Celebrate Recovery Teaching Notes: The Path to Sanity

 

***Sharing my teaching and my prayer, I hope this inspires you.. 

Principle 2: Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. “Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4). Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. “

Opening (2 minutes)

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." – Philippians 2:13

Today, we're focusing on a powerful truth: God doesn't just want your attention—He wants your heart, your freedom, and your healing. Let's explore how we can find true sanity through surrendering to Him.

What is Sanity? (3 minutes)

·        Sanity is not about achieving perfection or having all the answers

·        It's not about suppressing emotions, pretending problems don't exist, or being perfect

·        Maintaining a face that everything's fine

It IS:

·        Making choices aligned with God's will

·        Finding peace even in life's storms

·        Trusting God's power instead of our limitations

 

The SANITY Framework (12 minutes)

S - Strength (2 minutes) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." – Psalm 46:1

Let's be honest—our insanity manifests as:

·        Trying to control everything

·        Making the same empty promises

·        Thinking we can fix ourselves alone

·        Isolating ourselves when we need community most.

·        Using denial to avoid facing painful truths

·        Letting shame keep us from seeking help

But God's strength enables us to:

·        Face truth with courage

·        Accept help without shame

·        Break destructive patterns

·        Respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively

·        Submit to accountability with humility

Weakness + Gift God's strength/opportunity to show his power and give you the strength you need when you don’t see, feel it, or feel impossible. Key Truth: Jesus doesn't just sit in our mess—He walks through it with us.

 Jesus is not powerless that he sits in our mess, but he walks with us through our mess.

A - Acceptance (2 minutes) "Accept one another, as Christ has accepted you" (Romans 15:7)

our insanity often shows up as:

·        Rejecting ourselves and others

·        Judging constantly

·        Live in denial

True Acceptance means:

·        Embrace where we are today

·        Show/extend grace to ourselves and others

·        Taking responsibility for our actions without shame

·        Being honest and vulnerable with God and ourselves

God's acceptance invites us to be vulnerable and honest, knowing His love doesn't depend on our perfection.

N - New Life (2 minutes) Scripture: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" – 2 Corinthians 5:17

our insanity appears as:

·        Clinging to old patterns

·        Resisting change

·        Fearing the unknown

When we surrender to God, He offers a new life:

·        Fresh starts/ release old habits

·        New perspectives

·        Transformed hearts

·        We build on small victories through His grace

The banner says people change, lives transformed, and families restored are not just words but reality. Once we surrender to god

I - Integrity (2 minutes) Scripture: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." – 3 John 1:4

our insanity often shows up as:

•        living double lives

·        Making excuses

·        Hiding our struggles

Living in truth means:

·        No more half-truths

·        Courage to be honest

·        Freedom from secrets

·        Keep commitments

·        Embracing healing through truth

Remember: "Truth hurts, but it's the lie that leaves scars." Truth is like surgery. It hurts, but over time, it heals. A lie is like a painkiller; it gives instant relief but has side effects forever.

T - Trust  (2 minutes)

Trust Scripture: "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." – Proverbs 29:25

Our insanity often shows up:

•        Relying on ourselves

•        Living in fear

•        Doubting God's goodness

Trust: Letting go of control

•        Rest in God's care

•        Taking healthy risks

•        Find true security

*Having your trust broken can be life-altering, but it doesn't have to be life-ruining. Trust is about letting go of control, resting in God's care, and allowing Him to heal what's been broken. It's not easy, but with Him true peace is possible.

Y- Your higher power (2 minutes)

 Scripture: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." – Romans 5:8

our insanity often appears as:

•        Playing God

•        Seeking control

•        Refusing help

But surrendering to our Higher Power enables us to:

•        Accept divine love

•        Release control

•        Find true peace

 

Closing Thoughts (1 minute):

 Do you know David from the Bible? He composed many of the Psalms, and while his words were poetic, they pierced my heart because I knew exactly what he was saying—the anguish, the desperation, the pain, depression. He bares it all before God. That's me. I've lived it. I know how hard it is to make the transition from insanity to sanity, to be honest with yourself and recognize the hurt you've caused yourself and others. It's raw. It's falling on your face before Jesus, time after time, so that He can crush your selfishness, pride, and idols. Break walls of my pride

 The transition isn't easy, and I won't minimize the struggle, but it's possible with God. He specializes in the impossible. Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Right next step and the next and the next, which means there will be moments you are fighting for your life, moment by moment, one step at a time until you see hope. He will lead you, guide you, and take you from darkness to light, from chaos to peace, from ashes to beauty, from brokenness to wholeness.

 Be encouraged tonight. Look around—everyone here has a story. If you ask them, they'll tell you: "God rescued me from..." "The Lord saved me from..." "The Lord helped me through..." All you need to do is surrender, say, "Here I am, I'm ready," and He will extend His hand and hold you until you find your way to Him. So don't give up on yourself because He will never give up on you. Sober mind, peace, and freedom. One step at a time. One surrender at a time. One prayer at a time. 💛 god is not asking for perfection he is offering transformation. I wrestled with darkness. Not every conversation needs your input not every coment is an offense, not every iteractin needs your particpiton best desion you can make I remain

 

Closing Challenge (5 minutes)

Think about this: Have you ever noticed how much energy our addictions and hurts take? The constant planning, hiding, managing, and maneuvering - it's exhausting! But here's the beautiful truth: God sees that intensity in you and loves it. He's not disgusted by your addiction; He sees your capacity for passion and dedication.

Imagine channeling all that energy toward something life-giving:

·        What if you planned your prayer time with the same detail you planned your next fix?

·        What if you pursued God's presence with the same urgency you pursued your habits?

·        What if you got as excited about the church as you did about that next drink or high?

 

Here's what's impressive: The very traits that made you "good" at your addiction—your dedication, persistence, and creativity-are gifts from God that the enemy twisted. But God can redeem them! The same determination that kept you addicted can keep you in recovery. The same creativity you used to hide can now be used to help others. The same intensity you brought to your hurts can now fuel your healing.

You're not crazy. You're not too far gone. You're exactly where God can use you most powerfully because someone who knows the depths of darkness can truly appreciate the beauty of light.

Let's become worshippers of Jesus and pursue Him with everything we have. In Him, we find what we've been looking for—true sanity, real peace, and lasting purpose.

 

Closing Prayer

Lord, we come to You just as we are - messy, imperfect, and ready for change. Thank You for seeing beyond addictions to the hearts You created. Help us redirect our passion toward You. Transform our determination into dedication to recovery, our creativity into ways to serve others, and our intensity into worship. Bring us the sanity that only You can give. In Jesus' name, Amen.