Eight Recovery Principles based on the Beatitudes

We thought in the spirit of the Christmas that we would share the Eight Recovery Principles based on the Beatitudes found in Sermon on the Mount.  A historical account of early Alcoholics Anonymous found in “Dr. Bob and the Good Old Timers” shares that “Sermon on the Mount” by Emmet Fox was a widely read and referenced book for spiritual principles.   GoForth Recovery supports all pathways to recovery; Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, SMART Recovery, FAVOR and others.  We share in this post Celebrate Recovery’s text on The Problem and The Solution.” ~ GoForth Recovery

The Problem

If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit drinking or using entirely, or if you have little control over the amount you consume, you are probably an alcoholic and/or an addict. If that is the case, you may be suffering from a problem which only a spiritual solution will conquer.

If you are as seriously alcoholic or addicted as we were, we believe there is no middle-of-the-road solution. We were in a position where life was becoming impossible, and we had passed into the region from which there is no return through human resources, we had but two alternatives: One was to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best as we could; and the other was to accept Jesus Christ as our Higher Power.

The Solution

By working through the Eight Recovery Principles found in the Beatitudes with Jesus Christ as your Higher Power, you can and will change! You will begin to experience the true peace and serenity you have been seeking, and you will no longer have to rely on your dysfunctional, compulsive, and addictive behaviors as a temporary “fix” for your pain.

By applying the biblical principles of conviction, conversion, surrender, confession, restitution, prayer, quiet time, witnessing, and helping one another, which are found within the Eight Principles and the Christ-centered 12 Steps, you will restore and develop stronger relationships with others and with God.

Eight Recovery Principles & Their Biblical Comparisons

1. Realize I’m not God; I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable. (Step 1)
   “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.” (Matthew 5:3)
2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover. (Step 2)
   “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. (Step 3)
   “Happy are the meek.” (Matthew 5:5)
4. Openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to someone I trust.  (Step 4 and 5)
   “Happy are the pure in heart”
5. Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.  (Steps 6 and 7)
   “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.” (Matthew 5:6)
6. Evaluate all my relationships; Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others except when to do so would harm them or others. (Steps 8 and 9)
   “Happy are the merciful.” “Happy are the peacemakers.” (Matt 5:7, 5:9)
7. Reserve a daily time with God for self examination, Bible readings and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.  (Steps 10 and 11)
8. Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.  (Step 12)
   “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.” (Matthew 5:10)

Source: Celebrate Recovery, https://www.celebraterecovery.com/