Maybe you’re reading my blog for the first time. Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Veterans Administration, and I volunteer as the Celebrate Recovery (CR) Ministry Leader at Live Oak Church in Hinesville, GA. I’ve been blogging each month for a few years, all to help and encourage you.
I’m so proud to be a social worker! March is National Social Work Month, and a perfect time to celebrate our work. The 2023 theme is Social Work Breaks Barriers, #SocialWorkMonth. Congratulations to my fellow social workers as we continue to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve and our colleagues.
In my most recent blog, I talked about denial. If we are honest, each of have had to work through denial at some point in our lives—maybe you’re working through denial right now. Whether a past struggle or more recent, there is hope. There is hope and you don’t have to struggle alone because there are solid principles and support to help.
Speaking of hope, I’ll continue with our CR principles as I did last month. Principle 2 of CR states: ‘Earnestly believe that God exists, and He has the power to help me recover.’ Matthew 5:4 reads, ‘Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.’ In Principle 1 (Denial), we admit we are powerless after we stepped out of denial. Now in the second principle, we come to believe that God exists, that we are important to Him, and that we are able to receive God’s power to help us recover. It’s in the second step that we find HOPE!
I can talk about why people sometimes feel hopeless and how it is a symptom of many behavioral and mental health issues, but for the sake of time I will focus on getting beyond the point of hopelessness. There are options available to us. Please stop pretending you’re ok, like I used to do. Take advantage of talking to a trusted spiritual leader, (a pastor, chaplain, friend, a mentor) go to therapy, join a support group, come to CR. Our group meets on Mondays from 7-9 pm, and you can locate a CR near you at
celebraterecovery.com. Do something that will help you learn, grow, and get better physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I don’t know anything about your personal situation. It doesn’t matter what happened, what you did or failed to do, what someone did or said to you, it IS possible to receive healing, to move forward, and to
recover. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and Jesus is that light…the Light of the world. I first heard this statement during a Celebrate Recovery One Day Seminar or at a Summit, and it’s featured in Bill Bright Quotes, by Bill Bright: “With God life is an endless hope. Without God, life is a hopeless end.” Do you believe that? When we REALLY believe this, it will change the way we look at every one of our future issues and negative situations from now on. For the next few minutes, I want to encourage you to take your mind off the problem(s) and focus on the Problem Solver. I’ve learned that whenever I magnify the
problems, God looks so small in comparison, but whenever I magnify the God of the universe, my problems look so small! We all need a change of perspective at times.
Where are you? Is there anything you want me to focus on in my next blog? Would you like to talk more about how CR can help you or someone you care about? Do you need prayer?
Call me, email, or DM. I’m here to encourage, inspire and motivate. I’m praying for you!
Grab a copy of my book, WHEN I WAS 40: Overcame Some Challenges, Still Learning and Growing and read my other blogs at charlenestevensjenkins.com.