The real battle in recovery is the work that takes place inside an individual. The way they see things...the approach that they take in making decisions....what they value...it's all part of the needed healing that must take place in order for them to move on with their life.
I heard it 17 years ago when I first got to Rapha.....
And I believe it today, more than ever.
"You don't have a drinking or drug problem.....you've got a living problem. A heart problem. The drinking and drugging are only a symptom of a broken relationship with Christ."
That statement brings up another question that has been asked by others.
"But you don't understand...I've been a Christian for years...I go to church....I read my Bible....I pray....yet I use...why?"
All addiction begins with a choice that is made.
We, for whatever reason, choose to use or drink.
That choice, whether we are a believer or not, opens the door for an onslaught of demonic influence in our life.
We can still go through the outward appearance of doing all the "Christian stuff"...and yet be dark, empty and hopeless on the inside. If one is able to move daily in an addictive lifestyle and feel no remorse when they go to church....or they don't feel the conviction that the Holy Spirit brings, then they have either crossed a line into total abandonment to sin, or they may never have truly had a relationship with Jesus. Always keep in mind that going to church is not the ultimate measuring stick to gauge salvation. God isn't going to ask us about our church attendance when we stand before Him. He is going to ask, "What did you do with My Son? Did you receive Him or reject Him?"
I do not wish to simplify nor overstate the issues that are faced in bringing about an addiction in the life of someone.
So, to me, the whole recovery thing is about a change of heart, which leads to a change of character. This is only accomplished as we allow our will and life to be turned over to the care of Jesus. This turning over is what the Bible refers to as "Making Jesus Lord and Savior or our life". We trade off the selfish, lying, cheating, manipulating, old life that seemed to define us in our addiction, for one that is to be full of wisdom, faith, forgiveness, self-control and generosity to others (Taken from Recovery Bible-Pg.1599). Recovery is truly a simple process if you step back and take a good look. We no longer have to rely on playing mind games with others, or tricks of any sort...we simply do what God tells us to do. Just as Step #1 begins with an admission of powerlessness, then the other eleven Steps are and admission of responsibility to obey God.
As we are changed on the inside....
The old nature and character replaced by this new work the Holy Spirit is doing....
We face each day, learning how to apply to our situations, this new way of seeing and doing life.
In fact, James addresses such in the book that bears his name.
James 1:2-8
Dear brothers and sister, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed about by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
We no longer have to live our lives hiding behind words and phrases that keep us separated from getting help. We have developed an entire language of phrases and words that satisfy those who ask us how we are doing. I like to call them "Masking words"....
Phrases such as "I'm o.k."........."I'm fine"........."I'm good". All convey a positive spin but, in reality, offer no real honesty as to where we truly are physically, mentally, and spiritually. We are afraid to tell someone about the real "US". Why are we afraid? Because when we look inside, what we see is so terrible and fearful that we just want to shut the door on it and never talk about it. If we don't talk about it...if we don't think about it...then it won't bother us. Truth is, even behind that so-called locked door, all the character defects...the fear, the shame, the guilt only grow stronger. Addiction thrives on secrecy. Secrets that we keep from everyone, become the fuel that drives the addiction. Only the love of God and the salvation that Jesus brings to us can truly free us to move forward in life and become the person that God desires us to be.
Looking for a place to connect?
Consider coming and joining us this Saturday night at Vineyard Recovery.
Meeting starts at 7 p.m. / and we do stamp court cards.
Hope to see you then.
God on you...
mb
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