At a recent Life Recovery 12-Step Faith-Based meeting, we shared our EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH, and HOPE from Christmas’ past and yes, we even shared our anxiety about the upcoming holiday.
The beautiful take-away, for me, was hearing the STRENGTH of everyone in the room. For openers, just showing up demonstrated the determination we’ve gained because of 12 Step programs.
There were no martyrs or victims sharing the pain of yesterday. Just people like you and me:
- Searching for solutions
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Sorting plans (in our head) that are in our best interest
- Studying and practicing our Spiritual program
Now that’s HOPE.
I believe this is an example of the EXPERIENCE – STRENGTH – HOPE Isaiah had in mind when he wrote, “But those who have suffered will no longer be in pain…. Those who walked in darkness have seen a great light. And it shines upon everyone who lives in the land of darkest shadows (Isaiah 9:1-2 CEV).
At that Life Recovery meeting, we revisited some of those dark shadows, but Today—Today— the Light of the World, the Babe in Bethlehem, dispels those shadows.
