by Graham Bufford
Director of Aftercare/CLCC
“Wisdom has built a palace supported on seven pillars.” – Proverbs 9:1 TLB
Long term and sustained recovery is more than possible! It’s actually very likely if one practices wisdom and remains committed to God’s principles and processes. The following are seven pillars on which to build a healthy palace of freedom! These pillars are timeless, and I have seen them work in my own life and observed participants and graduates be successful when they are prioritized and practiced!
1.) Speak the right things!
Long-term recovery depends on speech that glorifies the Lord and is edifying to those around us; we will always feast from the fruit of our speech, be it healthy or toxic.
“Your words are so powerful that they will kill or give life, and the talkative person will reap the consequences.” – Proverbs 18:21 TBT
“And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.” – Ephesians 4:29 TBT
2.) Do the right thing!
Long-term recovery depends on the consistent practice of prioritized behavior; we will always be the embodiment of our daily agenda.
“Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others.” – Colossians 3:23
“Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” – Mathew 5:16 TLB
3.) Think the right things!
Long-term recovery depends on a healthy thought-life; we must remain accountable and supported as we live within the transformative Kingdom of God and we need Godly boundaries on what we see and hear!
“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” – Romans 12:2
“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” – Philippians 4:8 TPT
4.) Study the right things!
Long-term recovery is not just about abstinence from life controlling substances and issues, but also it’s about recovery from sin; I challenge you to write me a list of all the things that are more important than fellowship with the Holy Spirit through study and meditation on the Word of God.
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15 AMP
“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” – Joshua 1:8 NLT
5.) Love the right things!
Long-term recovery will only be possible to the extent we can faithfully and fearlessly love people; love empowers a life submitted to God, including areas of finances and relationships – the two most common factors associated with relapse.
“You are to love the Lord Yahweh, your God, with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, with every thought that is within you, and with all your strength. This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself.’ You will never find a greater commandment than these.” – Mark 12:30-31 TPT
“Loving money is the first step toward all kinds of trouble. Some people run after it so much that they have given up their faith. Craving more money pushes them away from the faith into error, compounding misery in their lives!” – 1 Timothy 6:10 TPT
“Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14 TLB
6.) Worship the right things!
Long-term recovery will be jeopardized should anyone or anything sit on the throne of our hearts besides Jesus Christ; the King of kings and Lord of Lords; our relationship with the Lord should be the lens with which we evaluate everything in our lives.
“Worship no other God before me.” – Exodus 20:3 GNT
“For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who worship and adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24 TPT
7.) Be the right things!
Long-term recovery is not dependent on a fake and uninteresting life. Life with God combined with a grateful attitude is passionate, purposeful, fulfilling, authentic, and rich with blessing.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9 NIV
“Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 TPT
Build your palace of freedom with these seven pillars and when the storms of life come, nothing will move your house!
