Recovering from addiction is a transformative process during which a recovering addict grows tremendously as a person by strengthening their spirit.
Recovery is by no means an easy process and most addicts turn to a higher power when they are ready to face the challenges that lie ahead as they work to find answers to facing the triggers and the emotional roller coaster that can be getting sober.
It is no surprise, then that much recovery literature is based in the bible or borrows biblical ideas in order to bring strength and peace to a recovering addict. Here are a fews ways that recovery literature incorporates biblical quotes and ideas.
Twelve Step Programs and the Bible
One reason that so many pieces of recovery literature include biblical references is that twelve step programs, which many recovering addicts of all kinds turn to when they are in the process of recovering, incorporates faith in a higher power into their core principles. The second step of a twelve step speaks of “Com(ing) to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore our sanity.”
While people from a wide variety of spiritual backgrounds may join a twelve step program, the one thing that they all have in common is a concept of some kind of God. This is because belief in God allows a recovering addict to recognize that with faith they will be able to accomplish tasks that at one point seemed insurmountable. A belief in God also allows a recovering addict to fulfill the wishes set out in the Serenity Prayer:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Religion and Recovery Go Hand In Hand
Popular recovery authors like Edward Welch and Roland J. Coleman incorporate Christianity into their writing because there are so many ways in which the teachings of Christianity so closely match the lessons that are to be learned in recovery. The Bible contains many passages that remind a recovering addict of the importance of faith and understanding that the Lord has a plan for everyone.
There are many lessons in the Bible about getting through troubling times by remaining focused on the thing that will carry anyone through an intense struggle: a relationship with the Lord. The Bible also teaches many lessons about tolerance and not judging oneself or others.
When an addict starts to live a sober life, it is very common for feelings of anger and sadness and regret to surface. These feelings are not productive and can only prolong the process of achieving growth. Being reminded to forgive ourselves and others is a very important lesson in recovery.
Recovery, Faith, and Service
Many articles of recovery literature also focus on the importance of serving others and of keeping love in one’s heart. Service is an important part of recovery for many reasons. It allows a recovering addict to cultivate feelings of gratitude. It can also help a recovering addict to feel better about themselves and to reinforce their belief in their ability to bring about change in themselves.
Service also helps promote fellowship within the recovery community and gives newly recovering addicts a chance to form relationships with other individuals who understand the sober lifestyle and who will likely be a positive force in a newly recovering addict’s life.
Both recovery programs and faith are wonderful ways for a recovering addict to evolve and to become a stronger, happier, and healthier person who is able to stay sober over the course of their entire life.