September is National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the achievements of those in recovery and raise awareness about substance use and mental health disorders. Through the whole of September, we honor the resilience of individuals overcoming addiction and advocate for the continued support and resources necessary to foster hope and healing. (Credit: growtherapy.com)

No one should have to face their pain alone. We are a grace-filled community of strugglers who courageously enter this safe and beautiful space to get honest about our pain, and the negative ways we may see ourselves, God, and others. In this process, we come to accept that some of the habits we have developed to escape our pain may have hurt us and those close to us. It is a biblically based approach to help us achieve long lasting recovery by healing our hurts, guiding us toward new healthy truths, and developing life-giving habits. (Source: Celebrate Recovery National Website)

There you have it. September is officially recognized as a time to bring recovery needs and struggles out of a person’s darkness and into light that gives healing, release, and most of all–freedom and hope.

For the past few weeks I wrote about observing a sabbath break in our work; I also emphasized that when we choose to follow Christ and receive His plan of salvation we become sons and daughters of God which is our TRUE identity. For too long, there’s been a false impression that once a person becomes a Christian all their problems magically disappear and life is eternal utopia. That false pretense is a lie from the very pit of hell. Although Jesus actually tells us that He came to give us an abundant life, He also reminded us that “in this world you will face many trials”. Trials produce time consumed by hardships, illness, losses, disappointments…and when we face any situation we have but one question to ask of ourselves: Will I give up or will I fight?

At Celebrate Recovery, we choose to lay down denying our problems–many of our own doing–and surrender to learning how to change, how to find hope, how to live in peace in spite of life’s struggles. How do we do this? One of the best ways is to hear from folks who have begun to leave past hurts behind, dig deep into how bad habits and damaged emotions took over living a peaceful joy filled life.

This week, Sept.. 17, at the Fowlerville Celebrate Recovery group you are invited to come hear Erica’s testimony. She came to CR to work on her self-worth, anxiety, fear, anger, and codependency in relationships. She will talk about the effects of an alcoholic and abusive father, his abandonment of her following the divorce of her parents, how she was bullied in middle school. Erica includes in her story the effects of postpartum depression until she sought medical assistance for panic attacks.Thankfully, her story doesn’t end in a sea of negative circumstances–after working the 12 steps of CR she and her husband have been blessed with a new church family, with jobs that provide well for their needs, and above all–a healthy thriving spiritual life!

Through Celebrate Recovery’s ministries worldwide, Jesus is in the business of changing people’s lives! While CR helps with ALL struggles, it’s been our goal for the past several years to bring mental health awareness into the light of Christ, to encourage people not to live in shame or embarrassment if they or a loved one suffers from some form of  unhealthy mental well-being.

Our group often hears that local resources are greatly over extended in their efforts to provide services for individuals and families who are in need of help. Although Celebrate Recovery is NOT a substitute for professional help, we ARE a safe place to become part of a group of like minded people working together to achieve wholeness in individuals, families, and our community.

Our CR group meets every Tuesday at 7 pm following a meal which is served at 6 pm.

In addition, children ages 5 through 5th grade may participate in Celebration Place while their parent(s) attend the adult program. Kids get their own time to hear a short lesson and have an opportunity to talk about their feelings while learning helpful coping tools for healthy minds.

If you’d like more information about Celebrate Recovery, you may call Fowlerville UB Church at 517.223.9490; they will put you in touch with me or email: celebraterecovery@fowlervilleub.org. 

Identity: The condition of being oneself or itself, and not another. (Dictionary.com)

Or according to Webster: The distinguishing character or personality of an individual”.

We are living in a culture that is heavily persuading us to believe that our identity comes from “what we do” or “our position in society”. Admittedly, in my teens and young adult years I chased after the very things I thought would give me great definition, those very undertakings that I now see as running after foolish goals.

As I’m moving through my study on “The Sabbath”, this week’s teaching focused on “identity”. Too often, we define ourselves as “what we do”–teacher, office worker, physician, engineer, accountant, software analyst, bus driver, research technician, architect, finance officer…the list of professions and employment opportunities is quite extensive. EVERY job or career has value and holds potential for great personal growth and satisfaction. Yet, the results of reaching personal goals is not how God defines you or me. On the contrary, He isn’t interested in what you “do” regarding employment; He’s after your heart. He wants you to identify as His child when you come into a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.

We read about the Hebrew nation in the Old Testament Book of Exodus who were living under Egyptian rule, making bricks during long work days. If we were to apply the world’s definition of finding identity in “work”, then we could say the Israelites were brick builders. Indeed, that’s the work they were doing, but it isn’t an accurate description of their worth and value to God. In His eyes, they were His people and eventually their freedom comes out of miraculous events by raising up Moses and his brother Aaron to lead them from captivity. 

I need to fully understand, and so do you, that “God’s work isn’t defined by His work” (Walking the Text, Brad Gray) Furthermore, you and I are “not our work”…”you are not what you produce”.

If I were to apply my former thoughts of who I was in my 20s and even up to now at age 70, and also factor in a variety of jobs I held, well my identity list would look like this: Children’s Zoo Employee *Receptionist *Administrative Assistant *Management Trainee *Office Clerk *School Board Member *Direct Sales Rep *Serving Roles at My Church

A good read to further cement an understanding that believers in Christ are sons and daughters of God can be found in the book of Galatians, specifically chapter 4. Honestly, I had been feeling flat in my relationship with God for a few weeks. Although I stayed committed to reading scripture, praying and serving, I felt empty until my own pastor taught from this chapter last week. If you’d like to hear his message you can find Fowlerville UB Church sermons on our Facebook Page or YouTube. (Look for Sept. 1, Pastor Eric Griffon)

It breaks my heart–and I can trust it hurts God too–that too many people are getting caught up in false identity definitions. It’s time we find worth and value in what God says about us and not our culture’s loud voices bombarding us with lies. So,  who does God say you are? Here’s a few definitions straight from scripture to encourage you:

• You are His beloved child
• You are chosen
• You are a holy temple
• You are made in His image
• You are valuable
• You are His friend
• You are forgiven
• You are redeemed

What I didn’t tell you earlier in this week’s column, that when I was a little girl watching Saturday morning television, Roy Rogers was my hero. I wanted to grow up and be like him. My dream didn’t last long when my hopes of getting a horse were shattered because after all–we lived in the city! In junior high I had great aspirations to become an author. So far I’ve had fun and privilege writing for personal enjoyment and teaching Bible studies over the years. The latter is PART of “what I do” but it doesn’t define who I am.

Hello, my name is Susan, and I’m a daughter of the Most High God. My decision to follow Christ 45 years ago redefined my identity. What He did for me He can do for you! If you’d like to know more about having a relationship with God, please call my church office at 517.223.9490; they will put you in contact with me.