Welcome to the second lesson of our Celebrate Recovery lesson series.
In Lesson 1 of Celebrate Recovery, we confronted denial—the first barrier to healing. Now, in Lesson 2, we take the next courageous step: admitting we are powerless over our hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
This honest surrender, though difficult, brings emotional relief and spiritual breakthrough. In this post, we’ll explore the POWERLESS acrostic, uncover key biblical truths, and connect with the principle and step that guide us toward deeper recovery and a renewed relationship with God.
Related Principle & Step |
Related Scripture |
| Principle 1: “Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.”
Step 1: “We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.” |
Matthew 5:3: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Romans 7:18: “I know that nothing good lives in me… For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” |
What Does It Mean to Be Powerless?
In the context of recovery, powerlessness means recognizing that we cannot overcome our hurts, habits, and hang-ups through our own strength.
It’s the honest admission that our lives have become unmanageable and that self-will alone isn’t enough to bring lasting change. A common misconception is that admitting powerlessness equals weakness or failure, but in reality, it’s one of the bravest and most freeing decisions we can make.
True strength begins when we stop pretending we have it all together and allow God to step in. When we let go of control, we open the door to His power, His grace, and His healing work in our lives.
This act of surrender is not the end—it’s a new beginning. It’s the starting point of transformation, where healing can finally take root and our journey with Christ toward freedom begins.
In recovery, powerlessness is the key to experiencing real, lasting change and it is the second step towards a new life.
The POWERLESS Acrostic
The POWERLESS acrostic in Celebrate Recovery Lesson 2 helps break down the impact of holding onto control.
Each letter reveals a truth about how powerlessness affects our recovery and how surrendering to God brings freedom, healing, and the strength we can’t find on our own.
P – Pride hinders recovery: Pride convinces us we can handle things on our own, keeping us stuck in denial. It blocks honesty, prevents healing, and delays the freedom that comes from surrendering to God.
Scripture Reference: Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace…”
O – Only God can restore us: Only God can restore what’s broken within us. No amount of self-effort can heal the wounds we carry—true transformation begins when we surrender and allow God’s power to work in us.
Scripture Reference: Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you…”
W – Worry keeps us stuck: Worry keeps us stuck by revealing our desire to stay in control. It consumes energy and distracts us from trusting God, showing that we’re still trying to manage life on our own.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:27 – “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour…?”
E – Escape isn’t the solution: Avoiding pain through addiction, denial, or distraction may offer temporary relief, but it delays true healing. Facing reality with God’s help is where recovery begins.
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “God is faithful… he will also provide a way out.”
R – Resentments poison our hearts: Resentment keeps us trapped in bitterness, giving others power over our emotions. Letting go frees our hearts and creates space for healing, peace, and restored relationships through God’s grace.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:15 – “See to it… no bitter root grows…”
L – Lonely feelings increase when we isolate: Loneliness grows in isolation, but healing begins in connection. Community reminds us we’re not alone in our struggles.
Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one…”
E – Emptiness follows self-reliance: When we rely only on ourselves, we quickly burn out, feeling drained, isolated, and unable to sustain real, lasting change.
Scripture Reference: John 15:5 – “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
S – Selfishness is a barrier to surrender: Selfishness keeps us focused on our own desires and control. True recovery begins with humility, putting others first, and surrendering fully to God’s will.
Scripture Reference: James 3:16 – “Where you have selfish ambition, there you find disorder…”
S – Separation from God is the root issue: Separation from God is the root of our struggles. When we drift from Him, we often turn to unhealthy behaviors to fill the spiritual void.
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 59:2 – “Your iniquities have separated you from your God…”
As you can see, the POWERLESS acrostic is a great way to understand how our hurts, habits, and hang-ups can distance us from ourselves, others, and even God as we try to “get better” on our own. This acrostic gives us a tangible way for us to begin to see how control hinders healing.
Letting go and trusting God is the first step toward true freedom and lasting recovery.
The Power in Powerlessness
There’s a powerful paradox at the heart of recovery: admitting powerlessness is the key to gaining real strength. While the world often tells us to be strong, push through, and take control, God invites us to do the opposite… to surrender.
When we let go of the illusion of control, we make space for God to work in our lives. He can only fill us when we are empty of self.
That’s where healing begins.
Recovery truly starts when we stop pretending we have it all together and begin trusting God with the pieces of our lives.
Common Struggles with Admitting Powerlessness
Along with overcoming denial, admitting powerlessness can be one of the most complicated steps in recovery, and many people struggle with it for valid reasons. Fear of losing control often keeps us clinging to harmful patterns, even when we know they aren’t working.
This is especially true when shame or guilt about past behavior can make us feel unworthy of help or healing. And in today’s culture, we’re constantly told to be self-reliant and strong, making surrender feel like failure.
But recovery isn’t about weakness; it’s about honesty, humility, and hope.
Personal Testimony About Overcoming Powerlessness
For years, I struggled with pornography, excessive drinking, and compulsive eating. These activities were a way to regain the feeling of control and escape from the stress that I felt was weighing on me at all times.
While I knew that these activities were not helpful to me or those around me, I felt powerless to change my ways.
Not only did I feel hopeless in being able to change my ways, I thought it was a sign of weakness that I could not just “white knuckle” it and “fix” my shortcomings on my own. I mean, I was able to make impressive career moves throughout my life, so I should be able to “get over” pornography, drinking, and eating, right?
I felt isolated. I couldn’t talk to any of my friends about these struggles. What would they think about me when they found out about my struggles? I especially couldn’t talk to my wife about the struggles, and this meant that I was hiding from everyone around me.
Hiding takes a lot of mental and physical work. The feeling of loneliness and isolation made me turn to further isolation to keep my secrets deep down, and this began to build a barrier between me, those around me, and God.
It wasn’t until I stepped out of denial that I had a problem and faced the fact that I was powerless to change that I was able to step into a place where God could use my heart and start to make a change in my thoughts and actions.
It takes bold and decisive action to decide to stop living two lives. Overcoming the feeling of powerlessness and realizing that it is only God who can change us can help take off the pressure of “changing on our own” to “changing with God.”
I promise that you will feel a rush of freedom and experience a new level of connection with God once you allow yourself to be filled by His spirit and surround yourself with a community of individuals who are dedicated to their own recovery.
How to Begin Letting Go and Trusting God
Letting go and trusting God begins with one simple but brave step: honesty.
Start by identifying an area in your life where you feel powerless—whether it’s an addiction, a relationship, or a hidden hurt.
Write down the ways you’ve tried to control or fix it on your own. Then, talk with a trusted accountability partner who can walk with you through this process.
Pray a short, honest surrender prayer, inviting God to take control.
Finally, attend a Celebrate Recovery meeting. In community, you’ll find strength, support, and the reminder that you’re not alone on this journey.
Conclusion
Admitting powerlessness isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of transformation. When we stop trying to control the uncontrollable, we make space for God to move.
Through community, faith, and surrender, we discover true strength. Celebrate Recovery Lesson 2 invites us to step out of self-reliance and into healing.
If you struggle with hurts, habits, and hang-ups, then we welcome you to join us in-person every Monday, watch online, or you can use this tool to find a local Celebrate Recovery meeting near you!