Is Worrying a Sin? | Faith and Anxiety

As Christians, we are often told not to worry because God is in control. While this is a nice sentiment, it's also an attitude that can create a moral dilemma for those prone to stress. Is it a sin to worry about things that are to come? And where is the line between worrying about a situation and a lacking trust in God?

Worrying Versus Anxiety

Before diving too deep into worrying in relation to faith, it’s important to first differentiate between worry and anxiety. Worry can be brief or long-term, but it’s often related to a specific circumstance. Most times, it resolves after a person is able to figure out how to manage the upcoming event or situation. However, anxiety is a more chronic state of stress. It could be related to a specific event, or there may be no identifiable cause. Anxiety interferes with your ability to complete the daily tasks you need to and can be debilitating. It’s a diagnosable mental illness and can be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Often, people can rationalize their situation to reduce worrying, but there still may be anxiety present.

What the Bible Says About Worrying

The Bible tends to use the terms “worry” and “anxiety” interchangeably. During the time it was written, there was not the same understanding of mental illness, so it’s important to look at the intention behind the verse rather than the terminology used. For the most part, we can assume the writers are referring to worrying in these verses. 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

This verse is one of the most commonly referenced portions of scripture when discussing worry and anxiety. Christians may use this verse to say that you only need to tell God what you’re worried about, and your anxiety will go away. Others may argue that this condemns anxiety by commanding us to not be anxious. However, another interpretation is that this is an opportunity to let go of our worries. For the things that are causing us stress, we can put our trust in God. This doesn’t mean God will be angry if we still have moments of worry. Rather, it’s an invitation to give these anxious thoughts to Him.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34, NIV)

This passage can also create some confusion as it sounds like a commandment. You may even be tempted to read it like, “Don’t worry about tomorrow!” Similar to Philippians 4:6, this verse is more of an invitation. In reality, it sounds more like Jesus is expressing an understanding of the stressors of life. By saying each day has enough trouble of its own, he is demonstrating a recognition of the things we are managing. He isn’t telling us not to worry as a condemnation. Instead, he is encouraging us to focus on each day as it comes.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

Unfortunately, this verse has been used as an argument that fear (or worrying) is sinful. Christians will state that because God has not given a spirit of fear, then being fearful is against God’s will. However, this argument falls short of a true understanding of who God is and how the world works. It’s true that God is not the One who has given us a spirit of fear because there is no fear in God. But like any other part of our human nature, this is not something that He resents. Even Jesus exhibited fear the night before he was crucified. His human nature left room for uncertainty, and he became overwhelmed and asked God to take his fate away from him (Matthew 26:37-39). God understands our tendency to worry, and His son experienced it first-hand. 

God does not view worry or anxiety as a sin. Rather, he understands our human weaknesses and is willing to embrace us in our struggles. Worrying is not sinful, but it is an opportunity to practice putting our faith and trust in Christ.

The Effects of Stress

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), chronic worrying or stress can have lasting effects on your body. Common physical symptoms that emerge as a result of stress include*:

• Muscle tension and pain
• Headaches
• Higher risk for heart attack, stroke, or hypertension
• Inflammation in the circulatory system
• Unstable cortisol, resulting in fatigue, metabolic issues, and immune disorders
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Sexual dysfunction

Not every person who experiences excessive worry or anxiety will exhibit these symptoms, but living in a state of stress increases this risk. 

Worrying and anxiety are difficult to manage without proper coping skills. Many times, those who lack stress-management techniques will turn to substance use to help them cope with their situation. It’s also possible for substance abuse to lead to excessive worry and anxiety. In both scenarios, these people need a high level of care from a licensed, mental health professional. 

*Note: This is not a replacement for medical advice. If you are experiencing any of the above, you should discuss your concerns with a medical provider.

Faith-Based Rehab for Substance Use and Anxiety

When healing from a substance use disorder and managing chronic worry or anxiety, faith provides a solid foundation to build your sobriety upon. At Celebrate Hope, we will never tell you that your struggles are an indication of sin or lack of faith. Instead, we utilize evidence-based treatment practices that emphasize your strengths in Christ. Our Christian rehab center provides support for substance use disorders and dual diagnoses, so you can learn to manage an anxiety disorder alongside an addiction. If you’re looking for a higher level of substance abuse treatment, contact us today to speak to one of our faith-based recovery specialists.

Why Do We Celebrate Thanksgiving?

You may know the usual story of Thanksgiving. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists joined with the Wampanoag Native Americans to share an autumn harvest feast and that was the beginning of our traditional Thanksgiving celebration. The event became a national holiday in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it so, in the midst of the nation’s Civil War. In recovery, though, why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? Why do we count our blessings as we recover from an addiction?

Counting Blessings

How do you count your blessings at Thanksgiving and throughout the year? Going through treatment for an addiction to drugs or alcohol is not easy. You may have struggled to overcome your addiction, particularly if you had been living in addiction for some time. Knowing that you are now on your journey to recovery, though, is a huge blessing in your life.

One of the best ways to show your gratitude is through prayer. Expressing thanks through prayer reminds you of the blessings you are enjoying in recovery. Prayers of gratitude have also been linked to positive health outcomes. Mostly, prayer shows that you acknowledge your blessings as you live your life in recovery.

How Do You Celebrate Thanksgiving?

Beyond the meal and possible family gathering, there are many ways to practice “thanksgiving” in a real and meaningful sense in recovery. You can express thanks for simply being alive. In addition to prayer, spend some time each day meditating on the positive things that are going on in your life now. Do you have shelter and food? Are you making progress toward moving your life forward in a positive way?

Do you have a supportive network of friends and family members? Do you have the support of your treatment professionals? Express your thanks to these individuals in person or with a written note of gratitude. You can even “pay it forward,” expressing your gratitude to those who have helped you by doing something that will help another individual.

Consider what your life was like in addiction. Then focus on the positive of what your life is like now, in recovery. When you have the opportunity to walk in the fresh air and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, say a prayer of thanksgiving. When you are able to sleep through the night and feel rested the next morning, express your gratitude on awakening. When you can enjoy a meal, such as a Thanksgiving feast, with supportive family and friends, tell each of them how much you appreciate them.

Gratitude in Recovery

Gratitude is one of the foundational principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). One of the Daily Reflections reads, “It is very important to keep in a grateful frame of mind if we want to stay sober.” Stories in the Big Book include one called “Gratitude in Action.” The social support encouraged by AA, which helps you develop important bonds in recovery, is formed by gratitude. Giving thanks can actually help keep you sober.

When you celebrate thanksgiving in its true sense recovery by expressing your gratitude to God and to those individuals who help and support you, you change the negative thinking that used to be a big part of your life in your addiction. Your sense of well-being is improved. You stop comparing yourself to other people and focus on the positives in your life now.

Benefits of Gratitude

There are many mental, physical, and emotional benefits of giving thanks. When you celebrate thanksgiving by showing your gratitude daily, you will see measurable positive effects on your life in recovery.

Being thankful can boost your immune system. When you are positive and focus on your overall sense of well-being, you reduce your stress level. That stress has been shown to lower your immune response but increased mental well-being can help you fight off illnesses. Practicing gratitude has even been shown to potentially reduce the risks associated with diseases such as heart failure.

Gratitude can improve your mental health. One study has shown that expressing thanks for the positives in your life can help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Gratitude has been linked to improved mood overall, as giving thanks fosters positive feelings and contributes to a sense of well-being.

California Faith-Based Drug Addiction Treatment

Please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew, moving their life forward in a recovery filled with gratitude for their newfound blessings. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

How to Pray for Someone in Recovery

When someone you care about is going through recovery from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you want to do everything you can to help them. While you can be there for them emotionally and physically, praying for them is a powerful way to support them. There are some key points to remember when you want to know how to pray for someone in recovery.

Find Strength in Your Helplessness

You may feel helpless as you watch your loved one go through addiction treatment. You want to do what you can to help them, but you may not be sure what that should be. Your helplessness can actually be one of the keys for how to pray for someone in recovery. People tend to want to tell God what needs to be done and when. Instead, remain silent in your helplessness and put your trust in God as you pray. You can’t fix everything, but you know you can trust in God.

Focus on Trust

Your loved one is learning how to trust a higher power in recovery. As you pray for them, do the same for yourself. Recovery happens with God’s help. You can also pray for the addiction treatment professionals who are guiding your loved one through their recovery. At the same time, trust that those professionals will do what’s right to help your loved one overcome their addiction in a healthy and successful way.

Let Your Loved One Know

Sometimes, just knowing that someone is praying for you can be powerful in itself. Send your loved one a written note letting them know you are praying for them in recovery. By doing so, you’re acknowledging the powerful force of God. You’re also encouraging them to put their trust in God and to continue praying for help themselves as they go through their addiction treatment program. Re-embrace hope through prayer for yourself and for your loved one.

Healing in Prayer

It can be helpful to remember scripture passages as you pray for someone in recovery. In particular, James says:

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven” (James 5:13-15).

Praying in faith is reassuring to you and your loved one. You know that when you put your faith and trust in God, you are responding to the promises in his word. You know that your prayers are heard.

It can also be helpful to ask others around you, the “elders of the church” as well as friends and family, members to pray for your loved one in recovery. Encourage them to also send positive notes, letting your loved one know they are in their prayers.

A Prayer of Power

Even though you may feel powerless, you know that God is powerful and capable of providing the help your loved one needs in recovery from their addiction. In prayer, you are bringing your loved one before God and asking for the power of a healing touch. You are also being appreciative for the forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal healing for yourself as well as for your loved one.

A Prayer of Strength

When you feel helpless, watching your loved one struggle with addiction and the challenges of recovery, remember where your strength lies. As the scripture in Psalms reminds us:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4).

As you pray for someone in recovery, take comfort in God’s strength, that even though you and your loved one may be overcome by sadness and fear, God does not sleep and is always there with the strength you both need.

California Faith-Based Drug Addiction Treatment

To get help overcoming drug addiction, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

What Does the Bible Say About Fear?

An addiction to drugs or alcohol can be a scary situation for you. The thought of seeking treatment can also be a bit frightening, as you know it will mean a life change. Even when you know something is for the better, it can still be unsettling and make you anxious. Take heart in knowing that help is here for you, in all aspects of your life. You can rely on some comforting words to get you through when you know what the Bible says about fear.

Staying Strong

You can find strength in these words about fear in the Bible. That strength can guide you as you seek addiction treatment and work toward a successful recovery.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -- Isaiah 41:10

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” -- Psalm 46:1–3

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -- Joshua 1:9

A New Happiness

Overcoming fear can give you a new sense of happiness, as can overcoming your addiction to drugs or alcohol.

“Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!" -- Joel 2:21

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” -- Psalm 34:4–5

Moving Forward Without Fear

The Bible reassures you that with faith, you no longer need to fear anything or anyone. You can take the steps necessary to overcome your addiction without fear.  

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” -- Psalm 27:1

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” -- Psalm 23:4

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -- Philippians 4:6-7

"You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’" -- Lamentations 3:57

A Sense of Comfort

The Bible tells you that not only do you no longer have to be afraid, but you can take comfort in knowing you have an ever-present help in your life.

"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.' " -- Isaiah 43:1

"For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” -- Isaiah 41:13

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."  -- Psalm 56:3

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” -- Luke 14:27

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” -- Deuteronomy 31:6

“Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” -- Proverbs 3:23–24

California Faith-Based Drug Addiction Treatment

There is no need to fear the positive change that will come in your life when you seek help for your addiction. Please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

What is the Biblical Meaning of Forgiveness?

Forgiving yourself and forgiving others can be challenging, particularly if you have been addicted to drugs and alcohol and are embarrassed or ashamed by some of the things you’ve done. That’s the beauty of forgiveness, though. It allows you to move past the mistakes and wrongdoings and move forward toward a healthier future. For Christians in addiction treatment and recovery, it’s important to understand the Biblical meaning of forgiveness as well.

Forgiveness is Important in Recovery

The 12-Step program refers to making amends to others in Steps 8 and 9. According to the publication, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, these two steps are “concerned with personal relationships.” In part, the goal is to “consider how, with our newfound knowledge of ourselves, we may develop the best possible relations with every human being we know.”

The 8^th step, in particular, demands a new kind of honesty about your relationships with others. It begins with the procedure of forgiving others as well as forgiving yourself as you learn how to live in the world without the substances to which you were once addicted. You can be assured that you are ready and willing for this step when you can apologize to others and decide to replace your judgment of others, particularly if they have hurt you at some point, with attitudes of mercy and forgiveness.

During these steps, you are not just forgiving and making amends with friends or family members, but also with those whom you consider to be “enemies.” Humility is a critical part of forgiveness. It is now your responsibility to forgive others, including your enemies, and apologize for your own wrongdoing.

The Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness serves to release your feelings of resentment or vengeance toward someone who has harmed you. It is a conscious, deliberate decision that you make as you progress through your recovery from addiction. You are not deciding whether anyone deserves your forgiveness. You are also not excusing any real offenses against you.

Relationships can become seriously damaged when you are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Through forgiveness, you are taking a step toward repairing that damage. It will also bring you peace of mind as it frees you from your pent-up anger toward the other person. You cannot truly forgive someone if you are still harboring negative feelings toward them. Forgiveness gives you the power to recognize the pain someone else has caused you without letting that pain define you, enabling you to heal emotionally and mentally.

An Important Part of Christianity

Forgiving yourself, asking for forgiveness from others, and showing forgiveness to others are important aspects of your Christianity. The Bible says that you are to follow the example of Jesus, who taught you that you should forgive. Part of what this means is that you are to let go of the negative feelings that come with bearing a grudge against someone else.

Your feelings of hatred and anger can cause harm to you as well as to the other person. Jesus has taught you to basically let those feelings go. In fact, as you reach out to others with compassion, you release those feelings of resentment in an act of Christian love.

This is, in essence, what the Biblical meaning of forgiveness is, that you should let go of those feelings of hatred and anger toward someone whom you feel has wronged you. Just as you ask God for forgiveness when you have done something wrong, so you should be willing to forgive others when they have done something against you. Jesus taught that you should love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. You cannot do this while holding onto harmful feelings of anger and revenge.

Bible Verses About Forgiveness

As you work on forgiveness in your addiction recovery, keep in mind these helpful and inspirational words from the Bible:

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." — Luke 6:37

"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." — Mark 11:25

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32

"The Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." — Colossians 3:13

California Faith-Based Drug Addiction Treatment

To get help overcoming drug addiction, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

Showing Unconditional Love in Recovery

Whether you are going through recovery yourself or you are supporting a loved one who is recovering from an addiction, you may find that you are discovering some new feelings and emotions. You’ve been understandably stressed and worried and now it’s time to start showing unconditional love in recovery.

What is Unconditional Love?
Very simply, unconditional love is shared with no strings attached. You offer it freely, expecting nothing in return and placing no restrictions or requirements on the other person. Often referred to as agape love, unconditional love is selfless. The word agape comes from the Greek and means brotherly love or charity. In Ecclesiastical use, it refers to the love of God for man and of man for God.

Reaching Out to Others
When you are the one in addiction treatment, showing unconditional love in recovery can mean reaching out to others that you may have hurt or that you want to reconnect with in a more meaningful and positive way. In addiction, you probably damaged a lot of important relationships in your life.  The effort of reaching out to others can benefit you in recovery as you develop a sense of selfless concern for those around you and work to rebuild those relationships.

If you have a loved one who has been addicted and is now in recovery, showing them unconditional love can help them tremendously as they work on their treatment program. Let the person know you love and care about them, regardless of what they may have done when they were addicted. Unconditional does not mean, of course, that you should let them get away with things they should no longer be doing. What it does mean is that you are reassuring them that you will continue to love and forgive them for what they have done in the past and that you support them as they move forward with their life.

The Connection to Addiction
If your family member or friend is struggling to overcome their addiction, know that your unconditional love for them is the only thing that is more powerful in their life. An individual who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may have low self-esteem, most likely because they are often seen simply as someone who has made wrong choices. In truth, though, their addiction is a disease and they need your unconditional love to help them deal with the symptoms of that disease as they progress through recovery.

Selfless, loving kindness can be instrumental in helping people suffering from substance use issues. Empathy and compassion are important elements of unconditional love and can help individuals undergoing treatment as they work to understand their own feelings and to become more self-aware.

Mental and Emotional Benefits
Research has actually determined that when someone is a recipient of unconditional love, it can produce positive feelings for them. One study explored how the regions of the brain were affected when someone reached out and showed unconditional love. The result was that many areas of the brain’s reward system were activated.

Other studies showed that receiving unconditional love can make a difference in an individual’s emotional well-being. Participants exhibited greater resilience and fewer mental health symptoms. A study of children supported the idea that giving them unconditional love improved their lifelong health and well-being.

Christ’s Unconditional Love
The highest example we have of unconditional love comes from God himself. In a Christian-based addiction treatment setting, it is important to remember the love of Christ as He guides you through your recovery. For the person going through addiction treatment and for their family and friends, there are several helpful verses to help remind you of God’s unconditional love.

“Your faithful love is priceless, God! Humanity finds refuge in the shadow of your wings.” — Psalm 36:7

“Let them thank the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all people, because God satisfied the one who was parched with thirst, and he filled up the hungry with good things!” — Psalm 107:8-9

“Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love endures forever.” — 1 Chronicles 16:34

“I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.” — Ephesians 3:18-19

California Faith-Based Drug Addiction Treatment
To get help overcoming drug addiction, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

Christian Books on Overcoming Drug Addiction

When you are struggling with an addiction to drugs, you have a lot of resources available to you. Addiction treatment is the first place to start your journey toward recovery. You may also want some reading material that will inspire and guide you. There are a number of Christian books on overcoming drug addiction offering guidance, motivation, and hope.

Freedom from Addiction

Feeling like you’re locked in a cycle of addiction? Learn how to free yourself in Freedom from Addiction, Breaking the Bondage of Addiction and Finding Freedom in Christ by Neil T. Anderson, Julia Quarles, and Mike Quarles. You’ll read the story of how Mike Quarles overcame his debilitating addiction to alcohol. You’ll also be inspired by the message that true freedom comes from realizing your identity in Christ, a message that is the central theme of this book.

God is for You

Another inspiring true-life story comes from Jerry Dunn in his book God is for the Alcoholic. Dunn knows first-hand that there is hope. In a Texas prison, he picked up a Bible and realized that God was providing his escape from his addiction to alcohol. He knew the road to overcome his addiction would be long and difficult, but he also knew that he could do it with God’s help and with diligence, patience, and commitment.

Healing Your Scars

Drug addiction can devastate your life now and make it difficult for you to see a positive way forward. Healing the Scars of Addiction by Gregory L. Jantz, with contributions by Ann McMurray, addresses the wreckage of addiction that lies scattered around you. If you are struggling with overcoming drug addiction, attempting to live in recovery from your addiction, or seeking to understand the mind of someone you love who is addicted, this book can help.

Jantz will guide you through answering some tough questions: Am I an addict? How can I put my life back together? Where do I go from here? This book gives you a holistic approach to healing so you can reclaim your life and move forward in hope.

Break the Entanglement

When you are struggling to break free from your addiction, Entangled by Addiction: Set Free in Christ by Caitanya Champion can show you how to find and achieve freedom in Christ. You can move from your pain, hopelessness, brokenness, and misery toward healing, peacefulness, deliverance, and being set free. You can know freedom from addiction through the power of Christ.

What You Worship

Another book that can inspire you toward a new path is Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Edward T. Welch. The author writes about how the hopelessness of the cycle of “sickness, recovery, relapse” can be replaced with the Biblical view of sin, salvation, and sanctification. Welch guides you through facing the fact that what and who you worship will control your life. True freedom when overcoming drug addiction comes through the cross.

Learning to Breathe

In addiction treatment, the 12-Step program can be critical to your success as you recover from addiction. Richard Rohr’s book Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps makes the case that the 12-Step program can rescue you when you are drowning in your addiction, even when you don’t realize it. Rohr emphasizes that you must learn to breathe under water, to survive the tidal wave of your addiction and compulsive behavior.

In his book, he identifies the Christian principles contained in the steps, connecting the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous with the gospel. He offers encouragement and inspiration for making your life manageable as you deal with overcoming your addiction.

Overcoming Obstacles

In a first-hand account, author Anthony Acampora describes the incredible impact that God’s word can have on your broken life. In Overcoming Emotional Obstacles through Faith: Navigating the Mind Field, Acampora tells his own story of how he overcame tremendous suffering and loss through Christ. He shares his experience applying his faith and the principles of the Bible in overcoming seemingly insurmountable adversity. His book offers real-life examples of how you can apply God’s word to radically transform your life as you overcome your addiction.

California Faith-Based Drug Addiction Treatment

To get help overcoming drug addiction, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

Inspirational Bible Verses for Addiction Recovery

You may struggle every day as you go through recovery. It is not easy to overcome the challenges of addiction, but with the right tools you can do it. Seeking professional treatment is critical, so you can get help with managing your addictive behaviors and get your life back on track. Inspirational Bible verses for addiction recovery are also very important to hold onto and keep in your heart as you navigate through your new life.

The First Steps

The first three steps in the 12-Step program set the stage for your addiction recovery. Realizing that you are powerless over your addiction, that there is a power greater than you that can restore you, and you need to turn your life over to the care of God will get you started on the right path.

Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

Romans 7:18-20 – For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Psalm 18:2-6 – The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Matthew 6:31-34 – Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

God Knows Your Story

Every individual’s addiction story is different. God knows your particular story and has words of encouragement and strength for you in your suffering. His word will give you a fresh start as you heal in addiction recovery.

1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

 

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 5:3-5 – More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Strength and Focus in Your Addiction Recovery

As you continue through your addiction treatment, you can take heart and find strength in these inspirational Bible verses for addiction recovery.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

California Faith-Based Addiction Treatment

To get help with your addiction, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

What Does It Mean to Be Powerless Over Addiction?

It is human nature to want to be in control of your life. In reality, there are many things you cannot control. An addiction to drugs or alcohol is one of those things. What does it mean to be powerless over addiction? It does not mean you cannot change your situation, to overcome your addiction and move forward toward recovery.

The First Step

The first step in the 12-Step Program states “we admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.” The same powerlessness applies to drugs and other addictive substances that have taken over your life. Being powerless doesn’t mean you have to throw up your hands and say there’s nothing that can be done, though.

For people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, powerlessness means using against their will. If they cannot stop, how are they able to tell themselves they are in control? Even with the greatest amount of willpower and the sincerest desire to stop using, being powerless means they have no choice, they cannot stop using on their own, without appropriate help.

Admitting to Being Powerless

There is a reason that the first step in the 12-Step program is admitting to being powerless. Insisting that you can overcome your addiction on your own is not healthy or effective. When you are addicted, you have lost the power of choice. Willpower is practically non-existent.

However, when you admit to being powerless and to being unable to manage your life in addiction, you open the door to recovery. The memory of the humiliation and suffering you experienced just a week ago is probably already lost in your memory, but try to think about how you feel when you are using drugs or drinking.

Your concerned friends and family members want to help you, but you have to admit for yourself that you are addicted. As an individual who was addicted but who is now in recovery noted, “admitting powerlessness meant that no amount of trying or practicing or self-control was going to change the way that drugs and alcohol affect my brain. This concept is about accepting what is and what is not. Step one was a gateway to freedom and a proclamation of progress.”

The Next Steps

Ask yourself whether you can control your use of addictive substances. Most people will say that control is impossible, at least for any length of time. This clearly suggests that as someone who is addicted, you have no control over your use of drugs or alcohol. After admitting that you are powerless over your addiction, the next steps are geared to relying on others.

Step 2 emphasizes that we “came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” That is followed by step 3, which states that we “made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Being powerless means that we need to turn to others and to a higher power for the help we need to move forward with treatment and recovery.

The Writings of Paul

In Romans 7:18-19, the apostle Paul writes “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” The passage tells those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol of how the apostle Paul was also powerless over the sin in his life, apart from the power of God.

Paul had the will to do what was right but had the inclination to do what brought him back into the “captivity of sin.” When facing your addiction and taking that first step, you will also become aware of how powerless you are over your addictive behaviors. No matter how strongly you might will yourself to act in a certain way or to do (or not do) a certain thing, you will find that you are not able to carry through with it consistently. You have become powerless over your addictive behaviors and your life has become unmanageable.

The Good News

Being powerless does not mean that you need to give up and give in. Reaching out for help, through prayer and by seeking out a treatment program for your addiction, can help you overcome your addiction and move forward in recovery. As one individual put it, “I began moving from a lack of awareness into a new awareness and into the possibility of change. This cultivated the first glimmer of hope I felt in my sobriety – the idea that I was capable of living life in a different way. A new way of living, void of pain, and the awareness to recognize when I am powerless in a situation.”

California Faith-Based Addiction Treatment

If you struggle with a substance use disorder, please contact Celebrate Hope to learn more about our faith-based addiction treatment program. Our team helps men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

How People in Recovery Can Help Current Addicts

When you have successfully completed treatment for your addiction and are progressing in your recovery, you have a lot to offer others. You have experiences to share and, more importantly, an understanding of what others are going through as they struggle with their own addiction. People in recovery can help current addicts in a number of ways, which can be beneficial to everyone involved.

Why Help Others?

Helping others can make you feel better and can actually help in your own recovery efforts. There have been many research studies that have shown the effects of helping others when you are working through your own addiction to drugs or alcohol. In particular, Case Western University’s Maria Pagano has done quite a bit of research on social connections and their benefits for addicts.

Pagano and her team have concluded that you can increase your chances of staying sober by up to 50 percent when you have a supportive network, your sense of isolation is reduced, your social anxiety is decreased, and you reach out to help others. Having a network of people who support you can significantly impact your ability to stay sober. You can be part of that network in recovery as you help current addicts.

When you help others, it appears to decrease some of the psychological markers of addiction that made you prone to your addictive behaviors. You will probably find that helping others leads to better interpersonal interactions and will certainly prove beneficial to current addicts that you are able to assist through your words and actions.

Listen

Just being in someone else’s life to listen to them can be a tremendous help for current addicts. In recovery, you participate in support groups where other people who have experienced the challenges of addiction and the rewards of recovery are there to listen to you. As someone in recovery yourself, you can help current addicts by being empathetic, understanding their situation and relating to their struggles. While the addict may have friends or family members who want to support them, as an addict yourself you can offer the listening ear they truly need.

Conduct Well-Being Checks

Isolation is a serious issue in addiction. Now, especially, people are feeling even more isolated as the pandemic has limited face-to-face interactions. One of the most important ways people in recovery can help current addicts is to check on them frequently to ensure they are doing well, mentally and physically.

Make a phone call, suggest a video chat, or communicate via text or email regularly. Social isolation has been linked to negative mental and physical health consequences such as poor sleep quality, depression, cognitive decline, and even impaired immunity. The longer the isolation continues, the more serious its impact on an individual’s well-being. Reach out and let the individual know you care about them and want to be sure that they are taking care of themselves.

Participate in Online Support Groups

During “normal” times, one of the most effective ways to help current addicts is to help out at support group meetings. You might give a ride to someone who needs to attend, help set up the meeting itself, serve coffee, and stay behind to chat one-on-one. As most support group meetings have moved online, you can still participate actively, being there as a supportive, encouraging person in recovery.

Connect on a Spiritual Level

When you are active in your faith-based recovery, connecting with current addicts on a spiritual level can provide the support and encouragement they need to get through some very tough days. Two verses that define our mission at Celebrate Hope can be very helpful for others who are struggling with overcoming their addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Share with others that it is possible to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” as described in Romans 12:2. In recovery and in life, “the old life is gone; a new life has begun,” as we find in 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is an important message that can help current addicts, as well as yourself, as a reminder that addiction treatment and your faith give you a new life in recovery.

Help Them Find Help

Of course, the most important ways people in recovery can help current addicts is by guiding them toward the resources they need to get help for their mental and physical health. If you know someone who struggles with a substance use disorder, reach out and let them know they can get that help with Celebrate Hope’s faith-based addiction treatment program.

Encourage them to contact us to learn more about we help men and women break the cycle of addiction and begin anew. We rely on the teachings of Jesus Christ, along with evidence-based therapies to get individuals on the path of recovery.

Many Roads to Success in Recovery

Addiction is a baffling disease that steals much from its victims. If that were not bad enough, the conditions take a heavy toll on those whose loved one struggles while caught in a seemingly endless cycle of mental hardship. Few health disorders are as frustrating as alcohol and substance use disorders, mainly because friends and family find themselves powerless in helping those suffering. Even when you think you’re doing all the right things, being careful not to enable destructive behaviors and encourage changes made for the better, trouble can arise.

Things don’t always go the way you’d hope in the realm of alcohol and substance use disorder. Many parents know first-hand the feelings that come upon learning of a son or daughter's relapse. A return to drugs and alcohol is a painful occurrence for all concerned parties, especially when it happens after your child completes a treatment program. You did all the right things, and yet, the disease becomes active again. While it may seem logical to give up all hope that your adult child will find recovery, please resist the urge; relapse need not become the end of the story, countless people with long-term recovery share the common bond of a relapse in early recovery.

When all seems dark, hope is the flame that will help you guide your loved one out of the shadows and into the light of the spirit. Please don’t resign to thinking that treatment doesn’t work, and lasting recovery is a fiction; the former is an effective means of breaking the cycle and acquiring the tools for sustained progress, the latter is a reality and working a program allows people to lead a fulfilling life.

 

There Are Many Roads to Success in Recovery

Treatment and working a program works provided however that one is eternally vigilant in keeping the disease in remission. Problems arise when an individual becomes complacent, which is often the result of downplaying the importance of spiritual connection and fellowship. There is a salient acronym worth remembering, S.L.I.P. or Sobriety Lost Its Priority. People with a little bit of recovery time can delude themselves into thinking that life is good now, and they puzzle over why they need to “keep coming back.”

Telling yourself not to drink or drug, no matter what is helpful and all; although, it’s hardly a prophylactic for the cunning nature of one’s mental illness, alone. It’s amazing how effortlessly, and quickly a person can forget how bad it was before treatment, prior to learning that life is less complicated when you follow some simple suggestions. Individuals must never relent in recovery or lose sight of the fact that we are a work in progress; in more cliché terms, it’s the journey, not the destination that’s vital. Never will a day come when people wake up and think, ‘oh good, I’m recovered now.’ Unfortunately, the disease has a way of encouraging that line of thinking; seeds of doubt in the program’s value can quickly sprout into a relapse.

People relapse for different reasons; sometimes, chronic relapse ensues before finally grasping what is needed to stick with the program. At times, a regression is a merely a slip; it’s unfortunate, but individuals manage to get back up and address where they went off course. As long as addicts and alcoholics keep working at it, and families remain supportive even when it’s hard—such people will find the strength to carry on in recovery. There isn’t one path to lasting improvement, but there are things people can do and approaches they can take after a relapse that makes it harder to achieve one’s goals, i.e., shame, guilt, and unwarranted tough-love posturing.

 

Supporting Those Who Relapse

In meetings of recovery, members understand that relapse happens to even those who appear most diligent. Cunning, baffling, and powerful is the disease we’re contending with, so it’s vital for recovery fellowships to be a counterforce. Anyone who relapses is welcome back, the community’s arms are always open to those who want IT, and even for those who do not. Each person’s path is their own; we are all responsible for our inventory—nobody else's. The fellowship lends a hand whenever and wherever it can, without judgment.

At times, a relapse develops into full-blown active use; in such cases treatment might be in order. Just like a relapse, multiple stays in treatment are a part of many people’s story. It’s not uncommon to miss things the first time in a therapeutic environment. It’s critical, again, to not convince yourself that treatment didn’t work and decide that it doesn’t make sense to try again. Perhaps you might look at it a different way; it’s not that treatment didn’t work and that’s why you had a relapse; instead, the return to drugs and alcohol was the result of discontinuing practicing the things taught to you in rehab.

The next time around you or, in the case of parents, your loved one will investigate everything that precipitated your relapse. With help, people can see better that they lost sight along the way of some of the vital components of recovery. The course is then corrected, and the journey commences. Please contact Celebrate Hope to discuss treatment options.