Christian Recovery: Why Can’t I Quit My Addictions?

Over the years, we have had many Christians in addiction ask us the question, “Why can’t I quit drinking?” or “Why can’t I quit using drugs?” Many of these people are questioning God because He has not delivered them from their addictions.

Our answer is always the same. God gets to choose how He works with us. He has his reasons, and His lessons for each one of us. In some cases, he instantly delivers a person out of addictions. This is what happened to my husband Jerry. One night while Jerry was in the midst of his addiction and at his bottom, he had a battle with an angel or God who kept telling him to go home to his wife and get right with Him. He refused at first, but several hours into the experience, Jerry gave in and said, “Okay. I will do it.” He fell right asleep and the next morning, everything was different. The world looked like a beautiful place and he had peace in his heart. From that point on, Jerry never drank or did drugs again. And even better, he has never once had a craving. Now, eightenn years later, Jerry is the senior pastor at Destino Cristiano, a bilingual Christian church in La Paz, Mexico.

While many people say that Jerry was lucky, I say that he became completely surrendered, and this is what brought about his deliverance. It was a blessing to be delivered and Jerry has always been grateful for that gift. But he has learned the value of deliverance and preaches about holding onto it with everything he has. "Never take deliverance for granted" is his motto.

My story is much different. I was not delivered from my addiction to alcohol, even though I begged God to take my cravings from me every day. Looking back, I understand that God set a specific path for me to follow. My journey of recovery was all about using the strength of God to get me through. At the time, Jerry was still an addict, and he had alcohol in the house every day. I would open the refrigerator and there it was, staring at me in the face. But I asked God to give me strength, and He did. I continually quoted the Scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

Everyone in Christ has the ability to get set free. Some, like me, must suffer to get there, and this is where addicts often fail. They refuse to endure withdrawals and temptations, or claim they just can’t. Of course we are weak, but this is when God loves to show up. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

So in answer to the question, “Why can’t I Quit My Addictions?” I say, you can, if you are willing to do what God wants you to do, and if your path is like mine, to truly suffer all the way to the cross. Remember, Christ suffered for you. He suffered so you could be set free. He suffered and died, but then he rose again in a resurrected life, and that’s what can happen for you if you follow the model of Jesus. You suffer and you die to yourself, so that you can be a new creation in Christ.

If you want to connect with me, write to TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com or call 541-778-8680. You can also visit the website at www.thesolidrockroad.com. You can also find my book on Amazon. Click here to check out Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.

A Christian Recovery Ministry for Churches

It’s evident that the problem of addictions is getting worse. And while the statistics are staggering, these numbers represent real people in the real world whose lives are devastated by the abuse of drugs and/or alcohol. Therefore, it’s time for the church to have a Biblical response to this global epidemic. But what do pastors and leaders do in times like these? How can Christians reach out into our communities to help the addicted and their loved ones, and at the same time, provide Christians who struggle with addictions an opportunity for transparency leading to complete freedom?

The secular community is responding to this addiction crisis with new treatment centers and programs, along with more robust promotions of AA and NA. These systems are necessary for those with diverse spiritual beliefs. However, the Christian community can offer people the power of God that truly transforms lives. This is what The Solid Rock Road is all about – Bringing God back into the recovery process; reminding Christians that God is more than enough!

It is our belief that Christians were not meant to merely cope with their addictions, strongholds or wounds, but to enjoy complete freedom for a lifetime. The Solid Rock Road recovery ministry takes people on an experiential journey of the heart in which they empty themselves of incorrect thoughts, poor behaviors and painful past experiences. They are then armed with spiritual insight and weapons of warfare necessary to fight and win the battle for their own souls, and be restored to their destiny in God­­­.

Through the ministry, former addicts are encouraged to assimilate into the Body of Christ rather than separate and congregate as the “recovery people.”

Jerry and Jamee Pineda are the directors of The Solid Rock Road. They are both former addicts with theology degrees and have recently planted a church in La Paz, Mexico. They founded this Christian recovery ministry in 2002 and completed the book based on their 10 principles in 2010 titled “Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.”

In 2012, they produced the “Solid Rock Road Group Facilitation Manual,” which provides a week-by-week process for facilitating groups based on the 10 Principles. Since then, many churches and organizations have adopted this Christian-based ministry in the United States and in Mexico.

The following are additional ways that The Solid Rock Road ministry can assist addicts, as well as the churches who are using this Bible-based system:

·         Provide an in-house method for serving Christians who struggle with addictions.

·         Initiate an outreach ministry to the unsaved and the backslidden.

·         Offer individual counseling based on the 10 Principles.

·         Support the loved ones of the addicted.

·         Complement existing recovery ministries such as Celebrate Recovery.

·         Empower the congregation to move forward in their walk with God.

·         Strengthen the Body of Christ, which in turn strengthens the church.

·         Train new believers to overcome.

·         Create servant hearts within the congregation.

Along with a system of recovery and discipleship, the directors of The Solid Rock Road provide training and ongoing support. If you are interested in finding out more, or if you have questions, contact Jerry and Jamee Pineda by email at TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com or call 541-778-8680. You can also visit the website at www.thesolidrockroad.com.

Christian Recovery: What is The Solid Rock Road?

It’s evident that the problem of addictions is getting worse. And while the statistics are staggering, these numbers represent real people in the real world whose lives are devastated by the abuse of drugs and/or alcohol. Therefore, it’s time for the church to have a Biblical response to this global epidemic. But what do pastors and leaders do in times like these? How can Christians reach out into our communities to help the addicted and their loved ones, and at the same time, provide Christians who struggle with addictions an opportunity for transparency leading to complete freedom?

The secular community is responding to this addiction crisis with new treatment centers and programs, along with more robust promotions of AA and NA. These systems are necessary for those with diverse spiritual beliefs. However, the Christian community can offer people the power of God that truly transforms lives. This is what The Solid Rock Road is all about – Bringing God back into the recovery process; reminding Christians that God is more than enough!

It is our belief that Christians were not meant to merely cope with their addictions, strongholds or wounds, but to enjoy complete freedom for a lifetime. The Solid Rock Road recovery ministry takes people on an experiential journey of the heart in which they empty themselves of incorrect thoughts, bad behaviors and painful past experiences. They are then armed with everything necessary to fight and win the battle for their own souls, and be restored to their destiny in God­­­.

Through the ministry, former addicts are encouraged to assimilate into the Body of Christ rather than separate and congregate as the “recovery people.”

Jerry and Jamee Pineda are the directors of The Solid Rock Road. They are both former addicts with theology degrees and have recently planted a church in La Paz, Mexico. They founded this Christian recovery ministry in 2002 and completed the book based on their 10 principles in 2010 titled “Follow The Solid Rock Road: Pathway to Radical Recovery.”

In 2012, they produced the “Solid Rock Road Group Facilitation Manual,” which provides a week-by-week process for facilitating groups based on the 10 Principles. Since then, several churches and organizations have adopted this Christian-based ministry in the United States and in Mexico.

The following are additional ways that The Solid Rock Road ministry can assist addicts, as well as the churches who are using this Bible-based system:

·         Provide an in-house method for serving Christians who struggle with addictions.

·         Initiate an outreach ministry to the unsaved and the backslidden.

·         Offer individual counseling based on the 10 Principles.

·         Support the loved ones of the addicted.

·         Complement existing recovery ministries such as Celebrate Recovery.

·         Empower the congregation to move forward in their walk with God.

·         Strengthen the Body of Christ, which in turn strengthens the church.

·         Train new believers to overcome.

·         Create servant hearts within the congregation.

Along with a system of recovery and discipleship, the directors of The Solid Rock Road provide training and ongoing support via Internet and Skype. If you are interested in finding out more, or if you have questions, contact Jerry and Jamee Pineda by email at TheSolidRockRoad@gmail.com or call 541-778-8680. You can also visit the website at www.thesolidrockroad.com.