Celebrate Recovery - Sanity - Lesson 4

Dear God, I have tried to "fix" and "control" my life's hurts, hangups, or habits all by myself.  I admit that by myself.  I am powerless to change.  I need to begin to believe and receive Your power to help me recover.  You loved me enough to send Your Son to the cross to die for my sins.  Help me be open to the hope that I can only find in Him.  Please help me to start living my life one day at a time.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Now is the time to journal and discuss the following in the Celebrate Recovery - Post #7 - Sanity topic:

1. What things have you been doing over and over again, expecting a different result each time (insanity)?
2. What is your definition of sanity?
3. How have your past expectations of yourself or others been unrealistic?  Give Examples.
4. In the past, how has trusting only in your own feelings and emotions gotten you in trouble?
5. How can Jesus Christ, help restore you to make sane decisions?  How do you get a second chance?
6. What areas of your life are you ready to release control of and hand over to God?  Be specific.

Look up the following Principle 2 Verses and write them out in your own words.  Ephesians 2:12-13, 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, Colossians 1:27, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 42:3

(they're getting easier - or my mindset is changing) ??

1. What things have you been doing over and over again, expecting a different result each time (insanity)?   Approaching weight loss in my own power! And following and trying fad diets only to gain the weight back again.

2. What is your definition of sanity?  I know the traditional definition of “insanity” is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.  So, sanity in this case would be doing something different to get different results.

3. How have your past expectations of yourself or others been unrealistic?  Give Examples.  Let’s see, in the past I’ve thought that just because I “wanted” to lose weight, that I would.  Now I’ve found that just wanting to and actually doing something about it – is two different things.  I now don’t just “want” to but am ready to “do” something different to get there.

4. In the past, how has trusting only in your own feelings and emotions gotten you in trouble?  This one could be endless.  I’m a very emotional person – and have put a lot of trust in my feelings and emotions in the past.  Thanks to the Lord giving me a very unemotional husband – I am learning that feelings are just feelings – and that I need to base my actions and reactions on God’s word and not how I feel about something.  I also need to learn to be consistent based on what I know to do is right and not based on how I feel about it.

5. How can Jesus Christ, help restore you to make sane decisions?  How do you get a second chance? Based on the scriptures below – Jesus lives in me – and because of that I can yield my body to Him and do what is right and what needs to be done instead of what I feel like doing.  Romans 12:1 says for us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice for use in God’s service.  Too many times I think my time and my body are my own – and have not fully offered to him!

6. What areas of your life are you ready to release control of and hand over to God?  Be specific. (deep breath)  Lord, I know I’ve said this before – that I give myself to you – but each day I learn a little more about what that really means.  Lord I’m so glad that you live inside of me – and if I will truly let go of my own desires and seek your desire in my life – that you will use me and it is then that I can be truly happy in You – and happy being me because of you! Lord, I’m yours – please direct my paths in your righteousness – please lead me and guide me daily – moment by moment – to do all things for your Glory and Honor. Lord I want to lose weight – but not just so that I will look good. I know in the past I have not looked to you for what to eat and how to take care of my body – but Lord, now I see that it is not only important to you – because my body is your house – but that you want me to put away making excuses for not offering myself for your service because of my appearance and my size.  Lord, I now see that you can use me right here where I am, if I will just yield myself to you.

Look up the following Principle 2 Verses and write them out in your own words.  Ephesians 2:12-13, 2 Corinthians 4:7-8, Colossians 1:27, Romans 12:2, Isaiah 42:3

Jesus Christ lives in me!  (and I am not my own)

1. What things have you been doing over and over again, expecting a different result each time (insanity)?   I have been on numerous fad diets most of my married life.  All I have accomplished is after the weight is lost I ended up gaining twice as much.  Also, I have had a battle going on since 2004 regarding having the gastric bypass or lapband surgery.  

2. What is your definition of sanity? "Sanity" is being free from mental derangement, having a sound healthy mind and demonstrating reason, sound judgment, or good sense.  Synonyms are being balanced, dependable, level-headed, moderate,normal, rational, reasonable, reliable, right-minded, sensible, sound and stable.

3. How have your past expectations of yourself or others been unrealistic?  Give Examples.  I have to agree with Lorraine's answer above.  Previously, I thought because I "wanted" to lose weight, I would.  Wanting to and actually doing something are two different and distinct acts.  Today, I am ready to "do" something extraordinary to get there.

4. In the past, how has trusting only in your own feelings and emotions gotten you in trouble? Being very emotional, I wholly placed trust in my feelings in the past.  Feelings are just emotions, impressions, moods, and opinions.  The biggest thing is consistency!  I have lacked in that area severely, be it with food or exercise.  I never made a life style change.  If I was upset I would eat.  If I was happy I ate.  I need to be consistent based on what I know is good, healthy, and proper in contrast to how I feel about the undertaking.

5. How can Jesus Christ, help restore you to make sane decisions?  How do you get a second chance? Based on God's Word that "Jesus lives in me", I can offer and release my body to Him to do what is right.  Instead of doing what I feel like doing, let Christ take control and do His will.  By submitting to Christ completely I will have that second chance.  Not by my power but by His.

6. What areas of your life are you ready to release control of and hand over to God?  Be specific.  I need to let go of so many things.  i will complete this at a later time.