HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that this year has started off well for you so far. I know that there have been times in which the new years felt more like a curse due to my issues. Years can seem so long and for those who are right smack in the middle of dealing with something, this can be an extremely overwhelming time.

I hope you know that you do not have to face these fears by yourself. In the midst of all of your new year's resolutions, why not resolve to finally begin the most rewarding journey of your lifetime? It will be difficult and at times it will make absolutely no sense, but I promise you that God has a plan - and wants you - to live a free life.

As we begin at the beginning, we are going to look at denial. Specifically we admitted that we were powerless over our dependencies (regardless of what your dependency is) - that our lives had become unmanageable. Sometimes we are powerless because of our stations in life. We may be in a situation where other people have power over us. We may feel that we are trapped by the demands of others and that there's no way to please them all. it's a double bind: To please one is to disappoint another. Sometimes when we feel stuck and frustrated with our relationships, we look for a measure of control by escaping through our addictive behaviors and habits.

June Hunt goes on to elaborate in her book, Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook, by stating that:

Much of a habit's power rests in your belief that you are "on your own" during times of temptations. However, if you are a Christian, you are never alone. You have 'Christ in you'...to win the victory through you. The Bible says you are united with Christ, that you are 'one with him.' This means if you yield to temptation to be pulled down by a negative habit, you pull down Christ with you! Likewise, if you yield to Christ, He will pull you up above the temptation and be glorified within you. This understanding can be a life-changing motivator for you to reconsider your choices! - p. 208

So the key here is to be involved in a relationship with Christ. If this is foreign to you please, please ask me about this. I would love to personally share with you about what it means to engage in a relationship with Jesus...and not in the schmoozy, formulaic way that many churches tend to portray. Jesus is our Higher Power and He is our way - period. He has the power to help you break your addictions and habits whether it be drugs, pornography, codependecy, anger and/or anything else that is robbing you of your life.

Come check us out on Wednesday and see more for yourself. We're safe and we promise that you will not have to do anything that is embarrassing to you. We have all been where you are and many of us can attest to the fact that there is a way to beat your addictions and bad habits.

We'll see you at our new time - 6:30p. Until then, take care!