Recovery Is

"...a community project"! (from "God Grant" daily devo.)

How very true I've found this to be! Nobody recovers and continues recovering from addictions without forms of community, with zero help from anyone.

Isolation is a major element that keeps us locked into addiction of whatever sort though the habits often begin in groups. A whole lot of the time it's hanging out with others already further down the downward spiral of addiction themselves. Sometimes they seem to be able to "handle" the booze, dope, sex or you-name-it better than we do, especially as we get more into the particular lust by degree. Also sometimes we -think- they deal with whatever the particular "drug/s of choice" when in reality they're as messed-up and captive as we eventually recognize we ourselves have become.

Oh it doesn't always happen overnight. Here a little, there a little, then a little more, then moving down that gateway to ever more and then more isn't enough.

When I finally WANTED to quit I had to face the truth I couldn't seem to no matter what I tried, what I did. I had a few meetings with a professional who was willing to meet with me at my high school -but until I came to Jesus and called out to Him nothing brought me freedom.

Then, AFTER my walk with the Lord began I still did the up and downs with some of my personal "fixes" until 9 months later joining a full-time ministry where I continue to live and serve to this day.

So many of the people there and here now went through the very same things so they knew the issues and were there for prayer and offering solid input right through my journey. We did it together. We do it together, not alone.

I have zero doubt I'd have been dead with in a year if not months had I not linked and stayed linked with people who walked out their recovery all around me. For me the weekly meeting had to be a daily thing and I knew full well in -my- case moving geographically away from old friends who were a major part of my dope, booze and sin connections had to happen.

Joining a live-in community of folks further down the road in recovery and truly serious about being Jesus' disciples was and remains massive for me over 50 years later. No joke, no exaggeration.

Lord guide you if you're reading this and wondering about the miracle of becoming and maintaining "clean and sober"!

By God's grace, it happened to me and can with you. It happens in relationship with the risen Jesus Christ and with people we need to link with -locally, regularly, regardless of the zillion excuses we get tempted to use. That's a major reason many never quit using -and being used , controlled by whatever the addiction happens to be.

There IS hope. You've just read with Whom and how.

As always, thanks for stopping by. -Glenn