PRAYER FOR SERENITY
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is;
Not as I would have it; trusting that
You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life;
And supremely happy with you forever in the next. AMEN.
-Reinhold Niebuhr
Accountability Team Phone Numbers
Sponsor: ________________________________________________________
Accountability Partners:
Open Share Groups: These confidential small groups are at the heart of
Celebrate Recovery, and meet following the Large Group Meeting on Thursday
Nights. The Open Share Groups are intended to provide a safe place for sharing,
and do not require the use of any purchased materials. These groups are gender
specific and when possible, issue specific.
essexalliance.org/recovery
10/01/13
DEFINITIONS OF SOBRIETY
And Encouragement for Multiple Areas of Recovery
The Celebrate of Celebrate Recovery
Regardless of what Hurt, Hang-up or Habit brought you to Celebrate
Recovery, we think it is important to celebrate your victories and share
your successes. This not only encourages you to keep moving forward in
your own recovery, but inspires others who are just starting. On a monthly
basis, we will have ceremonies during the Large Group Meeting to
commemorate your milestones.
Food Addiction: Sobriety means I have not overeaten compulsively,
binged/purged, starved myself/over-exercised or engaged in any ritualistic
eating pattern. Rather, I have released control of my food and way of eating to
the control of God and sought to eat in a sane and healthy manner.
The Definitions of Sobriety
Guilt: Sobriety means I have not continued to feel guilt over past sins
that I have already confessed and have made (or am making) amends for.
Abuse Survivor: Sobriety means I have not harbored anger, resentment,
bitterness or unforgiveness for my abusers, nor have I used the actions of
others as a justification for my inappropriate actions or attitudes or
isolating myself from God or others.
Abuser: Sobriety means I have not verbally, physically, sexually or
emotionally abused others or myself.
Grief: Sobriety means I have not stopped working through the grief
process of denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance. I ask for help
when needed.
Sexual Addiction: Sobriety means I have not actively sought out
sexually explicit material in any form, nor have I acted to intentionally
place myself in a position of temptation, but when confronted with
temptation I did not yield but surrendered the incident to the Lord by
praying for His power to resist or flee.
Anger: Sobriety means I have not lashed out at others or harbored ill
will towards others but have taken appropriate steps to forgive others
and resolve conflicts.
Encouraging Scriptures
Chemical Addiction: Sobriety means I have not consumed alcohol or drugs,
except for appropriate use of over-the-counter medications or appropriate
use of medications prescribed by a doctor.
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)
Codependency: Sobriety means I have not actively sought to control
or manipulate others, given unsolicited advice, or based my self-concept
on the well-being or approval of others.
Depression: Sobriety means I have not given in to feelings of
hopelessness, despondence or passivity in response to difficult or
negative situations.
Financial Recovery: Sobriety means I have not used spending as a way to
deal with stress or other negative emotions. I am following a budget and
the standards set forth by Scripture when dealing with my finances. I am
regularly giving with a grateful heart.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test,
that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those
who love him.
(James 1:12, NIV)
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the
schemes of the devil.
(Ephesians 6:11, NASB)
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:13, NLT)