C-H-A-N-G-E

Change is an important word in recovery. If you are like most of us in recovery, change is something we’ve talked about often with family and friends. We have all said things like, “I can stop (change) anytime” or “I’ll quit (change) next week.” Instead of change, we end up continuing in our addictive behaviors and struggles because CHANGE IS HARD! 

When we are stuck, it is so difficult to turn around for a couple reasons. First, we think we can change without anyone’s help. Second, if we do let someone in our life to help us, we don’t listen to them very long because we really think we know how to change without their help. You can see why we are stuck when we think like this.

Change requires a 180 degree turnaround. Changing means we are walking away from our addictive life by making that 180 degree turnaround. When we do that we run to the Lord and a community of support. Also, we search for resources like Life Continues-Christian Recovery Solutions for the daily, one-day-at-a-time, accountability we desperately need to stay on track. 

Interestingly, the Roman military used the word “about-face” to explain that 180 degree change of direction. That same word in the New Testament is the word “repent.” Repentance involves an about-face in our lives. Repenting involves confession to the Lord and confession to your family and friends. By confessing, you are beginning the steps of asking for forgiveness from those you have hurt. These steps are biblical and will help you in your personal relationship with Christ and with others. 

Here is an acrostic that will help you to understand “CHANGE.”