Stages of Change: The Transtheoretical Model

Stages of Change: The Transtheoretical Model

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Counselling, Therapeuo, Treatment Modalities

Change does not happen over night – it is usually a process.

Developed by Prochaska, Di Clemente and colleagues first proposed the Transtheoretical model in the late 1970’s and drew from various theories and schools of psychotherapy. It evolved as they studied and compared the experiences of smokers who quit on their own and those who required further treatment. It was an attempt to understand why certain individuals were capable of quitting on their own.

In the end it was established that people quit smoking when they are ready to do so.

The Transtheoretical Model focuses on the processes and stages involved in the decision making of the individual. It can be seen as a model of intentional change.

The assumption is that people do not just wake up one morning and change behaviors or thinking patterns – there is no quick fix and decisions often take some time. Change occurs, especially in terms of habitual behaviour, over time through a continuous, cyclical process.

The Transtheoretical Model, or TTM, has proven effective in helping with smoking cessation, treatment of alcohol abuse and the reduction of domestic violence. It has also been used to encourage compliance in hypertension mediation, and in regards to condom use under at risk populations, organ donation and needlesharing.

This model is highly adaptable and therefore has been used in a variety of settings. It can be adapted to the needs of the individual.

It is used by health promotion organizations, hospitals, addiction programs and corporate settings. TTM is considered the dominant model in the field of behaviour change, although it has received some criticism. These criticisms do seem to be more in regards to the more practical applications of the model, but for our purposes – that is to understand the decision making process of the addict or alcoholic, it proves sufficient.

The model relies on four key core constructs, self-efficacy, decisional balance, the stages of change and the processes of change.

For an individual to progress through the changes of stage the following needs to happen:

Self-Efficacy – The individual must have confidence that they can in fact make and maintain the change in situations where the temptation of relapse exists.

Decisional Balance – the individual must have a growing awareness that the advantages of the target behavior outweigh the disadvantages thereof.

Processes of Change – Strategies to help the individual make and maintain the change.

Stages of Change

In the Transtheoretical model change is considered a process involving progress through various stages. (Prochaska, 1997)

This means an individual will move from one stage to the next until action is eventually taken and maintained. Although researchers have tried to quantify this progression in terms of a time-frame it is often the most critiqued facet of the model. Because some individuals can take longer in making a decision, or act quicker, it is near impossible to accurately put a time-frame to the process.

The Stages of Change as proposed by Prochaska are:

  • Precontemplation (“not ready”) – “People are not intending to take action in the foreseeable future, and can be unaware that their behaviour is problematic”
  • Contemplation (“getting ready”) – “People are beginning to recognize that their behaviour is problematic, and start to look at the pros and cons of their continued actions”
  • Preparation (“ready”) – “People are intending to take action in the immediate future, and may begin taking small steps toward behaviour change”
  • Action – “People have made specific overt modifications in modifying their problem behaviour or in acquiring new healthy behaviours”
  • Maintenance – “People have been able to sustain action for at least six months and are working to prevent relapse”
  • Termination – “Individuals have zero temptation and they are sure they will not return to their old unhealthy habit as a way of coping”

The Preparation and Termination stages were originally excluded but added later, and relapse was originally considered one of the stages as well, but later came to be a return from Action or Maintenance to an earlier stage.

Prochaska and his colleagues concluded that interventions to change behaviour are more effective when they are ‘stage-matched’ – that is to say, appropriately matched to the individual’s stage of change.

Self-Efficacy

Self-Efficacy can be described as “the situation-specific confidence people have that they can cope with high-risk situations without relapsing to their unhealthy or high risk-habit”. (Prochaska, 1997)

According to Bandura self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in his or her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments (Bandura, 1977, 1986, 1997).

It affects every area of human endeavour. It determines the beliefs we hold regarding our power to affect or change situations – and therefore influences the power a person has to face challenges competently as well as the choices we are likely to make.

Individuals with a strong sense of self-efficacy tend to see challenges in life as something to be mastered – eg. grabbing the bull by the horns – rather than a threat to avoi, or rather, running away from the “bull” altogether.

A strong sense of self-efficacy leads to a more positive outlook on life, fosters a sense of accomplishment and a better sense of personal well-being. People with a high level of self-efficacy are more resilient and recover from failure easier. They tend to handle setbacks like molehills rather than mountains. They are also more likely to attribute failure to a lack of effort, approaching even threatening situations with a belief that it is within their control. These characteristics have been linked to lower levels of stress and lower vulnerability to depression.

People with lower levels of self-efficacy tend to lose faith in their own abilities after failure or a setback. They tend to look at the skills they don’t have rather than the skills they do have, and difficult tasks are often taken as personal threats and avoided.

Self-efficacy plays a role in our decision making process – it determines whether or not we are ready to take action to facilitate the necessary change in our lives.

Higher levels of self-efficacy do not necessarily imply success – for example, the student who believes he is ‘good at languages’ and can be described as over-efficacious will be likely to study less and even fail in an academic setting. Where self-efficacy is important is not in its ability to lead to success, but to change.

Greater levels of self-efficacy lead to greater changes in behaviour.

It measures the confidence a person has to act and change a harmful or problem behaviour.

Decisional Balance

Decisions are not always simple and easy. There might be a lot of things to consider – one desicion could have both positive and negative impacts on your life.

Irving Janis and Leon Mann introduced the phrase ‘decisional balance sheet’ in 1959 and used the concept to look at decision making. It was later used by Prochaska in the development of TTM and suggested that, in general, for people to succeed at changing their behavior, the advantages of the change should outweigh the disadvantages before they move from Precontemplation to the action stage.

In TTM the Decisional Balance sheet is not only an informal measure of readiness for change but also an aid for decision making.

When dealing with an alcoholic, for example, the concept of decisional balance can lead to personal insight. Asking the alcoholic what they might see as the pros of drinking versus the cons is often more effective than bluntly asking them to think about the negative aspects of the problem behaviour as this might foster psychological resistance later in treatment.

In weighing the pros and cons of a behaviour, or future change, we are forced to really examine what would be best for us and the ideal self we are striving towards.

The more the advantages outweigh the disadvantages the more likely the individual is to make the necessary change.

It is therefore then counselors job to help the client understand the pros and the cons of a decision and lead them to action to quit, replace or abstain from harmful behaviour and engage in more positive behaviour.

As the individual moves through the different stages of change we see a gradual change in attitude before the person acts. Most of the processes of change are aimed at evaluating and reevaluating as well as reinforcing specific elements of current and target behaviors.

Processes of Change

Defined as the covert and overt activities and experiences that those attempting to modify problem behaviors engage in, the processes of change are broad categories encompassing multiple techniques, methods and interventions.

For example Stimulus Control which is the control of situational and other triggers which might cause relapse includes multiple interventions such as adding stimuli that encourage alternative behaviors, restructuring the environment, avoiding high risk cues, or fading techniques.

As with the rest of the model, the processes are drawn from various disciplines and theories and adapted to the individual.

Although there were only 10 processes originally, as proposed by Prochaska et al, helath researchers have extended the original with 21 additional processes.

The original 10 are outlined below:

  1. Consciousness-raising (Get the facts)

  2. Dramatic relief (Pay attention to feelings)

  3. Self-reevaluation (Create a new self-image)

  4. Environmental reevaluation (Notice your effect on others)

  5. Social liberation (Notice public support)

  6. Self-liberation (Make a commitment)

  7. Helping relationships (Get support)

  8. Counterconditioning (Use substitutes)

  9. Reinforcement management (Use rewards)

  10. Stimulus control (Manage your environment)

These processes are used by those wanting to effect change in their lives in various ways and in various combinations, adapted to the individual.

As a whole, drawing from a multitude of theories, schools of thought and approaches to therapy, the Transtheoretical Model provides us with a framework to not only understand the driving factors behind decision making and change, but also a place from which to offer hope and encouragement towards a new way forward.

The Processes of Change

The Processes of Change

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Articles, Counselling, Therapeuo, Treatment Modalities

The Processes of Change

The processes of change, conceptualized and developed by Prochaska et al, describes the overt and covert activities that the individual engages in when trying to change a negative behavior, unlearn a bad habit or facilitate change in their lives.

These processes can be seen as broad categories of action and can consist of various interventions, techniques and methods to get where you are going.

Although adapted by Bartholomew et al, the original 9 are still the standard and a short description and examples of application will be given of each.

The ten processes of change are:

  1. consciousness raising,
  2. counterconditioning,
  3. dramatic relief,
  4. environmental reevaluation,
  5. helping relationships,
  6. reinforcement management,
  7. self-liberation,
  8. self-reevaluation,
  9. social-liberation,
  10. and stimulus control.

These were adapted and added to over the last few decades, but the original 10 do give us a good base to work from.

Consciousness Raising

Consciousness raising implies an increasing awareness and insight about oneself and the problem. Gaining insight and understanding in regards to the self defeating defenses that get in our way. This process implies an effort by the individual to seek new information and to get understanding and feedback about the behavior, problem or situation that needs to change. Interventions could include observations and confrontations and the watching of documentaries or reading of educational books/pamphlets.

For example, someone who would like to stop smoking could start reading pamphlets about the dangers of smoking, watch videos about the benefits of smoking cessation or engage in dialogues about the problem.

Counterconditioning

Countering or counter conditioning implies the process of replacing a problem behavior with an alternative, a healthier substitute. Here we seek to replace the unhealthy behavior with something healthy. This could range from exercise, to basic breathing and relaxation techniques.

One example could be, to replace negative thinking, to introduce a morning routine of self-affirmation.

When intrusive thoughts come we can confront those feelings with positive ones – but this does take practice, and therefore it is not just a band-aid for your thinking – but a process.

In the case of replacing a negative, compulsive behaviour, desensitization could be a good intervention. Looking at and understanding why a situation is a trigger and stripping it of its power can prove a helpful strategy against relapse later during the change process.

Dramatic Relief

Also called Emotional Arousal, Dramatic Relief is meant to evoke positive feelings about the change you are contemplating.

It also implies experiencing and expressing feelings surrounding both the problem and the solution.

This is achieved through roleplaying, open discussion, psychodrama and the grieving of losses as well as the celebration of success.

Environmental Re-evaluation

During this process we consider our physical and social environments and look at how the problem behavior either affects our surroundings or are encouraged/reinforced by it. For example, if a drug addict does not make certain changes to his social and physical environment the likelihood of relapse increases.

This process goes hand in hand with consciousness raising as it is about mindfulness and awareness of what is around us.

Thus interventions once again include discussion, documentaries and pamphlets, among others.

The key here is to identify situations that reinforce the problem behavior or prevent growth in a healthy way. Choosing an environment that suits your ideal behavior is important.

Once again, to use the example of a recovering drug addict, finding activities that can be enjoyed sober rather than previous ways of doing things will be imperative to maintaining change.

Helping Relationships

As the saying goes, no man is an island. We can’t do everything alone – even with an uncannily strong sense of independence and perseverance, or high self-efficacy – social support definitely does help. Especially when trying to change problem behaviors, it is helpful to have a social support network to fall back on.

Whether your social network consists of family, friends or even counselors and clergy – having someone around to help you when you stumble, an ear you can talk to, a hand you can hold – definitely makes things easier.

Self Re-evaluation

This process involves an open and honest assessment of oneself – understanding your own thought patterns, values, beliefs and emotions can be invaluable in moving forward.

Taking stock of your current situation, doing a fearless moral inventory and recognizing how the change you are contemplating will affect your life is what this process is all about.

Social Liberation

Much of our lives are often built around what others expect of us. This can be an unhealthy way of looking at life. Social liberation then is the awareness and acceptance by the individual of alternative and problem free lifestyles in society. For example, although you might have grown up in a setting where alcohol abuse was common, or grew up in a community where substances were commonplace, finding that there are individuals living an alternative lifestyle (eg. Staying sober) can lead to social liberation – freedom from a perceived social norm.

Self Liberation

Also referred to as commitment, this is the decision the individual makes to change the problem behavior. This can be a whole process in itself involving therapy and education, or as simple as a New Years resolution.

It is the finer details of this decision to make this commitment – whether overt or covert (subconscious) that makes this a process and not just an impulsive decision.

The action of choosing to change requires a stronger sense of self-efficacy, or the belief in your own ability to change.

Stimulus Control

In recovery circles we often make reference to the dangers of familiar people, places and things. Where the environmental re-evaluation looked at our physical and social environment – the people and places – here we look at the things – the situations, cues and circumstances whether tangible or intangible that could lead to relapse.

During this process we identify situations and circumstances which might trigger the problem behavior and then take certain actions to protect ourselves against relapse. This could involve restructuring your environment, changing careers, or avoiding high risk cues altogether.

It could also involve replacing or adding stimuli that encourage alternative, healthier behavior.

Reinforcement Management

As we go through the processes of change and our behavior is modified we need to reinforce the change that we have been making.

Since many addictions or problem behaviors have been reinforced over time through the brains reward system, we need to do the same with the new healthier behavior.

This could be anything from an encouraging word from a family member, a contingency contract with your counselor, or a self-reward.

For example, if I had a drinking problem and drank every night the financial reward might be significant if I were to stop drinking altogether. Therefore I could use my savings to reward myself with something I wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. I could go have breakfast with a loved one, or take the kids to do something fun.

By rewarding positive behavior, not only do we reinforce that behavior but very quickly we find alternatives towards a happier, fuller life.

As mentioned before, the 9 processes have been added to over the years, and there is a multitude of information available on the internet, but personally I find the original nine points to be sufficient.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction or with issues related to mental health please consider reaching out by sending an email to andre@adlabuschagne.co.za and we will assist you with finding a solution that works for you.

The Three C’s of Addiction

The Three C’s of Addiction

by | Jun 10, 2024 | Articles, Therapeuo, Understanding Addiction

Characteristics of Addiction: The Three C’s

Regardless of how the addiction may present itself, it almost certainly looks the same – whether the addiction is a chemical dependence such as drugs or alcohol, or a behavior such as masturbation, shopping, cybersex or gaming – it almost always has the following characteristics, also known as the three C’s.

  • Compulsive usage.
  • Loss of Control.
  • and Continued use despite negative consequences.

Below we will take a look at these three characteristics of addiction.

Compulsive Usage

The word compulsive is an adjective often used to describe people who engage in risky and harmful behavior beyond their control. As an example, a compulsive liar would be someone who has little or absolutely no control over the lies they tell. A compulsive gambler would be someone who cannot help but sit down when they walk past a poker table. Often the person with compulsive tendencies would have very little control over their actions, and so it is with addiction.

I remember when I was an addict. It was a strange feeling, wanting to quit, and perhaps setting out with the best of intentions to walk to the corner shop, only to find oneself redirected by an unknown force. Before you knew it you would be in the bottle store or at the dealer.

According to A.W. Blume (2005) this compulsive use often has 3 elements. Reinforcement, craving and habit.

When the substance user first picks up his drug and experiences relief from stress or physical pain – or the action is rewarded by the pleasure centers of the brain – reinforcement occurs. This reinforcement occurs every time the user engages in this behavior. Over time tolerance may develop and larger or more concentrated doses will be required to produce the same effects.

Over time the chemical balance of the brain is altered and the user will experience craving, a strong and often intense signal sent by the brain to the body to signal that the substance or behavior is needed. The brain is essentially telling the body that it needs the substance for survival.

Psychological or physical withdrawal symptoms can occur if the craving is not fed. Withdrawals are often very unpleasant symptoms that are caused when the drug(s) or behavior is withheld. This could be psychological, eg. anxiety or depression, or physical such as muscle fatigue, pain or insomnia.

The third element, habit, is often the result of deeply ingrained patterns of memory in the nervous system. Addiction often goes hand in hand with a myriad of automatic behavior over which the user has very little control.

Loss of Control

We, as addicts, often cannot determine how much of a substance we will use. In the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous there is a saying that comes down to the fact that one drink is never enough – once we start engaging in the behavior we often find we cannot stop.

There is almost no doubt that this could be the result of impaired brain function and memory.

Substance use can often impair judgment and affect decision making.

Continued use despite negative consequences

Often an addict will find that the pleasure or relief derived from their usage of the drug outweighs the negative consequences of their use.

We are often blissfully unaware of the negative consequences of our behavior even though it negatively affects our careers, relationships and health.

It is usually keenly felt by those around us. Addictive behavior is almost always self-destructive and leads to the deterioration of ones quality of life.

Once again, the twelve step fellowships have a cliche that applies – continued drug or alcohol abuse will eventually lead to jail, institutions or death.

This last C – continued use despite negative consequences – is possibly one of the most distinct characteristics of addiction along with craving, tolerance and withdrawal.

Tolerance and Withdrawal

Tolerance and withdrawal are two sides of the same coin – both urging the user to use more. Tolerance builds over time and forces the addict to use more of the substance or engage in more of the same behavior to experience the same relief or reward.

Withdrawal on the other side is what keeps the user from getting clean. As soon as the effects of the drug subside, and because the body has adapted to the drug, negative symptoms present themselves to signal the absolute need for the substance. The withdrawal symptoms are often severely unpleasant and can be life threatening if left untreated.

It is important to detox under medical supervision, and withdrawal from certain substances might require medication under certain circumstances.

Luckily there is hope, and we never have to go through these things alone.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction – if you have been experimenting and notice any of the above traits in your life or in the behavior of a loved one, or if you relate with what you just read, please consider reaching out by sending an email to andre@adlabuschagne.co.za and we will assist you with finding an option that works for you.

The Twelve Steps: A Powerful Tool

The Twelve Steps: A Powerful Tool

by | Jun 10, 2024 | 12 Steps, Articles, Therapeuo, Treatment Modalities, Understanding Addiction

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous has been around for decades and has helped millions of people in their journey of recovery from addiction and compulsive behaviour towards some sort of stability and sometimes even complete remission. Studies have shown that the program of Alcoholics Anonymous is at the very least as effective as other forms of therapy (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy), but for the most part seems to be more effective – leading to more alcoholics and addicts being abstinent for longer periods of time.

Widely misunderstood by the church, sometimes even completely dismissed, this program has a lot to offer as a therapeutic intervention but also as a support program for deliverance and pastoral ministries.

The program – all twelve steps – are built around a foundational belief that the only way you can kick your addiction is by submitting to a force greater than yourself.

When the program was started in the 1930’s there was no doubt that it was a Christian program. Although secularized in the name of inclusivity, the program remains true to concept and has a high success rate. Coupled with our hope in Christ, rather than an anonymous ‘higher power’, I have seen lives changed in ways I couldn’t even begin to explain.

It can be applied to any addiction – narcotics, alcohol, pornography, sex, gambling and shopping – or even compulsive behaviors and mental health issues.

It provides a simple set of guidelines that we can use as a road map on our healing journey from chaos back to order.

The Twelve Step Program is outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous (originally published in 1939). It is found at the beginning of the chapter “How It Works”.

The Twelve Steps are:

  1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
  3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
  6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
  10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
  11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
  12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

The program has a strong emphasis on prayer and fellowship – and the groups are free, with the only cost being your willingness to participate. The meetings are easy to find and listed online according to country, city and even suburb.

A final question I would like to answer here is whether or not Christians should attend these meetings. I have referred many addicts to these meetings, and some have been put off by the phrase ‘Higher Power’ or ‘God of your own understanding’. I want to urge you to not let this stand in your way. God wants us to be free. 

Surely we don’t avoid taking crucial medication (like heart medication or insulin) because the prescribing doctor is a Muslim or a Jew? These meetings are a life-line for those struggling with addiction and I believe that the Divine Wisdom of God is there between the lines. For any Christian going through these kinds of issues I would suggest a two-pronged approach – throw yourself into fellowship at church, but also join one of these support groups. We need as much support as possible in this specific journey. If the secular side of these meetings really are an obstacle to you personally, please consider one of the Christian fellowships instead – but do not push it aside altogether.

As a Christian and a minister of the Gospel I believe that this is an invaluable tool for those suffering from addiction, but also for the families of those who are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. 

The thing that has kept me clean for nearly a decade at time of writing is something someone said at one of the early meetings I attended. Just before praying together we stood in a circle holding hands, and a fellow addict said: “we stand this way to remind ourselves that we never need to stand alone again unless we choose to…”

You are not alone. You don’t have to go through it alone.

There are Christian alternatives to the traditional AA, CA and NA meetings (eg. Celebrate Recovery), and I would urge you to find a support group near you – it saved my life. It can do the same for you.

If you would like help in deciding where to go or how to get sober – I am always just an email away. Reach out by sending me a message to andre@adlabuschagne.co.za.

God bless you and keep you. May He shine His face upon you and grant you the peace that you need today!

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION PLEASE REACH OUT: 065 370 3806 / ANDRE@ADLABUSCHAGNE.CO.ZA. #YOUARENOTALONE

 

Because He Lives

Because He Lives

by | Jun 6, 2024 | Devotionals, Worship Reflections

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!”

Because He Lives, Bill and Gloria Gaither

“Let your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”

Psalm 33:22, NIV

In this world, in our lives, we will have trouble. We will have issues. We will go through storms – pain, illness, persecution, family issues, financial ups and downs – the Bible teaches us that the same kinds of things befall both the righteous and the unrighteous… (Ecclesiastes 9)

Paul acknowledges this in most of his letters. Life gets difficult at times… And your faith does not take away the fact that we live in a fallen world where sometimes life happens.

Paul still got sick (Galatians 4:13), he still went through depression and anxiety (2 Corinthians 1:8-11), he still suffered injury (Acts 14:19), he still got into shipwrecks / accidents (Acts 27), he still faced persecution (Acts 13:50), unfair accusation and imprisonment (Acts 21) and financial troubles (Phil 4:12:). He actually sums this up in 2 Corinthians 11:21-29: (NIV)

“Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?”

Paul went through some very real ‘stuff’. And you might be reading this and going through some very real ‘stuff’. And I want to tell you it’s okay. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t a ‘true believer’ and it definitely doesn’t mean that God has forsaken you. It just means God is working in the background and that we need to trust the process. Trust in Him.

You might have some family issues – God wants to restore your family.

You might be struggling with depression or addiction – God wants to free you, heal you and make you whole.

You might be worried about how you are going to feed your family – but God is making a way for you today.

Even though Paul went through some ‘stuff’ that made him ‘despair unto death’ (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)- he knew what to do in the face of these storms. Trust and rest in God. God is the one who delivers us. He has been on Your side and will continue to be there to catch you when you fall.

It is from this perspective that Paul writes Romans 5:

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:1-8, NIV)

When we were still powerless – weak – Christ died for us. He demonstrated His love on the Cross, with open arms, calling ‘come to Me.’

In our powerlessness – when we find ourselves in those times and places where we have no control, where we don’t know what to do and where we feel like our backs are against the wall – in those moments where we despair unto death because there is no way out – turn to The Way! Jesus is the Way. In our weakness He is strong.

Jesus knew we would still have trouble – in fact, He told His disciples that very thing – ‘in this world you will have trouble’ – trials, temptations and tribulations will no doubt come. Storms will come. Life will still happen. But we are not hopeless anymore.

When we cast our burdens unto Jesus – when we hear the Shepherd calling ‘come’ and run to Him we come to the same realisation that Paul came to in Romans 8:28-39:

”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Because He lives – because Jesus has conquered death, disease and despair – I can face tomorrow. I can face the unknown. I can face those things that I feel unsure about – because this one thing is sure and certain – Jesus is the Rock of my Salvation. He is the Good Father, the Good Shepherd and the Lover of my Soul. He is my Stronghold. My Healer, my Provider, my Strength, my Hope and my Future.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow as more than a conqueror – knowing that nothing – no situation or circumstance can separate me from His love – His love that works all things to our good.

Because He lives, and because He loves me I know everything will be okay.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Prayer: Lord, help me today to see Your hand in my life – to see that Your Hand has never been too short to reach me. Help me Lord, to feel Your love today. Help me Lord, in this moment, here where I find myself right now, to put my trust in You and rest in who You are. I thank You Lord that You give me the strength to endure and wait on You and trust Your process. Thank You Lord for Your blood on the cross. The blood that cleanses me of my sin and iniquity, but also through which my healing was paid. I declare healing over my body, over my mind, and my emotions in Jesus name. In the mighty name of Jesus I declare healing and restoration over my family and my finances. I thank You Lord that my present problems are promises waiting to be fulfilled. I thank You Lord that my test will be my testimony. I thank You Lord that Your love is working all things to my good. Because You are alive – risen from the dead – I too can rise up out of my situation. In Jesus name. Amen.