Rigorous Honesty

II Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.

Examine yourselves....
Not one of life's better activities, but a much needed one if you're trying to walk a path of recovery.
Secrets are the downfall of everyone in addiction, and when we start keeping secrets in our recovery, then we are setting ourselves up for failure.

There is a saying in recovery that "you are only as sick as your secrets." When we expend energy and time to hide things from others (especially when it comes to our thoughts and motives) we have already turned to that old lifestyle we've tried so hard to get away from.

Another part of keeping secrets is that we rationalize that we're not doing anyone any harm. That we're merely keeping others from worrying about us. "No sense in burdening them with our problem". So how do I examine myself?  Maybe it's time for another 4th step inventory. For most who say they are working a program, the 4th and 5th step is where they stop. It's too hard to cut open our memories and let them spill out. After all, we've worked long and hard to suppress them. Memories bring up old emotions that are painful. 

The 4th and 5th step is so important in our recovery, in that it allows us to see the "real" us...not just the deed that we did, but the motive behind it, which reveals the character flaw that caused it.

To me the most honest question we find in the II Corinthians 13 passage is "Do you not  know yourselves? That Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified. You see, if you have claimed to have turned will and life over to the care of Christ, then there is tangible evidence of that change by the behavior you have. Oh, I'm not talking about "rule-keeping"...but rather a mindset that looks to do the right thing simply because that is the right thing to do. Every step of recovery is recognition that "I Can't...He Can".  No use in trying to smooze everyone around me trying to convince them that I'm on the right path, if indeed I only claim relationship with my Higher Power. 

Getting honest with yourself is the best thing a person can do if they want to move forward in this new life. Rigorous Honesty...and Recovery at all cost are the cornerstone to keeping on the path. Secrets draw us away from truth, because we have become judge and jury as to what we will divulge to others. We do so in order to give us the illusion that we are in control. Deep inside we know we aren't in control.

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the LIBERTY by which Christ has made us free,and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:13
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

I think the weather today is suppose to be in the mid 70's...light breeze and very sunny. Sounds like the perfect day for one to examine ones self. What do you think?

God on you...
mbb