What is Christian Recovery?

There’s no doubt that the subject of addictions is an emotional one. I have yet to meet a soul who has not been touched in some way by addictions. What I have noted is that each person reacts differently to the addict, with many who simply put up a wall of indifference to protect themselves from the pain. The concern of these loved ones can often turn to criticism.

On the other hand, there are many people who have been totally devastated by the substance abuse of their loved one. In their own desperation, they have tired themselves out by working to save the addict from themselves. In the midst of it all, they can become discouraged, depressed, and ultimately, disappointed in God. 

Serving in the Christian recovery ministry since 2002 has placed me in the middle of the battlefield, right between the addicts and their loved ones. I have seen the tears, the fighting, the wounds, the blood, and the scars of the weary, the undone, and the disgusted.

I have helped the addict to get clean, and cheered people on as they start to win the battle for their own soul. I have also watched the recovered fall into relapse several times before they quit for the final time. But it's not the lack of God's power that's to blame. It's a decision to choose a substance over a savior.

No matter what I see happening with the addicted and those who love them, I understand this one thing: God is enough! 

Christian recovery is all about believing that God is who He says He is. This goes for the addict and the loved ones of the addict. They must both trust that God has the power to set captives free and to transform lives. They must know that God is for them and not against them, and that God hears their prayers and answers them in His way and His time.

Christian recovery is also about the act of surrender on the part of the addict and their loved ones. The addict must surrender to God and get rid of their idol. The loved one must surrender the addict to God and quit trying to take the place of the true savior.

When thinking about Christian recovery, I'm often reminded about the story of the Prodigal Son. While the prodigal was messing up his life by living the way a modern-day addict might live, the father did not cut him out of the family. Instead, he yearned for the return of the prodigal son, and when it happened, he kissed him on the neck and put on his colorful coat. He also gave his son the ring, which symbolized that he had retained his inheritance.

God has made a way home for all addicts!

Now, I do believe that there is a point at which the hand of God is removed from those who continuously refuse to obey the Lord, but no one knows when exactly that is. This biblical truth is such a serious matter that I often find myself warning Christians in addiction about this possibility. Many heed the warnings, but there have been times when addicts have said that they are going quit, but decide to enjoy their last hurrah, only to end up dead, doing harm to others, or in prison. 

For Christians, recovery results in total freedom from drugs and alcohol. This is what separates the Christian in addiction from everyone else. When they repent and it comes from the heart, they are forgiven by God and given the strength and power necessary to overcome and have victory. They are welcomed home and again assured of their inheritance.

To learn more about The Solid Road Christian Recovery program, visit www.thesolidrockroad.com. 

The Sin of Addiction

You can trace your propensity for sin back to Adam and Eve who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Since they were the first people on earth, we are their descendants and inherited their sin nature. That all changed when we were redeemed and reborn into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

From that point on, Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit so we have a new nature that counteracts our natural tendencies -- if and when we let it.

No doubt the battle between good and evil rages on. Though we tend to see this battle outside of ourselves, it also takes place on the inside, including our minds, hearts, and souls.

Our original Adam nature lurks about and we often acknowledge and return to it. This is called backsliding. For addicts it's referred to as relapse. Therefore, to prevent relapse, you have to acknowledge the sin of addiction and repent.

The Value of Meditating on the Word of God in Recovery

What you think about, or what you obsess about, becomes your meditation. If you think about your drug of choice all day long, that's what you meditate on, and it's no wonder you can't stay sober. You have to retrain your brain to think godly thoughts. The Bible says you can do all things through Christ Jesus, so this isn't an impossible task.

Make up your mind to read the Bible, think about what it says, and pray to God. You may be doing one or two of these things, but you really need all three actions to stay fully connected to God, who is your source of life and energy.

This connection allows truth to penetrate your soul and your spirit to rise above your sin nature. When you disconnect from God, you are in human default mode. This means that you are being directed by your inner voice, which has gotten you into trouble your whole life.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for the book that's about to be published called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

Freedom Comes When God is First

God wants to take first place in your life and be the source of power for all things.
God is way more powerful than Satan. Unfortunately, you may see Satan as the one with all the power. But the reason you can't resist him is because you’re surrendered to him. If you transfer your obedience to God, you will be shocked and amazed by His power, love and grace.

This is your first step to overcoming addictions forever. Think about God more than you think about your drug of choice. If God is first, then He will be on your mind and His righteousness will become you.

You can see this as simplistic or you can see this as an amazing opportunity to be quickly transformed. I challenge you to soak yourself in the presence of God and be immersed in His Word for one month straight. Go to very church event and Bible study you can. Make dates with faithful people who will build you up spiritually. Get prayer every day and be in prayer every day. You will see the power of God, you will be able to resist the temptations and you will be free from your addictions.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/solidrockroad. And look for a book I co-wrote called Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

Christian Recovery Brings Total Freedom

Many people get sober and are better able to cope with life. But coping isn't thriving. Coping is attempting to overcome, which means that those who are just coping have yet to experience victory.

For Christians in recovery, the power of God, the blood of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit result in a life transformed. In the Solid Rock Road program, we call this radical recovery.

If you are a Christian battling addictions and continual bouts with relapse, you need to claim the freedom you were given as a gift when Jesus died on the cross. You must agree to suffer all the way to the cross, die to yourself and be renewed into the image of Christ.

Follow us on www.twitter.com/solidrock road. We'll let you know when you can purchase our Christian recovery book titled "Follow the Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.