Be Strong and Surrender: A 30 Day Recovery Guide

By Jared Pingleton

Be Strong and Surrender is a 30 Day recovery guide that will transform your life. Combining their over 80 years of professional clinical ministry experience, the authors come alongside those on the recovery journey with a wealth of warmth and wisdom. Power-packed practical principles for victorious living

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen Culture Solutions
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781638123347

Jared Pingleton

Dr. Jared Pingleton is a respected leader in the Christian mental health field. A minister and licensed clinical psychologist in practice since 1977, he is the author or co-author of ten books. He has held leadership positions in several national ministries, served on the staff of two large churches, taught at several Christian colleges and seminaries, and is a national/international speaker. His website is drpingleton.com.

Book preview

Be Strong and Surrender

A 30 Day Recovery Guide

Copyright © 2023 by Pastor Philip Dvorak, Dr. Paul Meier, Dr. Jared Pingleton

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-63812-335-4

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63812-334-7

All rights reserved. No part in this book may be produced and transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Published by Recovery Resources

Printed by Pen Culture Solutions 05/18/2023

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ENDORSEMENTS

Anyone who delves into their own spiritual growth must ultimately come face to face with their own brokenness, sin, and hurt. Healing and recovery are some of the deepest aspects of what it means to be a person of faith, and of what the Bible teaches us. The authors provided a resource that you will want to keep on your bedside, as you have your devotional times. You will read scripturally based principles and stories that will encourage and help you to surrender your life in God’s strength, and ultimately to be transformed. Highly recommended!

John Townsend, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 books selling over 10 million copies, Leadership Consultant, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist

As a founder of a treatment center and being in this field over 35 years, it’s rare that a new resource comes along that is a must have. The carefully crafted words in this book give hope and will empower you to walk strong in your recovery. This is a healing and hope filled book that we use at The Center A Place of HOPE (in Edmunds, WA).

Gregory L. Jantz, Ph.D., Founder, The Center A Place of HOPE, best-selling author of over 40 books, Edmunds, WA

Clear, well-written, and compelling, Be Strong and Surrender will aid your healing journey by feeding your mind with scriptural truth and leading your soul closer to Jesus, the Healing One.

John Stumbo, D.Min., President, The Christian and Missionary Alliance and author of several books.

Practically everyone I know has a family member or friend that has been deeply damaged by the ‘idolatry of addiction.’ The solution to our present catastrophe—and all others—is Jesus. To quote one of the authors, Jesus is not a higher power. He is the highest power.

Countless lives have been drastically transformed by the power of His Name, and I believe many more will be changed as a result of reading Be Strong and Surrender. There are a lot of good books out there, but none more needed than this one, for it points each of us to The One, The Only One who can set us free. Forever!

David Nelms, D.Min., Founder and President, The Timothy Initiative

Spirituality and faith are the foundations of sobriety and recovery. Be Strong and Surrender opens us to receive God and fully experience the joys of recovery.

Bill Russell, former CEO, The Treatment Center of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach, FL

As an owner and hands-on manager of an addiction treatment center, I have watched, cheered, suffered, and mourned the lives of many clients. When I was approached to review this book, I welcomed a new way to see the light of a truly higher power. I was pleased to read the honest and easy-to-grasp concept of their approach to recovery. I strongly encourage the addicted, their families, and friends to participate in reading this book. Too often authors try to impress readers with their knowledge, which usually leaves us wondering what they meant. Now we are offered a humble explanation with a compete referenced guide. Please enjoy the journey and then share it with friends and family members.

Mark Gerhardt, President, Transformations Treatment Center, Delray Beach, FL

Small changes in trajectory lead to dramatic shifts in direction over time. Those who choose to shift their direction from addiction to recovery through surrender to Jesus undertake a noble endeavor indeed. Be Strong and Surrender will be an invaluable resource for any and all setting out on that path. I would know – I’m 18 years sober from intravenous drug addiction, homelessness, psychiatric care, and despair! The words in the pages to follow map the path from that kind of brokenness into a life of true peace, gratitude, and joy.

Trent Langhofer, Ph.D., Professor at Colorado Christian University, former pastor at Whites Ferry Road Church, Monroe, LA (known as the Duck Dynasty Church), Licensed Professional Counselor

It has been said that addiction is the biggest public health crisis of our time. Spreading the message of recovery needs to be on the agenda of every leader. Be Strong and Surrender is an opportune, practical, and insightful resource that should be in the hands of every person in recovery and every servant leader that supports them.

James Davis, D.D., President, World Leaders Group

These authors display a unique blend of multidisciplinary expertise which skillfully leads the reader into a deep heart reflection and examination while equipping them with practical life tips for not only enhanced recovery success, but for life transformation.

Karl Benzio, M.D., Co-founder and Medical Director, Honey Lake Clinic, Greenville, FL, founder and Director, Lighthouse Network

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all those who have been impacted by the destructive and deadly struggles of alcoholism and substance abuse. This is to those who are currently suffering, to those who have felt like they have lost the fight, and to those who have lost those they love. May this book inspire you to find help, healing, and hope.

Contents

Day 1Surrender

Day 2Childlike

Day 3Community

Day 4God

Day 5Loving

Day 6Anger

Day 7Faith

Day 8Pride

Day 9Hope

Day 10Wisdom

Day 11Silence

Day 12Humility

Day 13Truth

Day 14Unlikely

Day 15Speaking

Day 16Sex

Day 17Joy

Day 18Idolatry

Day 19Feelings

Day 20Redeemed

Day 21Serve

Day 22Submission

Day 23Self-Respect

Day 24Character

Day 25Struggles

Day 26Free Will

Day 27Love

Day 28Forgiveness

Day 29Spiritual Warfare

Day 30Heart

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To all those who have sacrificed to make this resource a reality:

Our wives, children, family, and friends who put up with our eccentricities and at times inaccessibility in order to allow us to complete this important work. We love you and thank you for loving us. You are simply the best!

Bill Russell – A true man of peace.

Nancy Brown – A true servant leader.

Patty Roberts – The best eagle eye we know.

FOREWORD

We face an enormous and unprecedented crisis today in our country, our churches, and our homes. Alcohol and opioid addictions are raging out of control and are getting worse every day. Many are calling the scourge of addiction the number one social, mental, relational, spiritual, and public health problem in our society.

Be Strong and Surrender is a most timely and inspirational recovery resource. This unique, easy to read, 30-day recovery devotional study guide should be in the hands of every person in recovery as well as those who love and help them. Pastors, support group leaders, professional clinicians, and all people who come alongside persons struggling with addictions will find rich insights to find comfort, help, hope, and victory. Drawing from the authors’ over nine decades of combined professional experience ministering to hurting persons, this daily devotional study is filled with powerful and profound biblical and psychological truths which will encourage, equip, and empower people to face their addictions with courage and confidence.

These three men are the perfect combination of integrity, experience, and insight. Pastor Phil Dvorak is fast becoming one of the foremost leaders in the field of Christian addiction treatment. His compassionate, insightful, yet firm approach connects to your heart in a truly life giving way. Dr. Paul Meier is considered by many as a founding father of the Christian psychology movement and in Be Strong and Surrender provides the reader with remarkable insights that can be easily applied to a person’s journey of recovery. Dr. Jared Pingleton is a clinical psychologist, dedicated minister, and acclaimed author who is a respected national leader in the Christian mental health field. He superbly integrates a solid biblical and clinically sound perspective into practical thought-provoking tools for the recovery journey.

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., President, American Association of Christian Counselors, Co-host of Family Talk Radio, and author of over 30 books.

Day One

Word of the Day: Surrender

Scripture: If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 16:25-26, NLT)

Quote: Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1st. Edition)

Say Uncle

I’m the youngest child of four (Phil). I have two older brothers and an older sister. I know a little about surrendering. As a child I always seemed to be the one running behind, trying to catch up... My brother Matt would wrestle me to the ground on a regular basis. I guess he loved watching professional wrestling. I was the one he practiced his newest wrestling moves on. Matt was four years older. It really wasn’t fair. Needless to say, he would always win. I remember being pinned down on multiple occasions with my brother yelling say uncle. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime I would give in, feeling defeated, bruised and humiliated.

A part of me hates the word surrender. It brings words to my head, like say uncle. I feel like a coward, a wimp, a failure, a loser, etc. I feel like something just died inside me. But what’s so funny about this is that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Surrender is about life. People surrender because they want to live; almost no one surrenders to die. Surrender is about living. When we surrender, paradoxically we can begin to truly live. Humor me for a second as I share a lesson I learned from Pastor Craig Groeschel. Put your hands up. Yes, put your hands up in the air. What is this a symbol of? Yes it’s a universal symbol of surrender. Now imagine you’re at your favorite sports game. Put your hands up in the air. It’s now a symbol of victory. The same action is both the universal symbol of surrender and victory. Surrender is often our only true path to victory.

Jesus said If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:25-26 (NLT)

I’ve spent the majority of my life searching, longing, desiring to be happy, to be fulfilled. I tried to save myself for years. I tried to hang on to living life on my own terms. I would give God a little, but still try to hang on to something. It always worked out the same way--it didn’t matter if it was alcohol, sex, porn, money, whatever I tried to fill that void with, the more I hung on, the more I lost. My efforts were futile and ineffective.

Sometimes in life we are so busy carrying around our junk that we can’t pick up the gifts that God is trying to give us. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. If you try to hang on to parts of your old life you will lose your new life. Jesus doesn’t mince words here. You cannot hold on to parts of your old life and live a new life. It doesn’t work that way. If you want to live a life of sobriety, a new life, a healthy life, if you want your family, your marriage, your friendships restored, whatever the brokenness, you must surrender it all to Jesus.

This seemingly contradictory principle is actually a profound and prime example of how the mysterious Kingdom of heaven functions. Jesus frequently taught eternal concepts of God’s wise and mature way of living by using what my (Jared’s) favorite professor in graduate school called the Mystery of the Inverse Order.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus would use humanly unconventional logic to drive home a point or illustrate an eternal truth. He would say things like the first shall be last, "the humble