lf you are here reading this I am probably not alone in struggling with my own or someone else’s overindulgence! Whether it is alcohol, drugs, caffeine, eating, gambling, television, gaming, shopping, social media, work or a dysfunctional relationship we are obsessed with, we have all gotten “stuck” at some point with that “been there done that” problem doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same insanity we always got. Are you done yet?

One thing that has become clear during this pandemic is that more people are overdoing it on things like alcohol, drugs and food. Women’s alcohol use has increased 40% and alcohol related death for women has increased by 85% in the last 10 years. People are more depressed, anxious and hopeless.

I am especially concerned about my fellow brothers and sisters in the church and those who are professionals. These have been very stressful times. For many of us, church, ministry and recovery meetings were our sanity. They gave us hope and kept us on an even keel. They gave us accountability and a reason to stay on the straight and narrow but with all this social distancing we have lost it all. Those whose job descriptions have changed and they are working from home they are even more isolated and stressed.

That’s why I started this program. I want to help those who are struggling to stay on the course that God has planned for them and to overcome the addictions or overindulgences that are hindering their effectiveness, hope and serenity.  The academy is designed to not only train people in overcoming addiction but in how to help others do the same. It is an each one teach one opportunity and once you complete the program you will be equipped and can get certified to teach it to others.

If you aren’t sure you need help take a look at these questions and see what God says.

SO HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

1. Who knows that you are “overindulging” on things as much as you are
2. Who cares if you are drinking, using or eating too much (or who would care if they knew?)
3. How much is too much?
4. Why are you concerned about your behavior patterns?
5. Have you tried to quit or change before?
6. How much money is it costing you (in product, medication, loss of work time, legal fees)
7. Are these behaviors negatively impacting your relationships, work or ministry?
8. What do you think God’s plan is for you?

If this little questionnaire has given you some insight to what you need to do, I am here to help. I have not used drugs in 45 years and my last drink was over 25 years ago. What I know for sure, especially after watching Covid-19 wreak havoc and steal lives at all ages, is that life is short! We never know just how short but let’s take advantage of being what God created us to be as long as we are still breathing. Getting our addictive tendencies under control will make our lives much easier but we must enlist the help of others to do it. The lives of many others depend on us doing what we were meant to do for them so let’s get started TODAY!  MY next HOPE FOR RECOVERY COURSE starts in June!

SIGN UP HERE TO GET THE CHECKLIST, INFO ON THE COURSE AND A BIG LIST OF RESOURCES