Coming out of addiction is a mindset struggle. The old nature has a fleshly mindset, since addiction revolves around feeding fleshly desires. Healing happens when we move from a fleshly mindset to a spiritual mindset. Changing your thinking by giving it over to Jesus and putting Him first will transform your life, but growing your spiritual mindset has to be intentional and takes effort. It doesn't have to be complicated. There are many things you can do throughout your day or week to help fill your spiritual tank. What's amazing about these things is that, as you continue to do them, you find yourself wanting to know more about Him and desire to walk with Him.
1. Keeping in the Word
The word is where it starts. How else are you going to know about our Creator and His power if we don't get it from the source Himself? If you are new to reading the bible, it can be challenging. There are a few ways to make it easier. You can find a version of the bible that makes the language simpler, however as you grow in Christ, your preference might change to a version that preserves the original language and message. Study bibles are also a great way to get into the word because they offer insight and explanations alongside the chapters.
Starting in the New Testament is where you will find incredible accounts of Jesus showing His unconditional love and grace through His sacrifice. The first four gospels alone illustrate how His radical compassion transformed lives through redemption, and how the light of Jesus' love and mercy guided people out of darkness and into repentance. The beautiful thing about this is what was true for the people He encountered during His time on earth, is still true for us today since He is the God that is and was and is to come.
Another way to get into the Word is to listen to the bible. There are many apps to choose from or you can even watch the first four Gospels on YouTube. These videos read the bible as well as provide visual reenactments that illustrate the Word. Whichever way you choose to get into the Word, it's so important to be consistent. There is nothing in life too important to carve 20 to 30 minutes out of your day to spend it in God's word. The one thing to remember is that it's not how much you get through the bible, but how much the bible gets through to you.
2. Praying
When life gets busy, it can feel hard to find time to pray. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference! Daily devotionals are a great way to read scripture, reflect, and guide you in daily prayer.
A great prayer tip from Scripture is to get up early and start your day with the Lord. Psalms 5:3 says. "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Many heroes of faith, like David, had a habit of seeking God first thing in the morning. That quiet time sets a tone of dependence on Him.
The bottom line is that God cares more about the posture of your heart than the length of your prayers. So don't stress about the clock. Just talk to Him, knowing He is always ready to listen and meet with you. Starting your day with Him sets your spiritual mindset before dealing with the worries or struggles of the day. What better way to start the day than to pray and praise God for the new day and ask for strength sufficient for that day?
3. Listening to Praise and Worship Music
Turning on some praise and worship music is a awesome way to feed your spirit! When those uplifting lyrics and tunes start playing, it's like a boost of positivity for your heart and soul. Whether you're driving in the car, working out, or just relaxing at home, worship music can transform your mindset and feed your faith. In addition to this, the inspirational words help you remember God's constant love, power, mercy, and presence in your life. Sing along and give the God praise for all things!
4. Listening to Testimonies
Nothing is more inspiring than hearing testimonies of how God has transformed the lives of others. It reminds us that He's constantly at work changing things around for us when we stay in His word for guidance. Even when we are feeling in the midst of our struggles, we can maintain our spiritual mindset when we hear people witness about HIs power and how He flipped the script for them doing amazing things in their situations or how others learned from their struggles. Testimonies are living proof of God's love, mercy, and power. YouTube is a great way to search for testimonies that speak to you. If you are part of Celebrate Recovery meetings or another Christian-based recovery program, many times these groups will have guest speakers who share what God has done for them to turn their addiction around.
5. Get Plugged into a Church
It is so important to be plugged into the fellowship of a church. What's important to understand is we are the church. It isn't a building. Therefore, fellowshipping with others is essential to praising God, filling your spirit, and changing your spiritual mindset. Not all churches are the same, so it's important to find one that is biblically based, teaching God's word.
Many communities have churches that host Celebrate Recovery meetings, and those that attend these meetings also go to the church that supports this program. Going to church was one of our non-negotiables when Tim went into recovery, and I quit drinking. We both committed to finding a church that preached the Word and attending every week was a must!
Not only do weekly sermons and fellowshipping provide support for spiritual growth, but it also helps with accountability in our Christian walk. In addiction, most of us lived a life of isolation, which in turn allowed the enemy to work on us even more...keeping us in darkness and shame. But God designed us to do life together, therefore it's important to make fellowshipping a priority. Show up and get filled up with the Word.
6. Listening to Podcasts
Podcast are a great way to grow your spiritual mindset on the go. You can listen to them while multitasking or while driving. There are do many of types and styles of podcasts out there to choose from. You can search for Christian-based shows that speak to you and your situation. Some are polished in their message, and others are just real conversations. Selecting podcasts that lift you up or impart wisdom, whether in the Word or in recovery, opens the door for personal reflection, renewal, and growth.
*Shameless plug here: Tim started podcasting to help others in recovery. As stated in the About Us section of this website, Tim struggled with addiction most of his adult life and meth use the last five years of his addiction. On his podcast, Damascus Crossroads, he talks candidly about his road to recovery and what Jesus did for him. A link is on the landing page.
7. Journaling Your Thoughts
Nothing is more encouraging than being reminded of your growth in sobriety. Journaling is one way to do that. We may not be where we want to be, but at least we aren't where we once were. That is something to keep in mind when we feel frustrated or experience setbacks. As we teeter between a fleshly mindset and spiritual mindset, trying to let go of one and build the other, journaling is a great way to help us move forward. We should remember that it's about progress, not perfection, or as John Mac Arthur says, "It's about direction, not perfection." When we journal and then take time to reflect by rereading entries from weeks or months ago, we are reminded that we are moving in the right direction.
8. Surround Yourself with Versus
I wear a wristband that has my favorite verse on it: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. I'm constantly reminded throughout the day how much I need Him and how I am able when I give it to Him. This really has helped my spiritual mindset because I have always tried to do things in my own flesh and that didn't work out for me so well. It wasn't until I surrendered it all to Him, was I able to overcome.
Surrounding yourself with versus isn't limited to a wristband. As you get into the Word, write versus that really speak to you on sticky notes and post them around your house, workspace, or even in the car. These versus not only feed your soul, they offer encouragement throughout the day. I'm reminded by a saying found in my Celebrate Recovery bible: "By the yard, it's hard. By the inch, it's a cinch." Having go-to bible verses around constantly remind us of the power and grace of Christ and keep us in a spiritual mindset that helps us get through the day.
9. Listen or Watch Sermons Online
Going to church once a week hasn't been enough for Tim and me to stay plugged in. We find that by midweek we need refueling. Not only do we find spiritual renewal through listening to preaching online, but we understand the bible better through these teachings. There are a lot of people claiming to teach God's word, but you can't go wrong if you are careful to find a preacher who preaches the unwavering truth from the bible. Tim's personal favorite is Billy Graham and my go-to preachers are John MacArthur, Voddie Baucham, and David Jeremiah. Note: watching church online is no substitute for attending church. It lacks fellowship, isolates you from other believers, and the bible does not want anyone to forsake the gathering of ourselves.
10. Stay Plugged into People and Network
Church isn't the only place to fellowship and stay plugged into people. We recommend finding Christian-based meetings for recovery. Not only can you connect with and get support from others who are in recovery, those you interact with share your faith in Christ.
Another way to stay plugged into people is finding purpose in helping others. Whether it's in church or meetings, you can network with others to seek ways to help people through community outreach programs or events. This is where the rubber meets the road in regard to putting your spiritual mindset into action, focusing on others instead of just you. We are learning that the more we network and put ourselves out there, the more we find our purpose in our walk with Christ.
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