You’re Finally Clean but Finding Yourself Scared to Death

A full recovery is a monumental and supernatural victory for which we need to praise God. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely fought battles that felt impossible, clung to hope when it seemed fleeting and leaned on God’s supernatural strength to break free from the chains of addiction. You’re finally clean, and I join you in praising God! But if you’re anything like I was way back in 2008, you might also be wrestling with a new, unexpected enemy: fear. My ‘go to’ Bible verse which I memorized immediately when I was in the hospital during my overdose and detox was the following:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of Power, and of Love, and of a Sound Mind.” (2Timothy 1:7)

The fear of staying clean. The fear of relapse. The fear of facing a future without the crutch you once leaned on. It’s a fear that whispers, “What if I can’t do this?” or “What if I’m not strong enough?” Well, you’re not able to do this without Jesus Christ, and, you’re not strong enough without Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. You’re not alone, and this fear doesn’t have the final word. God does.

The Reality of Fear in Recovery
When I first got clean, I thought the hardest part was over. I had survived a near fatal overdose only to have to fight horrific (medically supervised) withdrawal, cravings, shame and guilt. There were four of us in the hospital unit that I was in who got together many times a day to sing Amazing Grace together to help us become empowered to get through it. But then came the quiet moments, In my case, those quiet moments were ones I spent in the Word learning and healing. I was able to do that because of my near-death experience from my overdose when Jesus came to me and never left me for a second. Others, however, were visited by the enemy who would whisper lies, trying to convince me that freedom wasn’t real, that this was only temporary, and that they’d fail again. There were even a few on the unit who hung together to talk about scoring drugs the second they got out, exchanging addresses and contact info! The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” That fear you may be feeling is a tactic of Satan to steal the victory God has already won for you.

Here’s the good news! Fear doesn’t define your recovery. God has given us all the tools we need to face it, overcome it, and thrive in the freedom He’s provided, and here they are.

Anchor Your Recovery in Faith
So, how do you face the fear of staying clean? First of all, fear is a spirit of the enemy… it’s NOT from God, so cast it out in the name of Jesus. So, how do you silence the “what ifs” and walk confidently into your new life? STAY IN THE BIBLE, READING IT MORE TIMES PER DAY THAN YOU EAT!

Surrender Your Fear to the God of all Creation on a Daily Basis, as soon as you wake up and before bed
Fear thrives in the dark, but it loses its power when we bring it into the light of God’s presence. Remember, this is a supernatural holy road that you’re on… miracles happen. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Action Step: Start each day by surrendering your fears to God, in Jesus name. Write them down, pray over them, and ask Him to replace your fear with His peace. Remember, recovery isn’t about your strength… it’s about His strength in you.

Build a Community of Support
God never intended for us to walk this journey alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Surround yourself with strong believers who will lift you up,
Action Step: If you don’t already have a support system, take one step this week to connect. Join a NON-12-step Christian recovery group that professes that Jesus Christ heals addiction, attend a believing fellowship, or reach out to someone you trust. A good born-again Recovery Coach can play an instrumental part in helping you move through recovery the way you need to. You don’t have to face fear in isolation; instead, embrace victory with those who are brethren.

Cling to God’s Promises
Fear tells us to shiver in our boots because the future is uncertain, but God’s Word tells us our future is made certain by Jesus. God says, in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When fear creeps in, remind yourself of God’s promises. He is with you, He is for you, and He will never leave you.
Action Step: Memorize a verse that speaks to your heart and recite it whenever fear strikes. Make it your ‘go to’ verse. God’s truth is your mega weapon with which you can slay any Goliath.

Your Future of Freedom, Not Fear

I won’t lie to you, recovery isn’t necessarily a straight line for everyone, as everyone is not in the same place spiritually. Fear may visit from time to time until you get your faith in a place where the Holy Spirit weapons are fully % functional. It’s up to you and your faith. But here’s what you need to know, with 100% certainty… fear doesn’t have to control you, and it doesn’t have to define you. Each day you choose to trust God, to lean on His strength, and to walk in the freedom He’s given you, is a victory. God’s intentional promise of victory gives you a future of freedom from addiction and just a one time recovery.

If you’re scared to death today, take heart. You’re not alone, and you’re not without hope. The God who brought you this far is the God who will carry you forward. As Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Seek Him today, and watch Him give you victory.

Prayer for Your Journey
Heavenly Father, I lift up every person reading this who is battling fear in their recovery. Wrap them in Your peace that surpasses understanding. Remind them of Your strength, Your presence, and Your promises. Bathe them in Your blood to make them impenetrable to Satan’s lies. Help them to trust You moment by moment, and surround them with a believing community that reflects Your love. Thank You for the victory, and thank You for the promise of a future free from fear and free from addiction. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I pray God super blesses and empowers you today, and that your faith in Jesus Christ makes you whole. Hope to see you in my next post. Have an awsome rest of your day. Bye for now.