Beth is a Christian with a long history of addiction problems that began at age 12. She never went to jail, still got good grades and never got fired from a job; a functioning addict.
Having a relationship with Christ made the difference - She is free from addictions today! She's trained as a Recovery Specialist. This blog is for people to exchange struggles and victories of breaking free from addictions and other hurtful behaviors.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Please, fellow survivors, consider being part of the open arms of Jesus for this hurting world of addicts. It’s a huge problem. We were once part of that world. We can serve Jesus as a bridge between the hurting alcoholic and the Lord by being faithful in a ministry God will use to bring about healing for others. You are needed. Whether or not this is what Jesus is asking you to do is really between him and you. God has a purpose for each of our lives. Is he asking you to serve in this way? If s
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
So why is it that when people want to quit smoking, they often keep a few cigarettes in a hidden place? Or want to quit drinking and keep a bottle or flask of liquor in a place they know it’s stored? The examples are too numerous to list, but every addiction and every behavior that someone wants to quit can also have a sneaky hiding place for it to be able to slip back in.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Most Christians can remember times in their lives when their joy in the Lord overflowed. They had their "bounce" and it was noticeable. Many miss their joy and are wondering where it went. Does this describe you? If so, what is stealing your joy?
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Father God, I pray that you will make yourself so real to all those who have dwelt in the shadows of shame. Please bring them out of the darkness and into the light. Expose the enemy for his schemes to keep them feeling ashamed. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ who gave his life as a ransom for all who would come to Him. May you be glorified by the ones who will choose to look deeper into the Bible for your truth about how much You love them.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
As we make a list, we are taking a step away from our addiction or destructive behavior and a step closer to looking at the real problem – US! We need to come face-to-face with our character defects, our emotional makeup, and identify our flawed thinking. Starting with our current lifestyle, what are we doing that is morally upstanding? What are we doing that is clearly immoral? What behaviors or patterns of thinking are hurtful to us or others? What is helpful? These are questions that help the
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
It has been said that we are only as sick as our secrets – secret pasts, secret sins, secret desires. When we are faced with those moments in life when we have the chance to be honest and vulnerable, too often we choose to keep our secrets. We are usually ashamed and fear that if our secrets get out, bad things will happen. We fear losing relationships, being judged by others, or having to make changes.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The possibilities are endless for the many ways we “help” our loved ones who have problems. What’s it going to take for us to just say, “NO!” and stick to it? The general reason we don’t is that we feel it’s not loving and kind to leave them floundering in the mismanagement of their lives. After all, we are Christians. Aren’t we doing what Christ would want us to do? Not if we are not setting healthy limits for ourselves. Our lives are a gift from God. He expects us to manage our time here on ea
Friday, July 02, 2010
Addictions are crafty and sly. We live in sneakiness and half-truths when we are feeding our addiction or giving in to an unwanted behavior. So when we try to change, the cunning power of our addiction goes into overdrive.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
It’s the buzz we seek, no matter what means we use to get it. We want to alter our senses and feel less inhibited, less stressed. Why? There could be several reasons. I believe these four reasons would top the list:
Monday, June 14, 2010
One of the most important phrases in this scripture is “LET GOD TRANSFORM YOU.” It applies to wayward Christians and believers who struggle with addictions and impulse behaviors. I ask you. I ask myself. When will we stop trashing God’s Tabernacle? When will we allow Him to truly be the Lord of our lives? He’s ready to transform us. He’s ready to cleanse the temple. He won’t do it without our permission and cooperation. That’s why the phrase begins with “LET.”
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Many addicts deny that they are addicted at all. Once they own up to it, life will really never be the same again. Coming to terms with saying that we’re dependent can be very hard for a tough-willed individual who would never want to appear weak. This denial burdens a person's spirit.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Once a person has truly quit using a substance, there is a season of withdrawal where the body and mind react negatively to not having their drug anymore. For a Christian, this is the most natural time to seek God’s help. For most of us, it’s a time we’d welcome losing the whole “free will” aspect of our lives and let God run the show entirely. We know that would work! However, God doesn’t work that way for most of us. He wants to walk alongside us as we learn to live our lives without the drug.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
I never understood why we had to say we were alcoholics just because we drank a lot. I didn’t think I was addicted. In fact, I really thought I could quit any of those things anytime I wanted. I just chose to do them. But, when the time came that I did try to quit, I had trouble with each of them. Have you ever been there? Where you thought you could give something up when you chose to and then found out you couldn’t? Are you still there?
Monday, May 10, 2010
If someone’s Internet use is defined by the criteria in this checklist, it does not matter if they call it an addiction or not. The person risks great consequences if he or she chooses to do nothing about it.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
So, is it a big deal? Take a look at our relationships. Do we hide our behaviors from people? Usually, that's the case. We know it would cause problems for us if our behavior was exposed, so we hide it and lie about it. If we are deceiving others to continue the behavior, IT IS A BIG PROBLEM!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Personally, I think there are a lot of people serving in God’s ministry who have addictions of some kind. I was one of them. You may be one of them. If you were exposed, would you keep going to church? Or would you be so embarrassed that you’d stop going or find another church?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Whatever your behavior pattern, you can picture yourself living life without the drug or self-destructive behavior and know for certain that it is the life our Lord has waiting for you. It certainly can’t hurt – and you can begin to change how you see yourself.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
When we duck out from life’s storms by self-medicating, we don’t grow. Life is painful. Sorrow seems unbearable. Stress feels like a boulder on our shoulders. Thankfully, God wants us to go through this life with Him as our burden bearer. When we turn to our preferred method of escape, we might as well tell Jesus, “You’re not enough for me. I need something else too.” It is that simple.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Can you see working these steps to quit smoking? Have you ever tried to quit this way before? Please feel free to post your feelings on this topic!
Monday, March 22, 2010
As a teenager, I didn’t invite new friends to my house; I’d meet them other places. I was ashamed. And I’m not alone! Many of us who ended up with addictions grew up with the stronghold of addiction in our homes. Was this true for you?