Sweet Friend

 

Sweet Friend

Theology in the Trenches

Guest Columnist Sophia Satariano

 

Sophia is a blogger—a beautiful young woman whose body is in the midst of recovery, while her soul is in the midst of transformation. Her gentle words fall softly, shedding light and hope upon the topic of addiction. May her words be an encouragement.

I have to tell you something great! I reached what was once a long-term goal of hitting a year of sobriety. I actually have over a year now, almost fourteen months. What a gift it has been to experience sobriety and to live again.

Here is a verse that helped my heart stay grounded and my eyes focused on the glory and goodness of God as I tackled my addiction. I pray that through this verse you, too, can cling to the opportunity of hope and experience the day when you can live in your own freedom with eyes that can see, and a heart that can receive.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV...“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

What a gift it is that we have the freedom of opportunity, the freedom of choice, the freedom of the next step, the next road, or next turn.

Have you tried turning to the Lord?

Have you tried, gave up, and are hurt? Have you tried, but have never given up your lukewarm ways? I made those mistakes too, and through my own inconsistent lukewarm experience with surrender, I now understand and will continue to understand the unconditional love of our God.

The kind of love that whispers, “Come back, you are still wanted.”

The kind of love that holds arms wide open.

The kind of love that reminds you of childhood and safety is not questioned.

The kind of love that embraces you—all of you.

The kind of love that provides freedom.

The kind of love that molds you together again with a touch of tenderness that transforms you so you can think, see, and hear clearly.

You are worthy of his love, all you need to do is turn and surrender, and he will take care of the rest. I promise.

A prayer for all of us. God, thank you for the opportunity of turning to you, whenever and wherever we are in this world. Lord, I ask that you show up for he one needing this, the one feeling far gone right ow. Lord, bring them home, and cover them with your tender love so they can live the life you had planned for them all along.

Lord, thank you for the struggle and the trials because through them we grow, and through them we connect, and through them we find ourselves needing a place to turn to. Thank you for catching our attention, and I ask that you stay in our focus so we will not be swayed by the distractions of this world. Help us to see the light and help us to be the light. In Jesus name. Amen.

 

Follow Sophia on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010552846904

https://stoplivinglukewarm.com

https://www.instagram.com/sophiasatariano/.