Joel M Bradshaw

5Blessed are those whose strength is in you…–Psalm 84

I had the absolute honor to teach on Step 4 last night at our local Celebrate Recovery. Doing a fearless moral and spiritual inventory years ago absolutely changed my life and I am grateful for this pivotal ministry.

The main verse for Celebrate Recovery is on the back of every chip and coin. 2 Corinthians 12…

9But [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

We never celebrate the struggle. We don’t celebrate the hurt, habit, or hangup. We celebrate the recovery. We are intentional about submitting to Jesus Christ as our Higher Power and we depend upon his strength to be made perfect in our weakness. Any victory gives Jesus the glory whether it is the most difficult 30-day chip, or the coins celebrating each new year.

Trying to be faithful in your own strength ultimately will never work. Literally every time I have ever said, “I’ve got this!” regarding discipline, I have backslidden.

Do you have a hurt, habit, or hangup? I bet you do. We all struggle in various ways. I encourage you to check out a Celebrate Recovery near you. Working the steps changed my life. Submitting my life to my Higher Power Jesus Christ was essential for my recovery. I journey forth in his strength. He empowers my faithfulness. He expects me to stay obedient to him, but he makes that possible. I remain humbled and grateful.–JMB