NO SELF-WORTH

Job 3:23 (The Life Recovery Bible) "Why is life given to those with no future, those God has surrounded with difficulties?"

It is a nagging horror — having no self-esteem. We all feel like `a nobody' at times. Deep-seated feelings of inferiority cannot easily be dispensed with. Dreams do not drive away such depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope. Possibility thinking fails to rid us of the `blues'. Doubt about ever overcoming our innermost downward slope only worsens the feelings, memories, and impulses that have usually affected our character psychologically and given rise to abnormal, compulsive behaviour..

Modem remedies offered to heal nagging self-images usually omit a crucial fact: we do not create a sense of self-worth simply by our own thoughts and actions. Self-assertion is not enough. Psychologists tell us that unfulfilled desires for self-esteem lead to bitterness and agonising frustration.

MEDITATION

When God has wanted something done, almost always He has taken hold of someone who felt inferior. The first step toward achieving better feelings about ourselves is to recognise our unworthiness in the sight of God. We become somebody, precisely at the moment we start realising God alone can make us somebody and wants to do so. We are valuable because Christ died for us. We are valuable because God made us in His own image. He sees us for what we are meant to be and can become. He is in the work of reclaiming those who have weakly surrendered unconditionally to error. Never forget that the Bible records that great heroes only became such with divine assistance. ` Their weakness was turned to strength.' (Hebrews 11:34) Jesus Christ can make something of our lives. He will accept us, allow us to belong, refine our feelings, all vital factors in rising above our `nobody', image of ourselves and our situations.

We do not need to resort to shameful tactics to gain attention. We do not need to remain isolated, feeling ignored. Burying ourselves in work, to prove capabilities, will not work this problem out. Try Jesus, the ONE TRUE HIGHER POWER as the WAY out, and up.

PRAYER

Lord, I'm sick of feeling ignored, unwanted, lonely, and inferior. Lift my sights to see You as my Saviour.

Responsible Responsiveness

Malachi 1:2 (Life Recovery Bible)

"I have always loved you," says the Lord. But you retort, "Really? How have you loved us?"

We can take the granted for granted! The skies above, the air we breathe, the beauty of nature, things we use. God has granted us so much. What is our response to such provisions? There is something wrong with our chilling coldness of attitude when God gives us such lovely gifts, the gift of Jesus Christ, the gift of recovery, the gift of transformed lives. Our response reflects a poverty of soul and a personality problem. How do we react to compassionate kindness and caring concern? Are we afraid to display emotion? In the context of Recovery are we seeking to remain detached, not wanting to be too sensitive in or reaction to our new found way of living? Do we adopt a degree of hardness in refusing God's love?

MEDITATION

Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in "the bitter uprising," that time of wilderness testing! (Hebrews 3:8 the Message)

Israel provoked God by such an attitude, and He was displeased. Refusal of God's love is offensive to Him. Love should generate love. Strange moving of the emotions should result from acceptance of the divine openings given to us as sinful rebels. What amazing grace!

A Jewish Rabbi one day was told by a devoted student, "Master, I love you". The teacher looked up sadly and asked the young man, "Do you know what hurts me, my son" The student rather puzzled stammered a few reckless words, which was a confession of not understanding. The Rabbi concluded: "My question is neither confusing nor irrelevant: if you do not know what hurts me, how can you truly love me?"

Let us apply that to us, realising self-examination exposes inner attitudes as well as outward responses. What hurts God and hurts inflicted upon others, are relevant to our relationships. Sentimental response is not enough. From the deepest recesses of my being there has to be a real feeling for God. The first and great commandment - Deuteronomy 6:5 (The Life Recovery Bible) You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

PRAYER

Forgive me for stumbling and hesitating, Lord. Draw me by Your great love, to a responsible response to YOU as my God and my Saviour.

Reliance brings confidence

1 Corinthians 2:4 (NLT)

And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Confidence grows out of reliance on God – In Judges 7:2-3
The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. Therefore, tell the people, 'Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain
and go home.'" So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.

This reading serves to remind us we do not fight our battles in our own strength and we can be confident of victory over our addictions only when we put our confidence in God and not in ourselves, our groups or others.

The recovery story each of us knows best is our own (we lived it) and many of us know from personal experience and personal relationship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through us the truth of the verse Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. It is in Him we find confidence and learn to share our message (transformation through obedience) with others , we don't need fancy words all we need is our own experience and testimony, confidence to share it and confidence that God will use it to transform the lives of those He connects us with. Rely on the Power of the Holy Spirit and He will direct your path.