Addiction/Recovery
“We must be transparent to heal because God created us to be in community and relationships—not only with Him, but with one another.”—Steve Arterburn
Sponsors play a very important role in recovery. To understand and utilize a sponsor, examine the history of sponsorship and consider what to look for in a sponsor.
History of Sponsorship
The idea of being accountable to others is nothing new. The Bible is clear that accountability is a prerequisite for healing. James 5:16a (NLT) says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
Since the recovery movement began, a critical healing component has been finding a sponsor. Alcoholics Anonymous started when the founders, Bill W., a stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S, a surgeon, met in 1935 and formed support groups and the Twelve Steps based on biblical principles. (more…)
Relationships/Marriage
It is God’s design for each person to be able to feel emotions and express them. Many people, however, never learned how to express their feelings on a deep level.
Why do some people numb their emotions rather than feel them? In their home growing up, children were probably seen rather than heard. Their parents did not help them process their feelings. Anger was met with rage, fear went unacknowledged, and there was plenty of shame to go around. So, they numbed their difficult emotions by turning to something like eating, shopping, watching pornography, or other things.
Does this sound familiar? Instead of numbing feelings, take out a journal and try the Comfort Circle exercise. (more…)
Faith/Spiritual
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has on one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:12-13
What is love?
Theologians, musicians, writers, and even Hollywood directors, have attempted to define, explain, and quantify love throughout history. But there has yet to be a consensus reached so far.
When it comes down to it, however, love is a choice.
A person can choose to act lovingly toward others or selfishly toward them. There is no mistaking that the foundation of genuine love is not feelings that change from day to day, from week to week, and sometimes even from moment to moment. There is no doubt that true love requires effort because it is a decision—one must be willing to do their part to build a lasting relationship. (more…)
Relationships/Marriage
Love is something everyone longs for. It’s normal for one to want — even crave — a close, loving relationship. However, some people with an insecure attachment style are prone to wanting to be in a dating relationship, even if it is unhealthy, abusive, or toxic. Although relationship addiction isn’t recognized as an official diagnosis, mental health experts and researchers generally agree on a few key signs that suggest cause for concern in a dating relationship.
Here are some signs of relationship addiction to be watching out for. (more…)
Faith/Spiritual
Have a loved one you want to pray for but don’t know how to pray? Try personalized prayers using Scripture—they are a powerful way to petition God for a loved one. He is the one who can soften their heart and change their life.
Here are 5 Scriptural ways to pray for a loved one:
1. Psalm 44:20-21—God knows our hearts.
“If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods, God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart, for he knows the secrets of every heart.”
Pray: God, You know _______’s heart. You know their secrets and the hidden things that I will never know. Father, guide _______ in the secret places of their heart. Shine (more…)
Life Issues
Every new year brings a fresh start. But if problems and patterns from the past keep repeating, if addiction is a constant battle, if it’s hard to maintain sobriety, then self-sabotage may be the sneaky culprit.
What is self-sabotage?
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “sabotage” as: “destruction of property or the hindering of manufacturing by discontented workers; destructive or obstructive action; an act or process tending to hamper or hurt; deliberate subversion.” Addiction itself is a form of self-sabotage. Rather than dealing with painful emotions and events in healthy ways, it is often easier to turn to (more…)
