“If someone isn’t ready to change, they won’t change. It takes getting crystal clear on what you want and cultivating your coping tools. It takes a community, support, and new connections and hobbies. Recovery isn’t a diet. It’s a journey of change…” Michelle Smith, Recovery is the New Black
I had the privilege of meeting Michelle Smith, founder of Recovery is the New Black and her statement above resonated with me. While she’s talking about the journey of sobriety, I believe there is truth there for all addictions, including food addiction.
I can’t tell you how many times over my life I’ve “wanted to change,” but not really. I wanted the food to change. I wanted to miraculously be able to eat the same amount of food and the same type of food, yet not have the devastating consequences of extra pounds, less energy, and a plummeting self esteem. I wanted to teach my kids healthy eating habits while eating ice cream, brownies, and celebrating every little occasion with another sugary treat.
Real change, in any area of our lives, takes getting honest with ourselves about our true goal, and then praying about the next steps to reach that goal. I also believe community, support, accountability, and new habits are crucial to help establish lasting change.
God’s word taught us that truth first. One of my favorite verses is II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!” When we choose a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we become new automatically, adopted into God’s family. As God continues to teach us how to become more like Christ, our old habits will change and our old lifestyle will gradually begin to look very different.
Just as God doesn’t change everything alhttps://www.amazon.com/Faith-Filled-Adventures-Adventure-Book-4-ebook/dp/B0961Q92ZH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=faith+filled+adventures+by+cheri+swalwell&qid=1623368072&sr=8-1l at once, sometimes it’s easier to focus on changing one aspect at a time. Sometimes, with sobriety or other illegal addictions, there isn’t that leeway and a more drastic approach is needed. Whatever the method God shows you, may it be sprinkled with a lot of grace. Grace for yourself and grace for others also working on their own personal change.
Come back next time because there is more truth to unpack regarding the simple statement about what it takes for someone to make a permanent change in her life.
© Cheri Swalwell 2021