Why is it important to have a sponsor? Why do I need someone to guide me along in my journey through recovery? Can’t I do this thing alone? I’m a private person. I don’t want someone else knowing my problems. It’s nobody’s business what is going on in my life.
I asked those questions and said those things when I first began on my recovery journey. It wasn’t until I read the Scripture that goes along with Step Four that I finally realized God doesn’t desire for this journey to be solo. His desire is for me to find someone I trust to help, guide, and teach me along the way.
Step Four says I am to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself. Oh boy. Here we go! This is about to get real.
The first time I traveled down the recovery road, I did this alone. Just me and God. There is nothing wrong with doing this, but it is best to find someone else to go with you. Someone who has traveled the well beaten path. Someone who understands the bumps along the way. Someone who has overcome the obstacles. Someone who has navigated the journey and knows first-hand just how difficult it is. Here enters a sponsor or mentor.
While it is vital to have God at the center of Step Four and the journey as a whole, having someone else to look at the searching and moral inventory objectively is also key to my healing. My luggage on this journey is packed tight. It is filled with things that cause the weight of it to sit heavily on my soul. It is up to God, me, and my mentor to stop on the road and unpack it—piece by troubled piece.
I like to look at the Bible as not only the story of God, but also our handbook for life. The Old Testament is filled with history, God’s laws, and instruction. This is where I turn for guidance in all situations and decisions. It is the same for my recovery journey. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells me why I need a sponsor or a mentor to come along with me.
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
Don’t miss it. Two are better than one. We are given the gift of companionship so if I fall there is someone there to help me get back on track. If I am hurting I have someone to comfort me past the heartache. That is all great, but the last part is my favorite. “A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” I see this as having two meanings.
1. The cord here represents the Trinity. The Father God, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within us. One cannot be without the others.
2. The cord also represents God, a sponsor or mentor, and me. My recovery cannot be completed effectively without all three.
As I work my way through Step Four, I know I am not alone. I know I have the support of my mentor, but more importantly I have the grace and mercy of my Father.
Think About It:
- Is your luggage too heavy to carry along this journey?
- What is it filled with?
- Are you ready to stop on the side of our path together and start unpacking?
- Do you have someone you trust to walk along this journey with you? If not, please find one. You can visit here to find a recovery program near you.
Read Proverbs 13:20, Hebrews 10:24-25 and 1 Peter 5:6-7.
Journal About it:
Write about how the questions and scriptures today resonated with you. As you write, thank Him for showing you the way in your journey.
Pray About it:
As you think and write, say this prayer with me.
Father God,
Thank you for giving me the gift of relationship. I am so thankful to have a relationship with you, but also have the ability to have friendships and companionships with others. Guide me to the right person to help me along my journey. I ask to be fully present in my heart as I start my searching and fearless moral inventory of myself.
In Jesus’ Precious Name,
Amen
Talk About it:
This is my story, what’s yours? I would love to hear from you! I enjoy connecting and keeping in touch. Do you feel as though you don’t have anyone you can share with confidentially? Your anonymity is protected. Do you feel you are the only one struggling with the aftereffects of growing up with an alcoholic parent? Sweet sister, YOU are not alone! It’s time to break free from the shackles of your controlling habits, trust issues, co-dependency, guilt, self-blame, hurts, regrets, and heartaches!