“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Where is God in the darkness? He’s right where He is supposed to be; at work in our lives, even when we can’t seem to connect with Him. There was a time when I really doubted God; I was a Christian, but failed to enlarge my spiritual relationship with Jesus—I was too busy running the show. But God was at work in my life all along and he did answer my prayers, through events and people he brought into my life that helped me to move into recovery. That was a long time ago and I have had many trials and tribulations in recovery that have shaken me to my core, but through it all I have not lost my faith in God. Instead, the trials have served to increase my faith and trust in Him. In early recovery, I kept asking God to speed up; “you’re going too slow God, I want to go faster, I’m hungry for this new life with you.” I eventually learned that recovery was a marathon, not a sprint. When I took Step 3 and turned my life and will over to God, I turned over my timetable to him as well. I learned that being patient is a part of spiritual growth; there is spiritual maturing going on in the waiting. God has a plan, and if I do my part and wait expectantly, it will unfold just the way He wants it to. God is in charge. Celebrate Recovery teaches us to accept the trials and tribulations of life. The question should not be, “why me God?” but rather, “why not me?” As Christians we are not immune to hardships. It is in working through hardship that we see the purpose and plan that God has for our lives. Taking the approach of “why not me God?” gives us the blessing to walk through the darkness, fortified by the grace of God and the people he provides. You can’t have a ministry without first having a mess; you can’t have a testimony without first having a test. God’s timing is always the best! “For good judgment and common sense …trust in the Lord completely; don’t ever trust in yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Proverbs 3: 5-6  God loves you; Jesus died for you; His Spirit lives in you! Say “yes” to Jesus and live Love! Dana Cramer // Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church