I hope wherever you are, you know Recovery is with you right where you are.
What do we get out of Recovery? Sometimes we cannot see how taking action in Recovery will benefit us. Yet those who have experienced its healing power want to share the hope that Recovery offers to all of us.
At times, I want to know how something will help me before I commit to it. And that is okay. So let’s talk about some of the gifts that Recovery can bring into our lives.
When was the last time we did something we knew was not good for us? We may come up with reasons or excuses, but often it comes down to this: we have impulses that can be difficult to control. One of the gifts of Recovery is that it helps us face those struggles with honesty and hope.
Many of us know what it feels like to want to do what is right but find ourselves doing the opposite. We know what is healthy, yet we sometimes choose what is unhealthy instead. Have you ever felt that struggle?
The truth is that we are not alone. This happens more often than we care to admit. We know we should attend a support group, but instead we choose something easier or more comfortable. We cannot escape our human nature, and willpower alone is often not enough to overcome every unhealthy habit.
The good news is that Recovery offers a way forward, not through our strength alone, but through the wisdom and guidance of the 12 Steps. Each time we open our hearts to Recovery, gifts begin to grow within us.
Some of these gifts include:
• Friendship with others in Recovery.
• A desire to know and follow the path of healing.
• Freedom from shortcomings and deeper healing of the soul.
• A hunger for strong character and personal growth.
• Greater strength to avoid unhealthy behaviors in the future.
• A heart that listens to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• A growing desire to learn, love, and practice the 12 Steps.
These gifts are practical and life-giving. When we embrace them, our relationships become healthier, our work becomes more meaningful, and our decisions become clearer.
The gift of practicing Recovery helps us do the next right thing. As we continue on this path, amazing things begin to take root and grow in our lives.
One faithful step at a time, Recovery transforms us from the inside out.
Remember, Recovery is happening right now, in this moment.