Recovery Meditations: July 6th

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SUFFERING

The desire to stop suffering
is not the same thing as the desire to stop the behavior
we are doing which causes us to suffer.
Dr. James Golden

Our disease of addiction causes tremendous suffering to ourselves and to those around us. It consumes our lives and often leads to painful losses. No matter how profoundly we long to be rid of our disease, recovery is not something that falls into our laps just because we want it. We don''t magically stop being compulsive eaters just because that\s our desire. It would be great if recovery happened magically and all we'd have to do is say, "I don't want this disease any more; I don't want to suffer any longer." If it were that easy, we'd immediately find ourselves in a place of complete and total recovery. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way.

In the depths of my disease I cried out to the God of my understanding to help me achieve abstinence and an alleviation of my suffering. What was the answer to my prayers? This wonderful Twelve Step program.

One of the first things I learned was that I could wish and hope and pray, but until I put feet to my prayers and actually started working the Steps, I wouldn't recover from my disease. God will only do for us what He can do through us. If I'm not willing to do even a little bit of the work, I shouldn''t expect recovery. If I won't take the first step on this journey, I can't expect to reach my final destination. I can do some things for myself -- like putting the Steps into practice -- but what about the things I can't do for myself? I'll let God handle those.

One day at a time...
I'll remember that it's not enough
to want to stop suffering from my disease;
I also need to do some footwork to make it happen.

~ Jeff

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Expecting to find recovery without doing the footwork is like searching for the 'magic pill' that will allow me to lose weight without changing my eating habits.

I see those ads all the time on TV & in magazines all the time. Lose weight quickly & easily! Don't change a single thing, just swallow this pill!  Keep enjoying cake & ice cream & STILL lose weight! In tiny print at the end of the ad, if you look with a magnifying glass, you'll see words to the effect of "when followed with diet and exercise."  

Nothing is free and there is always a catch to everything. Same with Recovery. I won't change my habits simply by 'wanting' to do so.  I have to MAKE it happen by following a structured food plan of abstinence. I have to be willing to STOP the behavior that causes me to suffer; simply wanting it is not enough.

Good actions create good thoughts, not the other way around.

Sitting back on my laurels will NOT get me where I need and want to be. Only lots of hard work, commitment and prayer WILL.

For today, I will stop 'wishing' and start making things happen for myself.  With God's help, I can do ANYTHING, one day at a time.  Recovery is available.............what am I willing to do to FIND it, and/or to KEEP it?