Four Seasons of Recovery
When you decide you need or want to change something in your life, you enter a new season. Our lives include cycle of seasons—some you want to share and others you try to forget. Everybody has uncomfortable seasons in their life and flows through seasons of change. Change occurs over four different seasons. Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. Ecclesiastes 3:1(GNT)
Fall
Autumn is when the trees shed their leaves, and plants prepare to be renewed. life is Like the fall, once you decide to change, you begin the process of shedding negative behaviors. For example, when you make the decision to stop using drugs and other substances, you begin dropping harmful habits.
Think of your decision to change like the end of the summer. At the end of summer, there are moments of joy, sorrow because of change. As summer turns to fall, many will change their habits to fit the new season. When autumn takes hold, summer and summertime fun are over.
The first cold day of autumn often pushes people to make changes in their daily habits. The moment you realize you need to change your harmful habits is like that first cold day. You know you can make the necessary adjustments. At this moment, you start taking control by making decision how you will change. The beginning of falling forward, the first step towards stopping substance abuse. With the help of God, you can transform your life. Falling forward means stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the journey to a new you. You will experience some failures, but that’s a part of falling forward; you keep going despite failing. Each failure is an opportunity to learn. Shed your fear of failure, your limiting beliefs and harmful habits. “Do not be afraid–I will save you. I have called you by name–you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)
Winter
For some, winter is when nature has lost its glory and is in a phase of deep sleep. What many don’t see is the work going on inside those trees and plants. The roots continue to grow, forming a solid foundation, taking nutrients from the earth as they wait for spring. Winter is a pivotal time for growth.
During this season, examine the roots, why you turned to substances? Was there a need for acceptance, happiness, or control? How can you change your life to achieve your needs without harming yourself in the process? Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:8 (AMP) Working with an Addiction Recovery Coach is like the season of winter. You learn to grow, develop healthy habits, and apply the information gained during coaching sessions. You understand why you sought substances to satisfy negative feelings and emotions. During your relationship with your Coach, you will learn how to develop support system that will help you achieved and main your sobriety.
Spring
This is when you can feel hope, renewal and anticipate seeing winter fade away. The plan is to come out of Addiction Recovery Coaching with a renewed sense of control over your life. However, even in spring, there are cold snaps. These cold snaps are a reminder that even nature can take steps backward, just like when triggers cause relapse. As you continue to grow, push past the winter snow, and the fall leaves, you challenge yourself to embrace change, without fear. If you hit a lull, an obstacle, or relapse while in recovery, remember you are falling forward. The failures, or as one could say, are expected. Keep moving forward. A moment of doubt or relapse is falling forward, and it is a time to begin again, using the recovery tools you now have. “Do not remember the former things or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB 1995)
Summer
As you move into the summer, you lose the layers you have around you; layers that provide comfort or warmth. Removing layers allows you to become aware of how you interact with your environment. You can feel, see, or taste everything. Everywhere there is something new, exciting, or interesting. The urge to try something new and push past your comfort zone is fun. Even in the summer, you can find some new growth while thankful that the roots keep you grounded.
Recovery is for a lifetime. When you strengthen your Faith and remain active in the coaching relationship, you are changing. New adventures or activities are the branches that continue to grow He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. Titus 3:5 (CEV)
The cycle of the seasons means you can always review and change parts of your life that are not helpful. Life is always changing remember keep falling forward and change. DON’T QUIT “Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb and the message of God. They were willing to give up their lives. Revelations 12:11 (CEV). We were willing to give up our old lives of boundage