We admitted we were POWERLESS...................! Over what?

As we move into the answer for POWERLESSNESS or into the 2nd step of the original 12, we are told that we must be able to say "I came to believe that there was something GREATER that could restore my emotional sobriety, even though I am personally powerless to do it on my own!"

I like to think of this as the start of a DIVINE dependency, to replace all the worldly dependencies that I have allowed to control my life up to this point. This dependency or relationship will be what drives me NOW and to the degree that I am able to keep it foremost in my decision making processes, to that degree will I have success with those decisions. I don't mean everything will go my way, but rather that all outcomes or results shall be acceptable and for the betterment of my purpose, whether I know what that is or not!

We are building the Master-servant partnership that will give us the strength (as the servant part), to turn all of us (good and the bad) over to that Master (God) in the next step!

13.6 km / 8 min

Well the talk today is all about the stigma attached to mental illness.

We know today that addiction is a progressive disease rather than a poor set of choices. With that in mind let's give those afflicted with this deadly disease, the same recognition as mental illness (it is after all, in part anyway, an obsession of the mind). Depression, anxiety and poor self-worth underlie nearly all cases of
addiction to begin with.

Unless people are encouraged to share their pain, the pain of this ugly disease either kills maims or totally isolates the user from loved ones. Resentment grows over a condition he or she never wanted in the first place (any more that I wanted cancer), and as it does, the disease of addiction grows stronger and the user grows weaker! THE POINT IS THAT SHARING OPENS THE DOORS OF RECOVERY.

Those of us who have loved ones or who are ourselves enslaved to some drug or compulsive lifestyle, must dig down deeply for the compassion and love to draw our fellows into the sharing mode. The best way to do so is to be totally transparent and vulnerable ourselves about our most guarded habits or secrets.

Let's tell our stories to the hurting, regardless the nature of problem the persons we speak to may have. Our courage to share may be the only possibility that he/she will ever begin the recovery journey. The first step to healing is our recognition of our POWERLESSNESS to change people, places or things, however, there is tremendous power in our shared stories when they incite another to decide for recovery! Life saving power, I believe!

LET'S BE DONE WITH STIGMA THAT SIMPLY REPRESENTS FEAR AND EGO ANYWAY!

Please remember as well that sickness of any kind is a family affair and all are affected! Family disease requires family recovery and no one can do it alone. In my case it usually took four participants, God and then me and a friend to carry the message to one more!

Dr Bob Smith's prescription

Trust God, clean house and help others!

Simple prescription and one that has saved million of lives and souls. But how do we access the simplicity and carry out the steps to prove it for ourselves.

Sharingtheburden.ca

What drives my program for life?

We find immediately as we enter a support program that we have little power to change much in our lives, although we do have the gift of FREE WILL. We can make choices; the big question is, "what will be the basis for our process in making those decisions"? How will I decide which way to turn? Will I consult with other trusted folks? Will I measure my proposed decision against a proven blueprint for success, biblical wisdom for example? Will I pray for peace and assurance before moving ahead? What will I do to prevent instant reaction, that emotion driven response?

Regardless the answer to these questions, will I be accepting of the results, good or bad? Do I have a program for my life that keeps me in line as long as I work that program? Is my program easily, readily and consistently available to me?

Sharing The Burden: Tuesday evening at The Olive Branch 730PM 
Wednesday evening at Wexford United 730PM
Join us for safe anonymous sharing, you are always welcome!

Self-Control is a fruit! See Galatians 6

I often wonder what my part really is in the area of self-control. I think we are all addicted to some form of effort in that direction, be it for the purposes of good or evil. Can we NOT TRY to be in control. Our every in life is exactly that, is it not? By recognizing my limitations here,I must look for help to arrive at a sense of purpose for each day.I find that if I can focus on service (being of value in some way to God and/or His people), my desires for the trouble areas are not evident. Focus then for me is the first part of the answer. Starting the day by asking for Spiritual help and direction is the only focus that works for me. As I do this, the day seems to flow as planned! Without doing so, anxiety and confusion appear as I ask the "what if" questions. Sharing The Burden (and we all have them), brings the team together: the team then must consist of God you and me or more. Our program is really simply about seeing powerlessness in an area of our life, recognizing that the Power does exist to help us, seeking after it with trusted fellows and sharing the journey whenever possible. Our experience as we go is INVALUABLE to someone and we don't want to miss sharing it with that special person! We are told that the fruit of the Spirit are such as love, joy, peace.......faith! When we are feeling these, our focus is right and we sense that whatever control we are a part of is working in harmony with good (my honest experience anyway). Please let friends know that Sharing The Burden meets every Tuesday evening @ 730pm in Markham, and Wednesday evening @ 730pm in Scarborough. We are interested in sharing the miracles that are so evident when we work our program for life as scripture originally taught us to do many years ago. file:///C:/Users/scott/Desktop/images.jpg