Do I have to be “in recovery” forever?
One of the primary differences between Him & Them and most 12 step programs like A.A., is that most of these 12-step groups (and much of science) delegates addicts to a life-time of permanent search for recovery that only lasts a day at a time until the point when the person in recovery stops doing “their program” and is risking relapse due to their “stinking thinking”.
At Him & Them, we strongly believe that God can and will transform our life from following our own false self and its failing plan for our life, into our True Self and God’s will for us if we simply surrender. We can never be free from our genetics, and must forever live a life without chemicals and behaviors to soothe our anxieties. But the thought that we must forever live in our illness is just not consistent with Biblical teaching or psycho/social observation. Our disease can be put into remission.
It is easy to find those individuals who live the same “program” for decades. They attend the same meetings, read the same few pages of AA wisdom, and share the same stories, thousands and thousands of times. Are they wrong to do this? Absolutely not. Him & Them believes anything which can help one get and stay sober, and doesn’t conflict with God’s Word, is good for both the individual and society as well. It may well be that they see that by being available to help newcomers they have an opportunity to carry out the intent of the twelfth step. If it works for them, it is all good.
Serving in a ministry dedicated to helping those who suffer with addiction is a natural act for many of us. The “school of hard knocks” that we have been through, allows us to show true empathy for those searching for the pathway to freedom behind us. If, however, you reach a point where you feel comfortable in your sobriety and feel called to move onto other areas of service then you are encouraged to do so.
Please exercise caution; especially during the first few years of sobriety you should make any big decisions slowly and with the counsel of other godly people. Get your RP, your significant other, your pastor, and even a few others involved in any big moves like moving, a career change, or especially changing the nature of a major relationship. Living forever in fearful respect of a controllable disease is the path that some choose to follow. It is not mandatory, and living in fear robs us of the opportunity to live a life trusting God to have a better future for us.
To be clear, we will never be rid of the genetics that will encourage us to abuse alcohol, drugs or various behaviors that took us to our knees in the first place. We need to be vigilant and stay on our knees humbly asking in prayer for wisdom, strength, and God’s will in our life.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what god’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
God doesn’t wish you to be a slave forever, but to be transformed.
Your choice.
Peace,
Don
