Being powerless is the quality of lacking strength or power. It’s your attempt to control anything that enslaves or holds you in bondage….when in reality you’re unable to control or change those circumstances in your life. It’s also a presence of addictive, compulsive or obsessive behaviors or tendencies. What am I powerless over? Whom may I be powerless over? These answers are different for each person.

Powerlessness can show up in feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, being extremely frustrated, rigid or “perfect” in doing things a certain way (control). Perhaps we’re denying reality that our own life is a mess, even if our family and friends have told us so, time and time again. We want to live in the “fantasy land” that given enough time, resources or abilities, this time it will work and we’ll gain the changes we’re desperate to find. We think we’ll finally achieve success in our hurt, hang-up or habit. So we try harder, with various different strategies and ways, yet we fail miserably. Or, we may become prideful or arrogant believing deep down inside that we’re our own “savior” and can eventually fix it ourselves….we don’t need anyone else to mess it up or fix it for us. Thoughts such: as “I got this”, or “I don’t need anyone else” to be accountable to, or even, “I can handle this on my own”. After we realize it’s a losing battle, we may even feel defeated and then begin to believe that we’ll always be this way. We can become increasingly angry, sad, depressed or overwhelmed by our situation and circumstances. We may then soon develop low self esteem. Or perhaps we’re so focused on changing that other person in our life with all their “issues” that they eventually leave, because of our obsessive need to change/fix them and all their issues, but blatantly ignore your own junk. Maybe you’re a Christian, still struggling and feel guilty about that, because you feel as if being a Christian would erase it completely.

Denial, while living in powerless tendencies, will have 6 potential Negative Effects in our life:

1- It will Disable our feelings.

2- Wastes our precious Energy.

3- It Negates our growth.

4- Isolates us from God.

5- Alienates us from our important relationships.

6- Lengthens our pain.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? I hope the answer is Yes! I was too, and took that very important first step of realizing I needed to get well, and could never do it on my own!

We’ve been trying to do 2 jobs, God’s job and my own job. We have to know where HE begins and we end, and where he wants us to do the footwork. God wants us to take Action in our lives. He wants us to admit our need for a savior- the only one who can fix us, and he requires us to do our part. He created us as human beings, not robots! As soon as we take this first step and admit that we are powerless, is when we start to change. When we wake up to see that our ways of doing things simply doesn’t work, is when we can begin to see there is another way to handle our lives. We have to realize that we’re NOT God! We have to take Action!

This Friday evening, we’re talking about being powerless. We’ll talk about 4 action steps God is asking us to take, so that we can begin to walk in healing! It’s not about being weak; it’s about admitting our weaknesses, so that HE can become strong through us! It’s about being willing to stop playing God, and allow Christ into the driver’s seat, to change us!! Do you really want to get well? In John 5:6 Jesus asked the paralyzed man, “Do you want to get well?” Isn’t it time for you to finally face your fears and walk in healing and wholeness? Unfortunately, only when your pain is greater than your fears, will you be able to honestly take that first step, admitting that you are powerless and that your life is unmanageable. The power to change only comes through God’s grace. Are you ready to begin your new life? The longest walk I ever took, was that walk across the parking lot to my first Celebrate Recovery® meeting. It was also one of the best things I’ve ever done, to admit that I was Not God, and that I needed help for my life that was out of control! I found a room full of loving, gracious, kind people. Those who had been where I was and could encourage me, no matter what I was going through. Celebrate Recovery® is for ALL of us! Please don’t let the stigma of “recovery” scare you, we’ve ALL got something to work on in our life to improve. None of us is perfect…if you think you are…you just might be in denial! Change won’t happen overnight, it takes consistency and accountability. But I promise you, in this small group of friends, you’ll see victories! You will begin to see that change isn’t instantaneous, but it’s a process. Brave men and women are slowly getting well and stepping out of denial into life-long change and growth. I promise you, it’s possible! So I encourage you…step out of denial into God’s grace….You can do it! Don’t sit home on another Friday night, come join us and see why Celebrate Recovery® is the BEST Place to be on a Friday Night!! Celebrate Recovery® Fridays at 7 p.m. First Baptist Church 408 College St. Clinton, NC 28328. For more info. 910-379-4033 Email: nccelebraterecovery@gmail.com Or check out our Facebook page: Celebrate Recovery Clinton, NC. Or the national website: www.celebraterecovery.com