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I had it going ON:
A good job, a stable relationship,
children were healthy, I owned a
home, and the list goes on and on. I
was PROUD of all I had accomplished
Pride goes before destruction, a
haughty spirit before a fall
Proverbs 16:18, NIV).
I knew the Word. I knew I was
operating in error.
I couldn't help myself, though. I felt I
had strayed too far away from the
Father.
I soon found myself at the bottom
looking up. I was looking up, but not
reaching up. I slowly but surely
turned into a ''functioning closet
alcoholic'' .
I I was drinking my breakfast, lunch,
and dinner (Fuzzy Navels were my
choice). I never allowed myself to get
sloppy-drunk, but the spirit of
alcoholism was present and counted
for in my life. Together, alcoholism
and I could turn away from any
problem while making it appear as if
it was nonexistent.
IIn truth, I knew the issues I was
dealing with were not going away,
but in the moment, ignoring them
seemed to be the ideal fix!
Score: 1 for the enemy,
Angela zero
Much like I mentioned before, one
day, I said, ''ENOUGH!''
That day came when I literally looked
into a mirror (something I had
purposefully been avoiding) and
HATED who I saw peering back at me.
I had lost a tremendous amount of
weight, my normally healthy and long
hair was brittle and falling out, and I
LOOKED unhappy (all stress-related
complications coupled with NOT
providing proper nutrients to God's
temple).
I am grateful to God that He kept me
during that phase in my life. I asked
for forgiveness for my prideful ways. I
prayed for Him to restore my JOY.
Our Faithful Father blessed me with
GREAT JOY!
Today, I am SO full of JOY, there are
many who ask, ''How do you do it?
How do you ALWAYS smile?
My answer is this: ''If you knew
where I've been and how GOD
restored joy to my soul, you would be
JOYFUL, too!
Score: 1 for the enemy, Angela
TWO (God gave the increase!)
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