The Safety Zone for Teens homepage says for those who need to pause and turn around and reset. We are going to look at these three steps to recovery. We all want a good life, good things in life and that requires health and well being. But in life things happen, and it can destroy not only our health, but it can destroy our very souls. When people’s lives are broken, and even shattered to the point where you think all is lost,well, there is Good News, there is One who can put all the pieces back together, and that One is God. But no matter if you are an alcoholic, or a drug addict, or just a sinner, there are steps that need to be taken for recovery. Let’s look at God’s plan to restore people’s lives.
First, LET’S PAUSE! Everyone needs to take a pause or a time out. Life is like running a race. Hebrews 12:1 says this, “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
We must take a pause to examine our lives to determine just how are we running this race called life. We must admit to ourselves that there is a problem that needs to be dealt with. May we have an addiction, maybe we have emotional problems, or maybe we have just plain old sin in our lives. Maybe we left God behind or we just never knew Him to begin with. So we must admit that we are sinners by simply saying, “ God I am a sinner.” Yes, God is our Father, and He loves us, but like any child who does wrong, we need to go to our father and tell him what we did wrong. John 1: 8-9 tells us this, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Second, WE MUST TURN AROUND! To get back on track we must turn around and head back to where we first got lost. Life is full of forks in the road and there are times when we take the wrong path. Usually it is the path that the crowd is taking and we just follow along. So we must repent of our sins. You see the meaning of repentance is to change one’s mind, or to turn around and go back, in this case to go back to God our Father. 1 Peter 4: 1-5 says, “Therefore, since Messiah has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the ungodly, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you; but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” There is a story in Luke 15:11- 32 that tells us about a son who walked away from his father, and it goes like this, we will only look at verses 11-24 “And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us this, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
And Acts 3:19 says this, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
We must pray, Father, I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. Tell God your sins. Even though He already knows, it helps us to recognize where we are at, and what we need to do to go forward.
Third, WE MUST RESET! After realizing that there is more to life than what the things of this world has to offer, ( which usually ends up being a disappointment, as the Prodigal Son found out and quickly brought him back to his senses), we too, must return home, and our home is were the Father is, our Eternal Father, for He waits for us day and night. To return home we need to read God’s Word. His Word is like a map leading us home, maybe not to our childhood home, but to a home in which our lives will be free from addiction or depression or even the sin that had us bound. You see God’s Word is like a lamp unto our feet. Psalm 119:105-107 says, “By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything’s falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word.”
Proverbs 3:21- 23 says, “Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them. They’ll keep your soul alive and well, they’ll keep you fit and attractive. You’ll travel safely, you’ll neither tire nor trip.”
Life is a journey and with any adventure we need a plan and a map and God’s Word is just that. God’s Word shows us how we can get back on track and how we can stay on the right path in life and God’s Word also will show us how we can prosper in life. But life is not always about money, life is also about having family and good friends who we can trust. We must keep praying, because praying is talking to God, and God is our guide through life. Psalm 32: 8 tells us this, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”
Everyone needs a family, and especially the family of God. Find yourself a good Bible preaching church and get involved. Hebrews 10:23-25 tells us, “Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable. And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”
Today Pause, Turn Around and Reset and get your life back on track. Get help, absolutely, (see the First Aid Kit on this website), but also remember the One who loves you the most, God the Father, who is waiting with open arms, and watching for your return. With God’s help you can do it! Contact us on this website and we will pray for you!