July 28th, 2010 — A Shining Shield

To continue the paraphrase of the psalm:  “The judgments of the twelve steps are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired then they are whiskey, yea, than much fine whiskey, sweeter also than wine.  Moreover, by them are alcoholics warned and in keeping them there is great reward.  Who can understand our alcoholism?  Cleanse us from secret faults.  Keep us from presumptuous resentments.  Let them not have dominion over us.  Then shall we be upright and free of the great transgression.  Am I resolved that liquor again will never have dominion over me?

God can be your shield.  Then no problems of the world can harm you.  Between you and all scorn and indignity from others is your trust in God, like a shining shield.  Nothing can then have the power to spoil your inward peace.  With this shield, you can attain inward peace quickly, in your surroundings as well as in your heart.  With this inward peace, you do not need to resent the person who troubles you.  Instead, you can overcome the resentment in your own mind which may have been aroused by that person.