Step 5 Confession

Now this is a step that can cleanse your soul. What a great opportunity to come clean not only with regard to your addiction, but in your whole life. Think about all the times you have felt guilty about your past actions, or deeds. Things that you aren't exactly proud about. Things that you know better than to have done, but you did them anyway, and you have carried them along with you in your conscience throughout your whole life. What would you give to have a clean conscience?

We have such a great opportunity that can cleans our heart and soul. This isn't just for addicts, it is for everyone. Many of you who will be reading this post will have already gone to your bishop for help with your addiction. He probably has directed you to the Addiction Recovery program, so he already knows of your addiction. That should make it easier to go back to him as you take step 5 in this program and confess to him your sins. He is the ONE who has the priesthood keys to listen to your confession and help wipe away your sins from your life once and for all.

One young woman shared with me her experience of going to the Bishop to confess her sins. She said that it was very difficult to get the courage to go to him, because she was sure that he would think she was a bad girl. Still, she went and found the opposite of her fears. She found a kind, loving and very compassionate man, who listened and wept with her as she confessed her sins to him. She said that after she had told him of her sins, he took her by the hand and told her that the Lord had accepted her confession and that her sins were forgiven. She said that it felt like the weight of the world that she had been carrying around with her from sin, was lifted and that she bore that burden no more.

What a marvelous blessing Confession can be in our own lives. Confession can be the step that get you over your addiction. I urge you along with all of the rest of us who have troubles of any kind that are of the nature that need to be brought before the Ecclesiastical authority, to do it now. Stop carrying them around with you, and let your life move on without being drug down by your conscience or hurting heart.

The Lord loves you and wants you to be happy. Confession can cleanse you. There isn't any time like the present to do it, so do it now.

Giving Thanks at Thanksgiving time

Thanksgiving is coming up very soon and it is more than a time to feast. Thanksgiving in essence is a holiday for GIVING THANKS. Might I suggest that this year, you focus your thoughts and actions toward "giving thanks" and away from "giving in" to your addictions. When we focus outward instead of inward, our level of happiness is greatly effected. The last step in the 12 step program is about giving service. Service is the icing on the cake to success for anyone suffering from addiction, as well as struggling with the ailments & trials of life. Once again, I say, "focus outward instead of inward" and think about ways that you can brighten the life of another.

There is a terrific side effect to giving service. When we lose ourselves in the service of others, we forget about our self and our struggles and immerse our thoughts and actions to the point that not only is the receiver happy but we the giver receives a feeling of joy and happiness that cannot come in any other way. It is a great feeling and I hope that you will make the opportunity to feel it for yourself.

One Terriffic Example!

Last evening, a 12 year old young man brought his father to an Addiction Recovery Meeting. Let me clarify, the Dad drove, but it was his son who looked up on the Internet the LDS Addiction recovery Program" in his area and together Father and Son came to the meeting. The son sat by his father during the reading of step 3, which was the step we were focusing on this evening. During the sharing portion of the meeting, I took this charming young man into the next room and visited with him while his father and the other Adults shared about their addictions. Because of the Adult nature of the sharing, children under the age of 17 - 18 do not attend these meetings. I was so impressed with this young man and as we talked while waiting for his father in the next room I could feel a sweet and eager spirit with a tremendous desire to help but most importantly, I could sense his deep love for his father. Imagine, a 12 year old wanting so much for a change and a loving father desiring to change not only for himself, but for his son and family. I think this is more common than we think with addiction. Addiction doesn't just effect the addict, it pours out into the entire family.

My reason for sharing this story is to remind whoever is reading this, that you need to get the courage and strength to make a change now for yourself and for your family. Your addiction effects their lives, and not in a good way. If you love your family, love them enough to put them first before your addiction and get rid of it once and for all. Take the step today. This blog tells how to locate a Meeting near you or to at least download the Addiction Recovery Program Manual. Take the first step and read the introduction in the manual. Don't let addiction dominate your life anymore.

Step 3 Trust in God

Last night, in the Addiction Recovery meeting that my husband and I were the missionaries for, a song came into my mind as the sharing portion of the meeting was going on. The step that was being taught was step 3 " Trust in God." I shared the words of the song... I am a Child of God and I would like to share them with you...

"Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way,
Teach me all that I must do,
To live with Him someday."

I believe that God is in our lives much more than we even realize. As I look around, the touch of His masterful hand, is everywhere. He sends his tender mercies to us right when we need them the most, though many of us fail to recognize them. As I put my trust and faith in his love and mercy, I begin to realize that he is walking beside me on this difficult journey in life. He is there to help me find the way, if I reach out and take His hand. The experiences that I have in this life teach me and mold and shape my character. They also help me to understand that I simply cannot do it alone, and I need to trust that I can call upon Heavenly Father at any time and he will be there to listen.

You and I are children of a loving Heavenly Father and he wants nothing more than to have his children return to live again with him someday. I pray that we all will let down our guard and humble ourselves to submit to the will of the Lord. He is there with His hands outstretched and waiting for us to ask Him for His help because you are His child and he will not turn you away.

Work on trusting the Lord this week and try to recognize the tender mercies that he send into your life. Get out your Addiction Recovery Program manual and write down your thoughts and feelings. Read the scritpures that are in the Study and understaning portion of Step Three, and pray about what you have read, and "He will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost, and by the Power of the Holy Ghost you may learn the truth of all things." Moroni 10:4,5
Have a terriffic week and stay sober. It IS worth it!

SOMETHING NEW FOR YOU TO READ

I just found this... "INDIVIDUALS WITH ADDICTION FIND HOPE AND HELP" Go to:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://newsroom.lds.org/Static%2520Images/Newsroom/photo/med_AV080428_cah005.jpg&imgrefurl=http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/individuals-with-addictions-find-hope-and-help&h=221&w=290&sz=9&hl=en&start=3&usg=__Um5skZrUvgmvQR08jUAUObDY7A4=&tbnid=0_HQ8Ip3AEOINM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=115&prev=/images%3Fq%3DLDS%2BAddiction%2Brecovery%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

How do you resist the temptation of feeding into your addiction?

Please comment below and let others know what you do to resist giving in to your addiction!