Saturday, January 06, 2007

Daily meditation book excerpt (from my upcoming book)

Courage is fear that’s said its prayers

Emboldened by drugs or alcohol, we often had false courage. As we began to recover, many of us had no idea what fear felt like in our bodies. Part of the journey of recovery is identifying feelings like fear and how fear feels in our body. Once we can identify the feeling, we slowly learn how to handle this new emotion.

In our addiction, we never admitted to fear. Our bravado, we believe, may have saved our lives when drinking and using. But in recovery, fear may sometimes become a paralyzing force in our lives. When fear overcomes us, we must remember -- God is bigger than our fears.

Fear may be the catalyst that allows us to develop deeper faith, perhaps because through our questioning we become greater friends with our God. But beyond the fear, keeping faith requires us to ignore fear-based thoughts. Instead, we focus on the broader spiritual truth — that God, if trusted, will provide our every need.

Courage is an action. Even though we may be afraid, with help from our recovery community and our spiritual advisers, we continue to walk forward courageously trusting that God holds our safety net.

"Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it is that quiet voice at the end of the day that says 'I will try again tomorrow.'”

Mary Anne Radmacher

4 comments:

Meg Moran said...

I can hardly wait...(of course I can hardly wait for any thing)..but you know what I mean. Your meditation book will be a straight arrow to the heart.

Fear is so paralyzing...then we get caught in that viscious circle: do nothing, more fear...and on and on...until we are willing to listen to that quiet gentle voice of God. I just love the way you focus on what is so profoundly true in all of us.

Unknown said...

Thank you~

G~

Pammie said...

"We become greater friends with our God" I love that!!! thanks

Anonymous said...

When can I buy this?
Peace,
Scout