Accountability for Life

Life is full of its struggles with drama and events that tend to take over our agenda and current status of what we are doing or where we are going. These struggles take what we have and multiply it by manipulating our minds into the thought process of social approval, engaging us into what is thought to be right by people who are doing wrong. Even though we know it is wrong, we still take the bait and become the next to be caught by the 4 year old with a fishing pole, who uses our life as its own little toy and game.

These struggles that I am attacking in this particular article relates to the topic of "Addiction." Addiction is often described as losing control of a particular act and it begins to control your mind and body in such a way that one cannot escape the habit because the mind and body become dependent on the addiction to cope with a stress or physical need.

There are many ways to overcome addictions and temptations. The truth is, there is always a way out. The circumstances might not be the most fun or seem like a way that is possible when it is only that you don't feel like working for that freedom.

The answer I am most convinced that will help is the partner relationship with another individual that is close to you and knows you well enough to know your personality and character. This person is referred to as your accountability partner . Your accountability partner is your partner in life. They are the ones who will tell you the truth and hold you accountable for every decision that you make and tell you which consequences you must face when making a choice.

Often we all come to that crossroad when we are alone and no-one is around to tell us what we can't do, or to give us that eye and gesture to give us strength to walk away. In one way or another, we are alone in this battle. An accountability partner is the person who will call you day to day and check up on you to see how you're doing, ask about your day, let you know they are thinking about you and care about you. They tell you that you are so precious and valuable in this world and have a lot to offer. This is more than just a best friend to you; this is your brother or sister in the battles of life that we all must face. They are the ones that when we have to cross a river, they will be there to hold the log and give you courage and strength to make your goals seem not so scary and/or big. This is a relationship far beyond what you could ever ask for or dream of.

Indeed, accountability is linked to a negative term set forth by individuals who are in trouble with the law or on probation at work. It can also mean that you are giving a sort of waiver of rights, and designating this person as power of attorney. This indeed can belittle you and make you feel insignificant at times and even helpless to make your own decisions. I won't lie about this, because I myself have plenty of accountability and people that check up on me day by day through email, phone, and even facebook. And I will be the first to say that compared to when I started with this whole accountability deal, I have never felt better and more accomplished as a person. I feel free from my old temptations and energized in life. I have the spirit and the motivation that I need, which also gives me the endurance to push through the walls on my track.

Life is Like a train approaching a big mountain that climbs to six-thousand feet into the sky and only gets steeper. On the train is attached everything from freight cars, to luggage, diner cars, and passengers that might be under you to whom you might be responsible for to guard their lives and livelihood, and even possibly their families to whom are attached. This is a lot of weight to carry on your shoulders! Much to much to carry on your own without someone their to give you strength. For me, it is God, who also reminds me of that in the book of Isaiah Chapter 43 in the Bible. Then, it is the ones who are closest to me, like my best friends John and Marcus, then my pastors, my loving girlfriend who has been by my side when i nearly looked death in the face, and of course many of my friends who are like family to me and I share my life struggles with, as well as they theirs with me.

They are the coal to my fire in the engine of my steam train. They add to the intensity of my flame which allows my soul to burn hotter, and building up pressure to push the pistons which drive the wheels on my locomotive to push and chug and pull and chug and push and chug and pull and chug. Over and over this process continues as it builds pressure, giving me endurance to my drive. Faster and harder I am steering forward into the fog that lies ahead as the steep hill approaches. One small error or bump could kill the climb and will cause danger to all those connected to me and as well as myself. That is when we come to what appears to be a heard of cows in the middle of the track and the hill is a mile ahead. We are in a situation where there is no alternative route and with a force of 40 ton. We can't stop. Its that simple to understand!

At the moment when hopelessness is greatest, we get that call asking how we are and what is going from our accountability partner. You explain the situation to your partner on the other end of the line and they tell you they were already prepared for this and not to worry, the cows are being cleared as you speak and the track is clear ahead. Have faith and do not stop to look or give up because you are almost there. You meet the location where you see the cows and off in the distance is the person on the other end of the line waving at you and smiling, telling you good job and you are measuring over the speed you need to get you up the hill safely. "See you on the other side!"

I challenge everyone who reads this to take the time if you are going through a circumstance where you feel alone and hopeless, and that an addiction is becoming a temptation stronger than you can handle. Don't lose hope in yourself, because there are people all around you ready to help you and see you succeed. You will reach the other side safely. These people will not let you fail and are there to encourage you to your success.

I pray for you in your drive towards freedom and success. Find your accountability partner who is someone who knows you better than you do and can account for you when you need them the most. Someone who won't take the wound for you but will share the wound and the pain as if it was really them. May you be great and I will see you on the other side!