This week's Midweek Meditation is the third installment of the Fruits of the Spirit Series (Galatians 5:22,23). While we live in a world full of conflict, discord, and strife - to which we often contribute - God calls us to live our lives peaceably with those around us. We can do that because of the true peace between God and us brought about by Jesus saving work.

Sometimes we fall into self-pity and despair when we feel like we are alone with the problems we face in this world including our addiction. The prophet Elijah felt like he was all alone as the last prophet of Israel. He was wallowing in his self-pity, doubt, and despair. The LORD told Elijah he was not alone. There were 7,000 who had not given in to idolatry. What a relief that was for Elijah!

Likewise, we can be assured we are not alone in our plight. God is there for us. God promised he will never leave nor forsake us. God has put people in our lives who can empathize with us and our daily struggles. God gave us Jesus who took away all of our sins.

Finding joy during the difficult times in our life can be next to impossible. However, we can find joy in suffering because God uses these difficult times in our lives to bring us closer to Him.

There's wisdom in seeking help and advice. It is with a humble heart and mind we ask for help. Conversely, our sinful pride refuses to ask for help. That only leads us to pain and strife with those around us.

There's no shame in asking for help when recovering from an addiction. God put people into our lives for that very purpose. May we be moved to seek the advice and counsel of those with whom God has blessed us for our good.

This week's Midweek Meditation begins a series on the Fruits of the Spirit listed for us in Galatians 5:22-23. The first of the fruits listed in those verses is love. The kind of love discussed in this week's Midweek Meditation is the selfless, self-sacrificing, unconditional love God has shown to us in Christ. It is God's love for us that motivates us to show the same kind of love to one another.

King David uncovers the truth about his sin in Psalm 51. He also uncovers the truth about God's great mercy, love, and forgiveness and how God does not hold his sin against him.

As recovering addicts, we have the same assurance of God's forgiveness for us in Christ.

How easy would it be to relapse when life stresses you out and you're about to hit the panic button?

The Children of Israel were about to hit the panic button when they saw the Egyptians pursuing them out of Egypt. Listen to what Moses says to them and us when life stresses us out.

Speaking to others about our faith in Jesus is a natural result of our faith in Jesus. Likewise, speaking about the blessings of sobriety to another addict suffering in addiction is a natural result of achieving sobriety with God's help. As Christians who are also recovering addicts, let's take the good news of Salvation won for us in Christ and the message of the blessings of sobriety to those who need to hear it.