recovery attitudes forgiveness.pdf

8/3/2019 Recovery Attitudes Forgiveness.pdf

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Recovery Attitudes

FORGIVENESS

Once upon a time there was a man working in the fields who was suddenly

bitten by a poisonous snake. Rather than calling out for help, the man became very

angry and started chasing after the snake so that he might kill it. In his rage and physical

exertion his heart began beating so quickly that it pushed the poison even deeper into

his body. Rage kills!

Many of us are like this man. Weve chased after all kinds of snakes without

realizing the deadly outcomes. Anger darkens the mind to reason and causes us to

rationalize harmful behaviors such as physical, emotional and verbal abuse. It gives the

devil a foothold into our life and drives the poison even deeper into our soul.

Anger is a violence directed against ourselves and others. As we do the work of

recovery and learn more about why we turn to anger, it may surprise us to discover that

most of our anger isnt about others. True, we may carry anger towards others for the

way weve been treated; but, just as much of our anger is rooted in our sadness, hurts,

fears and frustrations about the way we live and treat ourselves. As we become more

skillful in living and keeping our side of the street clean, well come to see that feelingsof anger can be a useful barometer to alert about a part of our life that needs attention.

In this lesson we will look reflect on Godly ways of handling our anger that doesnt harm

ourselves or others.


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SUBMISSION STEPS

Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask him to

remove my character defects.(CELEBRATE RECOVERY: STEP 5)

Matthew 5:6 Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.

We admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our

wrongs. (STEP 5 OF THE 12 STEPS)

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that

you may be healed.We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

(STEP 6 OF THE 12 STEPS)

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings. (STEP 7 OF THE 12 STEPS)

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and

purify us from all unrighteousness.

STEP REFLECTION

STEP 5 states that, We admitted the exact nature of our wrongs. As you think back over the

lists you generated in STEP 4,

1. How does anger and rage factor into your problems?2. Another form of anger is depressionwhich many professionals say is anger turned

inward (we want to be careful here because not all depression is anger related!). Have

you suffered from depression? Can you see links between anger and the things youve

been depressed about?

SCRIPTURE STUDY

PSALM 86:15 (NEW I NTERNATIONAL VERSION)

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.


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PROVERBS 22:24 (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,

do not associate with one easily angered,

EPHESIANS 4:31 (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

EPHESIANS 4:26 (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION)

"In your anger do not sin" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

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SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

1. Why do you think God is so concerned about anger? Why should he care?2. List ten things you could do to become slow to anger.

RECOVERY WISDOM

Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to

the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way,

that is not within everybody's power, that is not easy. (Aristotle, Greek Philosopher)

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WHAT DOES THIS SAYING MEAN TO YOU? GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW IT WORKS IN YOUR

LIFE.

recovery attitudes forgiveness.pdf

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