STARTING OVER
THROUGH CHRIST MY GLORIOUS SAVIOR!
(The Sonny Roesch Story)

(By: Sonny L. Roesch)

I find myself living much closer to my higher power, which I've chosen to be Jesus Christ. I've gotten closer to Him with the help of jails and institutions. I know He still loves me, or I would not have even taken the time to study scriptures or write this thesis.

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; out goes the old and in comes the new" (II Corinthians 5:17). I believe "Out goes the old" was my life as a drunkard. "In comes the new" is God's will for me so I have everlasting life we are told about. This leads me to I John 2:17, "The world and its desires shall come to pass, but the man who does the will of God abides forever or has everlasting life." I feel that God's will for me is to live a sober life, and through Alcoholics Anonymous, help others to achieve and maintain sobriety.

I have worked through stage one of recovery with the help of jail and my own realization that my life had become unmanageable. Admitting I was an alcoholic was the easy part. Now I'm choosing to do something about it - Finally! I can only do this because of the help of my Higher Power's guidance. I have learned that I am not responsible for this disease, but I am responsible for my recovery. So, with that in mind, I think to myself I can drink still. I'm sure I can. I just have to remember that it is the first one that is going to KILL me.

"As much as 98% of what we do is the result of habit, not choice." Drinking became a habit for me because "whatever we consistently do will become a habit."

I'm finding life easier when I attend AA fellowship and realize I'm not the only one with this disease. There is a lot of help available for anyone looking for it. Then we must keep in mind that there is no "I" in team. The fellowship is the only good defense I have found to fight off triggers to help that habit. Habits are living things. Whatever is alive will fight to the death to stay alive. I am alive with a very strong mind, so I can fight off that first drink and that habit doesn't have a chance.

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (I Corinthians 10:13). So, no matter how much I may be tempted, if I stop and look, there will be an escape. Sure, I may get desires for it, but that is Him telling me I need a meeting. I have gotten the madman out of my head and replaced him with Jesus. However, I know he is right there waiting to get the wheel back, so I have to keep in close conscious contact with Jesus. "I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). He has helped me change already. People are telling me they see a change and I like it. Change is good.

"To change we must let what we know dictate how we act." I know He wants me to live a life of righteousness, so I must let Him guide me through this life of trials and tribulations. There is a life full of joy and happiness out there just waiting for me to live it. I can't expect to live it with the insanity of doing the same thing and expecting different results.