July 2023 Newsletter

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Belief, Behavior, Belonging

Harry was taught to believe in himself, behave as an addict and criminal, and have belonging and loyalty in a like-minded family and gang. He was raised in a home environment of addiction and abuse. Harry, his mother, and siblings were mistreated by his step-father. He ran away from home at an early age, surviving by stealing and selling drugs.

Prison was considered a badge of honor and acceptance among his peers. Life changed for Harry in the events of a prison riot. People were injured, loyalties tested, character revealed. Harry was ratted out by his own people, betrayed for their own benefit. What was he to then believe about himself, how was he to behave, where would he belong?

When Harry was released, he went home to care for his mother. It was a mother’s dying plea to her son to be clean and sober and to get right with God that caused him to make that promise. Still, he struggled.

He cried out, “I am fed up with everything, my life is a disaster. Lord, how am I going to do this? I went to the Mission for the Program. I was in tears, broken down. I gave myself to the Lord.”

Harry’s belief about his identity changed, when it was as if the Lord said, “It’s about time. I’ve been here the whole time waiting for you.” His behavior changed when he began praying every morning and going to church and mission chapels. His belonging changed to a new community of people that are unselfish, humble, love, care, give back.

What a person believes about themselves and the world around them affects their behavior and sense of belonging. If one continues to identify with the world, they are still prone to behave as such, and their belonging is with like-minded people.

Rescue and recovery requires addressing the needs of the body, mind, and spirit. A recovery program of meetings focused on the self expects a mental understanding to produce results. In that setting, the client is a patient, not a contributing member. Dignity, self-respect, worthiness need to be restored.

Rehabilitation is in finding a new identity, taking the focus off the self, being involved in work therapy. Recovery is belief in the Lord, behavior in productive work, belonging in a good community. It is not in taking a vacation from responsibility.

A lack of purpose and exercise is unhealthy, even depressing. Work produces a set of values, accomplishment of goals, focus, self-respect, organization, habit, and strength of character. Engaging in Mission life prepares our clients to transition back into the community. Some benefit from a clinical approach, many succeed with a distraction away from problems to a concentration on a new life. Still, life begins with the fundamental of our belief.