Everybody is in recovery from something; we learn that very quickly in Celebrate Recovery. There is a relational component in every addiction. Some would say that must be true for the alcoholic or drug addict or sexually addicted, after all those are the people that come to CR, right? Wrong, people come to CR because in the middle of their hurt, habit or hang up is the reality of relational dysfunction and despair. The alcoholic or addict has a love-hate relationship with their drug of choice, but so do people who have addictive issues in general. Your drug of choice could be shopping, eating, working, people, tv, career, sex, ego, selfishness, sloth, politics, power; the list goes on and on. Addiction isn’t defined only in terms of misusing a chemical and its physiological ramifications; it can also be defined as engaging in repeated behaviors that you know will lead to trouble, self-harm and harm to others, yet continuing to engage in them. Our dysfunctional relational attachment is so strong that we need a power greater than ourselves to break it. Relational healing begins with God: he sent his Son to reconcile us to Him. As we get right with Him, we start to get right with ourselves as we confess our sins to him and repent—turn away from our sins and stay focused on Jesus. But the Jesus relationship can only be fulfilled within community—in relationships. Just as we confess our sins to Jesus, we learn to confess our part in a struggling relationship with others. The key to restoring relationships is to be quick to offer amends, focus on our part of the problem (however small we may think it is), and then listen and hear what the other person has to say. God forgave us, who are we to not forgive others. Relational transformation is recovery. My favorite quote: “A transformed life is people who love people and love Jesus and want to bring them together.” –Amen If you’re stuck in a hurt, habit or hang up check out Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church. We meet every Friday night, starting at 6pm.

God loves you, Jesus died for you, His spirit lives in you! Say Yes to Jesus and live Love!

Dana Cramer // Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church