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The First Step To Freedom
“I have seen what they have done, but I will heal them. I will guide them and comfort them and those who felt sad for them. They will all praise me.” – Isaiah 57:18 NCV
From What Do I Need to Recover?
Overworking, Overeating, Alcohol/Drugs, Overspending,
Grief/Guilt, Anger/Rage, Fear/Anxiety, Divorce, Abuse, Sexual addictions, Codependency, Insecurity, Perfectionism, Hypochondria, Hurtful relationships, Gambling, Lying, Procrastination, The need to control
The First Step to R.E.C.O.V.E.R.Y
Realize I’m Not God; I admit I’m powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable.
“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” – Romans 7:15–17 (NLT)
I. THE CAUSE OF MY PROBLEM:
I want to be God. How we “play” God: By denying our humanity and by trying to control everything for selfish reasons.
- Our image
- Other people
- Our problems
- Our pain
II. THE CONSEQUENCES:
- Fear_________
(Adam) “I was afraid because I was naked so I hid.” Genesis 3:10
- Frustration____
“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong … something else deep within me … is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me slave to the sin …” – Romans 7:21,23 (TLB)
“My dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with
frustration.” – Psalms 32:3 (TLB) - Fatigue___
“My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them.” – Psalms 32:4–5 (TLB)
- Failure______
“If you don’t confess your sins, you will be a failure. But God will be merciful if you confess your sins.” – Proverbs 28:13 (NCV)
III. THE CURE:
Admit I am Powerless___Admitting that I’m not God means that I know that I am:
Powerless to change: MY PAST
Powerless to control: OTHER PEOPLE
Powerless to cope: WITH HARMFUL HABITS, BEHAVIORS & ACTIONS
bq.God opposes the proud but gives GRACE to the humble. – James 4:6 NIV
GRACE IS: The Power to Change
Adapted from Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Valley Community Church
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