Not too long ago my wife spoke to me , in response to an accident I had, and stated “sometimes bad things happen to good people”.

Several weeks ago, while carelessly  preparing some fishing equipment for an outing, I stabbed my forefinger with a hunting knife. The puncture was deep and in addition to the pain  I instantly felt a numbness in my finger. Its been  a while since the stitches were removed. The laceration has healed but the pain and numbness still persist. Enough so that I have not been able use my finger or hand effectively, much less play guitar or reel in a fishing line. Two activities I really enjoy now that was not the case in my drinking years.

Poor me, right? That is exactly why I am telling this story. Self-pity is a state that is easy for me to fall under. In my unhappiness over the situation I stated to my wife that “I must have done something wrong and God punished me for some  act I must have committed.”  My wife assured me that God was not punishing me and that, once again, bad things can happen to good people.

Now , back in my drinking days I would have really sulked and been very angry at God for my injury. I would have not said a kind words over the matter to him. However,theses days I do not have to drink over everyday occurrences, whether good or bad. That is choice I can now make because I am  sober. I can also choose to not feel sorry for myself or angry at God. This is grave because I have heard it said that self-pity and anger, if dwelled upon, will certainly lead to drinking again. That is not a luxury I can afford, less I die.

I have come to terms that time may heal my wound and I can resume  guitar playing or reeling in a fish not to mention the everyday use of my finger and hand.  Patience  or therapy may be action required but I can do it and I don’t have to take a drink over the outcome. I know God  has a plan for me and as long as pray that “thy will be done, not mine” everything will turn out as it should.

I know hard times and accidents will occur in my life, that is just a fact. Two things though; I do not have to drink over them and God will provide for me.

May your prayers be answered and may the gift of sobriety, so graciously given to us by God, be held onto tightly as we go though life; both the good and the bad.

Please feel free to comment on this topic and how you deal with both the good and the bad occurrences in life. God Bless You!