“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). This says two things. First, we must have plans. Second, when we commit our work to God, those plans will be blessed.
Let’s start with your plan. I have a simple question for you. What is your plan to stay sober this week? I offer something I’ve been suggesting to clients lately. I call it the “Rule of 5.” You need to do five things in recovery each week in order to stay sober. Pick any five from this list, or come up with your own.
- Attend a recovery meeting.
- Make a call.
- Read Scripture.
- Exercise.
- Read from a recovery book.
- Work one of the 12 Steps.
- Pray.
- Memorize a Bible verse.
- Read my Recovery Minute each day.
- Confess your struggles.
- Do a Recovery Night with your spouse.
- Listen to a podcast.
- Call someone new to recovery.
- Fast one meal.
Recovery Step: Practice the “Rule of 5” this week.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
