Hope and Sanity

I am so glad you're here. In case you're joining me for the first time, let me introduce myself. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Veterans Health Administration and I'm the Celebrate Recovery (CR) Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church in Hinesville, GA. Did you know that CR is a Christ-centered recovery program? People are surprised to hear that they can receive help and support while overcoming any hurt, habit or hang up. And by the way, it’s not just for people struggling with drugs or alcohol---but for anyone struggling.

In February, two of our leaders taught the CR Lessons 3: Hope, and 4: Sanity. We covered Principle 2, Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4); and Step 2, We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13).

So, when was the last time you felt hopeless or felt like you needed to be restored to sanity? If we're honest, it could have been quite recent…or maybe that’s the current status. Feeling like there is no hope or like I need a restoration to order (mentally, emotionally…) should only be temporary and not permanent. Why? Because John 10:10 states, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come, that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” At CR, our Higher Power is Jesus and these are His words. There’s nothing too hard for Him to do. Whenever I encounter difficult situations, I have to remind myself to walk by faith and not by sight. My hope is in Jesus and I want others to see that I am living in that hope.

At CR, we begin each group and step study meetings with songs of worship. Why? The worship time is one component that sets us apart from other 12-Step programs. Worship helps us take our focus off our problems and focus on THE problem solver. Whatever I focus on more becomes magnified in my life. The more I focus on my issues, the bigger they seem and the bigger they appear. However, when I focus more on what the Bible says, I will find myself more hopeful and in my right mind. I will also be an example to others I meet.

That's it for this month, but if you want to learn more about CR or you just need to come and see for yourself, visit www.celebraterecovery.com and select Locator to find a group near you. If you’re in the area, we meet at 296 Live Oak Church Rd, Hinesville GA, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm on Mondays. We'd love to have you!

If you have any questions, reach out. Let’s communicate. I’m here to encourage, inspire and motivate. Praying for you 🙏🏽

Masks of Denial

Masks of Denial

This month's blog is about denial. Celebrate Recovery (CR) provides a pathway to find our true selves, release unhealthy habits, and live more fully.

Celebrate Recovery (CR) starts each new year with Principle 1 and Step 1. CR is a Christ-centered 12 Step program with 8 Recovery Principles taken from the Beatitudes in the Book of Matthew. Author Nicky Gumble called them “beautiful attitudes.”

I taught Lesson 1, Denial.  I reminded myself of the definition of the word by searching an online dictionary, which defined ‘denial’ as a ‘type of defense mechanism that involves ignoring the reality of a situation to avoid anxiety.’ I might add that trying to avoid anxiety started with the first humans. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they attempted to hide themselves from God. They knew God was always present in the garden but somehow thought that they could hide from Him. They heard God ‘approaching’ them and hid.

Genesis 2:18-4:16 gives us the front row seat to glimpse what happened.

Denial is a form of hiding our true selves. That’s what denial will do. During the presentation of Lesson 1, I asked the group to reflect on their childhood. When you misbehaved or were disobedient, did you go tell on yourselves? I asked them. Did you go tell an adult, “I

just want to let you know I did something you told me not to do?” Though there was what seemed like a brief reflection, not one of our CR participants acknowledged having been that kind of kid to confess a wrongdoing immediately----or even at all!

If you’ve ever watched a group of children and something happens, you will notice that those who are guilty very rarely tell on themselves, unless they’re asked. Even then, they may not tell the truth or may blame someone else like Adam and Eve did. Many times, we don’t want to tell the truth either. We choose to remain in denial and do things to repress our feelings and freeze our emotions. Those are some of the habits CR helps us to overcome.

Very often we are not even aware of our denial until…

Is it possible to live in denial? Can a person just wear a mask forever? The answer

is yes. I used to wear a mask until I realized it.

This leads to Principle 1: Realize I’m not God; I admit I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. People who choose to remain in denial, repress their feelings, wear masks, and freeze their emotions end up finding that their lives become unmanageable.

Another leader taught Lesson 2 Powerless, and next month, we will move into Principle

2 and Step 2. However, before we can really move forward, we have to step out of

denial.

Genesis 4 describes how Cain had a chance to come clean. God saw that Cain was upset and inquired. “What’s wrong with you? What’s the matter? What’s going on?"

I paraphrased it. Honestly, I've been asked these questions and I’ve asked other people the same questions in an effort to help. But the most popular responses are, “I’m all right. I’m blessed and highly favored. I’m good.” While these are positive responses, sometimes they are given to cover or avoid a deeper discussion about what’s beneath the surface.

I am learning how to be honest. I don’t ever want to pretend that everything is all right when it’s not. The next time someone asks you those questions, especially if you know they are genuinely concerned, take off the mask. If you’re having trouble taking off masks, then I invite you to Celebrate Recovery where you will discover how to.

The week after I taught the CR Denial Lesson, I shared a very transparent testimony. I gave my life to Jesus almost 42 years ago, and every now and then I still struggle with completely trusting God. When I had my mammogram earlier this month, I told the nurse that I’d been having pain underneath my right arm. I thought about how lymph nodes were removed from under my left arm and the lumpectomy that I had in January 2014. Although they saw nothing on the 3-D mammogram, I insisted on having the ultrasound. As I lay there waiting, I found myself speaking healing scriptures over myself. The test found nothing, praise God! Well, guess what happened 15 days prior to this appointment? I had left carpal tunnel

surgery and was using my right arm and hand to do EVERYTHING. No wonder I was

having the discomfort! I had to share that because I refuse to wear a mask again. No

matter how long we are Christians, we will face challenges until we get to heaven. God

brought me through once again and on January 31, I will be 10 years cancer free!!!!!! I

can’t even verbalize how grateful I am. I’m speechless with tears of joy. I KNOW

without a doubt that I’m doing what God has called me to do.

Earlier this month, our Live Oak Church CR celebrated 7 years!!! We held our first large group meeting in January 2017. I’m the ministry leader with such dedicated leaders and volunteers to help keep the doors open. The same way God is helping all of us work through our issues, He wants to help you too. Why not join us on Monday from 7 am -9 pm? We’re at 296 Live Oak Church Rd, Hinesville GA.

To find a meeting near you, go to www.celebraterecovery.com and use the

Locator. If you have any questions, reach out. Let’s communicate. I’m here to inspire,

encourage, and motivate. I’m praying for you.

Today is a Good Day to Start Fresh

Here we are in the final hours of 2023. It’s a good time to reflect on what we’ve learned as we prepare to move into what’s ahead. Be it a new day or a new year we can start fresh. What an opportunity. I am grateful to God for each new day and new year.

December’s Celebrate Recovery (CR) lessons were 24 Yes and 25 The Seven Reasons We Get Stuck. What a powerful ending to the year, and a launching pad for something new. Can you say ‘yes’ to a new beginning?

Each month we were blessed to hear lessons, testimonies, and recovery stories that helped us to step out of denial, lean in to hope, and confess and admit our sins. We’ve ended the year with Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this good news to others, both by my example, and by my words; and Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

This has been such an amazing journey. None of us is perfect, but we keep coming back to CR each week because we find strength and encouragement in one another. We are growing and thriving!

By the way, CR is a Christ-centered 12 Step program with 8 Recovery Principles taken from the Beatitudes in the book of Matthew. CR is offered by over 35,000 churches in the world and millions have found freedom from hurts, habits, and hang ups.

I’m glad that we wrap up the year around the Christmas season. In last month’s blog, I mentioned how different life would be if we would all keep God at the forefront of our thoughts and minds every day. I want to expound on that concept a little more because many people only focus on the love of Jesus during Easter and Christmas. Wouldn’t our lives be so much different, more joy-filled, more purposeful, more Christlike if we had a daily habit of putting God first? If each of us made time to reflect, we would come up with a list of areas in our lives to seek God’s help and to be more grateful. This transformational walk begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want that, all you have to do is call on His name. Acts 2:21 tells us that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. Jesus is waiting and wants to give you freedom. Once we accept Him, we can begin to walk in that new life. Yes, a fresh new beginning. CR helps us to do that one day at a time. Our growth is a witness that the same God helping us is able to help everyone who comes to Him. We can all share that Good News with someone else. That’s what Principle 8 and Step 12 of Celebrate Recovery is all about. We want the world to know that Jesus has the power to help with ANY hurt, addiction, habit, issue or hang up. You name it, Jesus can handle it. Today is gonna be a good day!

You can join us at our weekly meeting on Monday, January 8 from 7-9 at 296 Live Oak Church Rd, Hinesville GA. In the meantime, reach out to a sponsor, accountability partner, spiritual mentor.

To find a meeting near you, visit www.celebraterecovery.com and select 'Locator.' Thank you for reading my blogs and for sharing them with others. Visit www.charlenestevensjenkins.com. Let’s communicate. I’m still here to encourage, inspire and motivate. I’m praying for you.  God Bless!