Due to the proximity of Thanksgiving Day, much of the world of Recovery is concentrated on gratitude. Why is this? Because if you don't appreciate sobriety, you won't value it. I challenge people to think about what they are grateful for, narrow it down, refine it, define it. It's easy to go around a room and have everyone say something that they are grateful for.
I like being sober. But I used to like being drunk at times, too. I appreciate being sober. I used to appreciate a good microbrew or 10, too. But, to be truly grateful to our Lord and Savior for all he has done for us, to show the world, as the apostle Paul tried to teach, that takes another level entirely. We were told to let the world know us by our love for one another. We can't do that while drunk, high, anorexic, binging, cutting or any one the other 1000 different ways we've learned to abuse ourselves.
When I made the switch from being a believer to being a follower, I was stone cold sober for the first time in many years. I was in a situation where I didn't have any drink, and I couldn't get any drink. Jesus spoke to my heart, and I let the Holy Spirit in. It would be nice to say that He healed me right then and there and that I haven't desired a drink since. But that wasn't how He wanted to do it with me, and I am truly grateful for that. He made me walk through the withdrawals, the headaches, the anger, the shakes, the desires. He walked with me, He held me up and told me to take the next step. He told me through other people, like my pastor who helped guide me to my meetings, and He told me in my heart and soul.
Between then and now (and I only just past the 6 month mark), He changed me into a very different person. Oh, there are still many rough corners that need to be knocked off. I still have a lazy, selfish streak in me that causes me problems. But I pray that He will help me with those (I hope without a lot of self inflicted pain) and many other things that are stopping me from being the man I was meant to be.
I still have times that I feel bitter, childish, and self-centered. Yesterday was a big one for me. I have been called by the Lord of Lords to go help others with their problems, but I still fight my own selfishness. My prayer on that is that in helping others, I will help myself and find my own center.
In spite of all of that childish, self-centered whining, He still loves me. He still views me as a special, unique person and values me. I can't show enough gratitude to Jesus for that. He is the bridge between my selfish, sinful pride and the man I was meant to be. For me to pick up a drink now, after all He has done for me, is to put the nails back into His hands and put Him back up on that cross. I'm not saying that I don't think about drinking anymore. I'm not saying I'm not tempted anymore. But I am saying that I have a reason far larger than myself to fend off the temptation. I have the love of God Himself who sent down a part of Himself to die upon the cross, to be raised again, to walk the earth once more and be taken up to Heaven and seated at His right hand.
Good post, we learn in recovery that alcohol is but a symptom of our disease or "ism." We are spiritually sick and are completely selfish and self centered. These are truths for every alcoholic and are not isolated to a few. This is the chronic problem and need for living outside of ourselves for God and for others.
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