After we've made a surrender, the drink problem is out of our hands and in the hands of God. The thing we have to do is to be sure that we never reach out and take the problem back into our own hands. Leave it in God's hands. Whenever I'm tempted to take a drink, I must say to my self: "I can't do that. I've made a bargain with God not to drink. I know God doesn't want me to drink and so I won't do it." At the same time I say a little prayer to God for the strength needed to keep the bargain with Him. Am I going to keep my bargain with God?
Meditation for the Day
I will try to grow in this new life. I will think of spiritual things often and unconsciously I will grow. The nearer I get to the new life, the more I will see my unfitness. My sense of failure is a sure sign that I am growing in the new life. It is only struggle that hurts. In sloth - physical, mental, or spiritual - there is no sense of failure or discomfort. With struggle and effort, I am conscious not of strength but of weakness until I am really living the new life. But in the struggle, I can always rely on the power of God to help me.
Prayer for the Day
I pray that I may see signs of my growth in the new life. I pray that I may always keep trying to grow.
Today's thoughts from Hazelden are:
I Wish I Were
I wish I were big enough to honestly admit all my shortcomings.
Brilliant enough to accepts praise without it making me arrogant.
Tall enough to tower over dishonesty.
Strong enough to welcome criticism.
Compassionate enough to understand human frailties.
Wise enough to recognize mistakes.
Humble enough to appreciate greatness.
Brave enough to stand by my friends.
Human enough to be thoughtful of my neighbor.
And spiritual enough to be devoted to the love of God.
-- Author unknown --
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Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha
