I don’t know a single addict that just woke up one day and decided to be an addict. There are deep wounds at the root of addiction. Wounds of the soul. When a lady arrives at the Renewal Center, they are usually scared to death and they don’t know if they will be able to succeed on the road to recovery. However, soon they begin to realize they are surrounded by Christ’s love, given to them by the staff and many wonderful volunteers that really care about them. Upon this realization, walls begin to crumble and hope enters their heart.
First of all, it’s important to identify the root of their addiction. Each lady receives much needed biblical counseling to help their deep wounds begin to heal. Most of the time, they are dealing with severe issues like sexual abuse, physical abuse, childhood neglect, abortion, rejection, insecurity, forgiveness, shame and guilt. With a lot of tears, they work through each painful issue and eventually are able to surrender them to God. At this point, the chains of bondage begin to loosen and the freedom in Christ is received.
The Renewal Program gives the ladies structure which most have lived without. With structure comes obedience, responsibility and boundaries. They are assigned daily chores, attend devotions each day, enjoy free time doing homework, having fellowship and sharing the day’s victories. There are 4 levels of classes to complete before graduating the program. Each level is designed to address the appropriate level of recovery and spiritual growth. They learn about Christ’s love for them; that He is trustworthy, forgiving and faithful. They learn how to set boundaries with people in their lives, letting the good in and the bad out. In addition, they go through the biblical 12 steps and relapse prevention identifying triggers and potential dangerous situations. Each one is held to the highest level of accountability and learns to make right decisions based on God’s word. They are then able to work through many problems they are faced with.
Overall, the Renewal Program is a holy place of healing, where ladies become new creations in Christ. They realize they are not identified by their actions, that they are more than the choices they have made and more than their past mistakes. They have been forgiven and redeemed. Soon their lives are restored to health and they are down that road to recovery.
The fact that Renewal is Christ-centered is that every opportunity to come to know Jesus is there, but He doesn’t force Himself on us, as a Renewal graduate, I came to know and recognize the Holy Spirit and a member of the God-Head, not a force (although He is a force to be reckoned with-Acts chapter 5) while at Renewal,ladies it is an act of will, laying our will at the feet of Jesus and leaving it there.God used Renewal to save my soul as well as my life,and take Him with you when you leave! Kyla, you are indeed a trophy of God’s grace at Renewal and I am blessed to be your renewed sister in Christ Jesus.
Since going through the Renewal program, I find myself dividing my life up into two sections; being before Renewal and after Renewal. It is because when I finally surrendered to Christ and accepted His forgivness I began a new walk down the narrow path that leads to righteousness. Praise God for Christ and Renewal! Lynn, you are an amazing woman of God yourself my dear friend. I love you!
love you more!