I Can Change!

 By Kareena Holloway, Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery Women's Encourager Coach, 10/28/2020

When I started coming to Celebrate Recovery over ten years ago, I was desperate to change, but I didn’t know how.  On my own will, I tried to do the right thing, but I still ended up doing the wrong thing again due to a lifetime of unhealed hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  God’s awesome living Word has a scripture that explains this perfectly:
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 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. 
Romans 7:15-18

Upon coming to CR the first time, I learned about that same scripture in Step 1 of the 12 Steps of Recovery:


1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. 

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. 
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 
Romans 7:18 NIV

It was comforting to learn that I wasn’t alone in my personal desire to change. I was surrounded by a family of fellow strugglers who would not judge, criticize, or reject me, but would show me God's love by listening and holding me accountable. Hearing the phrase, "Hurt people hurt people” showed me that when I hurt someone or when hurt happened to me any time in my life, it wasn’t because the person just didn’t like me, it was because there were still unhealed hurts, hang-ups, or habits. That knowledge didn’t excuse their behavior, but it helped me to understand as I processed through to the place of forgiveness.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:19

Being in recovery for ten years now, I have seen areas of my life that are still healing. As I yield myself to God, I am slowly learning new, better behaviors.  Through the seasons of change in my life and in those around me, I am willing to trust God to continue the healing work He's already begun in me.  Will you join me today in putting your trust in Him to help you change?
Join us at Fellowship Bible Church Celebrate Recovery in Rogers, or go to https://locator.crgroups.info/ to find a  CR meeting near you!

Whether you’ve been a part of Celebrate Recovery for years or you’re just starting out, know that you can expect to change and continually grow as God works in you to will and act according to His good purpose. God cares deeply for YOU and your future. 

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