The Wisdom of 12 Step Work

James 1: 5-8

But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.

Commentary:

When I first began my journey into recovery from pornography addiction, I was very much like Saint James talks about, a man of two minds in my approach to doing the 12 Step of Sexaholics Anonymous. The rational side of my mind desired to be free of pornography and wanted to work the steps. The addicted side of my mind was being tossed about by all the lies I believed about sex leaving me unstable and in doubt about the benefits of working the 12 steps. In my doubt of God’s ability to free me from my addiction through the step work I became incapable of seeing the destructive nature of my addiction and many of my relationships were unstable, tossed about, and unfulfilling. I eventually found, through other faithful men in my 12 step group, the wisdom I lacked due to my double-mindedness could be attained through working the steps. The greatest wisdom I gained from working the 12 steps is that God does give generously and grudgingly to those who ask him. Ask God for the faith, courage, and strength to work the 12 steps. The saying I always loved from my years in recovery was “It works if you work it so work it because you are worth it.” God loves the addict!