Jesus
and Support Groups, a Match Made in Heaven
It seems some people tend
to look down upon people who go to support groups like Al-Anon, Alcoholics Anonymous,
or Celebrate Recovery. Some of them perhaps feel like if you have the Lord, you
should be able to cope with anything that life hits you with. That includes if
there is an addict in the family.
When I accepted Jesus as savior, I knew I
had all I needed for life and living in this world. But I also go to Al-Anon
and completed a course in Celebrate Recovery. Why? You might wonder.
Some of us need a little help with
focusing on things that will keep them sane in this world. The 12-step support
group does this for me along with my daily Bible devotions and prayer, which is
my first priority each day. I find when I have something to focus on and good
things to put into my mind, I’m more likely to have a good day. Sometimes our
days are filled with thinking about our dysfunctional family members, their
illness, their addictions and the possible consequences they (and we as their
loved ones) may pay.
I’d like to
introduce you to the 12 Steps of Al-Anon (a group of people who are bothered by
someone else’s drinking.)
1.
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Realizing
that we are powerless over other people and that their lives cannot be changed
by us; we learn the powerlessness that comes from yielding to step one. We are
powerless but our God, Jesus, is all powerful. When we let the addict or
alcoholic continually control our minds and thoughts, we’re not taking good
care of ourselves. Our lives become unmanageable.
2.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Does
the dysfunction in your life ever make you feel like you are going insane? You
have joined the club of mothers, parents or family members of addicts then. It’s
a growing club with no dues except the debt of love. Only the Lord our God can
restore us and our loved ones back to sanity.
3.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
We,
as well, as the addicts in our lives have to make decisions, sometimes daily,
to let go and let God. In that we turn each situation in our life over to God.
We didn’t create, can’t change and can’t control anyone or any circumstance but
our Lord can and He will at the right time.
4.
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
There
are many workbooks and online helps to help us do this step. Mainly I think it
is looking at our past, our character traits both good and bad and admitting we
need help to be able to live with others.
5.
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of
our wrongs.
After
we have seen ourselves for what we are, just a flawed but loved human being, we
admit to our Lord, to ourselves and then find a friend or a sponsor to admit
the things we feel led to expose. When we do, miracle upon miracle, we find, we
are not condemned. We find that we are affirmed, loved and encouraged.
6.
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
The Lord forgives! How wonderful an experience to know that He
knows our defects, our shortcomings and yet, he loves us still and doesn’t want
us to remain in them.
7.
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Step seven is probably the easiest of the steps to work because
if I humble myself before God, He has promised to lift me up. His death on the
cross guaranteed my forgiveness, so I come to Him knowing He is going to answer
my cry for help.
8.
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to
them all.
This goes along with the verse if you bring your gift to the
altar and then remember your brother has ought with you, leave your gift and go
make it right with your brother, sister, husband, wife, child or friend.
9.
Made a direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so
would injure them or others.
Sometimes this step has seemed to be a cop-out to me; direct
amends unless it might hurt someone, perhaps in bringing up the bad memories?
I remember some years back before I was as knowledgeable about
how long it could take to work the steps. I was stressed at a situation and
found myself yelling, “Step Eight, Step Eight, Step Eight!” I was so focused on
how I felt slighted, that I didn’t even know the right step to say. Step Eight
says become willing, Step Nine, says to actually make the amends.
I’d so thought someone was overdue to make amends for the things
that they had done to me, not realizing by me even bringing up some of it, the
results might lead to more disagreement and disharmony. Life is too short to
expect anything from anyone. I try to count my blessings and realize that we
may have it bad but there is always someone worse off.
10.
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted
it.
I do think being prompt with forgiveness and amends is the right
way to live when we have the strength and courage and love to live in that
manner. It’s sometimes said, “Clean up your own side of the road.” When we do
this, we really don’t have time to be wondering about the other side of the
road.
11.
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him,
praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Begin each day with a prayer of asking God to be with us, guide
us, live and shine from us and help us to be a part of bringing His perfect
will for our lives.
12.
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry
this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
I love the attraction of a life well-lived to carry the message.
A life where joy is shown, a life where we have order, clarity and love
abounding. This kind of life only comes from a spiritual awakening; it’s truly
divine in nature. To God be the glory! I’ll always believe that Jesus and
support groups are a match made in heaven.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGLxXYYwO90
Al-Anon’s
Twelve Steps, copyright 1996 by Al-Anon Family Group
Headquarters,
Inc. Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.
