Step 11 Devotional - A New Hiding Place

BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 22:1-33

We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of his will for us and the power to carry that out.

In the past we used our addiction as a hiding place when life became overwhelming. Now that we are in recovery, life can at times feel even more overwhelming. We’ll need a new place of refuge to escape the storms and find protection.

King David experienced many battles. He said of God: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. . . . I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. The waves of death overwhelmed me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. . . . He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock? God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect” (2 Samuel 22:2-7, 31-33).

There will always be times when we feel the need for a safe place, the need to run and hide. God can be that hiding place. When we were in distress, surrounded by “waves of death” in our old life of sin, we called to God for help. He heard our cries and brought us to a place[…]”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 10 Devotional - Looking in the Mirror

BIBLE READING: James 1:21-25

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

How many times do we look in the mirror each day? Suppose we looked in the mirror and found that we had mustard smeared around our mouth. Wouldn’t we immediately wash our face and clean up the problem? In the same way, we need to routinely look at ourself in our “spiritual mirror,” the Bible. Then if anything is wrong, we can take the proper steps to fix it.
James uses a similar illustration to show how God’s Word should be like a spiritual mirror in our life. He said: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it” (James 1:22-25).

This illustration supports the sensibleness of making a routine personal inventory. As we examine our life, we need to respond with immediate action if something has changed since we last looked. If we put off taking care of a problem, it may soon slip our mind. Just as we would think it foolish to go all day knowing there is mustard on our face, it is not logical to notice a problem that could lead to a fall and not correct it promptly.

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 10 Devotional - Perseverance

BIBLE READING: 2 Timothy 2:1-8

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Recovery is a lifelong process. There will be times when we grow weary and want to throw in the towel. We will experience pain, fear, and a host of other emotions. We will win some battles but lose others in the war to achieve wholeness. We may get discouraged at times when we can’t see any progress, even though we have been working hard. But if we persevere through it all, we can maintain the ground we have gained.

The apostle Paul used three illustrations to teach about perseverance. He wrote to Timothy: “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things” (2 Timothy 2:3-7).

Like a soldier, we are in a war that we can win only if we fight to the end. Like an athlete, we must train for a new way of life and follow the steps of recovery to the finish line. Like a farmer, we must do our work in every season and then wait patiently until we see growth. If we stop working our program before reaching the goal, we may lose everything we have fought, trained, and worked hard for.

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 10 Devotional - Spiritual Exercises

BIBLE READING: 1 Timothy 4:7-8

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

It is amazing what human beings can achieve through consistent disciplined effort. How many times have we watched seasoned gymnasts or other athletes and marveled at the ease with which they performed? We realize that they developed those abilities through rigorous training, which is what sets the true athletes apart from the spectators. Continuing our regular personal inventory requires similar self-discipline.

Paul wrote to Timothy: “Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better” (1 Timothy 4:7-8). The word translated “training” referred specifically to the disciplined training done by gymnasts in Paul’s day.

Spiritual strength and agility come only through practice. We need to develop our spiritual muscles through consistent effort and daily discipline. Continuing to take our personal inventory is one of the disciplines we need to develop. Like the athlete, we can motivate ourself to continue in disciplined routines by looking forward to our reward. This kind of discipline promises “benefits in this life and in the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Results won’t happen overnight. But as we continue practicing these disciplines each day, we will eventually reap the benefits.

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 10 Devotional - Dealing with Anger

BIBLE READING: Ephesians 4:26-27

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Many of us have a hard time dealing with anger. Some of us have a history of rage, so we try to stifle our feelings. Others of us stuff down the feelings of anger, pretending they don’t exist, because we were never allowed to express them in the past. If some of our problems stem from not knowing how to express anger properly, we may try to avoid dealing with it altogether. We may try to “put it off” and hope it goes away. Evaluating how to deal with anger appropriately is an important part of our daily inventory.

The apostle Paul said, “‘Don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27). One key is to have daily time limits for handling our anger—time to find ways to express the feelings and then let them go.
Dealing with anger promptly is important because when it is left to fester, it becomes bitterness. Bitterness is anger that has been buried and given time to grow. The Bible warns us: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Alcoholics Anonymous teaches that we should never allow ourselves to become too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. We can help accomplish this by promptly dealing with our anger when it occurs.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 10 Devotional - Repeated Forgiveness

BIBLE READING: Romans 5:3-5

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

We may grow impatient with ourself when we continue to commit the same sins over and over again. This may cause us to get discouraged, or we may be afraid that we are doomed to relapse.
Peter asked Jesus, “‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’

No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” (Matthew 18:21-22). If this is to be our attitude toward others, doesn’t it make sense that we should extend the same grace to ourself? We need to be as patient with ourself as God expects us to be with others.

Paul wrote: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. . . . For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:3-5).

Learning to wait patiently is an important characteristic for us to develop. Each time we admit sin and accept God’s forgiveness, our hope and faith have a chance to be exercised and grow stronger. We no longer have to hide in shame every time we slip. We can admit our wrongs and move on. God’s love for us is reaffirmed every time we rely on it. In this way God helps us hold our head high no matter what happens.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.

Step 10 Devotional - Personal Boundaries

BIBLE READING: Genesis 31:45-55

We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

We all have particular weaknesses, and it is often helpful to establish personal boundary lines to support these weaker areas. We may need to clearly define our commitments to others; we may need to agree on certain limitations in order to maintain peace. Once the boundaries have been established, honesty is needed to maintain them. An assessment of our honesty in keeping our commitments needs to be a regular part of our everyday life.

 Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban, had some conflicts. As they were working them out, they entered into an agreement by drawing a clearly defined boundary line and setting up a monument to remind them of that commitment. “  ‘May the LORD keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other’s sight. . . . See this pile of stones,’ Laban continued, ‘and see this monument I have set between us. They stand between us as witnesses of our vows.’ . . . So Jacob took an oath before the fearsome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line” (Genesis 31:49, 51-53).

Restoring trust in our relationships is part of recovery. To do this we should define our expectations and enter cautiously into commitments. We are not merely responsible for what the other person knows about. We are personally responsible for our own honesty before the watchful eyes of God. These relational commitments are not to be entered into lightly. But when we make them, they must be vigilantly maintained.”

Excerpt From: Tyndale House Publishers. “The Life Recovery Bible NLT.