He restores my soul…

Photo by Deborah Sims

There are those who believe that we are spiritual beings in a physical body on a journey of discovering oneself. Therefore, viewing recovery as a spiritual journey takes some introspection. The journey we experience, often comes with validations and challenges that can minister to us in identifying our strengths, as well as uncovering our vulnerabilities. As a result, it requires the person involved to seek wisdom as cited in the Serenity Prayer:

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

We could ask ourselves, am I operating or praying from a place of strength or am I sabotaging myself subconsciously and operating from a place of vulnerability? Vulnerabilities can sabotage our life’s journey rendering us overwhelmed and discouraged, so, it serves to ask ourselves, “Am I operating from a place of strength or am I making my decisions from through the vulnerabilities of my life?”

Nevertheless, our vulnerabilities can strengthen our lives, if we seek to understand the power that lies within them. Therefore, if we discern recovery as a spiritual journey, clarity is key, knowing that God can and will restore us to wholeness and provide the strength we need in our time of vulnerability. 

Below is a list of vulnerabilities you may have experienced, along with a set of strengths for each vulnerability. With this, I ask again, are you operating or praying from a place of strength or are you sabotaging yourself subconsciously and operating from a place of vulnerability?

Vulnerabilities                                                                    Strengths

Fear                                                                                         Love

Doubt                                                                                      Faith

        Loneliness                                                                          Purpose/Destiny

Abandonment                                                                       Confidence

Guilt                                                                                        Honesty

Shame                                                                                     Courage

Anger                                                                                       Peace

       Hate                                                                                      Generosity

    Revenge                                                                                    Forgiveness 

Deceit                                                                                      Integrity

Fear/Love: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love (I John 4:18 KJV). For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7 KJV).

Doubt/Faith: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6 ESV).

Loneliness/Purpose/Destiny: For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT). 

Abandonment/Confidence: Fear thou not; for I am with thee, be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10 KJV).

Guilt/Honesty: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9 KJV).

Shame/Courage: Don’t be afraid, for you won’t be ashamed; don’t be discouraged, for you won’t be disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth, no longer remember the dishonor of being widowed (Isaiah 54:4 CJB). Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone (flint), determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).

Anger/Peace: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Ephesians 4:26 KJV). Don’t be quick to get angry, for [only] fools nurse anger (Ecclesiastes 7:9 CJB). If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18 KJV).

Hate/Generosity: But, I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them, which hate you (Luke 6:27 KJV). Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proudor rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (I Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT).

Revenge/Forgiveness: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32 KJV). Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17 KJV). Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good (Romans 12:21 CJB).

Deceit/Integrity: Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit (I Peter 3:10 ESV). Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool (Proverbs 19:1 ESV). 

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB); English Standard Version (ESV); King James Version (KJV); New Living Translation (NLT)