As Iron Sharpens Iron

 

   Several years ago, my wife and I were heavily involved with a recovery ministry at our church, and it had a life changing effect on each of us as individuals, as a couple, and as followers of Jesus Christ.
   Unfortunately, over time the program met a decline, and due to varying factors, it eventually began to unravel, until it dwindled away to nothing. Literally. It doesn't exist in our community anymore, and I must admit that I miss many of the relationships that were formed during that time.
   There is no doubt that Proverbs is a book full of wisdom, and as I read the familiar passage in Proverbs 27:17 that I get the title of this post from, I am reminded that I need to work my way toward building relationships with other men who follow Jesus, I mean REALLY follow Him, and to be sharpened by our times together.
   For many years I struggled with addictions to drugs and alcohol, but as I have worked through those issues, I have had to face the reality that anger has been at the top of my list for many, if not all of my years, and I need help to stay afloat.
   Stronger than any chemical addiction that I have ever known, anger has wreaked havoc in my life on so many levels that I can't even begin to document the ways. Let me just say that it has affected me deeply, and in recent times as it has begun to rear it's ugly head, there is an urgency in my desire to be a part of a strong accountability group.
   This is one of the things that I miss the most about those old days, and I am unsure of exactly why these groups ever disbanded, but I am fully aware that the time is long overdue to get plugged into something similar.
   I realize the selfishness of asking God to recreate something that He has already done, so I am asking, by His Holy Spirit, that He do something new in our midst, and that we can find strength in Him through the sharpening of one another in our personal relationships with Him, and one another.
   I will not drag this entry out, as I have said what I intended to, at least I think I have done so in a general way. I don't know the details, because this is a prayer that I am offering up to God, praying that He might hear me, and send people to come alongside of me, and to help me become more like Him.
   Let me close by saying this. Even though I have fought for so long to establish my place in this community as a leader. I have realized that I never established myself, He did, and if I ever hope to become what He desires for me to be, then I must seek His will first, and then answer His call to action.
   Father God. May You be glorified through this. Hear my plea to You Father, and send men to come beside me, and to hold me up when I am weak. Help me to do the same for them. And in all that we do, may You receive the glory, the honor, and the praise which is due You.

In Jesus Name,
Amen