By the grace of God - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Rowan · 12-31-2005, 08:10 PM

I don't think i have ever posted in this particular forum before, and this may be because it's the area of recovery I have struggled the most with. Yes, I'm talking about GOD.

Since my relapse in July (and again on Christmas - sigh), I've been sliding down a very slippery slope. Although I recognize that the only thing between me and God is yours truly, I don't know how to step aside and let Him in.

There was a period, very early on in sobriety (2002), that I finally felt that connection to God that I heard others allude to. I got down on my knees to give thanks one night, and as I recited everything I was grateful for, I broke down sobbing. I felt absolutely raw, and I will never forget what that felt like. Part of the reason I won't forget, is because I haven't been able to recapture that connection since.

I recognize and understand that what works for another won't necessarily work for everyone, but if anyone reading this can identify, I would really like to know what you did to overcome this HUGE obstacle.

I believe, deep down, that getting right with God is the answer for this alcoholic. I welcome your responses.

Happy New Year to you all.

Rowan

:abg:

cwohio · 12-31-2005, 08:32 PM

rowan - i had been brought up to go to church and went until i was in my 20's. i stopped going and entered into a physical and emotional abusive relationship. many years after ending that i ended up in a relationship and marrying an alcoholic. i still was not connected to God. it was only after getting into Al-Anon that I seemed to get the wake-up call that there was something missing. since getting into recovery i have made that connection again and have found that i am craving making sure that i don't disconnect again. i think it takes different "wake-up" calls for different folks, just like the HP thing is different for each person. it's a working thing just like recovery i think. i find i talk to Him whenever i want, just like a friend because He's always there and make a point to consciously connect many times a day.

don't know if that helped or not, but thought i'd share.

bless you and i hope you know He is always there whether we turn our back on Him or not.

best · 01-01-2006, 07:38 AM

That spiritual high or humbling that brings many to their knees is but a season in life. We go through valley and then a-top mountains many times in life.
What works for me and many others I talk with...
Read and study the bible. get together with fellow Christians and hang out, listen to Christians music, and prayer.

Doing service work helps me keep my hands moving in the direction Christ would move his hands. When my actions follow in his footsteps, my heart joins and comes along.
Through prayer (talking with God-not just sitting and reciting words) and then reading the bible so I better understand who God is and what he wants from me, I find my growth expands.

Ignatian Spirit · 01-01-2006, 04:18 PM

I would suggest reading Scripture, as well as books on Christian spirituality. If you feel ready, read some of the great Christian theologians and philosophers of the past -- St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the Cross, Jacques Maritain, Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, etc. God loves you and knows everything about you; He wants you to learn about Him.

Christianity is the Truth and the Way, but there are many man-made dark holes one can fall into.

Rowan · 01-01-2006, 05:04 PM

Thank you for your responses. I am in a very dark place right now, and need all the help I can get.

cwohio · 01-01-2006, 05:13 PM

((rowan)) - I've got a LOT to learn about God, but I do know that just the basics have helped me - meaning prayer and for me, going to church. someone posted this link (now i can't remember who) and it's helpful to me.

http://www.sacredspace.ie/

Ignatian Spirit · 01-01-2006, 05:48 PM

That's a great site, cwohio. Gotta love the Jesuits! I'm actually discerning my vocation with a Jesuit spiritual director, a great old priest, meeting once a month; if I am indeed called to my aspirancy, I will be entering the Jesuit novitiate here in Canada after I graduate from university.

cwohio · 01-01-2006, 06:21 PM

wow - good luck to you IS!

Rowan · 01-02-2006, 09:11 AM

Thanks for the link to the site - I will take a look. I went to my first-ever retreat in October at a Jesuit spiritual centre. I really enjoyed it.

cwohio · 01-02-2006, 09:51 AM

someone on here passed it on and it's a nice way for me to start my morning. since i am a pc person, this was right up my alley.

may you have a blessed day!

12-31-2005, 08:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rowan Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 12,138	By the grace of God I don't think i have ever posted in this particular forum before, and this may be because it's the area of recovery I have struggled the most with. Yes, I'm talking about GOD. Since my relapse in July (and again on Christmas - sigh), I've been sliding down a very slippery slope. Although I recognize that the only thing between me and God is yours truly, I don't know how to step aside and let Him in. There was a period, very early on in sobriety (2002), that I finally felt that connection to God that I heard others allude to. I got down on my knees to give thanks one night, and as I recited everything I was grateful for, I broke down sobbing. I felt absolutely raw, and I will never forget what that felt like. Part of the reason I won't forget, is because I haven't been able to recapture that connection since. I recognize and understand that what works for another won't necessarily work for everyone, but if anyone reading this can identify, I would really like to know what you did to overcome this HUGE obstacle. I believe, deep down, that getting right with God is the answer for this alcoholic. I welcome your responses. Happy New Year to you all. Rowan :abg:

12-31-2005, 08:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
cwohio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Litterbox City Posts: 6,142	rowan - i had been brought up to go to church and went until i was in my 20's. i stopped going and entered into a physical and emotional abusive relationship. many years after ending that i ended up in a relationship and marrying an alcoholic. i still was not connected to God. it was only after getting into Al-Anon that I seemed to get the wake-up call that there was something missing. since getting into recovery i have made that connection again and have found that i am craving making sure that i don't disconnect again. i think it takes different "wake-up" calls for different folks, just like the HP thing is different for each person. it's a working thing just like recovery i think. i find i talk to Him whenever i want, just like a friend because He's always there and make a point to consciously connect many times a day. don't know if that helped or not, but thought i'd share. bless you and i hope you know He is always there whether we turn our back on Him or not. __________________ *Learn to write your hurts in sand. Learn to carve your blessings in stone! - Unknown*

01-01-2006, 07:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
best Don't get undies in a bunch Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Shore MA Posts: 7,166	That spiritual high or humbling that brings many to their knees is but a season in life. We go through valley and then a-top mountains many times in life. What works for me and many others I talk with... Read and study the bible. get together with fellow Christians and hang out, listen to Christians music, and prayer. Doing service work helps me keep my hands moving in the direction Christ would move his hands. When my actions follow in his footsteps, my heart joins and comes along. Through prayer (talking with God-not just sitting and reciting words) and then reading the bible so I better understand who God is and what he wants from me, I find my growth expands. __________________ * I asked God to spare me pain. God said "No", Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. Recovery Related Acronym B. E. S. T. = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today?

01-01-2006, 04:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ignatian Spirit Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 10	I would suggest reading Scripture, as well as books on Christian spirituality. If you feel ready, read some of the great Christian theologians and philosophers of the past -- St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the Cross, Jacques Maritain, Henri de Lubac, Hans Urs von Balthasar, etc. God loves you and knows everything about you; He wants you to learn about Him. Christianity is the Truth and the Way, but there are many man-made dark holes one can fall into. Last edited by best; 01-01-2006 at 10:21 PM.

01-01-2006, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
cwohio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Litterbox City Posts: 6,142	((rowan)) - I've got a LOT to learn about God, but I do know that just the basics have helped me - meaning prayer and for me, going to church. someone posted this link (now i can't remember who) and it's helpful to me. http://www.sacredspace.ie/ __________________ *Learn to write your hurts in sand. Learn to carve your blessings in stone! - Unknown*

01-01-2006, 05:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rowan Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 12,138	Thank you for your responses. I am in a very dark place right now, and need all the help I can get.

01-01-2006, 05:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ignatian Spirit Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 10	That's a great site, cwohio. Gotta love the Jesuits! I'm actually discerning my vocation with a Jesuit spiritual director, a great old priest, meeting once a month; if I am indeed called to my aspirancy, I will be entering the Jesuit novitiate here in Canada after I graduate from university.

01-01-2006, 06:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
cwohio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Litterbox City Posts: 6,142	wow - good luck to you IS! __________________ *Learn to write your hurts in sand. Learn to carve your blessings in stone! - Unknown*

01-02-2006, 09:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rowan Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 12,138	Thanks for the link to the site - I will take a look. I went to my first-ever retreat in October at a Jesuit spiritual centre. I really enjoyed it.

01-02-2006, 09:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
cwohio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Litterbox City Posts: 6,142	someone on here passed it on and it's a nice way for me to start my morning. since i am a pc person, this was right up my alley. may you have a blessed day! __________________ *Learn to write your hurts in sand. Learn to carve your blessings in stone! - Unknown*

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