Large group starts at 7 pm (age requirement 15 years and older)
Small groups start at 8 pm (age requirements 18 years and older)
When we accept the first recovery principle and take that first step out of our denial and into reality, we see there are very few things that we really have control over. Once we admit that by ourselves we are powerless we can stop living with the following “serenity robbers,” spelled out in the acrostic below:
Pride
Only ifs
Worry
Escape
Resentments
Loneliness
Emptiness
Selfishness
Separation
Principle 1:
Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.
“Blessed are those who know they are spiritually poor.” Matthew 5:3
Step 1:
We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.
“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)
Focus Question:
How has pride stopped you from asking for and getting help to overcome your hurts, habits and hang-ups?
Large group starts at 7 pm (age requirement 15 years and older) Small groups start at 8 pm (age requirements 18 years and older)
Seven Reasons We Get Stuck
1. You have not completely worked the previous principle
Perhaps you are trying to move through the principles too quickly. Slow down! Give God time to work! Remember, this program is a process.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
2. You have not completely surrendered your life and your will to the Lord
Perhaps you are trusting Jesus with the “big” things, but you still think you can handle the “small” things.
“For good judgment and common sense, trust in the Lord completely; don’t ever trust in yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3. You have not accepted Jesus’ work on the cross for your forgiveness
You may have forgiven others, but you think your sin is too big to be forgiven.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us…from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)
“So overflowing is his kindness towards us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved.” (Ephesians 1:7)
Have you forgiven yourself?
Remember, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
4. You really have not forgiven others who have harmed you
You must “let go of the pain of past harm and abuse. Until you are able to release it, forgive it, it will continue to hold you as its prisoner.
“After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, will give you his eternal glory. He personally will pick you up, and set firmly in place and make you stronger than ever.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)
5. You are afraid of the risk in making the necessary changes
You may be paralyzed by the fear of failure. You may fear intimacy because of the fear of rejection or of being hurt again. You may resist change (growth) because of the fear of the unknown.
“Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed… I will strengthen you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, “The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.” (Hebrews 13:6)
6. You are not willing to “own” your responsibility
You need to take responsibility for your past in a broken relationship, a damaged friendship, with a distant child or parent, and so forth.
“Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover…if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139)
7. You have not developed an effective support team
Do you have a sponsor or an accountability partner? Do you have the phone numbers of others in you small group? Have you volunteered for a commitment to your recovery ministry
“Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“Dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each another.” (Galatians 5:13)
“Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.” (Galatians 6:2)
Celebrate Recovery’s Daily Action Plan for Serenity
1. Daily, continue to take an inventory. When you are wrong, promptly admit it.
2. Daily, study God’s Word and pray asking God to guide you and help you apply His teaching and will in your life.
3. Daily, work and live the eight principles to the best of your ability, always looking for new opportunities to help and serve others – not just at your recovery meetings but in all areas of your life.
Focus Questions:
Which of the seven reasons we talked about tonight have you gotten stuck in? And how did you get unstuck?
