Reflections on Recovery, Part 4 - Hope in Repentance

l am recycling through the steps now.  Thursday night, we revisited step 2 - hope, one of my favorite steps.  The final scripture to ponder was this:  They were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver them from bondage by the power of his word. (Alma 5:5)  The idea was that addicts and sinners (which is all of us) can be saved by the atonement of Jesus Christ.

However, some people think that by the power of his word means instant, miraculous healing.  Frankly, that is rare.  Like Paul on the road to Damascus, it can happen in a word: Saul, Saul.  Why persecuteth me? But for most of us, conversion and salvation are a process over time.  By expecting it to be otherwise, recovering addicts may give up when there is no lightning flash, thinking that God too disappointed in them to help. (LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program, p.7)

The story of Alma the Elder and his followers is a perfect example of the latter process.  In the story, these people had been followers of King Noah, one of the most self-indulgent and lazy men in the Book of Mormon.  Alma had actually been one of the priests in Noah's court.  The Lord sends a prophet, a man named Abinadi, to prophecy to the people that if they did not repent, they would be conquered by their enemies and led into captivity and cumbered about with burdens.  Alma was the only one in the court who listened and believed.  The others put Abinadi to death and Alma fled for his life.  He secretly preached the Word and others followed him.  They left the city just before it was conquered.

But sin carries its own natural consequences.  Alma and his people were captured by a group of Lamanites and were placed into bondage with heavy burdens laid upon their backs.  Even so, God did not abandon them.  This was his promise: And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord. (Mosiah 24: 14-15)

Eventually, God did deliver them of their burdens: Yea, and they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens and delivered them out of bondage for they were in bondage, and not could deliver them except it were the Lord, their God (Mosiah 24:21)

When we choose to sin, we also receive the inevitable natural consequence of that sin.  We can repent and be delivered from the burden and bondage of sin.  Sometimes that eases the burden of the consequences in that God strengthens and encourages and even forgives us, which will save us spiritually and eternally.  Nevertheless, sin's consequences may still need to be borne for a season.

So as we recover and repent from sin and addiction, always remember that Jesus Christ is with us every step of the way. Take comfort in His promises of scarlet sins as white as snow.  Consequences are painful; broken hearts hurt.  But sometimes God has to allow our hearts to break before we will allow him in.  Never give up hope.  God will never give up on us.

 

 Copyright Gebara Education, May 2015