“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

What is Tough Love?  Tough love is about loving a person enough to tell them the truth and hold them accountable for their actions. It’s not mean-spirited, judgmental or shaming; that’s what happens when we tell the truth without love and grace. What makes tough love tough is that it’s hard to do—it’s hard to do the right thing sometimes. Tough love speaks to setting boundaries on how to deal with people who are out of control or controlling; Stop rescuing and enabling, confront in love, learn to say “no,” and give consequences as needed. Recovery without healthy boundaries isn’t recovery, just as recovery without accountability is not as well. As we acquire healthy boundaries in our personal life to help us overcome our hurts, habits, and hang-ups, we also learn new boundaries in our relationships as well. Setting boundaries takes hard work; we need a safe environment with safe people and God to provide the strength and courage needed for change. Nothing changes if nothing changes; if you don’t like where you are in life then change the game plan. Find a church and program that can help you; make the decision to make the change.  Celebrate Recovery/Crossroads Church has a pretty good Christ-centered game plan that can help move you out of your darkness into the light. “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 God loves you; Jesus died for you; His Spirit lives in you! Say “yes” to Jesus and live Love! Dana Cramer // Celebrate Recovery at Crossroads Church