Step Two
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Step Two
Grandiose Thinking
Bible Reading: Daniel 4:19-33
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
When we’re caught up in our addiction, it’s common for us to deceive ourselves with grandiose thinking. We may believe that we’re above it all, a god unto ourselves, accountable to no one.
In his day, Nebuchadnezzar, king of ancient Babylon, was the most powerful ruler on earth. He believed himself to be a god and demanded worship as such. God said to him, “The Most High has declared . . . [that] you will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals . . . until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses” (Daniel 4:24-25).
All this happened just as predicted. At the end of the king’s time in exile, he said, “I . . . looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. . . . When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom . . . with even greater honor than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud” (Daniel 4:34, 36-37).
We must remember that we are not God. We’re accountable to a higher Power who can remedy our “madness” and restore our lives to be even better than before our season of insanity.
God is not going to shape our lives until we acknowledge him as God.
Step Two
Healing Faith
Bible Reading: Luke 8:43-48
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Faith is a key to successfully working the second step. For some of us faith comes easily. For others, especially if we have experienced betrayal, it may be more difficult. Sometimes we must exhaust all of our own resources in trying to overcome our addictive “disease” before we will risk believing in a higher Power.
When Jesus was on earth he was renowned for his healing power. Crowds of sick people constantly pressed in on him. One day there was “a woman in the crowd [who] had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.” Jesus realized that someone had deliberately touched him because he felt the healing power go out from him. When the woman confessed that she was the one who had been healed, Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:43-48).
In order to recover we need to follow the example of this woman. We cannot afford to stand back, hoping for a “cure,” and avoid deliberate action because of our lack of faith. We may have lived with our condition for many years, spending our resources on promising “cures” without success. When we can come to believe in a Power greater than ourselves and have the faith to take hold of our own recovery, we will find the healing power we’ve been looking for.
What a difference between knowing about Jesus and reaching out to touch him!
Step Two
Restoration
Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-24
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
In the natural progression of addiction our lives necessarily degenerate. In one way or another, many of us wake up one day to realize that we are living like animals. How this is true depends on the nature of our addiction. Some of us may be living like animals in terms of our physical surroundings. Others of us may be slaves to our animal passions—powerful emotions that dehumanize us.
A young man took an early inheritance and wandered away from home. When the money was spent, the women just a memory, and the “high” long gone, he resorted to slopping pigs to earn a meager living. When he became so hungry that he was eyeing the pig’s slop with envy, he realized he had a problem. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough and to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father. . . .’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him” (Luke 15:17-18, 20).
The fact that we are able to recognize our lives as degenerate or insane proves that there is hope for a better way of life. We are reminded of a time when life was good and we long to have it restored. When we turn in the direction of one who is more powerful, who represents the memory of something better, we will find the Power that can restore us to sanity.
God doesn’t force us to come to him; he simply waits for us to come to our senses.
Step Two
Hope in Faith
Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-10
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step Two is often referred to as “the hope step.” In coming to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity, we must remember what it was like to live sanely, and have the faith to hope that sanity can return.
“What is faith?” the Bible asks. “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1). How can we be confident that something we want is going to happen, especially if all of our hopes have been dashed? How can we risk believing that the life we hope for is waiting for us around the bend?
The Bible tells us that the key is in the nature of the higher Power we look to. We are told, “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). If we see God as one waiting to reward us, we will be more eager to look for him. If our faith has not matured to that point yet, we can ask for help. There was one man who came to Jesus and asked him to help his young son who was afflicted by a demon. He said to Jesus, “‘Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.’ ‘What do you mean, “If I can”?’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’ The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’” (Mark 9:22-24). We can start by asking God to help us to have more faith. Then we can ask him for the courage to hope for a better future.
Faith starts when we believe God is who he is.
Step Two
Internal Bondage
Bible Reading: Mark 5:1-13
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
When we are under the influence of our addiction, it may feel like its hold has supernatural force. We may give up on living, throwing ourselves into self-destructive behaviors with wild abandonment. People also may give up on us. They may divorce themselves from us, as though we were already dead. Whether our “insanity” is self-induced or even if it has a more sinister origin, there is power to restore us to sanity.
Jesus helped a man who was known to be acting insanely. “This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones” (Mark 5:3-5). Jesus went into the graveyard and assessed the situation. He dealt with the forces of darkness that were afflicting him and restored the man to sanity. He then sent him home to his friends and family.
We may be so far gone that we have broken all restraints. We struggle to be free from the control of society and loved ones. Then we discover that our bondage doesn’t come from outside sources. All hope seems lost; but if there is still life there is still hope. God can come into our “burial caves,” too, and restore us to sanity.
Only a Power greater than ourselves can free us from our bondage.
Step Two
Filling the Emptiness
Bible Reading: Luke 8:35-39
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Some of us enter recovery because of the intervention of those who love us. We are confronted and persuaded to break from our addiction. Perhaps, we have received spiritual help and been delivered from demonic influences as well. Intervention can be a very helpful starting place but we cannot afford to stop there.
With the demon-possessed man who lived among the tombs, Jesus came into his territory and confronted him. There is no record that the man was seeking help before this “intervention.” After the encounter, the crowd “saw the man . . . sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane” (Luke 8:35).
Most of us would stop right there, but if we did, we would probably end up in worse shape than before. Jesus explains, “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before” (Luke 11:24-26).
If we are to remain free, we must go beyond just accepting deliverance. It’s not enough to just let Christ clean us up. We must use our season of sobriety to go back and deal with filling up the empty, broken places in our hearts and lives.
Recovery is a beginning of restoration; but to be in recovery, we need to continue what we begin.
Step Two
Finding Support
Bible Reading: Galatians 6:1-5
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For some of us the higher Power we turn to first is the power of something we can see and feel. When we find a group of supportive people, who understand our struggle and care about our recovery, we can turn to them to help us on the road toward restoration.
The apostle Paul wrote about the value of people helping people. He instructed, if someone “is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1). Some versions say, “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (NKJV). In the original biblical language, the word restore means to allow a broken bone to set and heal properly. Paul was calling to mind a picture of people lifting up and carrying a person who had been injured. It implies that they will continue to uphold the suffering person until the injury has had time to heal.
We can’t recover all alone any more than someone with a broken leg can heal properly while walking around without any support. We need support from people who are willing to gently bear us up and walk beside us until we’ve had time to heal.
The verse warns those giving the support that they should remember their own capacity for falling. It is important for us to turn to people who have some understanding of their own brokenness, who will be able to act in a “spirit of gentleness.”
No one is ever independent enough to not need help from others.
Step Two
Coming to Believe
Bible Reading: Romans 1:18-20
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
To say that we “came to believe” in anything describes a process. Belief is the result of consideration, doubt, reasoning, and concluding. Forming beliefs shows the mark of God’s image in our lives. It involves emotion and logic. It leads to action. What’s the process that leads to solid belief, which leads us to change our lives?
We start with our own experience. We see what doesn’t work. Looking at the condition of our lives, we realize that there isn’t enough power in ourselves to restore us to sanity. We try with all our might, but to no avail. When we’re quiet enough to listen, we hear that little voice inside us saying, “There is a God and he’s extremely powerful.” The apostle Paul said it this way: “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them” (Romans 1:19).
After looking at our internal weakness, we then need to look outside ourselves. We need to see that there are others who have struggled with addictions and recovered. We can see that they, too, were unable to heal themselves, yet they are able to live free of the addictive behavior. We conclude that there must be a greater Power that helped them. Since we can see the similarities between their struggle and our own, we come to believe that there must be a Power greater than ourselves that can restore us to sanity also. This is where many people are when they get to Step Two; and it’s a good place to be on the way to recovery.
God has put knowledge about himself inside each of us, but sometimes we can see him best in others.
Step Two
God’s Character
Bible Reading: Romans 1:21-23
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Most of us who have lived with addictions struggle with inner guilt. We may conclude that God is against us, and/or that we are against him. Our fear of rejection, coupled with the fear of having to give up an addiction that helps us cope, can cause us to distance ourselves from God. When this happens, our minds become confused. We concoct a long list of all the things we need to do in order to come to God. This list usually describes our version of what it means to be “good enough.” And in our minds, it often disqualifies us from the hope of having a loving relationship with God.
The apostle Paul once wrote, “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools” (Romans 1:21-22).
If we have negative feelings toward God, we need to look carefully at the reasoning behind our conclusions. We may have concluded that we don’t want, or can’t accept, God. If we examine these conclusions and compare them with what the Bible really says about God, we may be happy to find that God is far more loving and accepting than we might have believed possible.
Addictions begin when we reject what we know about God; recovery begins when we rediscover it.
Step Two
Persistent Seeking
Bible Reading: Job 14:1-6
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
One thing that may make it hard to believe in God is that life often seems unfair to us. We didn’t ask to be born into a dysfunctional family! We didn’t have any say over the abuses and injustices we suffered! We didn’t choose our predisposition toward addiction! And yet we’re held accountable over something we can’t control on our own! This makes it hard to initially turn to God, as the Power to restore our sanity. He seems unreasonable in his demands!
Job understood these feelings. In the midst of his suffering he said, “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear. Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me? Who can bring purity out of an impure person?” (Job 14:1-4).
That’s a good question—one which most people, especially addicts, have asked themselves in one form or another. Job persisted in his questioning because deep inside he believed God to be good and fair, even though life wasn’t. He was honest with his emotions and questions, but he never stopped seeking God.
There’s a good answer to the question posed by Job, one which will satisfy both our hearts and our minds. It will only be found, however, by those who are willing to work through the pain and unfairness of life, and still seek God. Those who seek him will find him, and the answers they seek as well.
No matter how unfair life may seem, God can offer hope in its darkest hours.
Step Two
God’s Solution
Bible Reading: Romans 3:21-26
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Even though life may seem unfair to us, we also may feel justifiably guilty for all the pain we’ve caused others. We may struggle with a desire for fairness in life but also feel that if everything were as it should be, we’d deserve God’s anger and punishment. When we fear punishment from God, we’ll probably hesitate to approach him to ask for the power we need to recover.
There’s a solution to the problem of needing God’s power, but feeling that we don’t deserve it. “Now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law. . . . God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair. . . . God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus” (Romans 3:21, 24-26).
God figured out a way to remain just in an unfair world. He found a way to punish our sins without having to destroy our lives as the penalty. When we can accept that Jesus’ death was payment for our sins, not his own, it solves the problem for us. It also gives us access to the greatest Power there is: God himself.
God’s solution is available to each of us, regardless of our failures.
Step Two
Never Hopeless
Bible Reading: John 11:37-45
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
As much as we want to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity, we may have to deal with nagging doubts. We may see other people who have recovered from their addictions and still wonder if we will be able to recover as they did. We may fear that our lives are “too far gone.”
If anyone was too far gone to recover from anything, it was Lazarus, a friend of Jesus. Lazarus had been dead and buried (without embalming) for four days when Jesus finally arrived on the scene. “He arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. ‘Roll the stone aside,’ Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, ‘Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.’ Jesus responded, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’ So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.’ Then Jesus shouted, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, ‘Unwrap him and let him go!’” (John 11:38-44).
When we feel like our lives are too far gone we can remember Lazarus. Jesus wanted everyone to know that when God is in the picture, no one is ever too far gone.
Because of God’s power, no one is beyond recovery.
Step Two
Beyond Insanity
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 21:10-15
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
There are times in life when our “insanity” is useful to keep us alive or help us cope with a particularly difficult set of circumstances. We may have begun using our addictive/compulsive behavior as a survival mechanism. Maybe now we’re stuck with the “craziness” just because it’s familiar, even though its usefulness has long since passed. We may feel more comfortable with chaos than with “sanity” because it’s all we’ve known.
Young David was fleeing from King Saul, who was trying to kill him to prevent him from taking over his throne. “David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath. But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. ‘Isn’t this David, the king of the land?’ they asked. ‘Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands”?’ David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard. Finally, King Achish said to his men, ‘Must you bring me a madman? We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?’ So David left Gath and escaped” (1 Samuel 21:10–22:1).
If David had continued to act insane after he was out of danger, he never would have become king or gone on to great victories. We, too, need to let go of the “insanity” that helped us cope in the past, and move on toward our own victories.
Our insanity can end as soon as our recovery begins.
Step Two
Power from God
Bible Reading: Acts 2:1-18
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Maybe we’ve traveled this route before. This isn’t the first time for us to begin recovery. We found courage once before, only to fail when the going got rough. Now we’re starting over, but it’s even harder than at first because we feel like a failure.
There is plenty of power, even for those who have failed on a grand scale. Peter didn’t want to follow Jesus in the first place. Peter told Jesus to go away because Peter was aware of his own sinfulness. But Jesus wouldn’t let him go. So Peter followed him, cautiously at first, then with bold confidence. When Jesus was arrested, Peter disappointed himself by denying that he even knew Jesus. Peter was afraid that he would be arrested, too.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he tried to help Peter feel better by reaffirming his love; but Peter’s confidence was still sorely shaken. Then something happened that renewed Peter with power from on high. “All the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. . . . And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit. . . . Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd” (Acts 2:1-2, 4, 14). Peter found the power to stand tall that day, and three thousand people found new life as a result.
Although we may have failed in the past, Peter is proof that there is no limit to the forgiveness and power available from God!
God’s power brings stability and hope to our lives of fear and uncertainty.
Step Two
Honest Grieving
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 1:2-18
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Circumstances in life can be overwhelming. Yet at times, the grief we feel is misunderstood by those who observe us going through it. They may despise us, look down on us for our “weakness,” or think we’re losing our grasp on reality. On the contrary, when the pain of living becomes overwhelming, we aren’t crazy to grieve. It would be crazy for us not to!
God looks on our hearts and has compassion for us in our times of grief, even when those around us don’t understand. Hannah was overwhelmed by grief in response to a troubling family situation. “Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. . . . Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, [Eli] thought she had been drinking. ‘Must you come here drunk?’ he demanded. ‘Throw away your wine!’ ‘Oh no, sir!’ she replied. ‘I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.’ ‘In that case,’ Eli said, ‘go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him’” (1 Samuel 1:9-10, 13-17).
Sometimes what people see as insane behavior is really grief being expressed. At these times we need loving support to acknowledge our pain.
As we turn to face our pain and grief, we will discover that God is there with us.
Step Two
An Overwhelming Struggle
Bible Reading: Romans 8:35-39
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Sometimes we may feel like giving up the struggle. We try, only to fall once again. We take two steps forward, but then stumble backwards. We feel condemned and fear that even God may give up on us. At times there are so many difficulties, so many issues to work through, so many patterns in our lives that have to be changed, we begin to feel like we’re going crazy.
God acknowledges the difficulties we may face, but he also promises us victory in the end. The apostle Paul once wrote, “Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons . . . not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. . . . Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39). Paul also said, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).
When we feel like we’re going crazy and don’t think that we can handle life, God is there. He is determined not to give up on us. We can rely on his persistent love. God has promised to keep working on us until we are whole. There will still be crazy times, but with his help we can handle life, one day at a time.
Nothing can remove us from God’s presence.
Step Two
A Little Faith
Bible Reading: Luke 17:5-6
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
How many times have we wished that we could overcome the addictions and compulsions that keep us in bondage? We know what it is to struggle with the effects of addiction, and the craziness this brings to our lives. We may feel despair and wonder if there really is any way out of the insanity of our current circumstances. Maybe our plight is impossible, at least without God’s help, but faith can make even the impossible happen.
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Show us how to increase our faith.’ The Lord answered, ‘If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,” and it would obey you!’” (Luke 17:5-6). Matthew also recorded Jesus’ words: “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” (Matthew 17:20).
Faith is a mysterious commodity. Jesus says that if we have faith, real faith, it only takes a small amount to make a big difference. We may be exercising faith without even realizing it. It takes faith to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. It takes faith to work through the steps of a recovery program. It’s comforting to know that God only needs a tiny bit of faith in order to work in powerful ways to restore our sanity.
Just a little faith can take root and grow, first underground and then visibly.
Step Two
Worthy Promises
Bible Reading: Hebrews 6:12-18
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We may believe that a Power greater than ourselves can restore our sanity, but still wonder how long it’s going to take. Over time, we may grow discouraged at the length of the process. We may have our spirits dampened by the chaos we can’t seem to escape. Some people report instant release from their addictions and the accompanying craziness. But for most of us, it will take patience to inherit the promise of a sane new life.
The book of Hebrews tells us: “You will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. . . . God took an oath in his own name, saying: ‘I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.’ Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised” (Hebrews 6:12-15). (The entire story of Abraham’s life can be found in Genesis 11–25.)
The key point to consider here is that Abraham had to wait twenty-five years to see God’s promise fulfilled. There were times he took matters into his own hands, times he probably wondered if he had really received the promise at all, and times he laughed in disbelief to think that the promise would ever come true. In the end, “Abraham was now a very old man, and the LORD had blessed him in every way” (Genesis 24:1). Just because our restoration takes time doesn’t mean our faith is in vain. Let’s keep holding on!
Since God is Truth, we can rest securely in his promises.
Step Two
A Desperate Faith
Bible Reading: Matthew 15:22-28
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Sometimes the insanity of living with our own addictions or with someone who is acting in bizarre ways can cause us to become desperate for help.
Jesus dealt with a woman who was driven to him out of desperation. “A Gentile woman who lived there came to [Jesus], pleading, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.’ But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. . . . Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.’ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, ‘Lord, help me!’ Jesus responded, ‘It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.’ She replied, ‘That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.’ ‘Dear woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘your faith is great. Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was instantly healed” (Matthew 15:22-28).
It took a lot of courage for this woman to even speak to Jesus because of the racism of their time. She was despised and ridiculed for seeking an end to her family’s torment, but she didn’t give up. She believed God was the only one who could help her and would not be deterred. Our own desperation can lead to a sincere faith that can be a tremendous help in recovery.
When we realize that God is the only one who can help, nothing can block our recovery.
Step Two
God’s Wisdom
Bible Reading: James 3:13-18
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
When we get caught up in catering to our addictions, it’s almost like we’re a different person. It’s like there are two of us tied up together. The Bible recognizes this dual nature in all of us. One part yearns for good and the other part of us is drawn toward corrupt desires and animal passions. The Bible describes a kind of “worldly” wisdom that justifies destructive behavior and leads to disorder, instability, and confusion.
We need to beware of this type of wisdom, which is characterized by jealousy and selfishness. James wrote, “For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind” (James 3:15-16).
This kind of thinking causes us to focus on what others are and have. It makes us want the same things for ourselves to the point where we are always dissatisfied. It is easy to become so consumed with our own desires that we become inconsiderate of others, often hurting the ones we love. This type of wisdom is inspired by the devil, and will lead to our ultimate destruction; his “purpose is to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
If we see that our thoughts are still dominated by these characteristics, we need to ask God to replace our “wisdom” with his wisdom. We can trust him to change our minds and our lives.
True wisdom restores our sanity and leads us to peace and wholeness.
Step Two
A Loving Father
Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:1-10
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Some people grow up in families where wisdom is modeled and taught by their parents. They have the privilege of receiving wise advice at home. Many of us grew up in families that were crazy. Our parents didn’t provide wise guidance for us. This deprivation can leave us wondering how we can fill up the void of what we missed. We may feel like the rest of the human race has passed us by. Some of us feel anger, resentment, and a sense of shame because we never learned how to make wise choices. We may ask ourselves, Shouldn’t someone have shown me the way?
Ideally, all of us should have had wise and godly instruction. The book of Proverbs records a father instructing his son in the way God intended. “For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. My father taught me, . . . ‘Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you’” (Proverbs 4:3-6).
For those of us who were left unprotected and unguarded because of a parent’s insane ways, it’s not too late. We have a Father in heaven who is eager to give us the wisdom we need. James once wrote, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking” (James 1:5). God loves us tenderly, as a parent should. He is always there for us, waiting to give us the wisdom we need whenever we ask.
God wants to encourage us with his love and compassion.
Step Two
Daring to Believe
Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
There must have been a time when we had high hopes for a promising life—before those hopes were dashed. But then, through the crazy and chaotic circumstances of growing up, we learned to settle for a life that was far less than what we had once hoped for. We may have come to the conclusion that a sane, good life is reserved for people better or stronger than ourselves.
God led the nation of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, through the wilderness, and to the edge of the Promised Land. But as they stood on the border, looking into the fruitful and prosperous land of Canaan, they lacked the faith and courage to go in. Joshua was one of the few who had the faith to enter, but because of the others, he was held back. Forty years later the chance came again. Just before he entered the land, the Lord told him, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
There is a Promised Land for each one of us. Jeremiah tells us, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11). We need to be courageous. We need to believe that there can be good things in life for us. We, too, can be encouraged that regardless of the failures in our families and our past, we can start again. We can find our way out of the chaos of the wilderness, into the Promised Land of sane and healthy living.
We may not succeed by the world’s standards, but we can by God’s standards, and his opinion lasts forever.
Step Two
Common Temptations
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Entertaining belief in an addiction’s magical cure often hinders recovery. One of the most common such beliefs is that someday we will finally be beyond the reach of temptation. Unfortunately, temptation is a permanent part of our world and of human experience. The Bible says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Not only is temptation all around us, it’s within us as well. “Temptation comes from our own desires” (James 1:14). Even if we could rid ourselves of all external temptations, we’d still have to live with the destructive desires within our secret selves.
Even Jesus Christ himself faced temptation; and yet, he never sinned. Before he was tempted, he spent an extended period of time alone in the wilderness, and during that time he went without food. We are usually tempted the most during the times when we’re lonely and hungry.
Facing temptation is a part of accepting reality. We need to accept that we will always be susceptible to temptation in our areas of weakness and predisposition. It is unrealistic to believe that our sinful nature will ever get better. When we put away the magical belief that temptation will disappear, we will be more aware and better able to avoid falling under temptation’s power. We need to prayerfully seek God’s help in dealing with this reality of life.
Temptations touch everyone; facing this fact is an important step in recovery.
Step Two
A Day at a Time
Bible Reading: Matthew 6:25-34
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Living one day at a time is a discipline we all have to focus on when we’re in recovery. It’s easy to slip back into letting ourselves focus on worries about tomorrow, the “what ifs” and the “if onlys.” Each day brings with it a host of things we cannot change. We face the continual reality of momentary circumstances beyond our control. There is also the reality of who we are, human beings confined within the slice of life we call today. It is tempting to deny the present, but escaping reality is part of the insanity of our addictive way of life.
Jesus once said, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? . . . So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:27, 34). The prophet Jeremiah said, “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Since God’s grace comes in daily doses, that’s the best way to face life.
We need to ask ourselves at every turn, Am I accepting this present moment or am I pretending, trying to escape into the past or the future? For each day, there is something to find joy in, and there is strength promised for the troubles of that day. The psalmist wrote, “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). We, too, can choose to find joy, strength, and sanity when we accept today’s realities.
Our days can be filled with worry and anxiety or joy and anticipation; it’s our choice.
Step Two
A Worthy Friend
Bible Reading: Job 33:23-32
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We may find ourselves in a pit of depression. We may be hiding in the dark, unable to work effectively, sick in body and mind, unable to cope, unable to pray, confused, and misunderstood.
Job’s young friend Elihu noted how God can help one who is in this condition: “If an angel from heaven appears—a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright—he will be gracious and say, ‘Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’ Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again. When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it. God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’ Yes, God does these things again and again for people. He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life” (Job 33:23-30).
When we are so drugged and/or depressed that we can’t function, we have a friend to intercede for us before God. He made himself our substitute so that we don’t have to die when life becomes overwhelming. God is in the business of restoring health to our bodies, reviving our darkened spiritual lives, renewing prayer, restoring us to our jobs, and making it so that we can face the light of day. When we’re in the pit of depression we can be assured that God can bring us out because he has successfully done it for many others.
God is in the business of restoring lives, and he starts right where we are.
Step Two
Bringing Order to Chaos
Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We may be worn out by the overwhelming feelings that dominate our lives and the chaos that wearies us. We probably feel the need for someone who has the power to bring order into our lives.
God leaves us this reminder: “‘To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?’ asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless” (Isaiah 40:25-29).
Take a moment to ponder the vastness of the universe, the innumerable stars and planets that all continue to move in perfect order. Scientists marvel at how predictable and consistent the universe remains. Doesn’t it make sense that the One who made the universe and keeps every star in place can also have the power to bring order into the chaos of our lives? He knows the weariness that comes with disorder. He understands our need for safe, predictable patterns in life. He, who made us, can bring order to our lives, too.
Even the strongest people get tired, but God’s strength never diminishes.
Step Two
Risky Decisions
Bible Reading: Jonah 1:3-12
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
We may do crazy things when we’re caught up in stormy circumstances resulting from our own “out of control” behavior. We take risks that can have terrible consequences, but find that we’ve lost the power to choose otherwise.
Jonah made a risky decision that seems crazy by any definition! Let’s try to learn something from his experience. Jonah was running away from God. He boarded a ship going the opposite direction from where God told him to go. “But the LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.” The sailors identified Jonah as the cause of the storm. “[Jonah] had already told them he was running away from the LORD. ‘Oh, why did you do it?’ they groaned. . . . ‘What should we do to you to stop this storm?’ ‘Throw me into the sea,’ Jonah said, ‘and it will become calm again.’ . . . Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!” (Jonah 1:4, 10-12, 15).
When we follow our own ways, God may allow us to get caught up in a “storm.” He often does this to help us face the insanity of the risks we take. Jonah was rescued and taken back to where God had intended him to go. God can rescue us out of our personal storms as well. He can take us back to a place where the available choices aren’t life threatening or dangerous.
Even when we go our own way, God is there with us, ready to restore us.
Step Two
Seasons of Darkness
Bible Reading: Psalm 6:1-10
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
At times we get so caught up in our pain that we forget that life comes in seasons. No one is happy all the time. We may be paranoid and gloomy today, but that can change. Being upset and disturbed doesn’t have to be forever.
When David was a young boy he lived a relatively carefree life, tending his father’s sheep. He believed in his own goodness and expected the best. Later he realized his own frailties and faced many enemies. These pressures darkened his life. He cried out to God, “O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage. Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at heart. How long, O LORD, until you restore me? Return, O LORD, and rescue me. Save me because of your unfailing love. For the dead do not remember you. Who can praise you from the grave? I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears” (Psalm 6:1-6). David did come out of this dark season of life and was able to share his experience, strength, and hope with others. He says of God, “He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them” (Psalm 145:19).
If we’re in a season of mental anguish, we need to remember that we haven’t always felt this way and we won’t always feel this way. We can cry out for help and expect God to rescue us. Someday we will share our experience and hope with others.
When we are at the end of ourselves, God creates a new beginning.
Step Two
Life from Death
Bible Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-14
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
It may be that our families have been governed by the craziness of addiction for a long time. It may be that we have lost hope of ever recovering; our hope may be just a skeleton, long dead.
God has demonstrated his power to restore in even the most hopeless of situations. Consider this vision given to the prophet Ezekiel. “I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among [them]. . . . Then he said to me, ‘Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, “Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” Ezekiel saw these bones come to life. The Lord explained, “These bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.’ Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel’” (Ezekiel 37:1-2, 4-6, 11-12).
Israel is the only nation in history that has been nearly destroyed, the people exiled throughout the world, and then, centuries later, reborn as a nation. If God was able to restore the nation of Israel, surely he can restore our lives as well!
If God can give life to scattered bones, he can restore our shattered lives.
Step Two
Confidence in God
Bible Reading: Amos 4:9-13
We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Many of us began recovery experiencing one disaster after another. We probably wondered whether Someone was trying to tell us something. But as we came to believe that God’s power could reach into our world in positive ways, we also received hope. We were able to exchange our fear of punishment for confidence in the power of God to restore us to sanity.
The Lord had allowed many disasters to befall the people of Israel, in hopes that they would return to him. God warned them of the evils that would result from continuing to resist his help, but they wouldn’t listen. Finally, he said, “‘Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!’ For the LORD is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind . . . .The LORD God of Heaven’s Armies is his name!” (Amos 4:12-13).
Ignoring the fact that God has power over our lives can be disastrous. He may try to get our attention by allowing us to experience the consequences of our wrong behaviors. We need to realize that God’s ultimate goal is to lead us back to himself. Even the pain God allows us to suffer is designed to bring about our healing. His power is for our good; it isn’t there to destroy us. Considering the mighty power of God, even in the natural realm, can encourage us. The one strong enough to form the mountains and the winds is willing to use his power to restore us to sanity.
Even our greatest failures can be a means for God to make us his own.