Step 10 in the H/A 14 steps is; We made direct amends wherever possible to all people we harmed. One reason making amends is so important is that it helps us break through the denial which may still be keeping us in the dark about our true selves. When we confess to GOD, we may not fully face the sin in our heart. When we confess to ourselves, we may still be hiding many things from ourselves. When we confess to another human being, our own blindness may make what we say less than the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I am not speaking of intentional lying. I am talking about denial, blindness and repression. In making amends we must come face to face with the person we have wronged. He or she knows the whole truth and may feel it deeply. They may see all too clearly that to which we are blind. Now we get a glimpse of ourselves and the pain we have caused in the eyes of the one we have hurt. Their anger or their grief can be used by GOD to tear down the veil behind which we have hidden from ourselves and help us see who we really are and how desperately we need GODS Forgiveness, CHRISTS Righteousness, The HOLY SPIRITS removing of our defects of character, and others to give us support. Many shrink from the pain this might involve. We make all manner of excuses to escape a clear view of ourselves. We may even convince others that it is not wise or possible to make amends when we are really simply protecting ourselves from seeing ourselves. This is utter foolishness!!! While there are times when its genuinely unwise or impossible to make amends, let us beware lest we cheat ourselves of the necessary blessing of self-knowledge by avoiding what is unpleasant for us rather than hurtful for the one to whom we brought pain. Let us remember that there is no progress without knowing from whence we came and where we want to go. Let us ask GOD for grace and strength to get to know ourselves in making amends, to restore relationships and see that they are never fractured again, and to grow up into CHRIST in all things. If these things come to pass, we will have made amends and found blessing that will last for the rest of our lives. Dear Heavenly FATHER, Please keep me from undermining my recovery by trying to protect myself from necessary suffering. Especially make me willing to know the pain of seeing myself clearly--faults and all! Only then can I leave that which I do not want to be and, by YOUR Grace, become that which I long to be. Set me free from the tyranny of self-ignorance and grant me the freedom of self-knowledge! Thank YOU FATHER for all that YOU are, all that YOU do and all that YOU Bless each of us with every single moment of every single day. In JESUS Name. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:41:00 +0000
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