ARP Step 2

Step 2: Hope

KEY PRINCIPLE: Come to believe that the power of God can restore you to complete spiritual health.

BELIEF IN GOD

“Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend” (Mosiah 4:9).

    • Many witnesses in heaven and in earth testify of God’s existence. What evidences of God and His love have you experienced?


FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

“Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Alma 37:33).

    • Many of us tried to get out of our addictions through sheer willpower or through having faith in a friend or therapist. Sooner or later we found that our faith in ourselves or others did not enable us to overcome our addictions fully. Write about your feelings today of being humble and willing to turn to Christ and His gospel above all other sources of help in your recovery efforts.


THE SAVIOR’S COMPASSION

“Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

    • This man sought help from the Savior and obtained it. Jesus did not rebuke him for his doubt. Write about the Savior’s compassion and patience.
    • How do you feel about sharing your feelings with the Lord?


THE GIFT OF GRACE

“Let us . . . come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

    • In the Bible Dictionary, grace is defined as “divine means of help or strength” given through the “bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ” (“Grace,” 697). This gift of divine strength enables you to do more than you would be able to do if left on your own. The Savior will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. His grace is the means by which you can repent and be changed. In what ways have you felt the gift of grace in your life?
    • How can the gift of divine strength enable you to maintain continuous recovery?


HEALING

“Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation? . . . If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed” (Alma 15:6, 8).

    • When we think of healing, we usually think about our bodies. What else about you might require the healing power of Jesus Christ?
    • Write about your need to draw on the redeeming (liberating, transforming) power of Christ.


AWAKENING

“If ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words” (Alma 32:27).

    • Becoming aware—or awaking and arousing your faculties—is an important part of the process of learning to believe. In what ways are you more aware today of Jesus Christ and His power in your life than you were last week? last month? last year?


DELIVERANCE FROM BONDAGE

“They were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver them out of bondage by the power of his word” (Alma 5:5).

    • The word of God will be powerful in releasing you from bondage. You can find the word of God in the scriptures and the talks you hear at conference and read in Church magazines. You can also receive God’s word directly through the Holy Ghost. Write some of the things you are willing to do today to receive His word to you.