Wouldn’t it be useful if the Bible offered a one-verse-fits-all for recovery?
However, each human is unique with unique experiences. Each abuse, anxiety and addiction is unique, as is each person’s journey to recovery. Therefore, I’m of the opinion that there isn’t one Bible verse that provides the answer to everyone’s recovery needs. However, I do believe the Bible is the best recovery resource!
In order to trust God and His word to us, the Bible, we need to know that God truly knows us. There are many verses that tell us this. Psalm 139 reassures us beautifully that He knows us inside out. In the New Testament, we’re told that Jesus “knew what was in each person” (John 2:25) and He Himself said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14)
In Philippians 4:6, we’re told, “Do not be anxious about anything…” That verse is written in the Bible because humans have a tendency to be anxious. Its inclusion shows us that God knows us and our tendencies. He is well aware of our weaknesses and failings. Therefore, we can be confident that what He says in the Bible is relevant to recovery! His words are worth listening to.
Romans 12:2 tells us “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” If it were not possible to be transformed, the Apostle Paul would not have included this instruction. This gave me hope that freedom from eating disorders was potentially possible. I hope it gives you hope too.
Though the Bible doesn’t give us that one-verse-fits-all for freedom from hurts, hang-ups and habits, specific verses certainly speak to our character defects and challenge the unbiblical belief systems we hold. I’ve seen transformation as people have chosen to stand on God’s truth and not their own understanding as these verses in Proverbs 3:5-6 urge us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
If our character defects are like weeds, the right Bible verse can act like weedkiller. One of the roots to my eating disorders was self-hatred. Nahum 1:7, “The Lord…cares for those who trust in him” was the weedkiller I needed. Nobody threw that verse at me; God led me to it in a special way at a time of deep hurt which meant I took hold of it with my whole heart. When I was filled with self-disgust, I would tell myself the truth that God cares for me. My worth today is found in Jesus and this has changed my life.
If you hold a negative or destructive belief or have a defect of character that constantly trips you up, I encourage you to work through the Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guides in a Step Study group or with your sponsor. Identify for yourself the ‘weeds’ in your heart and mind, and seek God’s truth – the weedkiller – to challenge the lies that cause you pain, so that you can be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
