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Showing episodes and shows of
Brad Hambrick
Shows
Holy & Healthy with Janetta Oni
Friends and Trauma with Brad Hambrick
In this episode of the Holy and Healthy Podcast, Janetta Oni and Dr.Brad Hambrick discuss the critical issues of burnout, mental health, and the importance of friendships in ministry. They explore the nuances of mental health conversations, recognizing when to seek counseling, and the impact of trauma. Dr. Hambrick provides insights on how to support friends dealing with trauma and the necessary steps to take when reporting abuse. The conversation emphasizes the need for meaningful friendships and the importance of maintaining those connections in a ministry context.Show Notes Transformative Friendships: 7 Questions...
2025-02-11
35 min
Access Top-Rated Full Audiobooks in Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal by Brad Hambrick
Please visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/813436to listen full audiobooks. Title: Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal Series: Part of Ask the Christian Counselor Author: Brad Hambrick Narrator: Scott Wiebe Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 4 hours 7 minutes Release date: August 29, 2024 Genres: Christianity Publisher's Summary: Counselor Brad Hambrick provides a guided process to being honest with God about your pain to restore and deepen your relationship with him. No one gets mad at God for something small. When we’re angry with God, it is because we’ve faced something immensely hard. Anger is an often-overlooked part of grievi...
2024-08-29
4h 07
Access Top-Rated Full Audiobooks in Religion & Spirituality, Christianity
Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal by Brad Hambrick
Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/813436 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal Series: Part of Ask the Christian Counselor Author: Brad Hambrick Narrator: Scott Wiebe Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 4 hours 7 minutes Release date: August 29, 2024 Genres: Christianity Publisher's Summary: Counselor Brad Hambrick provides a guided process to being honest with God about your pain to restore and deepen your relationship with him. No one gets mad at God for something small. When we’re angry with God, it is because we’ve faced something immensely hard. Anger is an often-overlooked part of gri...
2024-08-29
05 min
The Bounce with Bob Lepine
Mobilizing Church-Based Counseling with Brad Hambrick
In this insightful episode of "The Bounce," host Bob Lepine, lead pastor at Redeemer Community Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, dives deep into the intricacies of setting up effective counseling programs in churches. Joined by Brad Hambrick, pastor of counseling at The Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and assistant professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, this conversation sheds light on the practical steps and challenges involved in addressing specialized discipleship needs within congregations.Brad shares his wealth of experience and knowledge on developing church-based counseling initiatives, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between discipleship...
2024-06-11
54 min
Hope + Help Podcast
Hope + Help for Deeper Friendships with Brad Hambrick
In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, host Christine Chappell interviews Brad Hambrick about his book, Transformative Friendships: 7 Questions to Deepen Any Relationship. Some of the questions addressed in this interview are: • What makes a biblical view on friendship distinct from popular understanding? • What are some reasons we might struggle to enjoy or pursue meaningful relationships, even within the body of Christ? • What kinds of questions can we ask ourselves as we seek to nourish friendships with wisdom and intentionality? • How can we best enjoy our friendships, whatever depth they may be at? • How might exploring "what's fun" together in friends...
2024-03-11
38 min
15:14 - Biblical Counseling Coalition
Brad Hambrick
BCC Council Member Brad Hambrick joins us as our guest today on 15:14. Brad serves as the Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and has authored several books, including Mobilizing Church-Based Counseling: Models for Sustainable Church-Based Care, God’s Attributes: Rest for Life’s Struggles, and served as general editor for the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused (churchcares.com) project. Brad is the creator of G4, a group-based counseling model designed to be led by lay people in the c...
2023-11-04
37 min
Straight to the Heart
Helping Hurting People with Brad Hambrick
Brad Hambrick and Rush talk about an exciting season of launching kids into the world, and hopefully into college baseball. And they also talk about counseling, the art and ministry of walking with people through hardship, and the beauty and freedom of real friends to whom we can entrust even our secrets. BRAD HAMBRICK ONLINE Brad's Website - Facebook - Twitter - InstagramMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEAngry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal Mobilizing Church-Based Counseling: Models for Sustainable Church-Based CareLearn more about the podcast h...
2023-07-26
36 min
Author's Corner: Interviews about the Latest Christian Books
Angry with God, by Brad Hambrick
Today, Roberta talks to Brad Hambrick about his new book Angry with God: an Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal, available from New Growth Press.Counselor Brad Hambrick provides a guided process to being honest with God about your pain to restore and deepen your relationship with him.No one gets mad at God for something small. When we’re angry with God, it is because we’ve faced something immensely hard. Anger is an often-overlooked part of grieving, and as such, is an appropriate response to profoundly painful events. While we are often prone to i...
2023-07-21
15 min
Hope + Help Podcast
Hope + Help for Angry Grief with Brad Hambrick
In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, host Christine Chappell interviews Brad Hambrick about his book, Angry with God: An Honest Journey through Suffering and Betrayal. Some of the questions addressed in this interview are: • How is "angry grief" different than selfish anger? • Why might anger be a commonly misunderstood or overlooked part of the Christian’s grieving process? • What does it mean to be angry with God instead of at him? • How can it be helpful to approach our angry grief as “a life-shaping (but not necessarily life-defining) experience and a difficult journey”? • How does Psalm 44 apply to the pain and con...
2023-05-22
40 min
The Christian Podcast Community
Angry with God with Brad Hambrick
This week we welcome Brad Hambrick about his book, Angry with God: An Honest Journey Through Suffering and Betrayal. Support Theology Gals monthly through Patreon Support Theology Gals with a one time donation through PayPal Theology Gals merch Theology Gals Journals Resources: Angry with God: An Honest Journey Through Suffering and Betrayal by Brad Hambrick Brad’s website Women can join Theology Gals Facebook Group Theology Gals-Ladies Theology Discussion and Encouragement Follow Theology Gals: On Facebook...
2023-04-19
52 min
Theology Gals
Angry with God with Brad Hambrick
This week we welcome Brad Hambrick about his book, Angry with God: An Honest Journey Through Suffering and Betrayal. Support Theology Gals monthly through Patreon Support Theology Gals with a one time donation through PayPal Theology Gals merch Theology Gals Journals Resources: Angry with God: An Honest Journey Through Suffering and Betrayal by Brad Hambrick Brad’s website Women can join Theology Gals Facebook Group Theology Gals-Ladies Theology Discussion and Encouragement Follow Theology Gals: On Facebook...
2023-04-19
52 min
This vs. That
Manipulation vs. Influence - Brad Hambrick
In this episode of This vs. That, we talk to Brad Hambrick about the important topic of manipulation versus influence. Brad serves as Pastor of Counseling at the Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. He also serves as assistant professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He's a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition and has authored several books, including his most recent book, Angry with God: An Honest Journey Through Suffering and Betrayal. Brad emphasizes the importance of recognizing our own tendencies towards manipulation and control, even in our closest relationships, and to...
2023-04-19
51 min
Bold, Brave & Beautiful Podcast with Barb Roose
Are You Angry with God? | Interview with Brad Hambrick
When suffering, hurt and betrayal turns our world upside down, our emotions can easily turn from grief to anger. Why did this have to happen? Will things ever go back to the way they were before? This isn't fair. In moments of deep pain it can be tempting to feel angry at God, but today's special guest, Brad Hambrick, teaches us what it looks like to be angry WITH God instead. To grieve with him as a friend and not an adversary. Join us for this gentle, gracious, healing conversation about how we can invite G...
2023-04-17
40 min
FaithTalk Today with Rick Probst
03/07/2023-Rick and Dan_Ps. Brad Hambrick_Rev. Timothy Brindle.
What a great show today with these two Rockstars! We have talk to Ps. Brad Hambrick a few times over the last year. Brad is the Counseling Pastor At Summit Church In Raleigh North Carolina. His new book is Angry with God. Brad thanks for helping ALL of us walk through this journey with your insightful book!! Then Rev. Timothy Brindle came on the show with us. his fourth book for children is out The ACROSTIC of Scripture. Not only did Rev. Brindle explain how and why he wrote the book, he talked about his own journey...
2023-03-07
36 min
Counsel for Life
Angry with God, featuring Brad Hambrick
In this episode we talk with Brad Hambrick, author of a brand new book called Angry with God. In this discussion we talk about anger that expresses grief at the injustice of the fallen world we live in. Brad shares helpful wisdom about how to walk through this kind of struggle. To learn more about Angry with God, click HERE. To learn more about Brad's ministry, click HERE.Click HERE to become a friend of the podcast by subscribing!Subscribers receive a bonus episode each month with exclusive content not featured elsewhere on the podcast...
2022-10-05
37 min
Counsel for Life
Betrayal in Marriage (Pt. 2), Featuring Brad Hambrick
This is the second part of a two-part series with Brad Hambrick. In this episode he will introduce us to his workbook called, "False Love: Overcoming Sexual Sin from Pornography to Adultery." Brad shares with us the tools in this workbook to help a person discover the roots of their sin and come toward the Lord in repentance and growth. Click HERE to learn more about Brad's workbook and accompanying resources.Click HERE to become a friend of the podcast by subscribing!Subscribers receive a bonus episode each month with exclusive content not featured elsewhere...
2022-09-28
41 min
Counsel for Life
Betrayal in Marriage (Pt. 1), Featuring Brad Hambrick
This episode features Brad Hambrick, who will introduce us to "True Betrayal: Overcoming the Betrayal of Your Spouse's Sexual Sin." This is a workbook he created to walk a person through nine steps in healing, and Brad will talk with us about how the workbook can be used in ministry settings and with individuals. Whether you have experienced betrayal or know someone who has, you will be encouraged by Brad's wisdom and pastoral care. Click HERE to learn more about the workbook and accompanying resources. Click HERE to become a friend of the podcast by subscribing!
2022-09-21
36 min
15:14 - Biblical Counseling Coalition
Getting to Know Brad Hambrick
Brad Hambrick joins us for this episode of 15:14 to share about his upbringing, testimony of faith, journey to biblical counseling, and valuable lessons he’s learned from ministry. Brad serves as the Pastor of Counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, NC. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Biblical Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, has authored several books including God’s Attributes: Rest for Life’s Struggles, and served as general editor for the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused (churchcares.com) project. Support 15:14 – A Podcast...
2022-06-18
38 min
Investors Gallery
Investors Gallery with Brad Blazer
This week The $2 Billion Dollar Guy Brad Blazer joined the call to go over raising capital and his experiences.Investors Gallery is a live call open to the public where Investors, Fund Managers, Experts and more come to talk about their industries, investments, and opportunities. Investors Gallery is recorded and filmed in the Art Gallery built in the home of the Principle of Dimensional Capital Partners Pressley Hambrick's home. This medium was created to allow the public to have first hand access to high level investors and professionals. Through this live zoom conference anyone can...
2022-06-18
54 min
Understand Your Bible | Bible Verses, Inductive Bible Study, Biblical Encouragement, Bible Study Method, Scripture Study Tools
Forgiveness Road with Brad Hambrick
Brad Hambrick offers encouragement on taking steps towards living in the freedom of forgiveness.https://livesteadyon.com/Email Angie at: steadyonpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: @livesteadyonInstagram: @angiebaughman421Grab freebies and subscribe to the weekly Steady On newsletter at: https://livesteadyon.com/live-steady-on-newsletter/Looking for something not listed? It’s probably here: https://linktr.ee/livesteadyonhttp://bradhambrick.com/Brad’s book, “Making Sense of Forgiveness: Moving from Hurt to Hope” is available wherever books are sold.Brad mentioned:Chronicles of Narnia by CS LewisThe...
2022-05-11
35 min
Counsel for Life
Making Sense of Forgiveness: Interview with Brad Hambrick
In this episode we talk with Brad Hambrick about his newest book, Making Sense of Forgiveness. Brad shares some common misconceptions about forgiveness, as well as what to do when we struggle to forgive. He also gives us some helpful wisdom about how we should think about boundaries with others who have harmed us. Follow Brad Hambrick:http://bradhambrick.comFollow us:https://counselforlifepodcast.comhttps://elizahuie.comhttps://bethmariebroom.comBecome a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited to quarterly zoom calls...
2022-04-06
26 min
Hope + Help Podcast
Hope + Help for Forgiveness with Brad Hambrick
In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, host Christine Chappell interviews Brad Hambrick about his book, Making Sense of Forgiveness: Moving from Hurt Toward Hope. Some of the questions addressed in this interview are: • Why is forgiveness one of the subjects where Christians are most prone to rush one another? • What does—and doesn't—it mean to extend forgiveness to someone? • In what ways might we be tempted to leverage an offense against someone who has asked for our forgiveness? • Is God's forgiveness for us in Christ unconditional? • What are four principals that can help us think wisely about the role that b...
2021-12-20
44 min
Speak The Truth
EP. 85 Gospel For Real Life Series: Burnout W/Pastor of Counseling Brad Hambrick
In this episode, hosts, Mike, Shauna, and Jeremy discuss with special guest, Pastor of Counseling, Brad Hambrick of The Summit Church in Durham, NC the reality of "Burnout" - resting in God's fairness. Brad argues burnout is actually a consequence of our life management, and he shows us how to create a time budget to avoid living beyond our means with the time God has provided. What is Burnout?What Causes Burnout?You mention motives in burnout…can you speak to that? -pride, fear & approval of manYou suggest doing a time budget…can you share more about that?What a...
2021-04-05
18 min
Lake Murray BC Podcast
Episode 28 | Dr. Brad Hambrick
Dr. Brad Hambrick is an assistant professor of counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the pastor of counseling at the Summit Church in Durham, NC. In this episode, David and Dr. Hambrick discuss learning to process unpleasant emotions such as fear, anxiety, and loneliness, in a biblically faithful and practically helpful way. To support this podcast and all of the other ministries of Lake Murray Baptist Church, click here: http://lakemurraybc.org/give
2020-07-23
30 min
5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten
5LQ Episode 349: On Sexual Abuse With Brad Hambrick
In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast, Todd Adkins and Daniel Im are joined by Brad Hambrick, pastor of counseling at Summit Church. During their conversation, they discuss the following questions: How is the church's response to abuse ultimately rooted in the gospel? Why are both preventative training and response planning necessary for churches when it comes to abuse? What are some of the best examples of practical ways you've seen churches minister to those who have become victims of abuse? How do you provide pastoral care to an abuser in your congregation? How can church leaders develop relationships w...
2019-06-11
41 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 9
If the law of God can be summarized in a positive command, then we must end this study talking about how to “run to” God rather than merely how to “run from” sin. Life is not about what we avoid, but what pursue. How we run to God’s design for our life finds a unique expression in each person’s life. For this reason, you will do most of the writing in this chapter. It is your life that is being stewarded for God’s glory. The goal is that you would find things that you could...
2017-10-30
08 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 8
Are you enjoying where you are? Even if you are not “there yet,” can you identify aspects of this part of your journey that make it significantly better than where you’ve been? Unless you can answer “yes” to this question and take delight in that answer, perseverance will be grueling.Striving without delighting is exhausting.One of the keys to persevering, especially with a struggle as recurrent as food-related struggles (with which we have daily interaction) is the ability to enjoy an imperfect, in-process life. God does not just delight in you at the cul...
2017-10-30
11 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 7
As you reach this chapter the momentum of change has probably already fluctuated several times. Getting started was hard. It felt like an uphill battle. Old patterns of life didn’t want to let go of you and you didn’t want to admit they had a hold on you. Changing your eating patterns can feel like betraying a friend; breakups are never easy even when they’re good and needed.But honesty with self, others, and God has a great way of building momentum. You began to let go of the weights of sin that clung...
2017-10-30
13 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 6
This is probably the chapter you were looking for when you started this study. Thank you for your patience and perseverance in getting to this point. The foundation you’ve laid will help to ensure that your current efforts towards establishing a healthy relationship with food do not meet the same fate as previous well-intended efforts.You’ve probably known that in order to be a better steward of your body you needed more than food facts and an exercise plan. You needed to understand how you were misusing food for purposes food could never fulfill. You...
2017-10-30
32 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 5
You will only be as free as you are honest. Privacy kills change and fuels sin. Transparency kills sin and fuels change. Chances are this step may scare you as much as any step you have taken since the first one. But remember it is not nearly as scary to move forward as it is dangerous to go backward. Don’t allow fear to make you forgetful.When you are tempted to think, “This is not worth it. Too much is being asked of me. Why do I need to confess my struggle to others?” remind yourse...
2017-10-30
18 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 4
Should we really say, “God I am sorry my food portions were not ideal (either too large or too small)?” After all, haven’t we established that God does not have an ideal body type? Doesn’t the idea of repenting for a bad relationship with food wreak of legalism? Aren’t we getting dangerously close to holding ourselves to the standard of some fictitious “heavenly meal plan”?These questions push us to ask, “For what are you repenting?” As we will see, the most important part of repentance is never the behavior that made repentance necessary. When we...
2017-10-30
13 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 3
If only we could say that we eat because we’re hungry, and we stop when our hunger is satiated. But does anyone really eat that way? We eat for comfort. We abstain because of fear. We eat to socialize. We abstain to be liked. We eat to be entertained. We abstain to punish ourselves. With the briefest of reflections, we quickly realize we have a very complex and elaborate relationship with food. This complex relationship with food starts very young; actually, from infancy. Food is used to get a child to stop crying. Food is us...
2017-10-30
18 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 2
Thank you for continuing on this journey. It takes courage to persevere in something that is difficult. You are to be commended for completing step one and beginning step two. In this step we will examine breadth and impact of our unhealthy relationship with food. In step one, we named our struggle, now we will examine it.It may be strange to realize that we all learned to start using food as both a self-soothing and punitive instrument as infants. Food is a primary tool in every parent’s motivational and disciplinary strategy. “The baby is cryi...
2017-10-30
25 min
G4 Addiction
Gaining a Healthy Relationship with Food - Step 1
What is your goal for this study? We’ll discuss several self-defeating goals a bit later in this study, but for now let’s consider what a good, sustainable goal would be for this study:To develop and sustain a satisfying lifestyleThat seeks to honor God by being a good steward of the particular body He gave youBy relating to food in a healthy wayAnd recognizing that God gave us food to be enjoyable fuel“We need a new relationship with food altogether, seeing it as an aspect of life but not the re...
2017-10-30
27 min
Brad Hambrick
Dealing with Regret
Regret always begins as an opportunity; hence the disappointment. There was something we wanted to be an enduring part of our life that disappeared, was forfeited, or was lost. Regret is never just a moment, but a painful and pivotal change in our life story.When we neglect mourning the hope that birthed our regret or focus exclusively on the moment in which regret began there are two negative consequences: (a) whatever guidance we receive feels light-weight and cliché, and (b) we miss most of what God has been, is, and wants to do.
2017-10-30
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Towards a Christian Perspective on Mental Illness
The panelist in this podcast are:Chris Ball, M.A.Executive Director at Bridgehaven’s Downtown Raleigh OfficeChris majored in Psychology and Religious Studies at UNC-Charlotte, before moving to the Raleigh area to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling.Chris gained experience counseling in the addiction field for three years before transitioning to Bridgehaven. He specializes in counseling those struggling with addictions (alcohol and other drug usage, family/sp...
2017-10-30
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Towards a Christian Perspective on Mental Illness
This is a difficult subject to address, because of its complexity and highly personal nature. Everyone is affected by mental illness; either personally or someone they love. People you care about have experienced depression, ADD, addiction, bipolar, or other mental health struggle. For you the phrase “mental illness” may be a safe haven of explanation, a label that carries stigma, or a mystery that is hard to understand.This is why mental illness is a subject that must be discussed in the church; otherwise, our silence hurts people by leaving them to struggle in isolation. How does...
2017-10-30
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Burnout
Burnout is never caused by a single area of life. Burn out is a function of our total life management. One area of life cannot get out of order without overt choices of neglect being made other areas of life. This means that if we managed the others areas of our life well, it would have contained the area (i.e., work, ministry, parenting, etc…) that was the primary cause of burnout. We must resist the temptation to blame life, or even one area of our life management, for the experience of burnout. Burnout is a result of how we...
2017-10-30
00 min
Brad Hambrick
10 Keys to Ensure Caring Is Helping
When we care for one another wisely three things should happen: (a) the person being cared for should be blessed, (b) the love of Christ should become more tangible, and (c) our faith should grow.Sometimes our attempts of caring can be done unwisely, resulting in unintended consequences: (a) the person being cared for is enabled, (b) the love of Christ is misrepresented, and (c) the care-giver becomes exhausted.A PDF of the one-page notes for this presentation is available here: 10 Keys to Ensure Caring Is HelpingOn this page...
2017-10-30
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Summit Counseling Ministry — Vision, Challenges, & Pieces
The following presentation was given at the EQUIP Leadership Forum of the Summit Church (Durham, NC). The purpose of this talk was the present the exciting opportunities and unique challenges involved with trying to offer a comprehensive counseling ministry. This talk is divided into three sections:The Unique Opportunities and Challenges of Summit’s Counseling MinistryHow the Pieces of the Summit’s Counseling Ministry Are Designed to Fuel One AnotherWhat This All Means for Individual Ministries within the Summit’s Counseling Ministry See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inform...
2017-08-02
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Hope & Restoration After Sexual Abuse - Part 3
The Search for Restoration See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-08-02
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Hope & Restoration After Sexual Abuse - Part 2
The Search for Peace See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-08-02
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Hope & Restoration After Sexual Abuse - Part 1
Understanding the Disruption See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-08-02
00 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 9
It would be easy to want this study, like this season of your life, to just be over. But this study, like your life, has least one more chapter (and several appendices) left. When you put a great deal of effort, as you undoubtedly have, into getting past something, it can be easy to forget that there is something next. The fact that God has brought you to this point should be evidence enough that He has more in store for you and more to do through you. In Step 9 you will be doing most of...
2017-08-02
09 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 8
At this stage in the journey it can feel like scary relief not to be actively dealing with a problem or to be constantly taming powerful emotions. After a season being perpetually “on” guard, “on” the lookout, and having to be “on” top of things, it can be unsettling to be able to be “off.” That is what you should begin to experience more and more of in this step; becoming comfortable getting to be “off” again. Until we are comfortable being “off” duty, we are living in the hyper-vigilant effects of our spouse’s sin. Hyper-vigilance is a commo...
2017-08-02
11 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 7
To this point we have emphasized knowing facts, understanding impact, and processing well over “doing.” A spouse’s sexual sin creates a context of grief and trauma. These affects are often overlooked in the name of “figuring out what to do.” When this happens the offended spouse is left feeling like no one “gets it” and as if all actions are only Band-Aid fixes, moral manipulation, or shifting responsibility. Hopefully the road we have traveled has alleviated the fear of this step.But in this step, we will begin to focus upon responding. Grieving losses and processing tra...
2017-08-02
24 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 6
There is another step to take in your personal recovery before your focus shifts primarily towards the possibility of marital restoration (if desired and possible). By this point, the line between personal and marital restoration may feel blurred as one leads more naturally to the other. As you read this chapter, it is important to emphasize again that you are not looking for the “explanation of” or “way to make sense of” your spouse’s sin. Sin is illogical. Trying to make sense of it will keep you locked in pain and confusion. What you are seeking in...
2017-08-02
26 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 5
Unpacking your suffering story was painful and exhausting. The temptation is now to want to whatever is “next” just to get you away from the pain. God is more gracious than to drive you that hard and that fast. God wants to care for you as a person and that involves knowing when you need rest and comfort more than “progress.” This is one of those times. Mourning is how we find rest in the midst of something painful and sad without living in denial or surrendering to cynicism. Having identified the destructive themes of your sufferin...
2017-08-02
10 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 4
Medical professionals who work in the area of chronic pain often differentiate between pain and suffering. Pain is the physical experience (i.e., a pinched nerve) that travels from nerve to nerve and registers in the brain. Pain can be treated medically. Suffering, however, is the sense of hopelessness or despair that attaches to pain. It does not travel via nerve endings, but is part of our immaterial mind (not our physical brain). Hence there is no medical treatment for suffering. That is a work done in the soul not the body.As we look at...
2017-08-02
18 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 3
It is one thing to experience the impact of your suffering; it is another thing to understand the impact of your suffering. You have been experiencing the impact full force since the revelation of your spouse’s sexual sin and (likely) even before discovery you were wrestling to make sense of its impact without the central piece to the puzzle. In this chapter, we will begin to understand the connection between what happened and the changes in your life, emotions, and relationships.In this chapter we will look at three subjects. Factors th...
2017-08-02
27 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 2
Chances are your imagination has been running wild. When we don’t know the facts about a bad situation, we have a tendency to fill in the blank with the worst possible details. More painful still, our imaginations have the capacity to create more possibilities than could have really happened, but because we don’t know the truth we emotionally react as if every hypothetical were the reality.During this time of “acknowledging the specific history and realness of your suffering,” you will likely begin making sense of things that have seemed out of place for a long t...
2017-08-02
22 min
G4 Addiction
True Betrayal - Step 1
You were not ready for this… and you should not have to be. Being ready would have meant living in fear, resentment, or numbed denial. Being caught off guard and overwhelmed is the best possible and healthiest response to sexual sin by your spouse. That doesn’t lessen your pain but it should help alleviate some of the sense of shame and failure you may feel.In these early stages, you do not know if you know the whole truth and you don’t know how to discern when you will have learned everything you need to lea...
2017-08-02
48 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 9
If the law of God can be summarized in a positive command, then we must end this study talking about how to “run to” God rather than merely how to “run from” sin. Life is not about what we avoid, but what we pursue. How we run to God’s design for our life finds a unique expression in each person’s life. For this reason, you will do most of the writing in this chapter. It is your life that is being stewarded for God’s glory. The goal is that you would find things that you could...
2017-08-01
08 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 8
Take a deep breath. You’re probably thinking, “I’m ready to be done with this study.” If you’re at Step 8, you have come a long way. You have made many sacrifices and opened your life to many more people than you ever thought you would. Hopefully, you are experiencing the restorative forgiveness of God in ways that are incredibly refreshing. Let me ask you this question, “What does it look like to continue to follow God from here?” Chances are that you’ve put so much energy into getting “here” that it is not entirely clear how t...
2017-08-01
11 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 7
As you reach this step the momentum of change has probably already fluctuated several times. Getting started was hard. It felt like an uphill battle. Sin didn’t want to let go of you and you didn’t want to admit it had a hold on you. Honesty with self, others, and God has a great way of building momentum. You began to let go of the weights of sin that clung to you and run free from secrets (Heb. 12:1). That phase is almost always exciting and you can almost feel guilty about the amount of relief it brings (espe...
2017-08-01
09 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 6
To this point you have admitted, acknowledged, understood, repented, and confessed. Each of the previous steps are vital parts of the change process, but are incomplete to create a lifestyle where purity and honor are defining marks of your life and relationships. Each of the steps to this point have been about “putting off” sin (Eph 4:22) or changing how you think about your sin (Eph. 4:23) more than “putting on” God’s character (Eph. 4:24). Lasting change replaces what it rids and builds something new in the place of what it tears down. That will be the focal point for the rest of th...
2017-08-01
32 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 5
When we looked at the development of sexual sin in Step 1, we said a major threshold was crossed when sexual sin goes public (moving from images or conversations with anonymous people to arousing interaction with a real, known person). The same is true in the destruction of sexual sin; a major threshold is crossed as sexual integrity goes public (moving from private dialogue with God to public confession with real, known people).If you have made it through the first four steps with integrity then change has happened, but it is starting in Step 5 that you...
2017-08-01
19 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 4
You probably feel like your soul has been laid bare in the first three steps. You have looked at yourself, your behaviors, and your life as a whole in ways that you have likely resisted doing for a long time. In this chapter you are going to bring that honest self-awareness before God. You are not bringing Him something (by way of information) that He needs in order to act. You are placing yourself in a position to receive what He has already done on your behalf. If you presume upon God’s forgiveness (i.e., “God...
2017-08-01
14 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 3
Why? Why? Why?! This is a vexing question. As soon as you say “because…” you run the risk of blame-shifting and we’ve already spoken to the dangers of this. But in the absence of a “because…” it sounds like you should just be able to “Stop it!” and if that were the case you wouldn’t be reading these materials.Part of this confusion begins with how we commonly view people. It is popular to think of ourselves as basically good people who apart from outside interference would not do bad things; act selfishly, betray, sacrifice more import...
2017-08-01
24 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 2
The last chapter was painful. Looking at “what” types of sexual win you struggle with is hard. This chapter will likely be equally uncomfortable as you examine the “extent” of those sins. Unless you acknowledge the breadth and impact of your sexual sin, your efforts at change will be limited to the most overt and recent sins. Omitting this step also results in rooting your efforts at change in the powerful emotions you feel (shame in a “bad” moment; relief or pride in a “good” moment) rather than the reality of your history. Neither sincerity nor shame will susta...
2017-08-01
16 min
G4 Addiction
False Love - Step 1
This is miserable. Whether you are picking up this material for yourself or to help a friend, you’ve probably tried to avoid this subject for a while. Although unpleasant, this material is vital. It is vital for you personally if you are caught in sexual sin, because you will never know lasting peace and joy while the leach of lust drains your life. It is vital for you as a friend, because sexual sin is reaching epidemic proportions in our culture and must be addressed if we are going to do “relevant” ministry."If you pr...
2017-08-01
43 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 9
In Step 6 we discussed the difference between running from sinful anger and running to the life God desires for us. This final chapter is devoted to the subject of “running to” God’s design. You will do most of the writing in this chapter. It is your life that is being stewarded for God’s glory. The goal is that you would find things that you could give yourself to more passionately than you once gave yourself to your anger. But not just temporal, slightly healthier things that would quickly become the next edition of ruling de...
2017-08-01
06 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 8
Are you enjoying where you are? Even if you are not “there yet,” can you identify aspects of this part of your journey that make it significantly better than where you’ve been? Unless you can answer “yes” to this question and take delight in that answer, perseverance will be grueling. Striving without delighting is exhausting.One of the keys to persevering, especially with a struggle as recurrent as anger, is the ability to enjoy an imperfect, in-process life. God does not just delight in you at the culmination of your sanctification. God delights in you right now...
2017-08-01
09 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 7
We are now squarely in the present tense. Admitting, acknowledging, understanding, repenting, and confessing were all focused on things we had done or experienced (past tense). Restructuring life was all about what we intend to do (future tense). In the first six steps we were protected from dynamic things like the pressures and nuances of daily life. To this point, we have scripted and rehearsed our social interactions but now we are leaving the scripts behind.In order to engage with implementation effectively, we must have our perspective on temptation transformed. There is a tendency to...
2017-08-01
23 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 6
As we get to the most “practical” part of the study, hopefully you are at a better place spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and in terms of self-understanding than you have ever been before (or at least in a long time). This foundation allows you to enact the plans you are about to make in a way you could not when you felt distant from God, isolated from people, emotionally frazzled, and your self-understanding was filled with lies and distortions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2017-08-01
24 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 5
If we became active in Step 4, then we are going public in Step 5. Confession that is less public than the sin which prompted its necessity promotes short-lived change. Confession is when our new allegiance (from self to God) becomes public. Confession is to sanctification what baptism is to salvation – public evidence that a change has occurred and is impacting the core of our identity and how we relate to the world.Confession is often hard for someone who struggles with anger. Anger is about being strong. Confession feels weak and vulnerable. Anger is bold and in co...
2017-08-01
12 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 4
This material is not another trip around the “try harder” merry-go-round!It is at Step 4 that you begin to experience the difference. Hopefully, you have a more complete understanding of your struggle with anger than you’ve ever had before. You probably have more ongoing Christian support than you’ve had in previous attempts to control your anger. But understanding, the absence of blame-shifting, community, and direction are not the source of change. God is.Change doesn’t involve white knuckles; it requires the empty hands and bent knees of humble repentance.In o...
2017-08-01
16 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 3
It is unfortunate that this step will likely not be as satisfying as we would like. We often fall into the trap of thinking that if we understand the “why” better, then the “what” will be easy, or at least easier. There are at least two realities that disrupt this seemingly sound logic.First, sin is not rational, so it refuses to play by our rules of logic. Sin is not a simple behavior that plays by single-variable motivations. Rather sin is a condition and a predator. Sin has its roots in our fallen human nature. Sin is a...
2017-08-01
26 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 2
It is hard to admit how “off” we get when we are angry. One reason is because we often get angry for right reasons or legitimate causes. We must start Step 2 by admitting that a legitimate trigger is only the first test of righteous anger.Below are seven test questions for righteous anger taken from David Powlison’s article (bold text only) “Anger Part 1: Understanding Anger” from The Journal of Biblical Counseling (Fall 1995). The journaling tool provided in Step 3 will include these seven tests, but only use the words in parenthesis to reference each test. Your goal here...
2017-08-01
23 min
G4 Emotions
Overcoming Anger - Step 1
Do you hear yourself in any of these statements? I’m not angry! I’m just frustrated!But if you don’t stop asking “what’s wrong” I may get angry.Why can’t I have a bad day without it being a big deal?Your family was just perfect and didn’t do conflict, so that’s why you’re so sensitive.You knew I was this way when you married me. Am I not good enough for you anymore?So you’re saying I’m just a lazy idiot and you’re life would be better off without me.[S...
2017-08-01
25 min
G4 Emotions
Taking the Journey of Grief - Step 9
At the end of chapter 8 we began to discuss the question, “What am I living for?” That is an essential question in our grief journey. Unless we answer it, our past will remain brighter than our future, and we will be set up for despair. With a question like this, however, you will be doing most of the writing in this chapter. The goal is that you would find things that you could engage as passionately as you engaged your loved one. This is not a form of replacement, but a necessity of enjoying life. Being...
2017-08-01
11 min
G4 Emotions
Taking the Journey of Grief - Step 8
New and normal are words that do not belong together. But that is precisely what step eight is all about, establishing a new normal. For most of us, at this stage in our journey, we still do not want a new normal. The residual grief in our heart still longs for the old normal. If this conflict exists within you, do not let it pull you backwards on your journey. It is not hypocritical to pursue a new normal against your heart’s desire when reality insists that you must.Even if you are optimistic about th...
2017-08-01
12 min
G4 Emotions
Taking the Journey of Grief - Step 7
Goals and grief can be hard concepts to mesh. We wish they got along better. We want to be able to say, “I have Saturday open so I plan to get half my grief out by journaling, looking at pictures, having an extended time of candid prayer, crying several times, and then updating my good-bye letter to capture the progress I’ve made during the day.” But thinking of goal setting as a time table or schedule, will become extremely frustrating and ineffective.Also, if we think of goal setting as “overcoming” grief, then we will have a sen...
2017-08-01
20 min
G4 Emotions
Taking the Journey of Grief - Step 6
There are two competing narratives for our grief: God’s and Satan’s. Every experience surrenders to an interpretation. Our interpretation of grief will influence how we understand past, present, and future events. It reinterprets the past when we think things like, “Maybe God is not who I thought he was. Maybe life does not operate the way I thought. If I had [blank] to do over again, I would do it differently.” It reinterprets the future as we apply what we learned (accurately or inaccurately) from our grief experience to make “wise” or “common sense” choices.As we enter in...
2017-08-01
23 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 9
It would be easy to want this study, like this season of your life, to just be over. But this study, like your life, has at least one more chapter (and several appendices) left. When you put a great deal of effort, as you undoubtedly have, into getting past something, it can be easy to forget that there is something next. The fact that God has brought you to this point should be evidence enough that He has more in store for you and more to do through you. In this chapter you will be d...
2017-08-01
03 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 8
New and normal are words that do not belong together. But that is precisely what step eight is all about, establishing a new normal. In steps 2-4, you looked at the things that created an unhealthy normal. In step 5, you grieved that these things were ever “normal” for you. In steps 6-7, you began to piece together a new, healthy normal. Now, in step 8, you will begin to rest in that new normal and allow it to solidify.Unfortunately, prolonged relational dysfunction created a way of life that made it easy for us to wonder if “normal...
2017-08-01
07 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 7
One of the biggest challenges in identifying goals for combatting the effects of codependency is to be active without accepting false guilt or distorting how you allocate responsibility for change again. It is easy to think if there is something I can do that would be more effective than what I have been doing, then if I had been doing it all along everything would be fine. In order to help you avoid this mindset, we will order the strategies for relating more healthily in a progression that builds from intrapersonal strategies (inside of you) to...
2017-08-01
34 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 6
When you experience major relational upheaval, it feels like the rest of life should be put on hold. Yet, so often, when we face addictive or abusive challenges in our relationships, life continues “as normal” because no one else knows what’s going on. This can be both disorienting and offensive. Doesn’t anyone care? Can’t anyone see? We feel hurt, angry, and alone.However, so far this study has primarily been a major deconstruction project; we have broken down your experience and its fallout in many ways (hopefully insightful and helpful). The result is, while you...
2017-08-01
31 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 5
It is likely that we have related codependently, not just with other people, but also with God. This is not meant to call into question our assurance of salvation, but to recognize the likelihood that we have:Served God in order to get leverage over him to do what we think needs to be done.Thrown our emotions at God in prayer more than had a genuine conversation with him.Tried to make God feel bad because we interpret our hardships as if he were being mean or insulting towards us....
2017-08-01
18 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 4
At several points in the study you have probably begun to question God, doubt Him, be angry at Him, or wonder if what you think about Him really makes any difference. We’ve brought many painful experiences to mind. When we look at them, we naturally ask, “Where does ‘the buck’ stop?” It stops with God (or whoever, whatever is in control… if anything is). It has been said that animals divide between herbivores (those eating plants) and carnivores (those eating meat), but that humans are verbivores – we live off of words, or, more accurately, off of the mean...
2017-08-01
17 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 3
After acknowledging the history and realness of our relational unhealthiness, we need to understand the impact of these experiences on our life. Unless we understand the impact, we will be forced to “just try to do better;” which is often what leads us to the dilemma of taking responsibility for things that don’t belong to us and, hence, leads us to be controlling.But the other rebuttal is, “Looking at the impact will only make me feel worse.” This is partially true, and why it is highly recommended you go through this study with a friend, pa...
2017-08-01
27 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 2
There is nothing “fun” or enjoyable about this step. However, it is a good and needed part of the process. But do not allow these first two statements to cause you to think, “Alright then, let’s get it over with as quickly as possible.” That would be a mistake that would likely result in you missing the key information that is most important to glean from this step.Your goal in this step is to identify the unhealthy patterns of relationship that have developed in your life. Often we miss the patterns for the events; a form of...
2017-08-01
20 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Codependency - Step 1
This may be the most confusing seminar topic ever. Is codependency really a thing? After all, no one can agree on a definition (this is true). Besides, the problem isn’t me; it’s the people who are hurting me or are destroying their life with addiction. You’re not going to tell me this is my fault, are you? Wait a minute, no one in my life is an addict and I’m not married, can I be codependent? These are just a few of challenges we will have to navigate on our journey. We will def...
2017-08-01
23 min
Brad Hambrick
Do Ask, Do Tell, Let's Talk - Part 2
On April 12, 2016 The Sam James Institute of The Summit Church hosted a forum built around the subject of my book Do Ask, Do Tell, Let’s Talk: How and Why Christians Should Have Gay Friends. The forum consisted of a presentation that over viewed the content of the book followed by a panel discussion with individuals who either experience same sex attraction or have extensive ministry-counseling experience in the area of same sex attraction. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Do Ask, Do Tell, Let's Talk - Part 1
On April 12, 2016 The Sam James Institute of The Summit Church hosted a forum built around the subject of my book Do Ask, Do Tell, Let’s Talk: How and Why Christians Should Have Gay Friends. The forum consisted of a presentation that over viewed the content of the book followed by a panel discussion with individuals who either experience same sex attraction or have extensive ministry-counseling experience in the area of same sex attraction. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security in Christ - Part 6
Biblical Wisdom refers to the principled pursuit of pleasure, not to fill a void, but to fulfill a calling. Wisdom requires fearing (seeking the approval of) God more than fearing (seeking the approval of) man. The restraint of wisdom does not diminish the intensity of pleasure, but prolongs the time frame in which pleasure can be savored and the freedom of conscience with which pleasure can be remembered. Wisdom cannot be reduced to a set of principles or propositions because it is an expression of God’s character in the midst of relationships. Wisdom is a vi...
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security in Christ - Part 5
Biblical security is a disposition of stability that allows for a patient and an increasingly accurate interpretation of personal performance, interpersonal interactions, and circumstances in the midst of situations that are as yet uncertain, incomplete, challenging, or negative. Biblical security acknowledges that failure, criticism, and personal sin will occur; however, it does not allow the legitimate guilt, disappointment, or embarrassment of these events to create instability or dash hope. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security in Christ - Part 4
Biblical confidence is the demeanor that exhibits a positive expectation that God will enable us to accomplish any good work He has calls for us to do. This demeanor results in an increasingly shorter period of hesitation and level of anxiety when attempting a task; and a greater degree of peace and fulfillment while planning, carrying out, and evaluating a task. After the task is complete, biblical confidence reduces the degree of pressure to repeat or exceed the accomplishment and the temptation to pride.This chapter focuses on how to develop this demeanor in a Christ-centered...
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security in Christ - Part 3
Biblical Purpose is an over-arching objective in life that brings cohesion and direction to the apparent disconnectedness of life. Purpose is what allows an individual to measure progress and have a sense of accomplishment. Purpose defines why you do things (i.e., big picture), more than what you do (i.e., little tasks).We must realize the same action can stem from multiple purposes. For example, how many different purposes are there for why a young boy would help an old lady across the street? A short list includes: sincere compassion; to earn a Boy Scott...
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security in Christ - Part 2
Biblical Identity refers to the defining ideas, labels, and relational roles which make our actions or emotions seem right and natural. Identity, when healthy, remains constant even when circumstances and peer groups change. Identity should remain stable when no one is looking, everyone is looking, when you are with the love of your life, or an ardent enemy.Identity is one of the defining marks of human motivation. We act out of who we think we are. Identity is one of the primary ways that the heart expresses what it loves most. Identity is a primary...
2017-08-01
00 min
Brad Hambrick
Finding Your Confidence, Identity, & Security In Christ - Part 1
Is self-esteem a goal (something to be obtained) or a method (means of obtaining something)?In order to answer this question well, we will have to define our terms. Often there is confusion in these kinds of conversations because people use the same word to mean many different things. We can get anything from bottled water to an ice cream sandwich from a “Coke” machine; not to mention that many people refer to Coca-Cola’s rival Pepsi as a “Coke.”We should begin to realize that when a word means everything or anything, it quickly...
2017-08-01
00 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 9
If the law of God can be summarized in a positive command, then we must end this study talking about how to “run to” God rather than merely how to “run from” sin. Life is not about what we avoid, but what we pursue. How we run to God’s design for our life finds a unique expression in each person’s life. For this reason, you will do most of the writing in this chapter. It is your life that is being stewarded for God’s glory. The goal is that you would find things that you...
2017-08-01
07 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 8
Are you enjoying where you are? Even if you are not “there yet,” can you identify aspects of this part of your journey that make it significantly better than where you’ve been? Unless you can answer “yes” to this question and take delight in that answer, perseverance will be grueling.Striving without delighting is exhausting.One of the keys to persevering, especially with a struggle as recurrent as an addiction, is the ability to enjoy an imperfect, in-process life. God does not just delight in you at the culmination of your sanctification. God deligh...
2017-08-01
08 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 7
As you reach this chapter, the momentum of change has probably already fluctuated several times. Getting started was hard. It felt like an uphill battle. Old patterns of life didn’t want to let go of you and you didn’t want to admit they had a hold on you. Changing your addictive lifestyle can feel like betraying a friend; breakups are never easy even when they’re good and needed.But honesty with self, others, and God has a great way of building momentum. You began to let go of the weights of sin that clung...
2017-08-01
11 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 6
This is probably the chapter you were looking for when you started this study. Thank you for your patience and perseverance in getting to this point. The foundation you’ve laid will help to ensure that your current efforts towards sobriety do not meet the same fate as previous, well-intended efforts.You’ve probably known that living an enjoyable sober life required more than insight and remorse. But you needed to see more clearly how your AoD of choice was being asked to fulfill a bigger role than it ever could and how this dysfunctional relationship with...
2017-08-01
27 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 5
You will only be as free as you are honest. Privacy kills change and fuels sin. Transparency kills sin and fuels change. Chances are this step may scare you as much as any step you have taken since the first one. But remember it is not nearly as scary to move forward as it is dangerous to go backward. Don’t allow fear to make you forgetful.When you are tempted to think, “This is not worth it. Too much is being asked of me. Why do I need to confess my addiction to others?” remind yourse...
2017-08-01
21 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 4
You probably feel like your soul has been laid bare in the first three steps. You have looked at yourself, your behaviors, and your life as a whole in ways that you have probably resisted for a long time. In this chapter you are going to bring that honest self-awareness before God. You are not bringing Him something (by way of information) that He needs in order to act. You are placing yourself in a position to receive what He has already done on your behalf.If you presume upon God’s forgiveness (i.e., “God has...
2017-08-01
16 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 3
It is unfortunate that this step will likely not be as satisfying as we would like. We often fall into the trap of thinking that if we understand the “why” better, then the “what” will be easy, or at least easier. There are at least two realities that disrupt this seemingly sound logic. First, sin is not rational, so it refuses to play by our rules of logic. Sin is not a simple behavior that operates according to single-variable motivations. Rather sin is a condition and a predator. Sin has its roots in our fallen human nature...
2017-08-01
14 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 2
Thank you for continuing on this journey. It takes courage to persevere in something that is difficult. You are to be commended for completing step one and beginning step two. In this step we will examine the breadth and impact of our addictions. In step one, we named our struggle; now we will examine it.As we consider the impact of your struggle, I want to ask you to wrestle with a difficult question. Be as honest and objective as you can. One of the primary goals of this chapter is to help you answer this...
2017-08-01
25 min
G4 Addiction
Overcoming Addiction - Step 1
Thank you for the courage and humility represented in your willingness to engage this material. Doubtless, if alcohol or drugs have disrupted your life and hurt those you love, many people have tried to force you to change and make you admit the problem. That is a hard context in which to explore the possibility of change. That is why it is important for you to know that every decision in this study is yours to make or not make. Like it or not, for better or worse, the direction of your life is in your...
2017-08-01
31 min