His help can get us all unstuck
I started to write in my last article why people get stuck. It was too broad a topic to do justice in two articles, but I’ll make the attempt for the sake of one potential reader that it might help.
People get stuck because of past trauma in life. It may be trauma that happened to them or it may be trauma that they caused and did to others. Suppression, avoidance, and addiction are common ways for people to deal with trauma. There are other ways, of course, but these are the top contenders.
Sometimes one way of coping predominates and sometimes all of them are operating. All of them are destructive. Addictions come in many flavors. People get addicted to all sorts of things. I’ve even been advised of suicide attempts over cell phone addiction. Addictions are an attempt to medicate away the pain of trauma. The problem is that it takes ever-increasing dosages of more and more powerful substances and/or behaviors to achieve the same effect of dulling the pain the person is experiencing.
There is a way out. There is a person who can help and earnestly desires to do so. He has the power. His only limitation is the person’s willingness to do what it takes to get better. He limited His power when it comes to our free will. He gives us choices and He won’t force anyone. It is simple but it isn’t easy. If it were easy we would see more people getting well. His Name is Jesus.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christian 12-step methodology that helps people get unstuck. All Christian 12-step programs pretty much follow the same biblical principles that have been handed down for more than 2,000 years. They work because the author of them has the power and desire to help you.
Recently it was reported to me that there was a member of Congress who stood up and said in a loud voice, “Everyone here needs to be in a 12-step program!” It takes courage. We don’t like admitting the pain we may be feeling. It is hard to overcome the denial that we have an issue we aren’t coping with very well. One thing I have observed in the 40+ years at First Christian/North Summit Church is that there are a lot more people who think they are coping when they really aren’t. It leaks out of them all the time. Everyone around them knows but they just don’t know how to say it. They don’t want to hurt the person or start a fight, so they say nothing. Saying nothing never will change the situation.
If you want to get better, check out Celebrate Recovery. Keep coming back and don’t skip steps. Available CR meeting times and days are available on the internet. I attend Tuesday nights at Parkside Church (our partner in CR) when I’m not hosting our weekly congregation prayer meeting at North Summit. You will find friendship, acceptance, and help with your trauma.
Bud McConnaughey serves on the staff of North Summit Church, 201 N. Division, Sandpoint.