Step 2 Devotional: Belief is a Process

Faith icon

Firm belief in something, especially God, rarely “just happens”

Belief is a process that takes time and consideration that is shaped by our experiences.

How often are your beliefs challenged? If you’re anything like me, probably not very often, if ever. The internet has made us very comfortable beings, and not in a good way. At this point, you might be saying, “Wait, I thought comfort was something we should strive for?” Well, if you’re wanting to get some sleep, then sure. But if you’re wanting to grow, change, and become a better person, then definitely not.

The internet age has sorely catered and enabled our inherent desire to determine that we have it all “figured out.” Social media is the biggest culprit. All that we consume on a daily basis is run through the filter of “here’s what you already believe.” Most of us are walking around with a funnel around our eyes and don’t even realize it. But here’s a challenge to your beliefs that would benefit you well to consider.

Published

06/15/2022

Category

Faith

Step 2 of Recovery

We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Stating that we “came to believe” suggests that belief is a process. It takes deep consideration, logical reasoning, doubt, and conclusion. The ability to form beliefs is part of what it means to be made “in God’s image.” We’re able to take our experiences, emotions, logic, and convictions to form beliefs that inspire and motivate us. And the stronger the belief, the stronger the action. This can impact us both negatively and positively. While in addiction, our belief of how deplorable we were led us further into the pit. But in recovery, our belief in how delightful God is can lead us into true healing.

In order to flip the script on our belief, we have to examine our own experiences first. We have to recognize that all of our efforts in the past to handle our addiction on our own just didn’t work, doesn’t work. We have to examine the condition of our lives and admit we just simply don’t have the power to overcome our dependencies on our own. If we can stop talking to ourselves long enough to be quiet and listen, we’ll hear the words of Paul echo in our hearts.

Recognizing and admitting our own internal weaknesses is the first step to successful recovery. But when we look outside ourselves, we find plenty others who have struggled and recovered from their addictions. They speak of the evidence, too. They were unable, within themselves, to heal their lives, but now they walk in sobriety. Why is that? A logical conclusion to make is that a greater Power helped them. We’re then able to compare our own struggle with theirs and make the same conclusion for ourselves.

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. They have no excuse for not knowing God.

Romans 1:19-20

God has made himself plainly known to us. He doesn’t simply display His existence within the world around us. He also displays His character within the lives and hearts of those that call upon His name. He is wholly good (pun intended) and entirely capable of pulling you out of the pit. All that is required of you is the firm belief that He can do so. And if that takes time, that’s okay. He made us all with the ability to get there, in our own time and in our own way. Belief is a process.

Conclusion

Key takeaways

  • Challenging our beliefs is a good thing
  • Social media and the internet ecosystem rarely, if ever, challenge our beliefs
  • Belief is a process that takes time, combining experiences, emotions, logic, and convictions that lead us to action
  • Our belief in ourselves can, and often does, hurt us
  • Our belief in God, however, can change that trajectory
  • The experience of others in recovery and even ourselves testifies to this fact
  • We are made with the ability to form beliefs on our own, it’s a tremendous power

Challenge

Apply to your life

Take 30 minutes this week to read chapter one of Romans. Meditate and pray on what you read. Read, pray, and meditate with an attempt to see God’s existence, character, and power in your life. Challenge the belief in your powerlessness with the belief in His power.

Conclusion

Key takeaways

  • Challenging our beliefs is a good thing
  • Social media and the internet ecosystem rarely, if ever, challenge our beliefs
  • Belief is a process that takes time, combining experiences, emotions, logic, and convictions that lead us to action
  • Our belief in ourselves can, and often does, hurt us
  • Our belief in God, however, can change that trajectory
  • The experience of others in recovery and even ourselves testifies to this fact
  • We are made with the ability to form beliefs on our own, it’s a tremendous power

Challenge

Apply to your life

Take 30 minutes this week to read chapter one of Romans. Meditate and pray on what you read. Read, pray, and meditate with an attempt to see God’s existence, character, and power in your life. Challenge the belief in your powerlessness with the belief in His power.

A Recovery Community Center in Chesterton, Indiana.

This location is also the studio and homebase for content creation on Artistic Recovery. The team of professionals at Three20 conceive, draft, and edit many of the articles you find here. These recovery resources are a collaboration between certified recovery coaches, creative writers, fitness trainers, artists, musicians, and chefs. Most importantly, our content is written for people in recovery, by people in recovery.

Ty Walker

Ty Walker is a contract copywriter and graphic designer with a huge heart for recovery. He has spent the last five years serving churches and recovery communities with his creative skills. Ty spends his free time writing poetry and fictional short stories as well as hiking, biking, and kayaking with his wife, Angie, and his two daughters, Winter and Ember.

Credit where credit is due

This article was inspired by The Life Recovery Bible presented by Tyndale Publishing. If you would like to check out additional recovery articles, videos, and podcast episodes, check us out at artisticrecovery.org.

Subscribe

Recovery resources anytime, anywhere.

Subscribe

Recovery resources anytime, anywhere.

Check out some related episodes

Want to read more?

Head back to our library.

Stating that we “came to believe” suggests that belief is a process. It takes deep consideration, logical reasoning, doubt, and conclusion. The ability to form beliefs is part of what it means to be made “in God’s image.” We’re able to take our experiences, emotions, logic, and convictions to form beliefs that inspire and motivate us.

Interested in Recovery Coaching?

Sessions are available via Zoom and are always free of charge.

LET’S TALK