“If I can just get through today”, is a phrase we often hear, whether it be on the lips of the weary mum, the depressed student, or even the desperate dieter looking to shed a few pounds before that summer holiday. Here at Hope for Glasgow we employ a similar sentiment of just getting through each day as it were, particularly those in the early stages of abstinence. Initially, the road to recovery can seem daunting and people don’t believe that their lives can ever change for the better. And so, we encourage folks to stay sober, stay clean, don’t click, don’t binge, or don’t roll that dice, just for today.
While many of us can be prone to frittering our days away, for the addict, a day can be long, it highlights weakness, it exposes vulnerabilities, it’s a reminder of limitations, it feels fragile, and it holds out a great deal of temptation to pick up that drink or that drug. Where time was once spent on substances, time is now aplenty, and a day might feel like an eternity. While being stuck in addiction is never something praiseworthy, there is something to admire about numbering each day before the Lord. For those who use our services, we regularly celebrate those who are abstinent for 30, 60, 90 days, 6, 9, 12 months and multiples of years. For those who achieve abstinence for these days, each day has counted, each day has been numbered, each day has required much wisdom to navigate the complexities of life in recovery.
Psalm 90:12 highlights the importance of a single day: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” And there is a lesson in this for all of us, not those with just an alcohol or drug problem. All of us live in a broken and fallen world and all of us need to navigate difficult days. Jesus himself speaks about each day “having enough trouble of its own” and the challenge to forget our tomorrows, focus on today and seek first his kingdom (Matt 6:34). Each day choices need to be made. For the addict the presenting “trouble of the day” is choosing to abstain and turn from our addiction and instead, turn to the Lord. And that principle surely is a call to all of us. We need to make each day count, and just for today choose to turn from all our selfish desires and serve the living God.