Struggling but Growing

If this is your first time reading my blog, thank you! I am 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. I started blogging in 2019 and I’d love it if you check out my other blogs at charlenestevensjenkins.com/blog Last month I talked about the importance of confessing as I elaborated on CR Lesson 12 Confess. Since over half the year is past, and we’ve covered the final lesson in Principle 4, Lesson 13 Admit, this lesson takes us to Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs according to James 5:16, “ therefore confess your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” As I have been reflecting on this, I felt the need to ask if you have struggled with anything lately? Have you kept it to yourself, or have you shared it with someone else?

Me? Yes, I have struggled and yes, I have discussed it with spiritual mentors and accountability partners. Can I tell you something? We ALL need them, and I mentioned a little about three levels of friends in my book WHEN I WAS 40. As a Ministry Leader, it can be tempting to just act like I have it all together as a means of trying to encourage other people, but that means I’m slipping back into denial (Lesson 1), and I refuse to go back there. My desire is to wake up early EVERY morning and spend time in the Word, prayer/praise/worship/intercession, reflection/quiet time, and journaling. I have been struggling to do these things because of sheer exhaustion, I may not wake up as early as I had planned. The exhaustion could be from a busy week and/or from spiritual attacks.

I admit, I’ve had days where I woke up before my alarm went off, as early as 3 am because I couldn’t wait to pray and spend time in God’s Word. I’ve also had days where I could hardly get out of bed and listened to the Bible app audio while lying there. Then I’d pray while I got ready and drove in to work. I am ashamed to admit the latter. However, even though I may struggle, I still have the desire to meet with God. So, I repent for not getting up sooner and don’t entertain thoughts like, “Look at you. You overslept again. You pressed snooze again.” If I feel condemnation, it’s not of God. Instead, after I ask for mercy - His mercies are new every morning - I make it a priority to meditate, to talk to Him and fill my day (as much as possible) with prayer, praise, and worship. I don’t let the enemy win! God’s Grace is sufficient and abundant towards us.

Those mornings when I found myself having to drag out of bed, and I wished I had gotten up sooner, God still meets me and then I wish I could stay longer! Even when I don’t press snooze, I still wish I could stay longer and not have to leave for work. Aren’t you glad He can be with us everywhere we go?

I encourage you that if you have struggled, just know that you’re not alone. Imagine this. God’s Son, Jesus, made time in prayer a priority. He was our perfect example. For us to grow spiritually, we must do the same. The enemy of our souls will ALWAYS attack us in those areas, and will try to accuse us of not being what God has said we are! Don’t give up. Pray right where you are. If you have to listen to the Bible and pray while you drive, walk, exercise, start there. Don’t stay there. It feels SO GOOD to wake up early and spend time in God’s presence unhurried, unrushed to talk to AND hear from Him. That’s still my goal and that’s what I will aim for. What is your goal? What will you aim for? If you have any questions, DM me. Let’s communicate. I’m here to encourage, inspire, and motivate. I’m praying for you. If you are looking for a support group to help you work through your issues, challenges and shortcomings, visit celebraterecovery.com and select ‘Locator’ to find a group near you.

Got Freedom?

Are you new here? Welcome! Thank you for joining me.

I’m Charlene Stevens-Jenkins, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with the Veterans Health Administration, and the Celebrate Recovery (CR) Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church, Hinesville GA.

While I was writing, I couldn't help but reflect on the concept of being free as I've enjoyed this very special month. I attended a Juneteenth Festival at the Historic Dorchester Center in Midway, GA. I spent time with my family as we celebrated my Dad on Father’s Day, and my birthday since I was born on Juneteenth. (Yes! I’m grateful for another year). And, I have to mention the powerful Father’s Day message by Bishop Israel Aaron Cowart, “Loose Him and Let Him Go,” John 11:38-44. He gave so much insight into what was happening then and now. If you weren't in attendance that Sunday, I highly recommend you hit the replay on Facebook.

Then on Monday, the federal holiday recognizing Juneteenth, our Celebrate Recovery group met and I taught CR Lesson 12: Confess. When we celebrate Juneteenth, we recognize the release and freedom of enslaved Africans, especially those living in Galveston, Texas who were kept in the dark about their freedom until two years later. Juneteenth was the beginning! Slavery was and is wrong, and we Praise God for freedom!

At CR, our study drew our attention to the freedom of confession. What does confession have to do with freedom? ‘Confess’ means to admit a fault, crime or debt. There is freedom in admitting. We set ourselves free to move and become all God created us to be. Have you recognized the common theme? Freedom. There is certainly a resounding connection between freedom and confession. Once you confess a thing you are free from the bondage of it. Any lie, internal or external, is a hindrance to freedom.

Are you free? You can be. You don't have to be kept in the dark by any lie.

Want to join us? We are still on Principle 4 and just began Step 5, “We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”

The Celebrate Recovery Leader’s Guide states that we are only as sick as our secrets. The key is to find a trusted accountability partner, sponsor or mentor. That person can help you find the freedom you need as you work through your hurts, habits and hang ups.

Got Freedom? You can be free. Visit celebraterecovery.com and select ‘Locator’ to find a group near you. If you have any questions, DM me. Let’s communicate. I’m here to encourage, inspire, and motivate. I’m praying for you.

You are Not Alone

If you’re reading my blog for the first time, thank you and welcome! 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. I’ve been blogging for several years to educate, inspire, and empower people. I’m really glad you’re here.

I’m passionate about helping people in my day-to-day work and through CR. Needless to say, I believe CR works because it is foundationally based on the fact that Jesus Christ won the victory at Calvary, and we who serve Him can also walk in victory.

Since we’re in the last few days of Mental Health Month, I’m sharing more about mental health and recovery by highlighting the freedom of personal honesty. I’m glad the stigmas associated with mental health are being stripped away with honest conversations about how real it is for many people.

As each day goes by, I’m praying that more and more people will realize it’s okay to talk about not being okay and seek help.

This reminds me of CR Principle #4: ‘Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.’

Mental health is now a broad topic of conversation, and many of us have suffered in silence without knowing there is help. The stigmas around needing help and seeking help made it incredibly difficult for many people to open up about it. Then there are times when we either try to will ourselves well, deny our needs, or we hide behind masks pretending to be okay. I used to pretend because I didn’t want people to know what I was going through.

Sometimes we can be judgmental if we don’t understand, if we’ve not experienced what another person is dealing with, or if we haven’t had a firsthand experience with mental health issues. It’s a battle and no one has to fight alone.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness website:

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24 Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14 I didn’t want people to know that a Christian, a church leader, and a social worker also had issues. I wrote about it in my book, WHEN I WAS 40: Overcame Some Challenges, Still Learning and Growing. I started taking off my masks in 2016 during our first Celebrate Recovery 12 Step Study. I stopped pretending. By the way, acting like you’re someone that you are not extremely hard work! My transparency allowed me to experience the most freedom I’ve ever had. I was able to openly confess my faults to myself, to God and to someone I trusted. I mentioned stigma earlier. I’m so happy for our motto at Live Oak Church: Real People. Real Issues. Real God. There is no shame in upping your game to wellness. But first, open up and honestly examine what’s happening. There is real help.

You are not alone. Please check out resources in your area, confide in a trusted person, and commit to getting the help you need. Remember, you are not alone. It may feel as if you are, but you are not. We’re in this together. I’m praying for you!

Visit Celebrate Recovery for in person and online resources.

Keep going, trust yourself, and trust someone else to help you