A person is recovered when he or she has taken back control of his own soul. Although Satan will do everything in his power to regain his control, a recovered person is sober not only as a drug or alcohol-free person, but he or she is vigilant, watchful and wise,— prepared for the demon’s counterattack.
Sheppard’s Counseling Center has developed a Christed centered recovery model called RECOVERY IN CHRIST OR THE RIC PROGRAM
- Recovery in Christ is a manual of recovery from addiction and other bondages by Pam Sheppard
Although a recovered person is no longer an addict but a child of God, he or she is aware that there is a weakl based upon 7 keysness in his or her flesh that has a predisposition to relapse. Therefore, a recovered person has a relapse prevention plan that includesbut is not limited to:
1.living by God’s word—the person begins to live the reality of the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus Christ—that before he or she believed on Christ, he was an addict, but as a born again believer, he or she is washed, or in other words “clean”by faith in His word. (I
Corinthians 6;9-11)
2.delighting in the Lord—the person has pursued the fruit of joy and peace, by an active commitmentto lifestyle of prayer, praise and thanksgiving. His offering of praise to the Lord operates as a cover of\clothing that protects him or her from the return of the “addiction spirit.” (Isaiah 6:3)
3.submitting to the cross-–the person has found out the root cause of his or her addiction by allowinghis flesh to be crucified. Whether or not addiction was linked to the sin of rebellion, selfi shness, selfcenteredness or pleasure seeking, he is committed to obey God’s word. The most important area of
discipline is that a recovered person has learned to control his tongue. The control of the tongue is the key to spiritual empowerment and recovery, because “if anyone does not stumble in word, he or she is a perfect man, able to bridle or control his own body, including his predisposition to addiction.” (James
3:2)
4.seeking right fellowship—the person has learned that to love the world is to be an enemy towards God. Therefore, he or she chooses his relationships not by the desires of his fl esh, but by the spirit. He or she will not seek counsel from the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. He or she has learned how to live among unbelievers without becoming “one” with them. He has learned how to overcome the pain of separating oneself from people of unhealthy influences and to do it with the wisdom, mercy and grace of God.
5.embracing the vision
— He views himself as an important member of the the Body of Jesus Christ, with a mission and a vision for service. Armed with the courage of his own convictions, he is not easily discouraged, walking by faith and not by sight. Faithful and committed to the few things, he is committed to share his strengths and his struggles.
6.walking in the witness of the Spirit-–the person is blessed with a thirst for the Lord and His righteousness that has replaced his or her thirst for craving for the thing or substance that formerly had him or her bound and captive. As the scripture says: Be not drunk with wine but be fi lled with the
Spirit of God. As demonstrated by the words of the mouth and the selection of priorities, he or she has grown from having addiction or being clean and sober as the center of his life. As a result, He has overcome Satan by the word of his testimony. His testimony is a personal witness to the healing power of the Holy Spirit. His witness is capable of drawing others to the cross.
7.connecting with believers—He does not neglect meeting with his brothers and sisters in Christ. Committed to his spiritual mentor and to other Christians, he comes together with the brethren to intensively explore his own character defects and to share his victories. Coming together online as oppsed to gathering face to face is acceptable.
Our ministers are trained to help you stay strong, better than an AA sponsor. www.pamsheppard.com/online_ministers_available
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