by Colleen Harrison | May 29, 2013 | Christ, Recovery
At a conference a few years ago, a talked about how important it is to fight the adversary, to do combat with him. I suppose that on the surface this seems like a good idea, but my heart cried out, “No!” I wanted to jump from my seat and proclaim what I perceive to be...
by Colleen Harrison | May 22, 2013 | God's In Charge, Twelve Steps
Living by the Twelve Steps is essentially agreeing to give up our power—or rather, our powerlessness—in exchange for God’s power. It is becoming willing to do only what God gives me the power to do. But when I offer up my will to God, relying on His power, does this...
by Colleen Harrison | Mar 1, 2013 | abstinence, Addiction, Change of Heart, Recovery
Doing abstinence with God—putting Him in charge of defining it, letting Him guide us in applying it, relying on His strength to live it—elevates abstinence to a holy sacrament. With God, the spirit of abstinence becomes one of joyful surrender, as our willingness to...
by Colleen Harrison | Aug 10, 2012 | abstinence, Change of Heart, Recovery
When you’re doing abstinence from the inside out, you are hardly even aware of doing it. Why? Because you’re not actually doing anything! Instead, it’s more like you find yourself doing it! Automatically. Easily. There is no white-knuckling, hanging on by your...
by Colleen Harrison | Jul 19, 2012 | abstinence, Change of Heart, Recovery
The inclinations of my heart are changing—from the inside out. Leaving behind my addiction is not an exercise of willpower or even a deliberate choice. It’s deeper than that. It’s simply a feeling of not being interested or inclined to do the thing that for years and...