A New Day for Recovery
Wearing the label ‘Addict’ is not something anyone aspires to. We have hopefully come to the place where were we realize there is something wrong with us that needs to be addressed. We have to name it something. Yet there are many in recovery, who prefer to use other terms, like ‘I struggle with an intimacy disorder’ or ‘I have a porn problem.’ Whatever your flavor of unwanted behavior, I would like to propose to you that we live in the perfect time to find healing in it.
Think of how this time has been orchestrated for those seeking Recovery:
1) The 12-Step Movement is fully mature and has an established track record for helping broken people heal from their addictions. Some have called this movement America’s 20th Century contribution to the gospel. This bold effort to reach the addicted during a time of religious shame has paved the way for the recovery work we can do today.
2) Brain science is developing at an extraordinary rate, helping us to understand how our mind plays a role in our addictive behavior. This research is also giving us concrete ways to change our behavior through neurotherapy and other cognitive treatments.
3) The therapeutic world is engaged and growing. Leaders like Dan Allender, Brene Brown and others are making this an opportune time to look deeply in the drivers behind addictive behavior. With these passionate people seeking to care for the emotionally broken, there is an even greater opportunity to find healing in our addictions.
4) There is a growing understanding of addiction in the church and in the culture. Many are coming to view addicts with compassion rather than judgment. Churches are reaching out to the emotionally broken by hosting support groups and enabling their members to get treatment.
5) We have never lived in a time with more resources for recovery. An addict can learn from hundreds of books, recovery ministries and podcasts as he seeks to be healed from his addiction. For the man who desire to heal and grow, the helps are there. He only needs to reach out and make use of them.
6) The culture we live in is splintered and arbitrary. While the messages we hear in the world today may seem confusing, those of us who know and have experienced healing have the opportunity to tell our story of recovery. There is not a more honest and real presentation of love than being healed from an addiction. This healing cannot come through effort or intelligence — it is a gift of surrender and grace. We can be the heralds of this way.
Why do I spend this time to spell out the benefits of being an addict today? Mostly to be grateful for what God has provided. When the Bible speaks about our blessings it says, “Great gifts mean great responsibilities.” (Luke 12:48 MSG) We have the opportunity to make use of all of these tools and circumstances to find healing in our own lives and to create a culture for others to heal as well. What great wisdom we have in this season to walk boldly in to our recovery each day. Let’s trust that as we surrender, change and healing are possible!
