CRA Christians in Recovery (anonymous)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

"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'

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.