Out with the old; in with the new. The power of transformative recovery is that it is not merely the changing of behavior, but rather the replacement of something that is destined to die with something that inherently and fully alive. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)
The recovering person is set free from the power and control of the self-centered dissatisfaction that breeds addictive thinking, resulting in addictive behavior followed by adverse consequences. Transformative recovery involves letting go of control since the need to be in control (“having things my way”) is what leads to disappointment and discontent when control eludes the individual. From disappointment and discontentment come anger, frustration, resentment, envy and jealousy, contempt, anxiety, worry, stress, sorrow, pain, struggle, depression, and despair.
Bob Dylan wrote, “Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.” People stuck in the spiraling cycle of consequences from addictive behavior usually are aware that they are caught in the web of their “drug” of choice. They tend to recognize that they have been imprisoned by the “drug” and no longer have recourse accept to surrender. It is submission to the master and doing what the master dictates. Often times, it is said by addicts that there drug of choice is like the devil. Jesus said about the devil, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10, NIV) Jesus desires to purge from our life that which is dying, and replace it with the satisfying life that was stolen from us when we submitted to the power of addiction.
TRT is the process of surrendering self-centered intentions to the care of Christ and asking God to cleanse the “go” systems of the brain that advance ill-willed intentions, while activating biochemical interactions that advance healthy Christ-centered intentions. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13, NIV)
As individuals commit to the process of recovery, beginning with prayerful dialogue with Christ, the purging and replacement process is entirely possible. Feelings of anger and resentment are purged and replaced by compassion and an attitude of forgiveness. Anxiety and stress are replaced by God’s peace—not simply peace of mind dictated by circumstances, but the sustaining peace of God that transcends human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Contempt, envy and jealousy are replaced by consideration and kindness. Hatred is replaced by love. Frustration is replaced by patience. Sorrow is replaced by joy.
While Replacement Therapy within TRT may appear on the surface as lofty idealism, it is realized by transformed recovering people who give testimony to their experience, attributing their new and improved quality of life to the experiential power of God.
