CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

[tourist]

I did pick up on that Magenta, although the OP mentioned he was recovering and not in fact recovered. Which means his opinion and data won't be reliable evidence until he is fully recovered. Since no one can make a analysis on their condition while in transition, that comes after, not before, and not in the middle.

The thing about addictions is that you probably will never be fully recovered but rather live one day at a time, one craving at a time. I am an addict too. I believe that is called denial when, as you say, one cannot analyze their condition while still addicted. Doesn't make much sense to me because if that were true then how could any kind of treatment ever begin? I believe that the OP is more than qualified to offer a knowledgeable opinion on this topic.

 

[calibob]

The thing about addictions is that you probably will never be fully recovered but rather live one day at a time, one craving at a time. I am an addict too. I believe that is called denial when, as you say, one cannot analyze their condition while still addicted. Doesn't make much sense to me because if that were true then how could any kind of treatment ever begin? I believe that the OP is more than qualified to offer a knowledgeable opinion on this topic.

Thank you for your support and encouragement.

 

[Bingo]

As Christians, we know the cause and effects (we live in a fallen, sinful world), and we know the solution is God, and living by spiritual principles. It seems you would disqualify anyone and everyone, including yourself, from having an opinion while in transition, which is counter-productive. How can a person ask for help if they cannot trust their knowledge of self as being in a state requiring help? Likewise, how could anyone at any time determine that they were getting better, when none of us have arrived at a condition of complete knowledge? God understands us absolutely, and the 12 steps help us understand ourselves better than we did without the steps as a tool of investigation. It is an ongoing, one day at a time journey. We are not crippled by lack of knowledge of self simply because we are in transition. We gain perspective, which adds to a sense of well being, especially when founded upon God as the Rock of our lives

"Amen"

 

[Bingo]

The thing about addictions is that you probably will never be fully recovered but rather live one day at a time, one craving at a time. I am an addict too. I believe that is called denial when, as you say, one cannot analyze their condition while still addicted. Doesn't make much sense to me because if that were true then how could any kind of treatment ever begin? I believe that the OP is more than qualified to offer a knowledgeable opinion on this topic.

 

[tourist]

As Christians, we know the cause and effects (we live in a fallen, sinful world), and we know the solution is God, and living by spiritual principles. It seems you would disqualify anyone and everyone, including yourself, from having an opinion while in transition, which is counter-productive. How can a person ask for help if they cannot trust their knowledge of self as being in a state requiring help? Likewise, how could anyone at any time determine that they were getting better, when none of us have arrived at a condition of complete knowledge? God understands us absolutely, and the 12 steps help us understand ourselves better than we did without the steps as a tool of investigation. It is an ongoing, one day at a time journey. We are not crippled by lack of knowledge of self simply because we are in transition. We gain perspective, which adds to a sense of well being, especially when founded upon God as the Rock of our lives

This was a well-spoken very articulate response.

 

[calibob]

There are plenty of other 12 step programs around. Most of them including us, use Alcoholics Anonymous the model in fact Bill W. suffered from severe relapses in mental health. Such is life. When we falter the best thing to do is pick up the pieces, learn from our mistakes, and start moving foreword again. Jesus dosn't give up on us when we sin. His grace is sufficient for us. Let's not give up on ourselves either.

While not condoning relapse those of us with real world experience, + 1000's of medical including psychiatric journals will quantify: Relapse is a very common symptom of the problems we are trying to deal with. If and when it happens, all is not lost. In fact we often become addicted to prescribed medications intended to help us. I can be dangerous to stop taking medication just because another problem has raised it's ugly head. for chronic pain for example like a back injury or cancer the diseases may be worse than the side effects caused by the meds. Taking medications responsibly, and being honest with our doctors about our personal situation, good and bad, would be considered following Good Orderly Directions and not considered relapse. But that's not what I came to share about here and now.

What I came to share about is respect! For God, others and ourselves. If anyone wants to mock God, The program or those of us in it please feel free to go somewhere else, quickly. This is not the place for Anti-Christians. We are here to save lives and not to debate philosophies, other doctrines or theologies. Please don't waste our time. Someone else's life may be at stake. I'm Calibob and I also in recovery with you. This meeting is open.

 

[Bingo]

There are plenty of other 12 step programs around. Most of them including us, use Alcoholics Anonymous the model in fact Bill W. suffered from severe relapses in mental health. Such is life. When we falter the best thing to do is pick up the pieces, learn from our mistakes, and start moving foreword again. Jesus dosn't give up on us when we sin. His grace is sufficient for us. Let's not give up on ourselves either.

While not condoning relapse those of us with real world experience, + 1000's of medical including psychiatric journals will quantify: Relapse is a very common symptom of the problems we are trying to deal with. If and when it happens, all is not lost. In fact we often become addicted to prescribed medications intended to help us. I can be dangerous to stop taking medication just because another problem has raised it's ugly head. for chronic pain for example like a back injury or cancer the diseases may be worse than the side effects caused by the meds. Taking medications responsibly, and being honest with our doctors about our personal situation, good and bad, would be considered following Good Orderly Directions and not considered relapse. But that's not what I came to share about here and now.

What I came to share about is respect! For God, others and ourselves. If anyone wants to mock God, The program or those of us in it please feel free to go somewhere else, quickly. This is not the place for Anti-Christians. We are here to save lives and not to debate philosophies, other doctrines or theologies. Please don't waste our time. Someone else's life may be at stake. I'm Calibob and I also in recovery with you. This meeting is open.

"Amen"..........

 

[lolo4]

wonderful! I am a brand new member and I am so happy to see this topic in the threads. I actually typed "depression" and this thread came up.

I am recovering too, since 2005. I haven't gone to meetings for a long time, though. In my fragile first 2 years, I was scolded by a member about what I had shared and everyone in the room just got quiet. I was also crying all the time, and one member called me at home and said I should learn to keep my emotions in check. I was stunned, but very determined to stay sober. Step 4 and 5 are very scary, and, although I have beaten myself up thousands of times over my past, I cannot bring myself to tell anyone else about it.

I think being on a Christian forum should be a safe place to talk about God's forgiveness, without judgement of what another person says. However, I am very hesitant to tell even my closest Christian friends that I am an alcoholic, for fear they will reject me.

I struggle with deep shame over my mistakes in my past and even when I know that, as Christians, our sins are forgiven, I have trouble believeing I am included in this forgiveness.

I look forward to interacting on this thread.

Blessings.

 

[Bingo]

wonderful! I am a brand new member and I am so happy to see this topic in the threads. I actually typed "depression" and this thread came up.

I am recovering too, since 2005. I haven't gone to meetings for a long time, though. In my fragile first 2 years, I was scolded by a member about what I had shared and everyone in the room just got quiet. I was also crying all the time, and one member called me at home and said I should learn to keep my emotions in check. I was stunned, but very determined to stay sober. Step 4 and 5 are very scary, and, although I have beaten myself up thousands of times over my past, I cannot bring myself to tell anyone else about it.

I think being on a Christian forum should be a safe place to talk about God's forgiveness, without judgement of what another person says. However, I am very hesitant to tell even my closest Christian friends that I am an alcoholic, for fear they will reject me.

I struggle with deep shame over my mistakes in my past and even when I know that, as Christians, our sins are forgiven, I have trouble believeing I am included in this forgiveness.

I look forward to interacting on this thread.

Blessings.

"Hi......my name is 'Bingo' Bob, and I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you learn, that within these pages, there are friends here for you. I commend you on
staying determined to stay sober...God bless you for being you...stay the course, ODAAT. Myself
and others within these pages, have Christ in our life...it is by the grace of God, and the 12 step
program of AA, that I am here now, sharing this with you...believe it! Let go of the past, and the
past will let go of you. Remember, it is your life that is worth more than gossip of those that show
no respect! I learned long time ago, all walks of life and many personalities show up at 'meetings'
and not to let others disrespect or language should discourage us from our determination to stay
sober and work the steps. A grounded sponsor is essential in your sobriety journey." ....
'Praise God'

 

[Bingo]

Just to clarify something about the term DEPRESSION. We are not talking about talking about simply being simply being, 'bummed out' over circumstances that may or not be beyond our control. It's the medical term for clinical problem (as in medical) that effects our attitude and ability to deal with life on life's term. I often leads to isolation and even suicide when it becomes extreme. It's far more than an emotional response to a depressing situation. It becomes an effective disorder and may even require medication sometimes. Mine DID, (past tense) The 12 steps along with Jesus helped my beyond terms I can explain within most peoples attention span. Simply put I have an incurable but treatable disease but I am getting better and you can too. The requirements are Faith, honesty and willingness to cooperate and do the work explained it the 12 steps. It's illegal to copy and publish a copywrited 12 step workbook. but they are available free online in PDF form. There are countless 12 step programs on line to choose from. Were not trying to sell books here. We're just trying to save lives which also means souls, for the glory of God! Call me Cali. please share if you wish.

"Amen"..............Thank you Brother for sharing, and for being you!"
'Praise God'

 

[calibob]

wonderful! I am a brand new member and I am so happy to see this topic in the threads. I actually typed "depression" and this thread came up.

I am recovering too, since 2005. I haven't gone to meetings for a long time, though. In my fragile first 2 years, I was scolded by a member about what I had shared and everyone in the room just got quiet. I was also crying all the time, and one member called me at home and said I should learn to keep my emotions in check. I was stunned, but very determined to stay sober. Step 4 and 5 are very scary, and, although I have beaten myself up thousands of times over my past, I cannot bring myself to tell anyone else about it.

I think being on a Christian forum should be a safe place to talk about God's forgiveness, without judgement of what another person says. However, I am very hesitant to tell even my closest Christian friends that I am an alcoholic, for fear they will reject me.

I struggle with deep shame over my mistakes in my past and even when I know that, as Christians, our sins are forgiven, I have trouble believeing I am included in this forgiveness.

I look forward to interacting on this thread.

Blessings.

Thank you very much for sharing. Your honesty and candor are exactly what's needed among us. We understand how you feel and the reasons and obstacles that we are not comfortable, sharing our truths among our peers that don't have the same problems. Church's should be a safe comfortable place to do so since we are all sinners. But the human factors like judgmentalism and self righteousness prevent that a great deal. Also it's extremely difficult for people to understand if they haven't walked a couple hundred miles in our shoes.

Welcome home! You are among friends now. Keep comming back, we love you, Jesus loved and forgave you, and he accepted you before you accepted him. Help us to help you to love and accept yourself. Thank's again for sharing. TTFN, PTL!

 

[lolo4]

Thank you very much for sharing. Your honesty and candor are exactly what's needed among us. We understand how you feel and the reasons and obstacles that we are not comfortable, sharing our truths among our peers that don't have the same problems. Church's should be a safe comfortable place to do so since we are all sinners. But the human factors like judgmentalism and self righteousness prevent that a great deal. Also it's extremely difficult for people to understand if they haven't walked a couple hundred miles in our shoes.

Welcome home! You are among friends now. Keep comming back, we love you, Jesus loved and forgave you, and he accepted you before you accepted him. Help us to help you to love and accept yourself. Thank's again for sharing. TTFN, PTL!

thank you for your kind words.

 

[lolo4]

"Hi......my name is 'Bingo' Bob, and I am a grateful recovering alcoholic. Thank you for sharing.
I hope you learn, that within these pages, there are friends here for you. I commend you on
staying determined to stay sober...God bless you for being you...stay the course, ODAAT. Myself
and others within these pages, have Christ in our life...it is by the grace of God, and the 12 step
program of AA, that I am here now, sharing this with you...believe it! Let go of the past, and the
past will let go of you. Remember, it is your life that is worth more than gossip of those that show
no respect! I learned long time ago, all walks of life and many personalities show up at 'meetings'
and not to let others disrespect or language should discourage us from our determination to stay
sober and work the steps. A grounded sponsor is essential in your sobriety journey." View attachment 198767 ....
'Praise God'

Hi Bingo Bob, I appreciate this. Thank you.

 

[Magenta]

wonderful! I am a brand new member and I am so happy to see this topic in the threads. I actually typed "depression" and this thread came up.

I am recovering too, since 2005. I haven't gone to meetings for a long time, though. In my fragile first 2 years, I was scolded by a member about what I had shared and everyone in the room just got quiet. I was also crying all the time, and one member called me at home and said I should learn to keep my emotions in check. I was stunned, but very determined to stay sober. Step 4 and 5 are very scary, and, although I have beaten myself up thousands of times over my past, I cannot bring myself to tell anyone else about it.

I think being on a Christian forum should be a safe place to talk about God's forgiveness, without judgement of what another person says. However, I am very hesitant to tell even my closest Christian friends that I am an alcoholic, for fear they will reject me.

I struggle with deep shame over my mistakes in my past and even when I know that, as Christians, our sins are forgiven, I have trouble believeing I am included in this forgiveness.

I look forward to interacting on this thread.

Blessings.

Hello lolo, and welcome! I can relate and identify with much of what you have said here, having had similar experiences and feelings. I first got clean and sober in 1994, after having begun a spiritual seeking phase years earlier, during which time I was attending AA sporadically to listen to people share about the realities of life on life's terms. During that time, I was also scolded at an AA meeting for mentioning an outside issue, and some meetings still read what is called the blue card, but in today's day and age, there are very few who do not deal with those same outside issues, and alcohol is merely a symptom of our disease. You can find some of my testimony here. <~ that is a link

One of the wonderful things about going to meetings is that people share their experience, strength, and hope. They do also share their challenges, struggles, and life experiences that (have, and currently) cause them pain, all of which I find feed my spirit, and therefore helpful. I hope you are able to find some meetings where the level of honesty and acceptance reflects a greater degree of recovery. As one of our NA readings states, the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel. One thing I have learned, too, is that shame tells us we are bad people, unlike guilt, which tells we did something bad. It may seem like a fine distinction, but the steps in general and steps four and five in particular help us to understand that we were not bad people, but sick people. I did not become Christian until 2004, and suffer some of the same feelings of shame that you do around your past. Healing this takes time, and is one of the reasons we are Scripturally exhorted to renew our minds.

 

[Magenta]

There is another reading in NA, from What is the Narcotics Anonymous Program, that states: We are not interested in what or how much you used or who your connections were, what you have done in the past, how much or how little you have, but only in what you want to do about your problem and how we can help. As Christians, we need to be reminded not to look at ourselves through the lens of our past, but through the lens of Christ and the work He is doing in us. Of course this does put us in a position of needing to be aware of the changes that are being wrought in us, which requires an awareness of where we have been wrong, misguided, deceived, etc, in the past. Working the steps helps us understand how we got to where we were when we realized we were sick and in need of help. Continually working the steps reveals more to us as we go along, and also provides instructions on how to heal the guilt and shame so we can be more free in the present to respond appropriately instead of in a state of running in fear and reacting in ways that hurt ourselves and others.

 

[calibob]

We had a bad thunderstorm here in tornado alley. The lightning set off alarms, caused surges that fumbled up 3 home computers. Then all of the power went out. When it came back on viruses got in before Mac Caffey and Windows Defender could restart fully enough to detect them. It took me 10 hours to restore everything. It was a mess. I held my temper enough that I didn't break anything but I threatened to destroy it with my custom framing, roofing & sheetrock tomahawk. I was so upset I could barely walk. I was dizzy with anger, so I staggered to my bed while supporting my self with my desk. I chilled out and meditated for a while.

Mind you all, I know it's only tin, silicone wires and plastic. My emotions almost got the better of me. I had to force crash everything then reload Windows 10. That took 2 hours alone with only 6 gigs of ram. Then I had to reload all my apps, start a new e-mail account to send password changes to. Whatever or whoever the cause, only 1 file was totally lost, and it was worthless junk. No loss besides time, effort and composure. I can laugh at my tantrums now, 15 years ago, I'd be drunk on the floor among bits and pieces of broken computer.

Recovery works! Praise the Lord! That's my testimony this morning and as you can see it's all good. I'm calibob, how do you handle bad day's now??? happens. Try not to step in it.

 

[calibob]

Walking the walk​

Walking the walk in the steps putting pen to paper. Recovery requires honesty, faith and WORK. We must figure out what and how serious our problems are before we can achieve long term recovery. We must determine if we are ready to change and we must be honest. Writing an honest history is a long, well established way among 12 steppers. The first question is when did it start?

How old were we when we started using external things like drugs (alcohol is a drug, period.) Food, sex, gambling etc., made us/you feel good?

What did we try? What did we like? and what did we try again?

Have we done it recently? If so how much and how often?

Have we tried to conceal it from others? How?

Are we powerless over the truth, or that we love it?

Describe what happened when we tried to moderate our habit? Had it turned into an addiction?

What happened when we tried to stop? Did we pick it up again or switch to something else and became cross addicted??

Tell yourself the truth about what happened after you got caught. Did you lie or make excuses like; 'if you had a job, husband, financial situation or feel like I do, you would'nt do it too!'?

That's only the half of it. Keep comming back, the emotional and or psychological step 1 questions are comming very soon. This meeting is open, please speak your minds.

 

[calibob]

​

 

[calibob]

Step 1 part 2
For people with co-occurring disorders

History of emotional or psychiatric disorders:
​

Most of us have attempted to control or improve the ways we think and/or feel but have discovered it seldom works for long. We lost control over and over again and we have felt like failures. This too is a symptom of something more wrong with us than what we use to feel better. Sometimes feeling seem better than the reality that we are sick and miserable. We may have had traumatic experiences or unfathomable disappointments and we are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Our minds and emotion are out of control.

I've heard it mockingly asked, "How can we fix a sick mind with a sick mind?" Their is a way. G. O. D. Good Orderly Directions. They have worked for probably millions. There's no reason why they wouldn't for us too!

When review our history from this non traditional point of view, things long over looked, covered over, denied or disguised, come into focus as we examine these questions honestly about ourselves. We realize it may be painful to answer these questions to ourselves, about ourselves. However denial is a key reason for relapse.

So we would strong suggest a sponsor, counselor or even a study buddy. That is supportive. Let's not become pulled under the quagmire that causes relapse. We in recovery have learned several mottos from those who have made it the top 3 are.>

1. Easy does it.
2. One day at a time
3. Let go, let God

The questions are easy, the answers are not. We didn't get this way overnight. We wont get well over night either. Prayer and meditation are nearly indispensable every step of the way. We suggest reading the beatitudes also. They will be posted at the bottom of this thread post for those who don't have a bible yet. Like Betty Davis once said; "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy ride." as we taxi down our life history's runway, ponder whether you were ever able to control these conditions by yourself? Surf's, Banzai!

How old were you when emotional or mental disorders first began?

Which of the following symptoms have become overwhelming?

Thought disorders;

• Difficulty with memory or sleep?
• Difficulty concentrating?
• Racing thoughts?
• Hurting yourself or committing suicide?
• Harming others?
• Suspicion of others and or lasting paranoia?
• Hearing voices with your ears or visual hallucinations?

Mood disorders;

• Depression?
• Feeling you are in an alternate reality?
• Extreme and unwarranted worry?
• Rapid and/or extreme mood swings?
• Extreme agitation and or anger at petty things or circumstances?
• Do you fear going crazy or believe everybody else is except you??

That's enough for now I think. Most every one has had most of those symptom from time to time, The shouldn't cause behavioral problems or last over six months. That's the definition of CHRONIC!

The Beatitudes
Matthew 5 vs 3-10

3) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Those are words to recover by.

TTFN, I'm Calibob. This meeting is open.

​

 

[calibob]