LOVE AND RECOVERY (Post 175)

March 11, 2025

Truth and love are two of the most powerful things in the world; and when they both go together they cannot be easily withstood.
- Ralph Cudworth

Throughout the month of February, I kept thinking of ways to present the topic LOVE. Various thoughts would come to mind but they seemed either over-used or excessively ethereal. Something practical – yet inspirational – is what I hoped to find. At the end of the month, the sharing of a true, real-life testimony stood out as a special way to inspire and encourage. That is when I asked friends Sherrie and Bob if they could share their story of – you guessed it: love and recovery. Graciously, they replied yes; and I am awed, once again, by their honesty, sincerity, and always, uplifting words.

“Love and Recovery” by Sherrie H. member of Gam-Anon

Through the programs of GA and Gam-Anon we are given wonderful tools to help us in our relationships with ourselves, with others, and with our Higher Power. Daily inventory is a great way to monitor our progress in recovery, and to look for areas in which more work is needed. It also helps us to identify areas that may need more prayer and meditation.

We are living through a time of great hope and hopelessness. Sometimes we forget that our troubles are not ours alone. Most of us share the same worries and doubts. We often ask others to pray for us thus to have our loads lightened. When we pray for someone, or allow others to pray for us, we share our hope and love. This redirects our thoughts to provide a way through all the troubles by reminding us that we are not alone, and there is much we can do together to make our lives better each and every day.

Loving yourself, your neighbors and your Higher Power is something we should work on every day. We must be open to all the blessings that we have received, and ask for specific care as the need arises. Our focus can be on the best part of GA Step 10.

“Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.”

Was I loving in all my actions today? When I have answered that question, I can then leave the rest to my God, my Higher Power. Amen.

“Love and Recovery” by Bob H. member of Gamblers Anonymous

My wife, Sherrie, and I have been married for 41 years. And she has been a valuable member of my recovery team ever since I have stopped gambling and joined Gamblers Anonymous on November 10, 1999. I vividly remember the marriage vows we said to each other on September 10, 1983. One particular vow has remained with me for all those years – “…In sickness and in health.”

Medical studies in the past have proven that compulsive gambling is a disease. It is a sickness that causes mental anguish, financial ruin, destroyed marriages, irreparably harmed family relationships, suicide, and much more. Compulsive gambling cannot be cured, but it can be arrested. And with the help of counselors, mental health professionals, and organizations like Gamblers Anonymous, millions of people around the world have quit gambling, travelled the road to recovery one day at a time.

My wife, Sherrie, took the marriage vow of “…in sickness and in health” very seriously. Her love has sustained me through the many years of abstinence and recovery. She recognizes that compulsive gambling is a disease. Oh sure, we have had some bumps and detours along the recovery way. But we still love each other. And we still support each other. And our Higher Power has given us so many blessings through these 41 years.

We have hope for couples and families who are suffering from this insidious disease of compulsive gambling. There is a way out. With a Higher Power, with love, and with recovery you can win in life, one day at a time. Amen.

Thank you, Sherrie and Bob! My closing words I will borrow from you both: One day at a time … and I can leave the rest to my God, my Higher Power.

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

https://www.grmumc.org

855-926-0761

For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:

www.igccb.org

From IGCCB’s Resources for Coping with COVID 19:

https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients (Online therapy preparation for clients)
https://gambling.easywebinar.live/replay (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
https://youtu.be/dYUEjIFtT8E (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)

For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues, go to: