A Day in the Life Of (Creepy Music Intro): Relapse Prevention

Have you ever woken up to a bright sunshiny morning, thinking WOW, what an amazing day it’s going to be? When your feet hit the ground though, the storms of life begin blowing in. Everything you normally expect to go wrong does… then the even more ridiculous things begin to pop up. Things average folks would refuse to believe are even possible. Well, that's where I am once again.

How do we combat the unnecessary chaos the modern world insists on creating? What steps can we take to keep from losing the progress we have made in our recovery journey? How do we bring the joy of our Lord into this lost world, when we ourselves are drowning?

Let’s rewind the tape a few steps back to the point my feet hit the ground from the bed. For my day to begin the best I could have, I know I should have bent my knees before my Lord Jesus first thing. Philippians 4:6–7 encourages us to present our concerns to God in prayer. This can lead us to having peace in our hearts and minds.

The next steps of my day might have a looser scheduling, with perhaps, saying good mornings, teeth brushing, coffee drinking, etc., but my primary goal of getting myself prepared for the day ahead is to get into the Word. Psalms 119:105 highlights the guidance that scripture provides, helping us to navigate life’s chaos with clarity. James 1:5 advises us to seek wisdom from God; that alone, will help us to make sound decisions that would reduce the disorder. Matthew 6:33 teaches us to seek first the Kingdom of God, helping us to prioritize our lives and reduce unnecessary distractions.

Often my mornings might include a group text with small study included or a study or sermon with my spouse. Hebrews 10:24–25 emphasizes the importance of gathering with others for support and encouragement, leading to stability in our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 will embolden us to practice gratitude in all circumstances, helping to shift our focus from the chaos to positivity.

We also need to remember, often our chaos builds up over a span of time. Compiled tensions tend to weaken our resilience; our attitudes slowly erode from levelheaded to a boiling point. This is why the importance of rest, as emphasized in Exodus 20:8–11 must be taken seriously. If God, Himself understands this, who are we to believe we are greater than our Maker? Taking regular breaks helps us to restore balance, reducing chaos.

As my day carries on, the problems begin piling up. Answers just are not coming like I would hope. Life is just not going my way. Thoughts of relapsing begin to present themselves… sometimes even physical opportunities. Knowing the misery that my life would become if I gave in to my former self and the many coping mechanisms I once loved, I begin to wonder, how do I prevent progress loss?

Well, for starters, I know I must practice some consistency to my routine. Having a daily schedule provides structure and stability while reducing anxiety. By breaking my recovery into small manageable steps, I also boost my motivation. There is a sense of accomplishment as I achieve each small goal in my day as well as my recovery. One step at a time as they say.

Staying connected to supportive friends, family, and groups is extremely important to my recovery. This helps me to foster a sense of belonging and accountability and reduces the feelings of isolation. There are moments in the day when you JUST GOT TO BREATHE. Practicing mindfulness enhances emotional regulation and reduces stress.

As my recovery has progressed over the years, I have learned one of the most important things that I can do is get to learn myself. I have learned to identify and avoid many situations and behaviors that will lead me to backstepping in my life. Replacing old patterns with healthier habits and activities boosts my physical and mental well-being as well as promoting resilience in my life. Without taking it to the point of vanity, I try to regularly acknowledge my accomplishments, quietly celebrating to boost my esteem and reinforce positive behaviors.

Now that I have gotten past this feeling of “woe is me”, I am ready to reset my focus today. I am ready to go out into this dreary world and spread the joy of the Lord. How can I do this though? Well first you can see how I have been honest with you about my struggles. Sometimes sharing our vulnerabilities can help others feel less isolated as we find in 2 Corinthians 1:4 “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.”

I also want to remind you of the mighty power of prayer itself, and know that where two or more gather in Jesus’ name, He is there as well, as evidenced in Matthew 18:20. Then encourage you with Philippians 4:6–7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” What brilliant words of peace and comfort!

Joy can be found in God, even amidst struggles. This is evidenced both by Psalms 30:5 and Nehemiah 8:10 which state “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” and “the joy of the Lord IS your strength.” Leading us right back to that trusty word I love to promote in my own life- Gratitude. Cultivating a heart of gratitude shifts our focus from the negative to positive aspects of our lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 encourages “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

As a community of believers, we find encouragement in Hebrews 10: 24–25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Sometimes just being present, listening and providing support can be very impactful. Romans 12:15 orders us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Serving others helps us to find fulfillment even in tough times. “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” as referenced in Acts 20:35.

So, I have come out of my darkness of despair this afternoon. The sun still shines beyond the cold concrete walls i sit inside of. My prison release is imminent. I am choosing today; I will not be held captive by my former self. Have past choices redirected my life? Sure, many of my days. Do I clearly have my full life plan prepared with a GPS map of how I will arrive and an estimated arrival time? Nope. That doesn't bother me anymore today. However, I must hear one thing at the end of my travels; “Well done faithful servant.”