Worth the Effort

It feels a little strange to admit this, but at times, I’ve wondered whether my efforts to share my recovery with others actually does any good. Alcoholism is a difficult disease, and there are times when it seems like no one really wants recovery. People I’ve been encouraging often start to drink again—and some of them never come back. I see someone start out on the road to recovery and I’m elated. But then, mostly through carelessness, they let up on what works and drift back to their old way of thinking. Inevitably, their illness takes over, and that’s hard to watch.

Then there are those who seem to be getting along just fine living a selfish, self-centered, and dishonest life. How can they stay sober living that way? Doesn’t their conscience bother them?

We don’t have to go very far to find a similar situation in the Bible. David, the psalmist, wondered out loud why the wicked seemed to prosper, even as they persecuted him. But if his lamenting strikes a chord with you, read on!

Recently, I re-discovered Psalm 37, and I really needed it that day. I urge you to read it for yourself, since I’m pretty sure it will encourage you, as it did me—and millions of Bible readers over the centuries.

Among many important ideas, I keyed in on several things. First, there’s a list of what I should do: Don’t fret, don’t be envious, trust in the Lord, and do good. Dwell in the land, feed on His faithfulness, delight in the Lord, and commit our ways to Him. Trust Him, and rest in Him. Wait patiently on Him, and do not fret (yes, that’s repeated). Cease from anger, forsake wrath, and do not fret (wow—fretting is repeated a third time!) Depart from evil, do good, and dwell forevermore. Wait on the Lord, and keep His way. Observe the blameless man and the upright. And finally, show mercy and grace, and lend to others.

If we do these things, He promises to give us the desires of our heart and bring forth righteousness and justice. Evildoers will be cut off, but those who are meek and wait on Him will inherit the earth. He will provide abundant peace and destroy the wicked with their own weapons. He will uphold the righteous, and will satisfy them in the time of famine. God will order their steps, uphold them with His hand, and never forsake them. They will speak wisdom and talk of justice. The law of God will be in their hearts and their steps will not slide. The Lord will not condemn them when they are judged, but will exalt them, and give them a future of peace. He will be their strength, help them, and deliver them from the wicked. He will save them because they trust Him!

After reading this psalm carefully, I’ve turned it into a prayer, asking God to take away my fears—even for those who seemingly have walked away from recovery and are headed down a disastrous path. I pray for patience, kindness, love, and compassion that I might treat them with grace and mercy. But more than anything, I ask for perseverance. For consistent, unwavering commitment to help every person God brings across my path. For love and tolerance, and for the grace to follow through. And those prayers are always answered.

Do I fall short? Get irritated? Feel rejected? Yes. At times. But not for long. For a long, long time I’ve been a believer that although practice does not make perfect, it does make permanent. And that perseverance has paid off.

I’m no one special. It can happen to you, too. It’s worth the effort.

As the old saying goes, “Never give up on anyone, because miracles happen every day.”

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.