When TImes Are Good, Don’t Lose Ground
"Things are seriously going so well!"
"It feels like I really haven't been struggling for such a long time it seems."
"I've been so good with my phone lately! Could I have my App Store password again?"
Sobriety is such a gift! The feeling of complete freedom and the ability to be fully transparent with loved ones is priceless. Have you ever experienced it? There are seasons of life when the mind and heart are laser-focused on good things regularly. It can feel like temptations are less of a draw. You're making strides in the right direction. Do not take these seasons for granted!
The thing is temptation never "goes away." It can feel like it has subsided, but no enemy can attack 24/7, 365. The enemy must regroup and strategize when to reappear next (Genesis 4:12). Sabotage doesn't always come from an outside force. The enemy is conniving enough to show up from inside your protective walls.
Here are 9 Bible Verses to help you not to lose ground, especially during the good times.
1. Listen and Be Wise
Gain regular dosages from Godly counsel, Godly friendships, and God's Word. Proverbs 8:33 "Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it"
2. Be Continuously Aware of Your Strengths & Your Weaknesses
Be keen on troublesome areas that your past proves are potential pitfalls for you. Lamentations 3:40 says "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!"
3. Focus Your Mind Upward
What do the movies, music, and web searches you engage with feed into your mind? Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
4. Do Not Procrastinate In Doing Good
Download technology accountability software. Calendar accountability lunches with a friend. Create time for open conversations with a spouse. Intentionally take good steps toward the person you desire to be in Christ. James 4:17 "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
5. Strive For Self Discipline
A marathon is not 26.2 miles. Rather, it is composed of 1,661,220 inches! Your progress will be defined by one's discipline towards a long obedience in the same direction.
Hebrews 12:11 "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
6. Abide In The Spirit
This is not a self-help guide. Our help, our true freedom is only found in Christ! Control and steward what is given to you and leave the rest up to God. John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
7. Walk With Godly Men
Jesus had the 12 disciples. And even within the 12, His best and closest friends were Peter, James and John. Who are your closest friends? Ephesians 4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
8. Continue to Love Yourself and Others Like God Does
Sometimes our gifts of serving others can be to the neglect of ourselves. Don't be like a starving baker, surrounded by food and feeding others but forgetting to love and feed yourself. Mark 12:31 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."
9. Serve & Be Vigilant
Nehemiah was a Godly leader with the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. They were under continuous threats from both the inside and outside of the city walls. His instructions to the workers were to always be ready. Nehemiah 4:17 "Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon."
