Joy By Surprise

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing. With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Step # 1...#2...#3....
The empowering steps.
The beginning of change.
No magic in the steps....but through the surrender and subsequent filling of a once empty life with the incredible power and presence of God's Holy Spirit.
I wish I were smart enough to give you a detailed explanation of how this all goes down. Unfortunately, I am like the blind man we read about in scripture, that Jesus healed. When questioned by the religious rulers, the only explanation he could give was, "All I know is that I was blind.......now I can see."

I love the opening words to Isaiah 35:10....And the ransomed of the LORD. To be ransomed first implies that there is value to the one begin held. Someone had taken us captive, and even though we were walking around daily....going through the motions...we weren't truly free. we were under the rule of the kingdom of darkness...or the devil's rule. It took a greater, higher Power to offer to us a new way of living.

This new way of living included a complete change in the way we view the world. A complete change in our emotions. A complete change in the way we think. How could such a thing be possible? By completely changing our heart.....the center of who we really are. That part of us that contains our will, our intellect, our belief system, all changed by a Power greater than ourselves, that is daily working to restore us to sanity. I truly am learning how to live for the first time in a long time.
A central part to this new living is to find a place where you can be connected with others. Become a part of a family that will encourage you when you struggle. Offer you help and counsel when you are bombarded with questions. A place where you can learn to give back what has been freely given to you. That is what recovery is all about.




God on you....
mb