The elevator is broken, try the steps.

God introduced me to the 12-steps for my food addiction, and He blessed me with freedom from compulsive overeating and food obsession. In my clarity of mind (without excess food), I began to see other areas of my life that needed healing. I welcomed the opportunity to understand God's instructions from reading His Word. The Twelve Steps for Christians supplied the map of the the Bible for sustaining the highest quality of life--peaceful, happy, joyful existence on earth.
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"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is."

(Romans 12:1-2, NLT)

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Acknowledgment of my powerlessness, and the very real fact that I only knew what I thought I knew, were the baby steps to healing. As I remained abstinent from sugar, flour and extra food each new day, I began to see God's will in my life.

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I learned how to love and accept love.

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I learned that calm, respectful tones of communication worked.

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I learned the skills necessary to respond in appropriate ways when annoyances and resentments flooded my thinking.

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I learned to face my fears and work through them.

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I learned to replace negativity with positive, life-giving affirmations.

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I learned to stop manipulating and controlling people.

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I learned that people are worthy of their opinions, and that it was okay if someone had a different opinion than mine. It didn't make them "good" or "right" and me "bad" or "wrong."

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I learned to properly and respectfully take care of myself.

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I learned to accept and use criticism in a positive, constructive way.

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I learned that I was worthy of love and respect.

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What people thought of me was none of my business. I had to be willing to listen and admit, time and time again, that I didn't know what I didn't know.

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In God's time, with His constant help, I grew to understand and love myself and enjoy God's perfect plan for my life. I began to accept life on life's terms. I learned to trust God in everything, knowing that He was guiding my recovery.

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I soon discovered that ongoing physical, emotional and spiritual healing requires patience, perseverance, love, understanding, commitment and accountability. It is worth every ounce of effort. I am happy, joyous and free.

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My goal now is to enjoy everyday life. "Be here now" is my mantra...along with "God, help me." Quite often I have to say, "God bless them and change me" so that I keep my eyes on my own plate (figuratively speaking).

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To God be the glory for all that I am and all that I hope to be. If it is His will, I pray that He will use me to help others to experience His wonder-working power in their own lives. God bless us and keep us safe in the process.