Former Blackout Artist

“Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” ~ Romans 12:17-20

After a good period of sobriety, how easy it is to forget the wrongs we committed against others back when we were sick and suffering with our disease; and how even more easily we ignore the forgiveness that was extended to us unconditionally during our many battles with addiction.

For those of us genuinely grateful to God for breaking the chains that bound us to our spiritual sickness and depravity, we do our very best to be mindful of what we put our family and friends through in the past. Just because we’re once again of reasonably sound mind and body doesn’t mean we’ve entirely lost the capacity to be mean-spirited and hurtful toward others. People stepped on our toes before our disease overcame us, and they will surely step on them again every now and then despite our efforts to lead productive lives and remain sober. No human relationship in the history of mankind has ever completely avoided moments of impatience, frustration and disagreement, and neither will ours.

On page 66 of Alcoholics Anonymous, it states, “If we were to live, we had to be free of anger. The grouch and the brainstorm were not for us. They may be the dubious luxury of normal men, but for alcoholics these things are poison.”

In remembering the certain death that God spared us from, and recalling the love, patience and tolerance that was extended to us during our affliction by those around us, the gratitude in our hearts convict us to be kind and merciful toward everyone.

I have been called to forgive others, just as Christ has forgiven me.