About now is the season of Lent. This is when the Church remembers Jesus fasting for 40 days and 40 nights in the dessert and then Satan tempts Him. These temptations of Jesus parallel the temptations faced by someone on a recovery journey.

Temptation 1 – turn stone into bread. Settling for instant gratification. e.g. using our new found time to watch every box set offered by our TV provider. It is up to you to keep your eye on the goal and strive for it.

Temptation 2 – hurl Himself from the temple. Apart from being a suicidal act it was also a test of God. We could so easily act in reckless ways to see if those that have promised to help us really have our backs. A recovering person is taking responsibility for their lives and not relaying on others. That does not mean you do not accept help, it is that the help of others is according to their agendas and timeframes.

Temptation 3 – worship Satan as a short cut to gain all the kingdoms. Jesus was tempted to reach his goal via Satan. There are many gurus out there who will try to convince you they have the way. Yet at the end of the day you must do the work to reach your recovery goal.

So do not be tempted to give up, try others or follow their agendas.