Taken from the Life Recovery Bible 12-Step Devotional for Step 6
“We were entirely ready to have God remove all defects of character.”
When we are upset, we often depend on our addictions to make us feel better. As we get rid of our addictions, we must face the deeper character defects that God wants to heal. Our addictions function as a place of “shelter” from our pain. But when that “shelter” is removed, deep anger may surface, exposing even deeper character flaws that need healing.
Jonah had a glaring defect of character: He couldn’t forgive and have compassion on the people of Nineveh, whom he hated. When God decided not to destroy them, Jonah threw a temper tantrum.
“The Lord replied, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about this?’ Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city. . . . And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. . . . The next morning . . . the plant. . . withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die” (Jonah 4:4-8).
God did this to show Jonah that the real problem wasn’t the loss of his shelter. Hatred was the real problem. The removal of our sheltering addictions may expose deeper problems. This may spark defensive anger as God touches our deepest hurts. It is all right to let the anger out. But it is also important to let God take care of the real problem.
I am going through a situation not to my liking, and can relate to Jonah. It’s a neighbor problem which is disturbing as their behavior angers me so…gaining entry to my home and harassing me with phone calls. It began almost at the beginning when I moved in and like Jonah, I want to get away from it all. My faith is what upholds me. It is so important to listen to God and I want to strike back and hurt this person, as she had hurt me, but I know that is not God’s way. Very difficult, but my faith is strong….I have to learn to trust God much more than what I am doing at present.
As I get older, I see the Biblical stories relating to our every day lives as Jonah did to mine.
Thank you.
Teach me Lord
How do I order the “The Life Recovery Bible?” I’m interested in obtaining a copy.
of your book. Thank you.
The Life Recovery Bible is available from most Christian book sellers. You can purchase it on Amazon or if you live the US it is available on Tyndale.com
I had a life recovery bible and lost it during my active addiction. Would your organization happen to donate one to me, please?
Unfortunately, we are unable to send Bibles, but many churches or other organizations might be able to help.
I quit using meth amphetamine over a year ago, graduated from Grays Harbor College with a BAS in Forest Resource Management in June 2019, watched my youngest daughter graduate from North Beach High School in June 2019, my best friend and Dad died in January 2019, sleeping on a couch at my mom’s house, and no employment, while looking at jail time. I’m suicidal most days, and although I study the word of God, my
life is not getting any better. I struggle with faith, trust (that’s with everyone), and even hearing God. Where is the comfort He promises? Where is His strength? Why do I feel like God has favorites, and I’m not one of them?
So sorry to hear of your struggles, but what an amazing accomplishment to quit using Meth. That is something to be very proud of! Those are good questions. We can feel that God doesn’t care, but if you look at so many characters in the Bible their lives weren’t easy. They faced so many struggles, but found their peace in Christ. These would be really good questions to ask you pastor. Or there are a lot of recovery groups that might be able to help you as you continue to better understand God’s plan for you.
So sorry to hear of your dad’s death. You must miss him very much. I pray that you will train your brain to Know that God Loves you with an extraordinary boundless powerful love regardless of circumstances and emotions. He has promised to be an ever present help and refuge. Run to Him and pour out your struggles. Believe Him to be working in your life.
Read the story of Joseph in Genesis. Stand strong. And if you fall, get back up and try again. Never Give Up.
Blessings
Lizzy
Stay strong, James. God IS with you. You have found favor with God who gave you the will and strength to quit Meth, a very addictive drug. You were even alive and able to see your beautiful daughter graduate. God’s eyes are on you. Continue to seek God with all your heart, praying with thanksgiving. Purge your heart by forgiving. Read Mark 11:25 and Psalms 66:18. I am going through a tough time and I know I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Him.
this is something beautiful i am studing to be a life coach please where can i find a book like this that can help me help others this is a gift from God by Grace Amen. I loved to receive more of this these quote it helps when we can refect on God’s Word that there is hope no matter what by faith.
Thank you so much
Rudolph Clarke
This is wonderful news! Excited for you! Most local Christian bookstores carry this Bible. Also, it is available through Amazon.
I can totally relate to this. Thankyou.
Thank you for this encouragement
I needed to hear this. Truly, God speaks to us all the time. This came right in time. Thank you so much.
Great piece. Really freedom is in handling all hurts to the Lord.
I’m excited to purchase this bible. I feel like as I read it’s contents in this form I will experience the freedom I had at first. I love the LORD more than anything. Hands down pain has been a hinderance by stunting my growth in my relationship with God and in some areas causing me to be stagnant when honestly faith and trust would cover me.
Thank you for sharing! This really spoke to my heart too!
Why should we forgive someone who’s determined to frustrate other person without no regret of the act
Hi Vincent. This is a great conversation to have with a pastor or mentor. For me, forgiveness doesn’t mean everything is all right in the relationship. It means that I no longer let that person have control over me.
I really needed to be reminded where my strength comes from. Dealing with this exact situation of hurt and decided today to shut people out when in reality there is a deeper pain within me I need to ask God to help me with. My shelter has been removed and I replaced it with another my partner who has hurt me as well. Thank you for reminding me where I need to return to. Life recovery saved my life over and over and this time as I work my steps I will heal from my past and move on.
This is so helpful, I would like to be added to your mailing lists. Yours Faithfully Virginia Posthumous 🙏🏻✝️📖💓
Thank you…. really needed this this morning
This was powerful. I needed it.
very informing, revealing & enlightening
Loved this Jonah devotional…helped me understand character defects in our hearts-Lord Jesus do surgery on my heart ♥️
I was really inspired to read all these comments from those suffering from different painful situations. I have subscribed to your devotional emails, and find every one of them to be an inspiration. It’s good to hear that they are helping so many others. We all need Jesus so much more than we realize. I have had painful incidents in my life too, and as I mature in the Lord, I find therein lies my strength, which enables me to go on. We serve a great, compassionate and loving God. He has given us every bit of relief, inspiration, strength, and comfort we need through his Son Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for this. I could never have made it without Him. I continue to struggle to grow in faith, and understand it is a lifetime journey, but I am so glad to say it is worth the journey. I just want to say to you Evie – keep on encouraging others. We need it so much! God bless your every effort as you continue to encourage under the auspice of the Holy Spirit.
Needed this this morning. Thank you for being obedient to God.
i may get one of these bibles. I’ve was sexually abused as a child by my dad and over 20 times from different people throughout my life. The Lord came for me at 42 in 2011 and I’ve gone through a lot of inner healing and I vape. I’m believing the Holy Spirit to bring healing. I think vaping is an outward manifestation or cover for & of something deeper. I like to deal with heart issues. The worst hurt and emotional pain comes in when the hurts first happen so the healing side, facing pain and hurts is on the upside. It will never hurt as much as it first did. I know I still need more healing and to be taught how to work with my emotions, which I never was so I have a lot to learn. This bible sounds like it would be helpful to grow and see more of God’s loving Father side and how He see’s me and what He thinks and what He wants to do in me 🙂
Thank you for sharing. You are an amazing person and such an inspiration of how God can help in even the darkest circumstances. I am so sorry for all the pain that you have experienced. God does see you and he loves you so much!
Yes Elvis, He does see. he’s also see’s the wonderful work this ministry is doing and I pray He blesses you all. I feel like that’s what Holy Spirit is saying right now. First thought I had. 🙂 Be expecting 🙂 God Bless
I have given God my lifetime, I have become a drug addict because of the body pains over 19 years now. I pray that our loving and compassionate God who knows everything about my daughter Ekene, will have mercy for us and help us out of our problems, in Jesus name, Amen.
i would like a book
Keep going X KILL IT