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Celebrate Recovery Choice 3




Choice 3: Consciously Choose to Commit All My Life and Will to Christ’s Care and Control

“Letting Go: The Commitment Choice”

No matter how hard we try, we eventually discover that we cannot fix ourselves. We begin with guilt over our behavior. We tell ourselves, “I should be able to change… I ought to be able to get out of this.” But we can’t — and our guilt turns to anger.

As time passes, anger becomes fear — fear that nothing will ever change. Our hurts, hang-ups, and habits begin to control us, and fear sinks into depression. We start feeling sorry for ourselves, and that only leads back to more guilt.


The cycle continues: Guilt → Anger → Fear → Depression → Guilt (again)

How do we break the cycle? By making a conscious choice to turn our entire life — and our entire will — over to Christ’s care and control. If you haven’t made this choice yet, it will be the most important decision of your life. If you have already chosen Christ, this becomes a renewed commitment to let go of control and step fully into His care.

When we surrender, Christ offers:✨ Relief✨ Release✨ Rest✨ Rejuvenation

He invites us:“Give Me the care and control of your life and watch what I will do.”

Five Things That Keep Us From Making Choice 3

1. Pride

Pride convinces us we don’t need God. Yet Scripture teaches that the kind of “weakness” we fear is actually strength under control — a willingness to submit to God’s leading.

Some people don’t choose surrender until their pain finally exceeds their pride.And sometimes, God allows that pain to get our attention.

2. Guilt

We often think, “If God knew what I’ve done…”He does — and He sent Christ to the cross because of it. There is no sin God cannot forgive. Nothing you confess will make Him change His mind about you.

3. Fear

Fear shows up in several forms:

(1) Fear of trusting God

We say, “Lord, catch me!” — and then look down at the drop beneath us.God says, “Let go. I will hold you.”

(2) Fear of losing control

But real freedom is not having control — it’s choosing Who controls you.When Christ controls your life, He sets you free.

(3) Fear of becoming a ‘religious fanatic’

Some think surrender will make them extreme or strange. But Jesus does the opposite — He brings sanity, peace, and wholeness. He restores us to our right mind. When you make this choice, you give everything to God: relationships, dreams, habits, lifestyle, possessions — even the things you don’t know how to let go of. And God takes what you surrender, cleans it, repurposes it, and returns it to you with meaning, purpose, and fresh life.

Our prayer becomes:“God, here is a blank check. Here is my life.”

4. Worry

If you focus on every problem and every step required to change, you will never make the decision. God never asked you to solve everything — only to surrender everything.

5. Doubt

Like the father in Mark 9, we often say:“I want to believe — help my unbelief.”

Opening your life to Christ’s care is not about having perfect faith, but about taking the step.“I don’t understand everything, but I know this is right. So I choose You.”

Beginning to Move Forward

Phase 1: Softening Up

Life stops working. We admit, “I need something beyond myself.”

Phase 2: Establishing a Beachhead

You take a step toward God — and He holds on to you.

You don’t have to hold on to Him. He will hold on to you.Just as a loving parent will not let a child slip from their hand, God will not let you go.

Stepping Across the Line: Making the Commitment

1. Accept God’s Son as Your Savior

Admit you need to be saved and receive Jesus as Lord.

2. Accept God’s Word as Your Standard

Let Scripture define truth, identity, purpose, and direction.

3. Accept God’s Will as Your Purpose

Pray daily:“Lord, You woke me up today. What do You want to do with my life?”

4. Accept God’s Power as Your Strength

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”No more relying on your own energy or willpower.

The Key to This Door: Willingness

Willpower has failed us.Willingness means we open the door and let Him in.

“God, make me willing to be willing.”

If you’re ready to surrender to Christ’s care and control, reflect on these questions:

  1. Do you believe Jesus died for you and rose again?

  2. Do you accept His free forgiveness?

  3. Do you desire God’s plan instead of your own?

  4. Are you ready to ask Christ to direct your life?

Action One: Pray About It

Prayer:“Dear God, I believe You sent Your Son Jesus to die for my sins so I can be forgiven. I am sorry for my sins, and I want to live the rest of my life Your way. Please put Your Spirit in me and guide me. Amen.”

Jesus says:“Come to Me. Get away with Me. You will recover your life.”

Action Two: Write About It

Use these questions to journal:

  1. Re-read your answers from Choice 1. How have your feelings changed?

  2. How does it feel to release control?

  3. What does “The old life is gone; a new life has begun” mean to you?

  4. What do you want God to do first in your life?

  5. What are you struggling to let go of — and why?

Action Three: Share About It

Share your commitment with your accountability partner. Every time you speak it out loud, you reaffirm your decision and strengthen your new life in Christ.

Pray together, thanking God for your new beginning and for the willingness to surrender daily.



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