CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

[KnowMe]

I use to work from 7am to 3:30pm for most of my working yrs, man did I love my coffee in the early morning But for the last year and a half, I’ve worked a 2:30pm to 11pm shift.

something’s have changed I don’t need an alarm clock anymore to get up in morning and man do I miss my coffee in the early morning haha,

I kind of just stopped drinking it as much because I would only have coffee to get me going at 6am. though I still do have a cup now and then.

 

[Didymous]

I drank an ocean of alcohol, did a mountain of drugs, and caused thousands of hurts to others. All of that is as insignificant as a 20 micron dust particle in a sunbeam compared to my God, who gave me freedom and deliverance from a sad and wasted life. He is my higher power(the only higher power). He is my savior, my way maker, my healer. Anything good that I am, do, or say-is because of Him. Anything else is of me, and is useless. I praise the one true living God!

 

[calibob]

Recovery is an inside job. We will still experience symptoms of our emotional or mental dis-eases, and continue having urges to use toxic substances. The triggers can blind side us like a song or a reminder of something unsettling or unsettled that we never got worked out.

I can recall others describe getting arrested or committed as being rescued from... themselves basically. I takes maturity to accept the role we played in our own demise and it takes faith to realize we can overcome in Jesus name because he loved us before we knew ourselves.

Working the steps helps us to know ourselves. He hidden ignored and oft ugly parts the Lord already sees. But knowing he has already forgiven us makes it easier to forgive ourselves allowing us to change the things we can. It's much easier to make changes after we recognize when we will ask the Lord to help us change. We have to admit it. Remember Honesty, open mindedness and willingness?

 

[Bingo]

"Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest."

 

[Magenta]

April 5

Identification​

“Someone finally knew the crazy thoughts that I had and the crazy things I’d done.”​

––––=––––​

Addicts often feel terminally unique. We’re sure that no one used drugs like we did or had to do the things that we did to get them. Feeling that no one really understands us can keep us from recovery for many years.

But once we come to the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous, we begin to lose that feeling of being “the worst” or “the craziest.” We listen as members share their experiences. We discover that others have walked the same twisted path that we’ve walked and still have been able to find recovery. We begin to believe that recovery is available to us, too.

As we progress in our own recovery, sometimes our thinking is still insane. However, we find that when we share the hard time we may be having, others identify, sharing how they have dealt with such difficulties. No matter how troubled our thinking seems, we find hope when others relate to us, passing along the solutions they’ve found. We begin to believe that we can survive whatever we’re going through to continue on in our recovery.

The gift of Narcotics Anonymous is that we learn we are not alone. We can get clean and stay clean by sharing our experience, our strength, and even our crazy thinking with other members. When we do, we open ourselves to the solutions others have found to the challenges we face.

––––=––––​

Just for today: I am grateful that I can identify with others. Today, I will listen as they share their experience, and I’ll share mine with them.

 

[Bingo]

April 5

Identification​

“Someone finally knew the crazy thoughts that I had and the crazy things I’d done.”​

––––=––––​

Addicts often feel terminally unique. We’re sure that no one used drugs like we did or had to do the things that we did to get them. Feeling that no one really understands us can keep us from recovery for many years.

But once we come to the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous, we begin to lose that feeling of being “the worst” or “the craziest.” We listen as members share their experiences. We discover that others have walked the same twisted path that we’ve walked and still have been able to find recovery. We begin to believe that recovery is available to us, too.

As we progress in our own recovery, sometimes our thinking is still insane. However, we find that when we share the hard time we may be having, others identify, sharing how they have dealt with such difficulties. No matter how troubled our thinking seems, we find hope when others relate to us, passing along the solutions they’ve found. We begin to believe that we can survive whatever we’re going through to continue on in our recovery.

The gift of Narcotics Anonymous is that we learn we are not alone. We can get clean and stay clean by sharing our experience, our strength, and even our crazy thinking with other members. When we do, we open ourselves to the solutions others have found to the challenges we face.

––––=––––​

Just for today: I am grateful that I can identify with others. Today, I will listen as they share their experience, and I’ll share mine with them.

"Thank you Magenta for sharing.....
'Praise God'

 

[Magenta]

Recovery is an inside job. We will still experience symptoms of our emotional or mental dis-eases, and continue having urges to use toxic substances. The triggers can blind side us like a song or a reminder of something unsettling or unsettled that we never got worked out.

I can recall others describe getting arrested or committed as being rescued from... themselves basically. It takes maturity to accept the role we played in our own demise and it takes faith to realize we can overcome in Jesus name because he loved us before we knew ourselves.

Working the steps helps us to know ourselves. He hidden ignored and oft ugly parts the Lord already sees. But knowing he has already forgiven us makes it easier to forgive ourselves allowing us to change the things we can. It's much easier to make changes after we recognize when we will ask the Lord to help us change. We have to admit it. Remember Honesty, open mindedness and willingness?

Thank you for reading through the steps with me, Bob Practicing forgiveness, especially self-forgiveness, has been difficult for me, yet learning to forgive is what we are called to do as Christians. As more is revealed, I gain a greater understanding of how I became the person I was while I was lost and in rebellion. Knowing God loved me even then was wonderful, but the greater gift is knowing I am forgiven

 

[calibob]

Good morning. I'm grateful today to be alive.

 

[Magenta]

Good morning. I'm grateful today to be alive.
View attachment 197042

Me too! I thank God for you, Bob

 

[Magenta]

April 6 ... Growing honesty

“On a practical level, changes occur because what’s appropriate to one phase of recovery may not be for another.”​

Basic Text, p. 105​

––––=––––​

When we first came to Narcotics Anonymous, many of us had no legitimate occupation. Not all of us suddenly decide we’re going to become honest and productive model citizens the moment we arrive in NA. But we soon find, in recovery, that we are not so comfortable doing many of the things we once did without a second thought when we were using.

As we grow in our recovery, we begin to be honest in matters that probably hadn’t bothered us when we used. We start returning extra change a cashier may have given us by mistake, or admitting when we hit a parked car. We find that if we can begin to be honest in these small ways, the bigger tests of our honesty become much easier to handle.

Many of us came here with very little capacity to be honest. But we find that as we work the Twelve Steps, our lives begin to change. We are no longer comfortable when we benefit at the expense of others. And we can feel good about our newfound honesty.

––––=––––​

Just for today: I will examine the level of honesty in my life and see if I’m comfortable with it.

 

[calibob]

Me too! I thank God for you, Bob

I love you too. Recovery is about more than quitting. It's about a new life with God as the leader. New opportunities, new friends and a new way of looking at things. The kaleidoscope glasses are gone now. We learn to see ourselves 20-20 and trust in God's grace to get us through another day clean, sober and sane.

 

[calibob]

 

[Magenta]

I love you too. Recovery is about more than quitting. It's about a new life with God as the leader. New opportunities, new friends and a new way of looking at things. The kaleidoscope glasses are gone now. We learn to see ourselves 20-20 and trust in God's grace to get us through another day clean, sober and sane.

Just for to today I will try to get a better perspective on my life.

One day at a time I can survive the heartache of being apart from you.

 

[Magenta]

 

[oldethennew]

anything that we do 'after-conversion', is because our 'new-hearts' desire to please our Maker,
it's our choice to serve and obey Him with all of our hearts - our 'old-man' never cared, but our 'new-man' lives only
to walk in The Light'...

 

[Magenta]

April 07, 2019 The value of the past
Page 101

"This firsthand experience in all phases of illness and recovery is of unparalleled therapeutic value. We are here to share it freely with any addict who wants to recover."

Basic Text, p. 10

Most of us came into the program with some serious regrets. We had never finished high school, or we had missed going to college. We had destroyed friendships and marriages. We had lost jobs. And we knew that we couldn't change any of it. We may have thought that we'd always be regretful and simply have to find a way to live with our regrets.

On the contrary, we find that our past represents an untapped gold mine the first time we are called on to share it with a struggling newcomer. As we listen to someone share their Fifth Step with us, we can give a special form of comfort that no one else could provide - our own experience. We've done the same things. We've had the same feelings of shame and remorse. We've suffered in the ways only an addict can suffer. We can relate - and so can they.

Our past is valuable - in fact, priceless - because we can use all of it to help the addict who still suffers. Our Higher Power can work through us when we share our past. That possibility is why we are here, and its fulfillment is the most important goal we have to accomplish.

Just for Today: I no longer regret my past because, with it, I can share with other addicts, perhaps averting the pain or even death of another.

 

[calibob]

April 07, 2019 The value of the past
Page 101

"This firsthand experience in all phases of illness and recovery is of unparalleled therapeutic value. We are here to share it freely with any addict who wants to recover."

Just for Today: I no longer regret my past because, with it, I can share with other addicts, perhaps averting the pain or even death of another.

Thank you for sharing. Long pause, In other words help save.

 

[Magenta]

April 8
AN INSIDE LOOK

We want to find exactly how, when, and where our natural desires have warped us. We wish to look squarely at the unhappiness this has caused others and ourselves. By discovering what our emotional deformities are, we can move toward their correction.

— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 43

Today I am no longer a slave to alcohol, yet in so many ways enslavement still threatens—my self, my desires, even my dreams. Yet without dreams I cannot exist; without dreams there is nothing to keep me moving forward.
I must look inside myself, to free myself. I must call upon God's power to face the person I've feared the most, the true me, the person God created me to be. Unless I can or until I do, I will always be running, and never be truly free. I ask God daily to show me such a freedom!

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

 

[Bingo]

"I have learned, as a recovering alcoholic and turning my life over to God's care, each day
the best I know how...shall be a challenge many know not of, our challenges are two fold...plus.
I know where I have been, and I will never be able to completely shut the door, for the ugliness...
reminds me I can't afford a repeat!....And, my awareness helps keep my spiritual faith alive and well..
Praise God. This awareness, plus striving for harmony with people, places and things...trust me...
alone without God...I would be lost again!....Sad, but past experience confirms the fact...those
that have not the capacity to be honest and to rebuke the spiritual God part of the program.... many
often return to their addictions...with a vengeance ."
'Praise God'

 

[Magenta]

Just for Today I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that appals me for I do not have to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for Today I will be happy. Most folks are as happy as they make up their mind to be.

Just for Today I will adjust myself to what is and not adjust everything to my own ideas. I will take my ‘luck’ as it comes and fit myself to it.

Just for Today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something which requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for Today I will exercise my soul in three ways. I will do somebody a good turn without letting them know of it. If they find out it will not count. I will do at least two things I do not want to do just for exercise. I will not show my feelings are hurt. They may be hurt but I will not show it.

Just for Today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anyone and not try to regulate or improve anyone except myself.

Just for Today I will have a programme. I may not keep to it exactly but I will have it. I will save myself from those two pests – hurry and indecision.

Just for Today I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself and relax. During this time, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

Just for Today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.