Judgments and Vows

by test_admin | Jun 16, 2021 | Faith-Based Recovery, Long-Term Treatment

Do not judge or you will be judged.

Written By: A No Longer Bound Resident, Austin

When asked, although we may deny the fact, we are all guilty of judging others. It is a human act we all fall to. The definition of the word judgment is the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. The Lord spoke to Samuel and said, “… The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) And even if we try our best we will fail in this direction every time. In Revelation, a phase in the curriculum here at No Longer Bound, we are asked to look into our judgments. Why we make them, along with the vows we make after the judgments. An example of this would be if someone lied to you and you say, “I hate people that always lie, I would never lie about something like that.” It is a judgment on someone’s motive and a promise to ourselves and others that you would never repeat the action you find offense in.

Press and Print

When we come across judgments in our lives they are often in response to a lie we have believed. We try to guard ourselves against an internal response or irritation felt towards someone else. A trigger we don’t want to be pulled or a button we don’t want to be pushed. When this “lie button” is pushed a judgment is printed and our self-defense is activated and our self-worth is guarded. Often the judgments stem from a belief that is self-damaging and reflected through the judged.

I don’t Have The Power, But God Does

With the direction given to Samuel, the Lord was trying to change our beliefs. Because our responses show we are not effective judges. We have the horrible habit, and practice, of skewing what we think we know with half-truths, mix in assumptions and there is a recipe to make ourselves feel more important. Feeling better about ourselves, in attempts to protect the lies we believe within. Every judgment is passed through an internal filter of predetermined beliefs. Beliefs either learned early in life or experienced throughout life. These judgments are important tools we use to break others down while our vows build us up. Vows and judgments separate us from others due to the protection of false beliefs through a power stemming entirely from ourselves. Our vows are made up of “I” statements and a belief that “I have the power” to refrain from the action without God’s help. With this separation from God’s help, we also separate from others. Although we all want connection we fail to combat our emotions and internal dialogue with God’s truth.

Destroy What the Enemy Rooted Early On

Once the choice to listen to God’s truth and accept his help is made we begin to destroy the enemy’s work. The enemy has a lot of effort put into some of us a constant war having been waged since we were little. The enemy doesn’t want you to wake up to the true person you are. Your true identity is a threat not only to the enemy but to the status quo of the world. I challenge you to look into the judgments you pass on others. Also view the lies you are protecting with those judgments. Perhaps they are deeply rooted in a learned or experienced tactic of thinking from when you were young or they are newly learned, either way, I challenge everyone to then ask God to show where the lies within yourself dwell and ask for them to be changed.

Partners With God

When we ask God to help us renounce the vows we have set ourselves we enter into a partnership with God himself. Dispelling the unhappiness and resentments we build within by allowing others and yourself grace. once realized and renounced watch how the number of judgments and vows you make decrease in your daily life. Bringing happiness and richer opportunities to get to know others that you may never have given a chance previously in life. Remember the teaching “Do not judge, of you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.…” (Matthew 7:1)

-Austin

Returning To Treatment

by test_admin | Jun 7, 2021 | Faith-Based Recovery, Long-Term Treatment

Written By: A No Longer Bound Resident, Austin

Take a look around No Longer Bound, and you will notice many returning faces. These men are not returning for the help you may expect (although that does happen, at times). But rather, many men return to help others.

As a resident in a year-long faith-based program, it is helpful to see others in active recovery succeeding in their sobriety. We have many people on staff at No Longer Bound, who are in active recovery. Some are graduates of the program and others are not. They all, however, share a common refrain: The men in the program help them, as much as they help us. 

Returning to Treatment: Seeing Successful Sobriety

A person making it in the outside world, spending time with us and sharing the hope that we can be in their shoes some day, is the encouragement we need to keep moving forward. I am grateful these returning men are willing to be honest and vulnerable about life’s dirty lows and its unimaginable heights.

We Can Have That Too?

Before seeking help, many in addiction believe having a good life is not possible. A good life seems fabricated, something we don’t deserve, or only available to the good “unbroken” people. But seeing men coming back to No Longer Bound, giving their time In fellowship, ears to hear, shoulders to cry on, and experiences to grow upon—there is nothing more impactful in showing us addicts just how inaccurate our false beliefs actually are.

A Faith-based Perspective: God Likes How We Talk

These returning men also serve as a sounding board for our good and bad ideas. Addicts are not afraid to tell it like it is—that trait doesn’t go away with sobriety. If an idea is bad or likely leads down the wrong path, they will tell us. And, more times than not, they have a personal example, a story ready to share, or their phone is full of people who do.

Returning to Treatment: Recovery Networks

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)

With the vast number of No Longer Bound alumni peers comes an intimate network of recovering addicts, all with a common goal of keeping each other sober. This network of people are available to hear our daily struggles, talk us through our cravings, work us through our problems, or simply help support us through the challenging situations where relapse is possible—all without judgement or criticism.

Returning to Treatment: Motivation For A Possible Future

Simply put, as someone in recovery, these returning peers are people I can turn to for accountability, honest, faith-based dialogue, and encouragement of where I currently am. We are all rooting for each other’s victory, because we have all seen and experienced big loss. These returning men are the motivation we all need, and they are an example of a good future, delivered in the form of a friend.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”  (Romans 12:10-13)

-Austin, No Longer Bound Resident
#faith-based treatment