One of the things recovery has taught me is that not every battle is with the person standing in front of me. For a long time, I focused on what other people had done to me and how much they had hurt me. Those things were real, but holding onto them was keeping me stuck.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. There is a spiritual battle going on that we don’t always see. The enemy can use the things that have happened to us to keep us stuck in the same places God is trying to bring us out of.
Recovery has taught me to look at what is going on inside of me instead of always looking at everyone else. Sometimes I have to stop and ask God to show me what I need to see. Maybe there is something I need to let go of, something I need to forgive, or something I simply need to give to Him.
That doesn’t mean what someone did was okay. Forgiveness doesn’t erase what happened. But I don’t want what someone else did to continue controlling my life. I spent too many years trying to deal with pain in ways that only caused more pain.
Today, I’m learning there is a different way. I can bring things to God instead of trying to handle everything myself. I can be honest when I’m struggling. I can reach out when I need help. And I can remember where God has already brought me from.
The enemy wants us fighting each other. God wants us to recognize where the real battle is.
Recovery isn’t just about giving something up. It’s also about learning a new way to live. For me, that means learning to recognize the battle and trusting God to help me through it. I’m learning to fight my battles differently
Learn who the real enemy is. People aren’t the enemy.