Denial could be the reason

As I shared last month, Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a Christ-centered 12-Step Program with 8 Recovery Principles from the Bible. CR is for everyone—people bound by addictions to drugs or alcohol, and again for everyone. It’s in more than 35,000 churches around the world. Our Higher Power is Jesus and He has the power to help us deal with every single one of our hurts, hang ups, habits, issues, problems, or whatever. No matter what you may be dealing with, you don’t have to struggle alone. We have an amazing support group.

At the beginning of the year, we always start with Principle One and Step 1, which are based on Matthew 5:3, Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor, and Romans 7:18, For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Our first Lesson is Denial, which is defined as the action of declaring something true to be untrue. We discuss denial at the beginning of the year because it can hinder us from making progress and moving forward. Denial can have us stuck in cycles of addictive and compulsive behaviors because we don’t want to admit that we have a problem and that we need help. I was there.

There was a time when I didn’t want anyone to know that I wasn’t doing so well. I write about it in my book WHEN I WAS 40: Overcame Some Challenges, Still Learning and Growing. One day I realized that I had to put my pride aside because it was keeping me from receiving the help that I needed. This is how I found that help.

After I fell in love with my job as a Substance Abuse Counselor, God opened the door for Celebrate Recovery at Live Oak Church. Our goal was not to conduct counseling, but to start a support group for them. I remember it so clearly even now that while I prepared for our first study of the 12 Steps, I realized I am one of them. I recognized I had problems and issues that I needed to allow God to work on in me. I admitted to myself that I needed healing, then I greatly benefited from being a participant-leader. My transparency was liberating for me and others in the group. So many of us in our local CR, and millions worldwide, have been set free and delivered since the program started back in 1991.

Is it possible that you or someone you know may need to connect with a local CR? If you think you cannot learn anything from CR, it’s possible you may be in denial. Why? Because Romans 3:23 says For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. If we look around our homes, neighborhoods, jobs, and places of worship, we will see that people are hurting. Jesus is the answer for every addiction, anxiety, challenge, fear. You name it, Jesus can handle it. He died and rose again with the power over death, hell, and the grave. Tell yourself or someone else it’s time to step out of the denial. Find a group by visiting celebraterecovery.com and select ‘Locator.’ You can read all of my blogs and order my book at charlenestevensjenkins.com. Call me, email or DM. Let’s communicate. I’m still here to encourage, inspire and motivate. I’m praying for you.

The Struggle is Real...

January has passed, seemingly at a breakneck speed. But ok, here goes: Happy New Year (still)!

Welcome to February! If you’ve been following my blogs since the beginning, October 2019, THANK YOU! I have covered many topics from monthly trends, my book, and of course breast cancer awareness. This year, I’ll shift my focus to write about recovery and support. In my book, When I was 40, I write about overcoming some experiences that challenged me. I made it through---scrapes, bruises, and bumps—and overcame.

I’ve been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2006, and I am still learning and growing. I’ve served as the Celebrate Recovery (CR) Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church in Hinesville, GA for several years. Both roles have obviously impacted and encouraged me, and I am convinced that help is available to anyone. I am convinced that people need to hear more about the healing and freedom that so many of us have been receiving from Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered 12 Step program. CR started at California’s Saddleback Church in 1991 with 45 people. Now, CR is in over 35,000 churches around the world. CR uses the same 12 Steps found in AA and NA, and in addition we have 8 Recovery Principles found in the Bible. CR is not just for people struggling with addictions to drugs and alcohol. I repeat. CR is for everyone. Jesus is our Higher Power and He has the power to help us deal with each one of our hurts, hang ups, habits, issues, problems, or whatever. Many people are struggling, and many are hurting. You do not have to struggle alone. CR is not therapy. CR is an amazing support group of real people. CR has grown in the last 30 years because it helps people break free. There is no cost or fees associated with CR. To find a CR near you, head on over to celebraterecovery.com and select ‘Locator.’ Catch up on all of my blogs and order my book at charlenestevensjenkins.com. To reach me, just call, email or DM. Let’s communicate.

I’m still here to encourage, inspire and motivate. I’m praying for you.

Know Jesus, Know Peace

Celebrating the birth of Jesus at the end of one year into the start of a new year is a joyful experience. We are at the start of 2023—a new year.  The beauty of it all is that we can keep giving, showing kindness, and loving all year long because of Jesus.  I try to be a cheerful giver and I look forward to spending time with God, who is the Source of all we have.  I’m so glad He sent us His only Son!  

On Christmas Day, the Bible App Verse of the Day was Isaiah 9:6 KJV:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

I want to focus on the last part: The Prince of Peace.  I found a few definitions for the word ‘peace.’ 

    1.    Freedom from disturbance; tranquility; mental calm; serenity

    2.    A state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended; freedom from civil disorder; freedom from dispute or dissension between individuals or groups;

Jesus came to save our souls and give us peace of mind.  If we give our attention and energy to everything that the world offers us, we will not experience lasting peace.  No Jesus, No Peace.

The peace that Jesus gives has absolutely nothing to do with our circumstances.  He showed the disciples it’s possible to sleep peacefully in the middle of a storm.  That means we can face waves of negativity and downpours of trouble but still have serenity.  Jesus demonstrated that even while hanging on the cross, it’s possible to love and pray for the killers.  That means no matter how mistreated we are, we can still forgive.

“And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds…”

Inflation, sickness, relationship problems, or any other problem can be a source of unbearable stress if we allow them.  

When we recognize that we are not alone, we can ride out the storm in a positive mental space.  Because we have the Prince of Peace with us at ALL times, we can trust Him so we could experience and understand His power at work through each difficult situation.  Know Jesus, Know Peace.  God put a calm place in the center of a hurricane.  So, the storm around me doesn’t have to produce a storm within me.  

It’s a new day every morning. Start fresh and in peace. Know Jesus. Know Peace.

I’m praying for you! Reach out to me. Happy New Year….it’s a new day! @charlenestevensjenkins.com