January 2025 - Why

In 2021 Pastor John Baker passed away and his son Johnny Baker, along with his wife Jeni, picked up the mantle of CR and continued to carry this program forward.   Throughout the years the program has grown to be one of the largest recovery ministries in the world and it has been  expanding the ministries within CR to help more and more people along the way.   Today we are focusing on the Mental Health ministry of CR led by Roger and Sarah Stanton.   On the Celebrate Recovery website they summed up the ministry saying, “The Mental Health Team’s mission is to equip local Celebrate Recovery ministries to empower individuals to achieve serenity with their mental health. We also aim to raise awareness of mental health, create a safe place to continue conversations and implement Mental Health Ambassadors at each CR location. We encourage Christ-centered sponsorship, provide tools such as the Mental Health Agreement form, Colors of our Mental Health cards, the CR Suicide Protocol along with mental health forums. While Celebrate Recovery may not eliminate Mental Health struggles, these tools are aimed at helping equip leaders and sponsors to walk alongside participants as they learn to struggle well.  Celebrate Recovery is not a replacement for professional counseling, therapy, and/or medical treatment.  We provide encouragement and support to supplement those efforts.” 

Some of the other ministries under the CR banner include CR Inside which is a prison ministry that is inside the jails and prisons.  The Landing-designed for junior and senior high school students, Celebration Place – for our younger children, Cultural Communities – designed around a communities specific needs,  Opioid Teams – that specifically target our opioid crisis and those people that desire a way out, Welcome Home teams for our honored veterans, as well as several others.   Celebrate Recovery is not just a meet once a week have food, fellowship, lesson and group and go home program.   Our 12-step is not just a one and done program that once you take it you get a certificate, and you are all fixed.   Celebrate Recovery is a program designed to walk with you as you fully surrender to God, and find a way to take off the mask of addiction and then open yourself up to why you put that mask on in the first place.  We are there to accept you right where you are in your hurt, hang-up or habit, and then help you stand on your feet again as you build a relation with your higher power, yourself, and then with others.   We are for the long haul – whether that is a year, a decade, or a lifetime.

When we look at how Celebrate Recovery is different than most other recovery programs we have to look at the why it is different and why it works.   Why do we put so much emphasis on our relationship with the one true Higher Power and not just the spiritual idea of a higher power.   I was in recovery group prior to CR and one participant told me that his higher power was his dogs.   Because they always gave him companionship and were always there with excitement and happiness to see him.   Another participant told me it was anything that was outside of ourselves that gave us hope in the moment.   He did not like it when I responded with “then my higher power is this cup of coffee because it is giving me peace and hope in this moment.” In a spiritual sense this may give some people hope in their darkness. 

Did you know that Sigmond Freud a pioneer in psychiatry, and Jean-Martin Charcot a world leading neurologist both believed that religion, or spirituality,  was a pathology that indicated mental health problems in patients.  In other words if you said that you were religious or spiritual that it was reason for them to further diagnose you as having a psychological problem that needed to be addressed.  We know that is completely wrong and that we turn to our religion and spirituality as a way to deal with mental health issues and high stress in our lives.  People use spirituality to deepen their relationships with others in their community, to attempt to find purpose, to find a sense of comfort in the immediate trials, to find external or internal self-hope, and even use it to try to reason the afterlife.  If you noticed I am using the word spirituality here, and that is for a purpose.   Spirituality is something that every single person can relate to, it can take any form, anyone can cultivate and work towards it, it uses a higher power and is without a true connection to our one Higher Power, Jesus Christ.   Some common traits of spirituality are reserved and thoughtful emotional reactions, a healthy ability to feel and express emotions, daily self-practices to help process events, empathy, flexible beliefs that can be easily adjusted, mindfulness of others and their practices, the ability to explain their inner state to others.   Spirituality is self-manifested, self-taught, and self-practiced.  This is inward thinking, based on their own definitions and perceptions of truth of one’s own consciousness and using this to look for the best in self and others.

The downside to being spiritual is that spiritual struggles often happen because something or someone has challenged that inner belief of their self-perceived truth, and now they are lost in knowing “the truth” of their belief.  It can involve altered perceptions of gods and evil forces,  community relationships and ideals, personal struggles with family and friends, personal beliefs, morals, and life’s purposes.  These struggles often lead to substantially greater depression, isolation, and potentially suicidal ideas when they face life’s trials during conflict and hardship.  In other words their mental health takes a hit, and they are lost because of the sand under their feet.

Spirituality can if approached correctly provide a sense of purpose and meaning, it can connect people to a force greater than themselves, as well as to a family of similar believers.  If a person is not following God this may a good step for them to move into if they are seeking better mental health for themselves.  This can be used as a foundation to begin their recovery process.  Multiple spirituality based programs and treatments exist for nearly every disorder that can be used for therapy.  In cases where a participants needs exceed a spiritual bases then we can move into a place of faith based recovery program.  Even in my own journey I started with a counselor that was spiritual, that affirmed any persons place in life.  As I worked through my challenges and grew closer to God I felt a disconnect with this counselor due to not having all of my mental health needs met.   I soon found another counselor that was Christian and continued to work through the process of this recovery, now being able to fully integrate God into my walk.

Once a person moves from spirituality and accepts the journey of a faith-based recovery program such as CR then they will be able to find the stable, unshakable foundation of our one true Higher Power, Jesus Christ, of truth to base their life upon.  Faith in Christ begins to help us in ways that are simply not available in any other form of recovery.   Faith allows us to understand a purpose or reason for our suffering, it gives us patience and perseverance through hardship, it leads us to a family of fellow believers who will walk with us in our recovery.  So then what is faith?  Faith means we have a belief that God exists and that he sent his son to the world to save us.   It is not a vague hope that God might exist if conditions are just right, it is a definite unwavering belief that he is our one true Higher Power.  This is one of the main differences in spirituality of a higher power and the truth a faith based Higher Power.  Where our higher may be a dog or cup of coffee to where we willing and actively submit ourselves to our true Higher Power, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”  And then faith is a commitment not only to believe in our minds that Christ saved us, but we are to put our lives in his hands and trust him fully for what he will do in our lives.  Ephesians 2:8 tells us ““For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.”  Faith is knowing God cares about us, wants us to trust him, and desires a relationship.  Another common definition is found in in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

It should be held that if our mental health is seen as part of our overall health, then it should include our physical, mental, and spiritual health.  Over the last few decades there has been an increased curiosity of how faith and religious beliefs impact mental health.  One study released just 1 year ago our of Arizona states “Young adults in America are experiencing a mental health crisis of staggering proportions. And according to Dr. George Barna, Director of Research at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, much of this crisis among 18- to 24-year-olds can be traced to their rejection of the biblical worldview and their embrace of a faulty view of the world that undermines their mental health.” (tracymunsil 2024).  He further stated 1 in 3 18-24 year olds had a diagnosable mental disorder, 1 in 4 had an anxiety disorder, 1 in 5  had a depressive disorder, 1 in 8 had thoughts of suicide, 3 in 10 suffered from a chemical dependency, and in general over one-half of all student body say they often experience anxiety, depression, fear, suicidal thoughts.  In his research he also stated that among those that are diagnosed with a mental illness 90% of them lack a biblical worldview.  There is an answer though according to this report.  “The key to defying the odds and living a life of meaning and purpose is first to understand why these mental health challenges are so prevalent. And then young people need to be prepared for God to use them to minister in their generation throughout their lives…if they had a biblical world view. That would instantly change their minds..”  “As we’ve done the research, we found that having a biblical worldview makes an incredible difference in a person’s life,” Barna said. “It just plain, flat-out works.”  As his research continues it shows that people with a biblical world view are more likely to describe their life as happy and fulfilling, that they are more likely to hold a more positive view of life and a compelling sense of purpose.  

As we start 2025 this is an opportunity for us to not only start, or restart,  our steps and principles but to take an active look at our mental health through these steps and principles. Celebrate Recovery has stepped forward in their willingness to stand in the gap and address mental health issues that affect our recovery, to address the stigma around our hurts, hangups, and habits.   We have clearly seen that even if we are “sober” from our addictions there are deeper mental issues to address.  By addressing these issues we find a greater strength through Christ to stand against the darkness of those addictions and thus find whole body healing.  I am not saying that mental health leads to an addiction or vice versa but that addictions and mental health are very familiar dance partners.   In some cases mental health issues or trauma may take the lead towards addictions, and in others the addiction may take the lead into mental health issues.   It is important that we address both addiction and mental health in our CR program and continually seek God’s wisdom in the journey.  Are we able to see the dance of addiction to hide ourselves or distance ourselves from those hurts, that lead to hang-ups, then leading to habits?   Now we have to turn and face those and work backwards to untie those hurts from our hearts and minds and find forgiveness for ourselves and others, thus finding freedom in recovery.  By leaning into the 8 principles and 12 steps, participating in a 12-step program, and serving your CR or church you will be able to better face your mental health issues and begin to address them head on. 

When we are able to share our experiences openly and collectively with mental health and addictions we are not only helping ourselves by getting the services and support we need, but we are also giving hope to others and letting them know that they are not alone.  We also begin to normalize the experience in a way that validates others so that they are not afraid to ask for help.   We build accountability teams and sponsorships with others that can mentor us and those we can mentor to.  Through this they begin to share their story and begin a new cycle of hope in their circle of friends.

Ephraim continues to mentor Felix..., 

 “When you show your weaknesses, some may laugh and even call you weak but deep down, they will know what you speak of.  Being vulnerable connects mankind.This is how we understand each other.  People want to find themselves in your story, this is how they decide to follow you.  When you reveal that you are on the same journey, only then will they trust you enough to listen.  Emotions are not a sign of weakness; they are a sign of humanness.” (Ivanov 2017)

You are the most powerful when you allow yourself to open and vulnerable, this is expressed when we share our testimonies. I would say that every person that has shared will say “I feel so much freedom now that I have shared my story.”  By sharing your story your empower yourself to let go of your “secrets” and begin to aim higher towards a higher goal.

I heard once “Let’s find the courage to change our thinking from ‘What’s wrong with you?’ to perhaps ‘What happened to you?’ Let us be the change that we want to see in our communities and the world. Let’s talk about mental health.”

Overcoming addiction is a difficult journey, but with God’s strength and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is possible. The Bible teaches us to remain alert and of sober mind, resist the enemy, and honor God with our bodies. Whether battling drug addiction, alcohol abuse, mental health issues or other challenges, the Bible is a love story, a mental health guide, a self-surrender book  full of verses and stories that offer hope and direction.  The Bible is not the end-all for our journey though, addiction treatment can include faith-based support like our CR family, professional faith based counseling, and others such as a Christian rehab center. Relying on God’s grace and immersing oneself in scripture can bring lasting change, allowing a community of fellow believers who are willing and wanting to walk with you will bring hope and strength. Always lean on the Lord Jesus Christ for hope and strength, remembering suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, which leads to hope. 

Lastly I want to share one last item from our Celebrate Recovery leadership guide about the mental health ministry.  Celebrate Recovery is not a replacement for professional counseling, therapy, or medical treatment.  We are here to support those efforts and to encourage you to use them.  Celebrate Recovery cannot promise physical healing from your mental health issues, no more that it can promise healing from cancer.  What we can offer you is this…

What we are:

1.      A safe and loving place for those seeking to find support in the midst of mental health issues and dual diagnosis.

2.      Willing to support mental health through Christ centered accountability and sponsorship.

3.      A safe place to work through all of life’s hurts, hang-ups, and habits believing that freedom in Christ is something that can be complete even without physical healing.

 What we are not:

1.      A replacement for professional counseling or therapy

2.      A place for judgement

3.      A place that gives up on HOPE!

CR (ND) Mental Health: Issue Pamphlet. 

Ivanov, Michael (2017) Mount of Olives: 11 Declarations to an Extraordinary Life.  Self-published.

Tracymunsil. (Jan 2024) Loss of Biblical Worldview Fuels Mental Health Crisis Among Young Adults, Says CRC’s Barna.  Arizona Christian University.  https://www.arizonachristian.edu/2024/01/28/mental-health-crisis-among-young-adults-a-worldview-problem-says-crcs-barna/