Addiction Recovery – Page 9 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

In The Twelve Steps to Victory column, we’re reframing the traditional 12 Steps with a focus on victory vs continually looking back at our missteps and failures. Each Step aligns with the months on the yearly calendar. This series is published on the first Friday of each month in 2025.

We admitted we are powerless over our dependencies and that victory cannot be achieved on our own. ~ Step One

Any woman in addiction recovery will at some point find herself struggling with thoughts of relapsing. Perhaps it’s a sudden invitation to an old familiar place, or the scent of something that triggers a memory, bringing back temptations she thought were long gone.

Why?

We may have gotten lax or let our guard down. Perhaps we allowed ourselves to be in a situation that brought tempting ideas, or maybe we’re just going through a difficult season of life that’s weakening our resolve.

Whatever the case — We must stop and immediately revisit Step One.

It’s critical that we remember the pain and suffering our life of addiction caused before. We cannot allow ourselves for even a moment to be deceived by the enemy into thinking that now it will be different.

Returning to a life of our dependencies will never be different. The same cycles of pain, brokenness, and emptiness will repeat because dependency draws us away from God’s purpose and keeps us trapped in a false sense of comfort that ultimately leads to destruction.

Let’s not dwell on the past failures or future potentials.

Instead let’s look to where we will find our victory—a life of freedom, peace, and purpose found through dependence on God’s strength and guidance.

To do that we must turn to God.

Pray the Serenity Prayer.

Ask Holy Spirit for the strength to press on by seeking support from trusted mentors, diving into God’s Word, and spending intentional time in prayer and worship.

Look for The Way out.

He is always there!

Discussion Question:

What steps can you take this week to strengthen your dependence on God when facing temptations?

Application:

This week, commit to praying the Serenity Prayer daily and journaling any moments where you felt God showing you “The Way out.” Reflect on how turning to God brought you peace and renewed strength.

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ~ 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I pray you are blessed by the beautiful song attached below by Crowder: Still. It speaks so directly and sweetly to us as we walk through the 12 Steps of Victory with Christ. ~Tamara

Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will ultimately fill our lives with love, gratitude and the serenity we desire.

THE LAW OF RESPONSIBILITY

REQUIREMENT: RESPONSIBILITY

RESULT: SECURITY

God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.” ~ Genesis 17:9

Responsibility means living up to our part of life, not blaming others or expecting someone else to make up for what we lack. When we do our part by living responsibly in our everyday lives, we experience a genuine sense of security.~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery

Life can be complicated and difficult. But more often than not, our choices have made it that way. We must make the tough decisions to deliberately and intentionally take responsibility to manage our own lives with God’s help to the best of our ability.

Ask for forgiveness and make restitution to others where we can. Respond in an understanding and compassionate grace filled way to people and situations out of our control.

One of the best ways to forgive those who have harmed us is to see them as people who have been harmed themselves. When we look at others through God’s eyes, it’s easier to forgive. Remembering that just because we have forgiving someone doesn’t mean we have to continue in relationship with them.

Most importantly, responsibility means taking ownership of what we own: our emotions, our spiritual growth, the gifts we have been given by God and the hurts we have caused others. When we begin doing this we are living responsibly.

Enjoy this clip from Stephen Arterburn that is related to this topic. Blessings!