Christians and non-Christian alike battle with addictions and other behaviors that they find themselves struggling to leave behind. Through faith in Jesus Christ and placing emotional and spiritual health as attainable goals, we can all be overcomers.
This blog, produced by Certified Recovery Specialist Beth Livingston, is for people to exchange struggles and victories of breaking free from addictions and other hurtful behaviors.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Many people for a light that will shine far brighter than the inward shadows of despair and fear. Life could be hard and uncertain. The question of our hearts is, "Wom can I turn to for answers?"
Friday, April 26, 2013
The Apostle Paul felt that he “had” to oppose Peter. He could NOT stay silent! When we talk about addicts and addictions, there comes a time when the people in your life cannot take your behavior any longer. Someone has to stand up and yell, “Enough.” Unfortunately, if this does not happen, and if everyone continues to enable and support the addict, they will continue to get worse. It calls for a confrontation.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
In this recovery journey we have struggles that seem like battles. We are waging a war against the enemy and we must have the proper equipment to defend, aid in our safety and help us in our focus.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Many programs use chips as timeline markers of the miracles the Lord God has done in their lives. Whether it’s 24-hours, a week, a month, a year, or several years – there’s something special about having a chip to hold, to carry in your pocket or keep in a special place in remembrance of the progress God is helping us with in our life changes.
Friday, February 08, 2013
Once God made it clear to both of us He wanted to restore our marriage, sexual intimacy was incredibly hard for me. How could I not picture the other women he'd been with? How did I know he wasn't picturing them as well? I prayed through the first time we were intimate again.
Friday, January 04, 2013
My plan is to GROW this year. Somehow, I have to believe that is your true desire as well. Yes, goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-sensitive. (SMART). Yet, if our attitudes are right and we go for the heart source of change, outcomes with be natural, organic if you will. So, let’s think through a few principles of spiritual growth that anyone could follow.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
If I asked you, “What is most important to you?” What comes to mind first? For many it's family. We know the “right” answer is to put God as our first priority. But do we? In my own life God wasn't first on my list. My security and sense of well being came from my husband. In my eyes, he could do no wrong, I made him my rock.
Friday, December 07, 2012
I reached for the Bible on my desk and opened it to Psalm 34:6. Listen to this verse, “This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles” (NIV). I closed my Bible and asked, “Have you prayed and asked God to help you with your Christmas season troubles?”
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
True or False:
__ “Love conquers all.”
__ “All you need is love.”
__ “Love heals all wounds.”
__ “God is love.”
Friday, October 19, 2012
There comes a time when the people surrounding an addict cannot take the behavior any longer. They jump in, they cry out. Often they fail because they don’t have the strength to stick with the tough decisions. The consequences mount and life begins to unravel. It’s time for intervention.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Georgia’s boss had told her she could keep her job if she successfully completed treatment and didn’t drink again. Now she sat in my office and admitted she relapsed. She had lost her mother and tried to drink away the pain.
Friday, October 05, 2012
A marriage is about being a team not individuals with their own agendas. God says a husband and wife have been made into one flesh. If we take God seriously then we must approach our marriage in this way: as a team.
Friday, September 14, 2012
You've probably heard that many of us are one paycheck away from being homeless. There is some truth to that, but there are several causes of homelessness.
Friday, September 07, 2012
When Tim and I first separated I could only see his sin, not my own. God's Word has helped me with forgiveness, anger, pride, self-pity, bitterness, an insatiable need for attention, and self-righteousness, just to name a few!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Do you believe that addiction is a sin?
Stephen Arterburn: Well, I believe that every addict is deeply involved in sin. But I also believe that every sinner is addicted to their favorite sin, whether it’s gossiping or whatever. So, I think that they go hand in hand. I think addiction is a condition.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Slaves usually don't free themselves. Addictions are powerful. But there's a difference between a belief in a higher power as I define it (subjective), and an actual power that's actually higher and breaks me free from slavery (objective). True freedom, not only from addictive behavior, but from the underlying sin problem at its root.
Friday, August 17, 2012
The way of this world is to satisfy every whim without any thought of consequences and the effects on the lives of others. God’s way would be “good, pleasing and perfect.” We have to take captive every craving to make it obedient to Christ. When we want our own way, we make excuses and justify what we crave.
Friday, August 10, 2012
A sure-fire sign that someone is not doing well in his or her recovery, or that they are struggling with an area of temptation is a severe lack of patience. For people who struggle with addictions, the sense of impatience is heightened because we are used to instant gratification. For the addict, it’s “get what you want when you want it or find a resourceful way to make sure you do.”
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
I believe God uses these devastating situations to bring us closer to Him. Because He created each one of us uniquely, He can show us what to do in every unique situation. Sometimes God will call us to stay. Sometimes He will call us to separate. Never will He ask us to condone or enable sin.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Tempted as strongly as ever by external forces, and increasingly tempted by internal physical and spiritual pressures, it starts to seem like I don't even have a choice anymore. The line between temptation and sinful response seems very blurry at this point, if I can detect it at all. It starts to feel automated. It's like this thing is choosing me now. I'm enslaved.