something. We have been blessed so much though with wonderful opportunities and amazing callings to help and serve all God's Children our Spiritual brothers and sisters. We have progressed so that we can overcome our trials and challenges in life. We also have the gospel availability to go and partake of His spirit on regular basis.


The bolded sections are from the 12 step Addiction Recovery Program copyright 2005 pages 7-8