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Post by witness on Dec 6, 2005 8:29:46 GMT -5
I appreciate the kind words. I think most of the good things that I have achieved have been in part a result of my "hard headedness". But of course that has it's down side as well.
If I had not been so hard headed maybe I would have sought out help sooner.
But I'm thankful for the faith the Lord has given me to plunge forward and to believe that victory is within sight.
I'm glad I found this place and hope that I can help you as you continue to help me.
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, all glory and honor and praise!
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Post by endorfdm on Dec 6, 2005 9:34:39 GMT -5
Witness, happy birthday (late) sorry I missed it. 50 years is fantastic. Thanks for your support I pray that God will bless you and your family.
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Post by ScaredamI on Dec 6, 2005 13:22:53 GMT -5
ThankYou for you're continued prayers for all of us on this board. You're prayers really do make a difference. In the joy and in the pain, these prayers transcend all of this filth that covers us. I'll continue to pray for you.
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Post by witness on Dec 6, 2005 20:56:47 GMT -5
Today went well. Not many temptations.
Tonight I talked with a brother who is struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. He slipped this weekend. I can’t know exactly why he fell. But in my opinion he made at least two mistakes.
First, he was too proud to ask for help. If had just called someone when he was tempted, we could have talked with him or gone to help him.
Second, he should never have gone close to the place where he could get the cocaine. Yet he decided to go get his hair cut in that part of town. Subconsciously he knew when he went to get his hair cut what would happen next.
In my fight I am trying not to be proud. I know I need help.
And I am trying to stay as far away from temptation as possible. I can remember in the past going to Google and searching for images of my city. But I knew that subconsciously once I started on an image search I would end up looking where I shouldn’t. So now I am keeping my distance. I don’t want to get anywhere near trouble. I can’t and I won’t, so help me God.
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Post by witness on Dec 7, 2005 20:26:52 GMT -5
I long for freedom! The further I go the better I feel.
Today I read the following in a post by LB: I now believe that there is no room in my life for this addiction. I do not allow myself any more self-deception, no more lies. It's time to clean out even the dark little closets of my soul where I've harbored this secret addiction for so long. I will have a clean house, even if it hurts (and it does sometimes).
Getting out of the darkness is exactly what I want for my life.
Jesus said in John 3.19-21 "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
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Post by jh on Dec 8, 2005 0:13:41 GMT -5
Hi witness
Thanks for the response in my journal.
You are right about it getting easier. I think most of us are afraid to say it because we are not sure when or where we will be tempted again and if we will be able to resist. The way you said it is very good because it gives us hope but reminds us that we cannot lay our weapons down.
Keep well,
- jh
[modified to fixed spelling]
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Post by witness on Dec 8, 2005 20:17:18 GMT -5
I had another good day. I faced a few temptations but managed to redirect my eyes and/or thoughts.
I remembered a quote from Martin Luther: “You cannot prevent birds from flying overhead; you can prevent them from building a nest in your hair.”
So that's my goal: to keep those birds completely away from my hair.
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Post by witness on Dec 10, 2005 4:26:44 GMT -5
Another good day!
I won't be able to check in here as often over the next month or so. But I'll do the best I can.
Reporting here has really helped me focus on my goals.
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Post by witness on Dec 12, 2005 6:54:56 GMT -5
I'm happy to report that yesterday was another good day.
I started reading the book: "Pure Desire" by Ted Roberts. I am about half way through. If any of you are looking for some good reading on overcoming addictions I recommend it.
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Post by lizardking on Dec 12, 2005 8:27:27 GMT -5
You are doing great, Witness. Thank you for the support, the PM's, and the posts in my journal!
I'm continuing to pray for you....
LizardKing
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Post by googles on Dec 12, 2005 11:03:17 GMT -5
We are all rooting for you witness, because you root for us when we are down. And I am down today, but it's amazing how rooting for someone else makes you feel better. Tomorrow will be day 30! Time flies, dosent it?
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Post by jh on Dec 13, 2005 2:26:41 GMT -5
Hi Witness, I continue to appreciate all your support. Thanks
-jh
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Post by witness on Dec 13, 2005 7:12:04 GMT -5
Yesterday was another good day. Praise the Lord!
I just saw this quote: "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." – Agnes Repplier
It reminded me of something else I heard. If you have to take one step from where you are to find happiness, you have gone too far.
I believe the Lord wants us to live in the present and to learn to be content with where we are, who we are and what we have. When we learn to find our real happiness in Him, then we will not be deluded into looking for "happiness" in the wrong places.
So my prayer for today is: Help me, Lord, to live in the present. To serve You today, by serving my neighbor. Help me be a blessing to others for Your honor and glory!
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Post by Disciple on Dec 13, 2005 22:29:12 GMT -5
Thats powerful witness!
Peace,
Disciple
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Post by witness on Dec 14, 2005 5:24:31 GMT -5
Yesterday was a good day as far as staying clean is concerned.
I lost my cool with my wife regarding a bill. She was nice. She asked: "Do you need a hug?" I said "yes" and walked away. That gave me time to think and realize how immature I was acting.
I need to learn to be more patient and tolerant in many situations. I want to have a family and friends and then get irritated when people don't do things my way. Sometimes I think they need to ship me off to Siberia!
Lord, help me! Staying clean is great. But staying clean is not enough! Help me be the man you want me to be. Help me be more like Jesus!
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