“We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.”
– Step 1, Alcoholics Anonymous
Recovery begins where control ends. We must accept the fact that we have a problem.
Marsha Linehan said it well. “Radical acceptance rests on letting go of the illusion of control and a willingness to notice and accept things as they are right now.”
Step 1 is the only Step you have to work perfectly. Until you recognize that (a) you have a problem, and (b) you can’t do anything about it, you will never know recovery.
Recovery Step: The psalmist said, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3). Say it with me: “I am powerless. God has all power. I will trust him now.”
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.
