There is an old Biblical story which relates to having trust in God. When the Jewish people left Egypt, "The Exodus", God had prepared a land for them - The Promised Land. The Promised Land was an eleven day journey from Egypt. Moses sent a scout from each of the twelve tribes to explore The Promised Land and report back. They reported that the area was magnificent, a land flowing with milk and honey, but the people there are powerful and the cities well fortified. What's more, "we saw giants seven to nine feet tall". This caused fear in the people. The only scouts willing to face their fear (by trusting in God) were Caleb and Joshua, both willing to enter The Promised Land. The Jewish people decided not to enter. For the next forty years the Jews wandered around in the wilderness until all those who were over twenty at the time had died. Once again, they stood at The Promised Land and only Caleb and Joshua who were over twenty from forty years ago were allowed to enter as they had been willing to face their fears by trusting in God.
We each have our own exodus from our own addiction. We became weary of wandering around the wilderness alone. We were ill. We were finished. We face our fears by trusting in God and we enter The Promised Land - a land of serenity, peace and joy. Are you ready? Have you come to believe that a power greater than yourself could restore you to sanity? Have you come to trust in that power?
Written By Armand
Written By Armand
My will was so pervasive and my defiance so great that, even in AA, I could have wandered around aimlessly in profound confusion. Without first understanding Step Two as explained to me by a knowing and fully engaged Big Book sponsor, I might never have completely understood the power of Trust. I had no faith, but in Step Two I learned that, for me, Trust had to precede Faith. By integrating all Twelve Steps into my life in such a way that they became my life, I found The Power Within me that had been hidden behind the walls of my fear-based ego and its manifest false pride. I began to Trust for the first time, and that Trust has grown and flowered in me just as The Big Book suggests. My only obligation is that in order to keep it I must continue to give it away. One day at a time, every day.
ReplyDeleteMichael trust is the key component of belief. If I May well said my friend...Thank you...Armand
DeleteArmand, a wonderful topic.
ReplyDeleteGod hasn't ransomed us just to release us back into the prison of "half measures" and lost hope. Although I wanted to do what is right, certain events in the day found me incapable of "generating" the depth of faith required to manifest an absolute trust in Gods guidance and plan. How then can I walk in the power of the Spirit? Mark 9: 14 - 29 holds the answer. Here we find a frantic father, desperately seeking relief for his demonized son. No doubt he sought every local source of human and spiritual ingenuity available to effect a cure, all to no avail. He hears of the miraculous works of Jesus, a furtive hope is kindled, he sets out into the wilderness. But hopes are dashed as Christ's own disciples are impotent against his sons's beastly condition.
Jesus arrives on the scene, questions the father who relates his desperation, then pleads "Have mercy on us and help us if you can." "If I can?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The crippling fear that had previously obscured the father's innermost need was in that moment surrendered to the Master. He instantly cries out "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!" He asked for a miracle and it was provided... In an instant, lost hope transformed into saving faith while he witnessed the impossible as Jesus cast out the daemon and his son was restored healthy and whole. But the story wasn't over, His disciples asked "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?" Jesus replied, "This kind can only be cast out by prayer and fasting." Yes, I have discovered some things do require extra effort on my part but all things can be overcome as I first willingly, then fervently lay them at the feet of the Lord. Beginning, with myself..
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic
A Gratefully Recovering Alcoholic just love that prayer 'I believe Dear lord, help my unbelief"...Thank you...Armand
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