Do Not Be Afraid

A note to my fellow Blushirts:

Brothers:

Today is Day 4 of our end-of-year sanctification; Day 4 of a journey where we allow God to touch us directly in our walk to recovery. And our response is likely on of fear.

Fear seems to be natural when the Holy One touches us. When the angel appeared to Mary, to Joseph, and to the Father of John the Baptist, the first words were always, "Do not be afraid."

When God reaches into our world to help us, it is a portent of change. As addicts we are always afraid of change. Though we despise our addictive behaviors, we have also come to rely on them for comfort, coping, and escape.

When God comes to bring healing, the first step is to remove these behaviors. The first step is to take away our security.

Do not be afraid. It is God himself who comes to heal us. Though we do not know any better way than addictive behavior for coping, we can be sure that the God who gave us life also knows how to restore life. Though we do not know what change will bring, have faith in the one who is bringing change.

God came into the world as a baby to heal us all and restore us from sin. God comes into the lives of addicts to heal and restore.

Do not be afraid.