My beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:19–20).
Ponder and write about how the Lord helps you along the strait and narrow path. How does your growing love for God and for others bring you out of addiction, help you continue in abstinence, and restore you to a hope of eternal life?
How the Lord helps me along the straight and narrow path…first, He introduced me to this program to help me make the necessary life changes. Through this program, He’s introduced me to people like Jason, Greg, Raul, Devin, and all the other brethren who have been and are in the same boat as me. As a team, we work together to overcome our addictions. He has given me the DESIRE to want to quit and change my life. He has strengthened my faith as I pray for help by really helping me, almost ON THE SPOT!
My growing love for God and others has helped me by really WANTING to change. I am trying harder all the time to WANT to do what’s right in stead of HAVING to do what’s right. The program, inspired by God, has helped me see the Atonement in a whole new light. It’s helped me understand what it’s really all about.
I’m grateful to keep learning and moving in the right direction.
Things I’m Thankful For
- To have a job where I like the people I work directly with
- To be able to go to lunch with friends and talk business
- To have other business opportunities coming around at the right times
- To be able to go visit family this weekend in Idaho
- To have the chance to talk with a couple friends about the program and their progress
Hasta Luego!
Nate
My goal was to start Step 7 today. I feel like I’ve made good progress and would like to finish the last review question in Step 6.
This is a review of the Help from the Lord question:
One thing I recognized about this scripture today that hadn’t really stuck out as much before is that “all is [not] done”. I haven’t come this far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him.
It made me think, “Wow, if I were more diligent in studying the word of God on a consistent basis, how much farther along would I be in the process of full recovery?”
The Lord has helped me along the straight and narrow path by giving me certain callings, by blessing me with wonderful little children, by helping me find the perfect wife for me, by saving my life a few times where, in many ways, I should have been killed, by subtly touching my heart to make the necessary changes in my life so I can experience true conversion.
I feel my love for God is manifest more and more as I DO what I know I need to do to experience full recovery:
* write in my journal
* work the steps of the program
* study the word of God
* talk with my wife and sponsor
* pray continually for help to avoid and withstand temptation
* consistent attendance at recovery meetings
As I show my love more for God, I’m motivated to show my love more to my family too – not yelling at them, serving my wife without being asked to, thinking about what I can do for OTHERS instead of always about ME.
I’m grateful for the Change of Heart process and that I’m in that process right now.
I look forward to going over this step again in the future to see how far I’ve come.
Hasta Luego!
Nate