January 6th: The Power of Choice in Recovery

January 6th - Reflection for the Day

Gamblers Anonymous, wrote Dr. Robert L. Custer in the foreword to the Gamblers Anonymous Blue Book, is a Program of the Twelve Steps that provides a framework of hope, structure, and friendship for those who have chosen the road to a successful adaptation to a life without gambling. He adds, This road can be smooth or rocky, but, in any case, it is never a painless journey … As a recovering compulsive gambler, I can face any discomforts today, knowing that the pain of recovery will never be as acute and desperate as the pain of my gambling days.

Am I prepared to see each new day in the GA Program as a time for learning, growing, and making healthy choices?

Today I Pray

May I make prudent use of the power of choice that God has given me, to plan wisely, one day at a time, without becoming a slave to apprehension, regret, or anxiety. I pray that God’s will be done through the exercising of my own will, which He, in His goodness, has given me.

Today I Will Remember

God wills my will to be.

Early in my recovery, I thought the hardest part was simply walking away from gambling. What I’ve learned since is that recovery isn’t just about stopping; it’s about rebuilding. It’s about learning to live life on life’s terms and making choices every day that lead to growth, peace, and freedom.

There’s no denying that this journey can be uncomfortable at times. Change often is. But when I compare the discomfort of recovery to the pain of my gambling days—the lies, the guilt, the chaos—it’s clear that recovery is a much kinder teacher. The discomfort here is part of healing, not destruction.

Every day in this Program gives me the opportunity to make choices that align with the life I want to live. I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to stay willing—to face my fears, to learn from my mistakes, and to trust the process. One day at a time, I am building a life that gambling could never give me.