Testimonies

The Rooms of AA vs. The Most Excellent Way

In the rooms of recovery I was taught that your “story” or testimony was important to share with the Newcomers – it was known that you share in a general way – what it was like, what happened and what it is like now.

As a Believer in Jesus Christ I now understand the importance of the testimony, but its outline is a bit different. I accept that God gave me my testimony, that he was not at all surprised by the decisions I made! In a general way I can share with you what it was like before living for Jesus, how I realized my need for Jesus, and what step I took to commit my life to Jesus.

Born again at 15 but NEVER committed to reading God’s Holy Word. The flesh quickly took over and I had no one in my life to steer me otherwise. After being married at 19 and 10 years of control my first marriage fell apart and crashed and burned. We never entered a church or prayed together. As I was of the world – participating in carnal things. Near the end of the marriage I was quick to put on the victim hat. I would turn to alcohol as a numbing device. I didn’t want to feel – ever. At 7 months pregnant my husband left me therefore the victim hat turned into a Casualty Suit! I was put on anti anxiety and anti depressants right away and totally numbed out to the world. This is when I recommitted my life to Christ and began actually reading the bible. I quickly learned of salvation and eternal life; I was aware of the dark and carnal things that could keep me from God should I choose. This was about a year commitment – attending service on Sunday, praying daily to begin with and reading occasionally! Here came the backsliding: (Notice how I say I read occasionally!) It was a slow fade and about a year later I was back in victim mode and deserving of enjoying my single and young years ( I was already 31 but totally thought I was 18) so my actions were justified - now I am aware that was Satan luring me back into the world. This was a 4 year binge. I was off and running. My drinking soon became an addiction – a life dominating sin. Addiction is not just a bad habit but a felt need for an external substance or activity; it was excessive, an overwhelming need that was repetitive and insistent.

I finally opened my ears and heard God intervene in Feb 2006. I didn’t hear GOD audibly but I felt this peace like I never felt and I knew I was done. I didn’t turn to the truth right away, instead I chose the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. I truly believe this was Gods will for me to be an example and light within the rooms of recovery. The seeds were planted after many of my fellow alcoholics watched me transform and fall in love with Jesus. I didn’t get planted right away in a church or even pick up my bible. I fell into the Higher Power agenda – a HIGHER POWER of MY OWN understanding – cool – I didn’t understand the God of the Bible. After nearly 1 ½ years of recovery I was sober but I was certainly still living carnally. After all the God of my own understanding didn’t chastise me. I hit yet another bottom as I was so lonely and empty but was not sure what I was missing. I face planted and spread my arms out and cried out for mercy…not for His Son… but a sign to show me He was in my life. Things started happening in my life I could not explain – I was more at peace than I had been in a very long time, unhealthy people were being plucked away from me.. I spent more time with the woman in my life and my children. I was finally at peace being on my own. I relished in recovery. It became my whole world until I walked into Calvary Chapel Spring Valley.

Over the last 3 years the desire to know Him grows daily – the sins are fewer and the repentance is sooner. I was led to leave AA in Nov of 08 as my focus was on Jesus and truth and I couldn’t share Him openly. I struggled with the whole label of alcoholic and the possibility of drinking again since I stopped going to meetings – the solution was to get my heart into the Word of God. In February of 09 Calvary Chapel endorsed a wonderful recovery ministry, The Most Excellent Way. The Most Excellent Way is a wonderful ministry that teaches drunks like me that a 1 STEP program is the most effective- JESUS! I am Alive in Christ and not labeled a drunkard any longer – I am HIS workmanship – His creation – His Child and He loves me! The Most Excellent Way has changed lives, transformed individuals from the inside out by sharing the Love of Jesus. Our focus is Jesus and not our circumstances. We believe addicted individuals can be totally freed from addictions by HOPE and FAITH in Jesus Christ, by the POWER and LOVE God’s indwelling Holy Spirit, by KNOWING God, and by LIVING Biblical principles.

Stacy C