The Paradox Of Powerlessness...Lesson Seven

We may be afraid to admit that we are powerless and that our lives are unmanageable. If we admit that we are powerless, won't we be tempted to give up completely in the struggle against our addictions? It doesn't seem to make sense that we can admit powerlessness and still find the power to go on. This paradox will be dealt with as we go on tp Steps Two and Three.
  Life is full of paradoxes. The apostle Paul tells us, "We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair" (2 Corinthians 4:7-8).
  The picture here contrasts a precious treasure and the simple container in which the treasure is stored. The living power poured into our lives from above is the treasure. Our human bodies, with all their flaws and weaknesses, are the perishable containers. As human beings, we are imperfect.
  Once we recognize the paradox of powerlessness, we can be quite relieved. We don't have to always be strong or pretend to be perfect. We can live a real life, with its daily struggles, in a human body beset with weakness and still find the power from above to keep going without being crushed or broken.

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10