We learn that pain can be a motivating factor in recovery.
Basic Text, p. 30
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Painwho needs it! we think whenever were in it. We see no good purpose for pain. It seems to be a pointless exercise in suffering. If someone happens to mention spiritual growth to us while were in pain, we most likely snort in disgust and walk away, thinking weve never encountered a more insensitive person.
But what if human beings didnt feel paineither physical or emotional? Sound like an ideal world? Not really. If we werent capable of feeling physical pain, we wouldnt know when to blink foreign particles out of our eyes; we wouldnt know when to stop exercising; we wouldnt even know when to roll over in our sleep. We would simply abuse ourselves for lack of a natural warning system.
The same holds true for emotional pain. How would we have known that our lives had become unmanageable if we hadnt been in pain? Just like physical pain, emotional pain lets us know when to stop doing something that hurts.
But pain is not only a motivating factor. Emotional pain provides a basis for comparison when we are joyful. We couldnt appreciate joy without knowing pain.
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Just for today:I will accept pain as a necessary part of life. I know that to whatever level I can feel pain, I can also feel joy.
One reason why I stopped using drugs in the first place is that they were causing me more emotional pain than I could take. In recovery, I have changed behaviors that have caused pain to me or others.
Though emotional pain has been as dominant in my journey of recovery as it was in my active addiction, I have learned to use the tools of practicing spiritual principles and trusting in my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God, which makes the difference for me.. The pain will come and I am equpped to better handle it now, I try and find the lesson and trust in God I can accept the things I cannot change,, I seek the wisdom to know the difference but constantly need to work on the courage" to change what I can" helping me to relieve some of my own pain or what I may send to others!! The learning part for me is knowing some of the time I can choose the pain or the joy!!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I was just sharing about this topic at a meeting last night...For me I go through periods of emotional pain all the time in my recovery but these are times of growth. It proves to me that things pass and I don't need to use, I just need to accept that this is part of my journey...........
