It takes a special kind of courage to stand up to something as socially stigmatized as addiction. The scourge and ravages of addiction bitterly preys on human frailty and fallibility. It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen or accepted before, so it’s easier to just ignore it.
Funny, but I had never seen my neighbor’s house burn down in a wildfire or be destroyed by a hurricane before either. Nor had I ever known someone who had suffered a stroke, a heart attack or from cancer. At one time I had never known a parent who had lost a child, a person who suffered from mental illness, or heard of an entire family becoming homeless through no fault of their own. But once I did, I didn’t stick my head in the sand and choose to ignore it. I reached out and offered a hand of service and assistance.
Every form of human frailty, fallibility, and suffering should be treated with compassion.
It takes a special kind of courage to step out of the shadows of anonymous suffering and into the freedom and sunlight of the spirit. It takes a special kind of courage to recover from anything, and that kind of courage should be nurtured and honored in thought, prayer, word, and deed.
In recovery, we get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, and indignation. We surrender all forms of our prejudice, malice, and pride to God.
Suggested readings: Ephesians 4:31 & Step 7 (Humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings.)
Charlie Amos