Principle 5: Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in your life and humbly ask Him to remove your character defects. Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires. Matthew 5:6
Step 6: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
Step 7: We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Lesson 15 – Highlights:
Voluntarily Submit: Submit to every change, not some
Identify Character Defects: Identify the defect, flaws, shortcomings that are causing the post pain and ask God to remove those first
Change Your Mind: God transforms and renews our mind with His word and teachings
Turn Over Character Defects: Rely on God’s power, not your willpower
One Day At A Time: Be patient with your yourself, recovery is not a destination it is a journey
Recovery Is A Process: Lasting change is not the pursuit of perfection, it is the pursuit of wholeness as God intended you to be
You Must Choose To Change: Humbly hand over control to God to change you and reveal your true nature
Victory is yours for the taking once you have submitted to God’s will for your life. For me, that was easier said than done. Let’s answer the questions below together to dig deeper into how to voluntarily submit to God’s will.
Lesson 15 – Questions:
As you voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in your recovery, how does Romans 12:1-2 help you know that real, positive change is possible?
In Principle 5 you need to ask God to help you identify the defects of character that you need to work on first. List the changes that you want to ask God to help you work on now. Will you work on them?
God’s word teaches us that real changes come from the changing of our minds. We must take the positive action required to follow God’s directions. List the actions that you need to take to begin working on the defects of character that you listed in question 2.
List the specific ways that you have turned from relying on your own willpower to relying on God’s will for your life.
What does the phrase “one day at a time” mean to you and your recovery?
It has been stated that “Recovery is not perfection; it is a process” Do you agree with that? Why?
What does humility mean to you? How will being humble allow you to change?
To achieve real victory over our hurts, habits, and hang-up we have to believe that God can change our lives and that He will. Are you beginning to experience victory over any of your character defects and flaws? If so, comment or share below.
Recovery is not meant to be a solo journey. There is power in numbers so I strongly recommend that you find a Celebrate Recovery group in your area. To find one near you click here. Remember… JOY is a choice, so choose well!
Lesson 15 Principle & Step: