Step Three, Day 1 - Submission and Rest

[EyesWideOpen33]

"The Twelve Step Life Recovery Devotional" (Arterburn/Stoop)

Step Three, Day 1

We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

When our burdens become heavy and we see that our way of life is leading us toward death, we may finally become willing to let someone else do the driving. We've probably worked hard at trying to get our lives on the right track, but still feel like we always end up on a dead-end street.

Proverbs tells us, 'Before every man there lies a wide and pleasant road that seems right but ends in death" (Proverbs 14:12). When we began our addictive behaviors we were probably seeking a way to find pleasure or to overcome the pain of living. The way seemed right at first, but it became clear that we were on the wrong track. But then we were unable to turn around on our own. Jesus said, "Come to me and I will give you rest--all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke--for it fits perfectly--and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-30).

To take on a yoke implies being united to another in order to work together. Those who are yoked together must go n the same direction, but by doing so, their work is made considerably easier. Jesus is saying that when we finally decide to submit our lives and our will to his direction, our burdens will become manageable. When we let him do the driving, we will be able to "find rest" for our souls. He knows they way and has the strength to turn us around and get us on the road toward life.
-------------------------------
We all wear a yoke on our shoulders; the trick is in finding the right master.
-------------------------------

Thanks Eyes,

I know for sure that Jesus knows the way and that He is the way. I've been following Him. I've been able to find rest from emotional pain, but I'm still carrying a load of something. I just don't know what it is. I find though that the more I follow the more He shows me. The more He shows me the more I can let go.

Sometimes I just pray " God can't you just take this without me knowing what it is?" It doesn't seem to work like that for me though. He always shows me before I am able to let it go. I can feel the load on my shoulders. It's really heavy. I just don't have a clue what it is. I know if I keep following He'll show me. It's such a long journey. I somehow feel that it must be my fault that we don't move faster, but then I think that everything happens in His time, not mine.

Know the truth and the truth will set you free. I just have more to learn.

Hugs,
MG

[Ann]

As a codependent, it was REALLY hard for me to turn my will and life over to the care of God. At first I would try, and I would turn it over to Him on Sunday. If, by Wednesday, I didn't see any results, I would take it back. Which meant I never really turned it over in the first place. I only loaned it to Him. And that didn't work.

Then, I would try again, and when I didn't see results I would pray "God what are you doing? When will I see change?" . And the answer was always the same..."Have patience".

When I finally learned to have patience, I could see God's work first hand, and I could understand why it had to be in His time not in my time. And I learned to trust God, and I have trusted Him ever since.

What was so difficult at the beginning, is now a wonderful gift to me. It is such a pleasure to turn everything over to God. Oh, sometimes I have to remind myself. During a recent crisis with my son, I was panicing and struggling, and it took about an hour before I remembered that I hadn't even thought about turning it over. As soon as I did, I was fine...completely and totally fine.

And I think that this has been the greatest gift of all in my recovery. God is doing a much better job with my life than I could ever dream of.