Life Connections to the Recovery Bible Ist and 2nd Chronicles

[janbear]

I Chronicles 2:7 Notice the brief notes scattered among the genealogies of this book. Sometimes they hint at when a dysfunctional pattern began-or was broken (eg. 4:9-10). We can sometimes gain insight into our own dysfunctional patterns by examining our own family tree. At best, it will give us new hope and motivation for change, at worst, it will give us a sense of perspective, helping us realize we have not been alone in our struggle.

[janbear]

I Chronicles 13:9-14 David was truly “real”. When he was happy, he danced with all his might. When he was grieving, he wept openly. When he fought, he fought hard. When he messed up, he fell on his face before God, confessing his sin and begging for forgiveness. Here, he got angry at God for killing one of his men. A model for all of us in recovery, David reminds us that the healthiest way to live is by being genuine and forthright with our feelings.

[janbear]

Chronicles 29: 14-18 This excerpt from David’s prayer is a virtual restatement of Steps One through Four. As powerful a warrior and king as David was, he always recognized that the power was not his own, but was given to him by God. David’s humble spirit and his constant awareness of God’s provision made him great. We can learn much from his example.

[janbear]

2 Chronicles 5:12-13 One invaluable legacy left by Kings David and Solomom was their emphasis on music. Singing songs and playing instruments can help us express our deeper feelings-joy, gratitude, love, sorrow, yearning. Music exercises the soul. To sing or play with abandon takes a certain kind of letting go, a certain kind of inner freedom. We in recovery may find that music can play a special part in our healing.

[janbear]

2 Chronicles 12:1-8 Rehoboam’s fate after abandoning God parallels our experience with addictive or codependent behavior. We too were involved in idol worship, serving our drug of choice rather than God. Many times we were nearly destroyed. But even after we recognized our addiction and humbled ourselves, our dependency didn’t stop. Further steps were needed-including the Twelve Steps-to give ourselves wholly to God and find freedom.

[janbear]

2 Chronicles 15:2 As we work on Step Eleven, we can keep this verse in mind. Making contact with God is similar to a small child playing hide-and-seek with its parents. The parents “hide” where they know the child will easily find them. God wants us to find him, too. If we truly seek him, we can be sure he’ll make himself known to us.

[janbear]

Chronicles 20: 15-17 These comforting words of God given to the people of Judah can also be words that we codependents say to ourselves in seemingly impossible situation. The battle is not ours, it is God’s. We will not have to fight it, God will. All we have to do is stand firm, face the situation head on, and trust God for victory.

[janbear]

2 Chronicles 33:9-13 Throughout the Bible, we see again and again examples of wicked people who turned to God and sought his forgiveness. In virtually every case, God listened and forgave. Sometimes harmful consequences still followed, but often God delayed them or offered comfort or protection. He is truly a loving and forgiving God.