Chapter 3
Surrender
We have set a
scriptural foundation for recovery and described what addiction is. We now come
to the point of decision called surrender. This is the beginning of recovery
from drugs and alcohol and any other life controlling problem. At this point
let me say that this workbook is about any life controlling problem which is
inclusive of alcohol and drugs, and any serious problem for which people are
seeking help.
Recovery
Is a Process, Not an Event
Not my will, but thine be done. (Luke 22:42)
The sequence of this part of
recovery is as follows:
A.
Admit you have a problem
B.
Begin to
comply with your recovery program
C.
Completely
surrender your life to God. This is a total surrender of all that you are to
all that God is.
Let's look
at the rich young ruler of Luke 18:22. Jesus said that he lacked one thing to
inherit eternal life. That one thing was that he had to surrender all his
"stuff" (not trust in his own riches—not trust in himself) and then he could
follow Jesus as a disciple.
1.
List one thing that you are holding on to and haven't
really given over to God. This could be a grudge or anger at a family member or
someone that hurt you. It could be an old debt you owe. Just be honest and list
it below.
Recovery is
a process of letting go of things we want to hold on to but are not healthy for
us. As we let them go, we are really making room for good things to happen in
our life.
Repent ye therefore,
and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of
refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)
Repent
means to change your mind about something and go in the opposite way. Not just
a different way, but God's way.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you. (Matt.
6:33)
In a journey of a thousand miles, if you are off just one
degree from a straight line to your destination, you will be hundreds of miles
off course at the end! We all want to do it—our way. Because, after all, my way
is best; right? Not really! Having our way is what got us here in the first
place.
Prayer of Repentance
Please say the following prayer
aloud:
Heavenly
Father, I come to You and admit that I have a problem with (your problem area) and I turn from it, and
now turn to You, and ask You to forgive me of all my sin connected to
it, and I now surrender to You and give You all of my life. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.
Know that
God accepted you and your prayer and He is faithful to hear you and begin the
miracle that you have prayed for. Keep praising Him and thanking Him for the
answer. God loves a heart full of thanksgiving and a person who is a praiser doesn't have much time to be depressed about their
problems as the focus is on God and not on yourself.
A Word about Feelings
I used to
want to feel better about it when I asked for forgiveness. One day I asked the
Lord about it and the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said that forgiveness is a
judicial decision. It has nothing to do
with feelings. It is like a judge finding you Not Guilty! Bam! Your
feelings have zero to do with the outcome. You are forgiven no matter how you
feel about it.
Feelings
are like a wind sock at an airport. The wind sock merely indicates the
direction of the wind; it doesn't have the power of predicting or leading you
in any direction. Feelings change with the winds of life, and are directly tied
to what you think. If you think on
depressing things you will be depressed. If you think on scriptural truth, you
will have life and peace.
For to be carnally
minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom. 8:6)
2. List some feelings that seem to "rent space
out in your mind."
3. Now write out Romans 8:6 and what you think
this verse means to you.
Surrender is a decision that is
made on a daily basis. The thing about dying to the flesh is that it always
resurrects. You can never run away from you. You can't cast out the flesh. You
must renew your mind to the Word of God.
And be not conformed
to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom. 12:2)
Before we leave surrender, one
tendency is to think, "I can do this on my own." No, you can't do it on your
own!
Recovery occurs only in
relationship with at least one other person and is greatly enhanced in a group
of born-again believers who love and accept you—just as you are—but love you
enough not to leave you there!
Activity:
4. Think of three people you need to tell that
you love them and plan to tell them by the end of the week. Write their names
below.
The Prodigal Son
The prodigal son clearly illustrates the steps of surrender
for all of us, no matter what problem you may be dealing with. First of all, we
all get into our addiction or life controlling problem, then we find that it
has serious consequences, and finally we have a spiritual awakening, or in the
case of the prodigal son, he came to
himself. We all must have that spiritual awakening and surrender to Jesus
and make Him Lord over all of our life!
Luke 15:11-20
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the
younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.13 And
not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey
into a far country, and there wasted his substance
with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine
in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to
a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat:
and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many
hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I
will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son:
make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father.
5.
Write out your story of how you came to the decision to
begin the recovery process.
Feelings
Second Sight Poetry
by Jon R. Penoi, LADC
Feelings may
come and feelings may go,
I get feelings
watching a picture show.
I get mad when
my feelings are hurt,
I get glad
when I talk and flirt.
I feel empty
when I'm all alone,
I feel nervous
when I'm on the phone.
I feel low
when I have no money
I feel relaxed
when I'm with my honey.
Feelings are
like the blowing wind,
It ebbs and
flows from the thoughts within.
My thoughts
give birth to my feelings show,
Whether
depression's darkness or gladness glow.
My feelings
are really subject to change,
If my thoughts
I will re-arrange.
Begin to be
thankful and think positive thoughts,
My feelings
will follow, I'll give it a shot!
I'll change my thought life and
my
feelings will follow right along!
