National Recovery
Month
September is National Recovery
Month. Recovery is about exercising
one’s determination to improve from a physical, mental or emotional condition,
often referred to as the disease of addiction/alcoholism. Since the DSM-V lists these diseases as forms
of mental illness, I would argue it is safe to say we can recover from mental
illnesses this month too.
Can this happen without God consciousness? Some would argue, “Yes.”
I disagree.
Around the 1300s, the word “recover”
meant to “regain consciousness.” Back in
the early 15th century, the word recovery had a different meaning
too. It meant “a gaining possession of
something by legal action.” That is the
Latin meaning of the term “recovery”
according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.
Even more interesting is what the dictionary says next – “the act of
righting oneself after a mishap, blunder, etc.”
A successful, peace-filled
existence is certainly dependent on a person’s relationship to God. Nowadays we call it, “God consciousness.” And for those who profess knowing Christ, it
is through His power we can right ourselves after making poor decisions or
surviving childhood trauma.
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| Author: Andy Dean Photography |
What if, as a society, we embraced
the idea that we are spiritual beings intended to live our lives conscious of
God’s presence? What if this idea were
taught in schools today? Or, if it were
a mandatory lesson in each home?
Maybe there would be less adverse
childhood events for people to recover from because their daily existence would
be rooted in the awareness that God is ever present and seeking our daily
communion.
An awareness of God operating in one’s
life and on my behalf can be a comforting thought. Some people, however, blame God for all their
troubles, so forming a relationship with the Divine Source can be troublesome.
Often, it is the message of hope
from other people that draws us into a solid relationship with God. Hearing God through other people happens when
people share in meetings or testify in church that their lives improved because
they surrendered and formed a relationship with God. It is here, in these safe spaces listening to
the transparency of another’s soul that recovery is accomplished. Finding God, many times, is sustained in a
group context, such as 12-step programs, faith communities and other safe
spaces.
In these places, a broken soul can begin
the journey to regain what was lost:
peace, stability, sanity and a sense of wholeness.
Our identities are often damaged
during childhood, not strengthened. The
field of psychology refers to “adverse childhood events” as the cause of
brokenness and poor identity formation. For
those of us who have suffered damaged self-identities due to adverse childhood
events, reclaiming possession of our thoughts from negative influences is a
huge step in the right direction. Beginning
to create a self-identity that is in harmony with one’s personal values and
morals is a joyous and arduous process. It
is labeled as recovery.
The same can be said when we stop
harmful acts towards self in order to move into a place of wellness. Group counseling sessions, medication, bible
study, prayer and meditation are great tools to sustain a person’s
recovery. But, often it is the one-on-one
relationship with God that lays the foundation and secures emotional stability. Wrestling with his will, understanding God’s
ways and allowing God to guide us into right behavior are certainly examples of
God consciousness.
It is important to note that
anytime we individually pursue our recovery, we are saying to ourselves, “I
have the legal and spiritual right to be happy and live at peace with myself.” We are in essence telling the disease of
addiction and our naysayers that “even in my brokenness, I am worthy of being
loved and demonstrating I care for myself.”
I support National Recovery Month
as it seeks to honor those who are recovering from any mental disorder and
disease of addiction/alcoholism. Recovery
can be a lifelong process filled with many lessons, let downs and stories. But when our local and foreign communities support
us, they are in essence saying, “I see you growing and it looks good on you.”
Are you doing anything to support
anyone in recovery? If so, please share
what you are doing in the comments section below.
Be blessed,
M
