Psalm 15 (NIV) - Who keeps his oath even when it hurts

From Psalms

Psalm 15 (New International Version, ©2011)
(A psalm of David.)

¹LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
     Who may live on your holy mountain?

²The one whose walk is blameless,
     who does what is righteous,
     who speaks the truth from their heart;
³whose tongue utters no slander,
     who does no wrong to a neighbor,
     and casts no slur on others;
⁴who despises a vile person
     but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
     and does not change their mind;
⁵who lends money to the poor without interest;
     who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

     Whoever does these things
     will never be shaken.

Verses 4 and 5 stand out to this addict.  "Who keeps his oath even when it hurts and does not change his mind...will never be shaken."  It stands out for a few reasons.  It stands out because the initial process of recovery was painful for me.  I was no longer able to mask my problems with my addiction, couldn't drown my sorrows in alcohol or soothe my pain in endorphins.  This was both a mental trial as well as a physical trial.  As my body slowly learned to live without the endorphin painkillers I experienced headaches and fatigue.

However, as we, addicts, keep our oath to our Higher Power and we slowly becoming stronger.  For me my oath was re-writing all 150 psalms without relapsing.  It has been said that, "Pain is just weakness leaving your body."  I'm not sure who said it but it makes a lot of sense in this situation.  To that end as we go through this pain, in keeping our oath, we become stronger and we will not be shaken.  I certainly felt that, and know that today I am stronger and more confident than I was 6 months ago, for keeping my oath.

Here's hoping that God can provide strength and guidance in your life as he has in mine.

Thanks for letting me share.