February 22: Though He Stumble
You had a drink. Maybe more than one. The streak is gone and the old voice says it always will be.
“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.”
David writes that a man’s steps are established by the Lord. Then he says something honest: though he stumble, he won’t fall headlong, because the Lord holds him up with His hand.
Though he stumble. The psalm assumes people stumble. Even people God is guiding. It doesn’t say the stumble doesn’t matter. It says the stumble doesn’t get the last word, because someone is holding your hand.
Picture a parent walking with a small child. The child trips on the sidewalk. Their knees buckle. But they don’t hit the concrete, because the parent’s grip tightens and catches them. The trip was real. The fall was prevented.
A slip in sobriety is real. It hurts. It may have consequences. It may bring back the shame you thought you’d left behind. But it doesn’t have to become a headlong fall into weeks or months of drinking. The hand that was holding you yesterday is still holding you today.
Step Two is about believing a Power greater than you can restore you. A slip doesn’t cancel that. It might actually make it clearer. You tried, and on your own power you couldn’t hold. That’s not proof that restoration doesn’t work. It’s another reminder of why you need it.
What matters now is what you do next. Don’t hide it. Tell someone today. Get back to a meeting. Look honestly at what led to the drink, without beating yourself up. Was there a warning sign you missed? A call you didn’t make? A situation you walked into?
And be careful with your body if the drinking went on for a while.
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
The count may reset. The hand doesn’t let go.
One thing today
Tell one sober person about the slip, in plain words, today. Then write down what was happening in the hours before the drink.
A prayer
Lord, I stumbled. I’m ashamed and afraid. Thank You for holding my hand even now. Don’t let me fall headlong. Help me get back up today.
For more on getting back up, see help with relapse. This month: Step Two.
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