Addict’s Devotional
Second Chances
We often hear these words, “God is a God of Second Chances” and up until now I thought I knew what that meant. What are “second chances”? I’ve just been shown it means when there aren’t anymore chances to be given, you’re given one again. Notice, too, that it’s never “chance” but “chances”? In my personal life I just ended a relationship but during my personal devotional prayer time, God has instructed me to offer a “second chance”. It doesn’t mean the person will accept or even abide or do better this time, but just offer it. And I keep being reminded how many have been extended to me.
I’ve been quick of late to advise people to let others go in their lives when they’ve been hurt repeatedly, and it is still good advice but it has to be tempered in love, not anger. To separate yourself from someone yet loving them is much better than reacting and doing it because you’re angry. There is a difference in this type of separation. Everyone makes mistakes but a mistake made is not a mistake which cannot be forgiven. We have an obligation to forgive others as we would want forgiveness for ourselves. This is the basis of “second chances”.
When you offer a “second chance” you are also to do as God does with you and that is to give you a new slate. “Second chances” come not with an erased slate but a new slate. It is brand new and you have every opportunity of keeping it clean or messing it up as before with the other one and you have to keep in mind that just because someone fails doesn’t mean they hadn’t tried. So, should they fail again, it’ll take offering them a brand new slate. This is what “second chances” are all about.
Join us in this worship dance.
The Lord gives a second chance.
–Vikki Blossom
Tags: 12-Steps, Addiction, Alcohol, Crack Cocaine, Drugs, Recovery, Relapse, Smoking, Substance Abuse
