Dear Big Sis....When I think of where I was a year ago, I am astonished at how much I have grown in my relationship with the Lord, my family and my entire outlook on life that has been totally revived because of an awesome, God-based program called "Celebrate Recovery." It is a recovery program based on eight principles from the Beatitudes...
When I began my journey, I was totally feeling isolated and so paralyzed with fear that I did not know exactly what was happening to me. I had experienced so many multiple losses that my grief was tremendously overwhelming. I felt like I was slipping into a very lonely state of seclusion. I went to the classes for about three months and thought maybe this program was not for me because the topics of conversation were hitting too close to home, making me feel very uncomfortable and anxious. I stopped going for a few months because I went on vacation but when I returned, I started feeling even worse by not attending the meetings.
The night I went back to the program is when I truly surrendered to the Lord and my life began to finally transform for the better. I found out that I would be able to get into the actual 12-Step Program which really dealt in depth with all the lifelong hurts, habits and hang-ups that I have been carrying with me like a heavy "yoke" around my neck. It is almost a year-long commitment to complete the program but it is so worth it and I can truly feel God working in my life and changing my heart as I work the steps. I am working on my "Moral Inventory" and although it is extremely difficult to complete, it is amazingly "freeing" at the same time. All of the walls that I have built up to protect myself were now beginning to chip away as I was starting to give up my control, grief, anxiety, worry and fear to the Lord because I knew my life was "unmanageable" and I could not do "this life" without HIM. I am about six months into my recovery and I know that I have a very long way to go but I am feeling so HOPEFUL, GRATEFUL and BLESSED knowing that when I surrender to God's will, HE will always be there for me, guiding me, loving me and never forsaking me.
After almost 6 years of grief and sorrow, I now feel that I have so very much to look forward to and be thankful for...My Lord and Savior, my amazing family, my awesome friends and the new members of my extended family: My Celebrate Recovery family who love me unconditionally even with all of my character defects. The first step is always the hardest and that is to walk through the door on the first night and the other most important key is to keep attending the meetings. No matter what you are going through, God really can and does work miracles for the"broken-hearted".... You WILL find comfort and healing in a very safe environment.
"Come, let's talk this over! says the Lord; no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are as stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool!" Isaiah 1:18
I am so thankful to you, Big Sis, for encouraging me to attend Celebrate Recovery...There are so many wonderful churches that offer this life-changing program.
Love, Hugs and Blessings to all for a very "Happy Thanksgiving",
Little Sis
Dear Little Sis...remember the tears of joy you talked about? That is what is in my eyes...what an awesome testimony! CR is such a wonderful tool and we all have Hurts, Hangups and Bad Habits. Although I haven't seen you in months, through things you've shared, I can hear the difference in your attitude and the growth you are experiencing.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you the difference CR has made in my marriage as God has truly given me a new husband. No longer is my husband an angry man or one who cannot express his healthy emotions. I've had to also learn new communication and learn not to "shut down" to control the situation.
God is Good and I pray that many will read your Blog and be encouraged to seek out help, support and a new way of life.
Celebrate Recovery Video