WHERE’S THE POWER?LETTING GO or GIVING UP (Post 118)

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019

Post 118

WHERE’S THE POWER?
LETTING GO or GIVING UP

This past weekend, I was blessed to attend an international conference of recovery … recovery from compulsive gambling and recovery associated with having a loved one who suffers from gambling addiction.  During the workshops slated for each perspective, stories of true recovery were shared.  Over and over, the letting go testimonies told about strength gained and  developing new awareness of  self.  Where once the attention focused on the uncontrollable urges to gamble OR on the gambler, the person now in recovery discovers a new freedom to reject the urges OR, respectively, accept a life created for her/himself. 

Uniquely with disordered gambling, the “power” seems to be found (by the gambler) in self-assurance that there will always be a chance for the big win.  Convinced of this, problems grow as chasing losses takes precedence.  Why give up when there’s always a chance?   Then too, take the individual who gambles for the risk-taking excitement or the one who gambles to escape life’s pressures … a sense of control - for the moment – brings “relief”.  What then is there to give up??

Sadly with the addiction, the gambling continues and loved ones find their lives encircled by mounting debts, anger, and fear.  In either case, what’s to give up?  The addiction escalates and  relationships deteriorate.  It’s hard to see life, otherwise, when caught in the midst of addiction. Addiction speaks, addiction acts … life becomes dependent on addictive thinking.

My friends at the conference, however, spoke of letting go … not giving up or giving-in.  Letting go carries with it a purposeful opening of a door to new possibilities.  Letting go claims more for the present than the status-quo.  There can truly be a difference - though, at first, it may seem impossible.  Letting go makes room for a power-greater-than-ourselves to show us new ways of coping with problems (including the urges to gamble OR berate the gambler) - and forming healthy relationships (inside and outside of the family).  

Looking over the 12 Steps of Recovery, I see a roadmap of letting-go and attaining newness of life.  Starting with Step 1,  let the journey begin!

·         Step 1:
 Letting go of feeling/living powerless over gambling/the gambling problem
 Attaining and admitting to an awareness of reality
·         Step 2:
 Letting go of depending only upon myself
 Attaining the belief that there is a power-greater-than-ourselves that can restore my life to normalcy
·         Step 3:
Letting go of being in control of my recovery
Attaining experiences of emotional strength that were not derived from me alone
·         Step 4:
Letting go of erroneous estimations of my financial status and personal and moral self-image
Attaining realistic awareness of my circumstances and who I am – both positive and negative
·         Step 5:
Letting go of fear as to what others will think of me
Attaining the feeling of freedom from inner secrets that have held me hostage
·         Step 6:
Letting go of fear and shame, in general
Attaining the courage and drive to commit to my recovery program
·         Step 7:
Letting go of pride and prideful self-images connected to my addiction
Attaining the willingness and expectation that God (of my own understanding) will remove the character defects that have bonded me to my addiction and unhealthy lifestyle
·         Step 8:
Letting go of denial about my relationships with others
Attaining fresh insight as to my responsibilities of repair in my relationships
·         Step 9:
Letting go of relational wounds
Attaining opportunities for restored friendship, love, and connection … as well as taking the responsibility not to re-inflict wounds upon others
·         Step 10:
Letting go of any unhealthy, disruptive, and counter-productive moral, spiritual, and/or financial issues that may begin to develop
Attaining growing self-insight and awareness
·         Step 11:
Letting go of relying only on myself
Attaining deeper awareness of God’s presence, strength, peace, and will in and for my daily life
·         Step 12:
Letting go of self-isolation and fear of reaching out to help others
Attaining deeper awareness of the principles of recovery … and new friends!

For specific wording on the Gamblers Anonymous/Gam-Anon Twelve Steps of Recovery Programs, respectively, go to  www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/recovery-program   AND       www.gam-anon/gam-anon-can-help/the-twelve-steps-and-reflections

May you continue to experience the power-greater-than-yourself through living the 12 Steps of Recovery!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
https:// www.grmumc.org 

    For more information on problem gambling, recovery issues, and the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:  

www.igccb.org                                                                                                                                                     
www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.ipgap.indiana.edu
www.mdproblemgambling.com
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.gam-anon.org
www.kycpg.org
www.pgnohio.org
www.calproblemgambling.org
www.christsd.com
www.masscompulsivegambling.org
www.mentalhealthministries.net                                       

Posted by Gambling Recovery Ministries at 11:53 AM