Celebrate Recovery - Hillside Moncton

08/29/2026

AMENDS — Day 12 of 14

When Amends Could Cause Harm

Scripture

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:3–4

Devotion

Making amends is about taking responsibility for the harm we’ve caused.

But sometimes, approaching someone directly could cause more harm instead of healing.

That’s why Principle 6 includes these important words:

“…except when to do so would harm them or others.”

There may be someone on our amends list whom we desperately want to contact. Perhaps we’ve carried guilt for years and finally want to say:

“I’m sorry.”

“I was wrong.”

“Please forgive me.”

Those words may be sincere.

But sincerity alone doesn’t mean the conversation should happen.

Sometimes we need to ask a harder question:

“Who is this amends really for?”

If contacting someone would reopen a painful wound simply so we can feel less guilty, then we may be placing our need for relief ahead of their need for peace.

Philippians 2 tells us to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.

That changes how we approach amends.

Our goal isn’t simply to get something off our chest.

Our goal is to take responsibility without creating another wound.

There are situations where direct contact may be inappropriate.

Someone may have clearly asked for no contact.

A former relationship may have moved on, and appearing unexpectedly could disrupt another family.

Sharing certain details could inflict unnecessary pain.

Contact could place someone in an unsafe situation.

Or the person we harmed may no longer be available to us.

In those situations, making amends may need to look different.

We might write the letter—and never send it.

We might repay what we owe without reopening the relationship.

We might confess our wrongdoing to God and our sponsor and make a commitment to live differently.

Sometimes the most meaningful amends isn’t something we say.

It’s something we become.

If our dishonesty hurt people, we begin living honestly.

If our anger wounded people, we learn to respond with patience.

If our addiction caused us to neglect others, we become present and dependable.

If our selfishness damaged relationships, we learn to serve.

Our changed life can become a living amends.

But we also need to be careful not to misuse the possibility of harm as an excuse to avoid a difficult conversation.

There is a difference between:

“Contacting this person could genuinely harm them.”

and

“Contacting this person would be uncomfortable for me.”

That’s why difficult amends shouldn’t be decided impulsively or alone.

Pray about them.

Talk with your sponsor or accountability partner.

Ask God for wisdom.

The unopened envelope in front of us can represent something powerful.

We may be completely willing to say the words.

We may have even written them down.

But love asks one final question before we send them:

“Will this help heal the wound—or reopen it?”

Sometimes courage means delivering the letter.

Sometimes wisdom means leaving it on the table.

Both can be acts of obedience when God is directing the decision.

Reflection Questions

* Is there anyone on my amends list whom I should not contact directly?
* Could making a particular amends reopen wounds or disrupt someone’s life?
* Am I seeking to help the person I’ve harmed, or mainly trying to relieve my own guilt?
* Am I using “I might hurt them” as an excuse because I’m afraid of an uncomfortable conversation?
* Have I discussed difficult amends with my sponsor or accountability partner?
* What might a living amends look like in my life?

Prayer

Lord, give me wisdom as I consider the people I have harmed. Help me never use amends simply to relieve my own guilt at someone else’s expense. Show me when I need to speak, when I need to wait, and when love requires me not to make direct contact. Keep me from using fear as an excuse to avoid responsibility, but also keep me from reopening wounds You are asking me to leave alone. When words aren’t appropriate, help my changed life become an amends through honesty, faithfulness, humility, and love. Above all, help me consider the needs of others before my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If today’s devotion encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs hope.

You’re always welcome to join us Monday evenings at Celebrate Recovery at Hillside Church in Moncton, where we walk together toward healing, hope, and freedom through Jesus Christ.

08/27/2026

AMENDS — Day 10 of 14

Do It at the Right Time

Scripture

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” — Psalm 27:14

Devotion

Sometimes the hardest part of making an amends isn’t knowing what needs to be done.

It’s knowing when to do it.

Once God has shown us someone we’ve harmed and we’ve become willing to make things right, we may feel an urgency to act immediately.

I need to get this over with.

I need to apologize today.

I need to fix this relationship.

But Principle 6 reminds us that making amends requires more than courage and willingness.

It requires wisdom and timing.

There is a right time—and sometimes a wrong time—to approach someone.

Psalm 27:14 tells us:

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”

Waiting isn’t necessarily avoidance.

Sometimes waiting is obedience.

God may need to prepare our heart before the conversation. He may need to prepare the other person’s heart. Circumstances may need to change. Emotions may need time to settle.

And sometimes we need to talk with our sponsor or accountability partner before we take another step.

But there is another side to this.

We can also use “I’m waiting for the right time” as an excuse.

Fear has a way of making tomorrow look much more convenient than today.

I’ll do it when things calm down.

I’ll do it when I’m more confident.

I’ll do it when I know they’ll forgive me.

And suddenly months—or even years—can pass.

That’s why waiting on God and avoiding obedience are not the same thing.

One says:

“God, I’m ready. Show me when.”

The other says:

“God, I’ll do it when I feel ready.”

There may never be a completely comfortable time to make an amends.

Courage doesn’t mean the conversation won’t be difficult. Courage means we’re willing to obey God even when it is.

Principle 6 also gives us an important boundary: we make amends “except when to do so would harm them or others.”

Not every amends should happen face-to-face.

Sometimes contacting someone could reopen wounds, disrupt another person’s life, place someone in danger, or cause additional harm. In those situations, wisdom may mean making an indirect amends, changing our behaviour, writing a letter that is never sent, or taking another course of action discussed with our sponsor.

The goal isn’t simply to check a name off a list.

The goal is healing—not creating another wound.

Imagine standing in front of a closed door.

You know there may eventually be a conversation on the other side.

You don’t kick the door open because you’re impatient.

But you don’t turn around and walk away because you’re afraid either.

You stand ready.

You pray.

You seek wise counsel.

And when God makes it clear that the time is right, you take the next step.

God’s timing requires both patience and courage.

So today, perhaps the prayer isn’t simply:

“Lord, help me make my amends.”

Maybe it’s:

“Lord, show me when—and when You say go, give me the courage to obey.”

Reflection Questions

* Is there an amends I may be rushing because I want relief from my guilt?
* Is there an amends I’ve been postponing because I’m afraid?
* Have I discussed the timing of my amends with my sponsor or accountability partner?
* Could contacting someone directly cause them or someone else further harm?
* Am I willing both to wait when God says wait and go when God says go?

Prayer

Lord, give me wisdom to know the right time to make my amends. Keep me from rushing ahead because of guilt, impatience, or a desire to control the outcome. But also keep me from using timing as an excuse to avoid something You are asking me to do. Help me seek wise counsel and consider the needs and well-being of the person I have harmed. If direct contact would cause further harm, show me another way to make things right. Give me patience when I need to wait and courage when it is time to act. I trust Your direction and Your timing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If today’s devotion encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs hope.

You’re always welcome to join us Monday evenings at Celebrate Recovery at Hillside Church in Moncton, where we walk together toward healing, hope, and freedom through Jesus Christ.

08/27/2026

You don’t have to have an addiction to need Celebrate Recovery.

Sometimes it’s the habits we’ve picked up along the way that are keeping us stuck.

Maybe you…

• Shut down when you’re hurt.
• Avoid difficult conversations.
• Need to be in control.
• Constantly seek approval from others.
• Hold grudges.
• Isolate when life gets hard.
• Use food, shopping, work, social media, or relationships to escape.
• Compare yourself to everyone around you.
• People-please because you’re afraid of disappointing others.
• Sabotage good things when they start getting too close.
• React in anger instead of dealing with what’s underneath it.
• Pretend everything is fine when it isn’t.

You may look at that list and think…

“Wait. I thought Celebrate Recovery was for people with addictions.”

It’s not.

Celebrate Recovery is for hurts, habits, and hang-ups… and most of us have something.

You don’t have to wait until your life falls apart to decide you want something different. 🧡

Come as you are. There’s a seat for you.

08/27/2026

❤️‍🩹 LET’S TALK ABOUT CO-DEPENDENCY.

Co-dependency can show up when our need for another person’s approval, acceptance, or validation becomes so important that we start letting them control our choices—or when we find ourselves trying to control or manipulate someone else.

Sometimes it can look like:

⚪️Saying “yes” when you really want to say no.
⚪️Changing yourself to keep someone happy.
⚪️️Feeling responsible for someone else’s emotions or choices.
⚪️Trying to rescue or fix people.
⚪️️Avoiding healthy boundaries because you're afraid someone will leave.
⚪️Compromising your values because you desperately want approval or acceptance.

Over time, we can lose sight of who God created us to be.

At Celebrate Recovery, we learn that our identity and worth don't have to come from another person's approval.

Our identity is found in Jesus Christ. ✝️

Recovery may mean learning how to establish healthy boundaries, surrender our need to control others, stop trying to rescue everyone, and recognize that we cannot make another person's choices for them.

And sometimes one of the hardest lessons is realizing:

✅️You can love someone without controlling them.
✅️You can care about someone without rescuing them.
✅️You can disappoint someone and still make a healthy decision.

📖 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” - Galatians 1:10 NIV

If co-dependency, people-pleasing, fear of rejection, or unhealthy relationships are part of your story, you are not alone.

Celebrate Recovery provides a safe, Christ-centered community where we can honestly work through our hurts, hang-ups, and habits while Jesus Christ leads the way.

🙏 Jesus, help us recognize the places where we've looked to people for the validation that ultimately belongs to You. Give us wisdom to establish healthy boundaries, courage to make healthy choices, and grace to love others without trying to control them. Remind us that our identity and worth are found in You. Amen.

🌎 Find a Celebrate Recovery near you at CRLocator.com

08/26/2026

AMENDS — Day 9 of 14

Expect Nothing Back

Scripture

“But love your enemies, do good to them… without expecting to get anything back.” — Luke 6:35

Devotion

One of the hardest parts of making amends may not be saying, “I was wrong.”

It may be accepting that we have no control over what happens after we say it.

When we finally find the courage to approach someone we’ve hurt, it’s natural to imagine how the conversation might go.

Maybe they’ll forgive us.

Maybe they’ll tell us they’ve been waiting years to hear those words.

Maybe the relationship will begin to heal.

Maybe they’ll even apologize for their part.

But what if they don’t?

What if they’re still angry?

What if they don’t trust us?

What if they aren’t interested in rebuilding the relationship?

What if they simply walk away?

Celebrate Recovery gives us five important words when making amends:

Do not expect anything back.

An amends isn’t a trade.

We don’t offer an apology in exchange for forgiveness. We don’t admit our wrong hoping they’ll admit theirs. We don’t make things right so we can receive another chance.

We make amends because it is the right thing to do.

Our responsibility is to humbly acknowledge the harm we’ve caused, take responsibility without excuses, and do what we reasonably can to make it right.

Their response belongs to them.

That can be difficult because somewhere inside us, we may still want something from the conversation.

Forgiveness.

Acceptance.

Reconciliation.

Relief from guilt.

Confirmation that we’ve changed.

But if we enter the conversation needing a particular response, our amends can quietly become another attempt to control someone.

Jesus shows us another way.

Luke 6:35 tells us to love and do good “without expecting to get anything back.”

That’s open-handed living.

We come with nothing hidden in our hands.

No conditions.

No demands.

No expectation that the other person owes us anything because we finally decided to do what was right.

Imagine sitting across from that empty chair.

Eventually, someone may sit there.

They may receive your amends graciously.

They may not.

But before they ever take that seat, we need to surrender the outcome to God.

“Lord, help me say what I need to say without requiring anything from them in return.”

And there is another important truth: forgiveness doesn’t automatically mean reconciliation.

Trust may take time to rebuild.

Some relationships may never return to what they once were.

In some situations, direct contact may not even be appropriate because it could cause further harm.

That’s why we seek God’s wisdom and talk with our sponsor or accountability partner before acting.

But when the time is right, we can walk into the conversation knowing something freeing:

My job isn’t to control their response. My job is to faithfully take responsibility for my part.

We leave the empty chair to God.

We leave the other person’s heart to God.

We leave the outcome to God.

And we walk away knowing that we took another step toward freedom.

Reflection Questions

* When I imagine making an amends, what response am I hoping to receive?
* Would I still be willing to make the amends if I knew the person might not forgive me?
* Am I hoping the other person will acknowledge or apologize for their part?
* Can I accept that forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same thing?
* What would it look like for me to completely surrender the outcome to God?

Prayer

Lord, help me approach my amends with open hands and no expectations. Remove any desire in me to control how another person responds. Give me humility to acknowledge the harm I’ve caused without excuses and courage to make things right where I can. If forgiveness or reconciliation comes, help me receive it with gratitude. If it doesn’t, give me peace knowing that I have been obedient to You. Give me wisdom about when and how to make each amends so that I do not cause further harm. I trust You with the person, the conversation, and the outcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If today’s devotion encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs hope.

You’re always welcome to join us Monday evenings at Celebrate Recovery at Hillside Church in Moncton, where we walk together toward healing, hope, and freedom through Jesus Christ.

08/25/2026

Did you know that ENTITLEMENT can be a hang-up?

Entitlement doesn’t always look like arrogance.

Sometimes it sounds like…

“I’ve done so much for them… they owe me.”

“I shouldn’t have to be the one to apologize.”

“After everything I’ve been through, I deserve this.”

“Why does everyone else get blessed while I’m still waiting?”

When we believe life, people, or even God owe us something, disappointment can quickly turn into resentment, anger, pride, and unforgiveness.

Recovery teaches us to stop keeping score.

To recognize grace.

To choose humility.

And to trade “I deserve” for “I’m grateful.”

Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to work through our hurts, hang-ups, and habits… even the ones we don’t always recognize in ourselves. ❤️‍🩹

08/25/2026

AMENDS — Day 8 of 14

Check Your Motives

Scripture

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23

Devotion

Before we make an amends, there is an important question we need to ask:

Why am I doing this?

It can be easy to focus entirely on what we’re going to say. We rehearse the conversation, think about how the other person might respond, and try to find exactly the right words.

But before God deals with our words, He wants to deal with our heart.

Our motives matter.

We might genuinely want to make things right—but mixed in with that desire could be other expectations.

I hope they’ll forgive me.

I hope they’ll apologize for what they did.

Maybe this will repair our relationship.

I just want to stop feeling guilty.

I want them to see that I’ve changed.

Those feelings are understandable, but they can quietly turn an amends into an attempt to control the outcome.

An amends isn’t about getting something back.

It’s about taking responsibility for our part and doing what God is asking us to do.

That’s why Psalm 139:23 is such an important prayer:

“Search me, God, and know my heart.”

We’re inviting God into the places within us that we may not completely understand ourselves.

God, am I doing this because I love this person—or because I want their approval?

Am I trying to repair the harm I’ve caused—or simply relieve my guilt?

Am I prepared to apologize even if they don’t forgive me?

Can I make this amends without expecting anything in return?

That last question can be difficult.

We may sincerely apologize and receive silence.

We may ask forgiveness and hear anger.

We may acknowledge what we’ve done and discover that the relationship isn’t restored.

We don’t control any of those things.

We are responsible for our obedience—not their response.

Making amends isn’t a transaction where we apologize and receive forgiveness in return. It’s an act of humility in which we clean up our side of the street and leave the outcome with God.

That’s why we need Him to search our hearts before we take action.

God may reveal pride.

He may reveal fear.

He may reveal expectations we didn’t realize we were carrying.

That’s not condemnation.

That’s preparation.

He’s helping us approach the person with humility, honesty, and love rather than with an agenda.

Before asking, “What should I say?”

Spend some time asking:

“God, why do I want to say it?”

When our motives are surrendered to Him, we can make our amends without trying to control what happens next.

Reflection Questions

* Why do I want to make this amends?
* Am I secretly hoping for forgiveness, an apology, reconciliation, or approval in return?
* Am I trying to make things right, or am I mainly trying to relieve my own guilt?
* How would I respond if the person didn’t forgive me or reacted negatively?
* Can I trust God with the outcome and simply be obedient?

Prayer

Lord, search me and know my heart. Reveal anything in my motives that isn’t coming from love, humility, and obedience to You. Show me where I may be seeking approval, trying to relieve guilt, expecting forgiveness, or attempting to control the outcome. Help me approach my amends with no excuses and no expectations of receiving anything in return. Give me the courage to take responsibility for my part and the faith to leave the other person’s response in Your hands. Prepare my heart before You prepare my words. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If today’s devotion encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs hope.

You’re always welcome to join us Monday evenings at Celebrate Recovery at Hillside Church in Moncton, where we walk together toward healing, hope, and freedom through Jesus Christ.

08/25/2026

Celebrate Recovery is MORE than drugs & alcohol. ❤️‍🩹

One of the biggest misconceptions about Celebrate Recovery is that you have to struggle with drugs or alcohol to belong here.

You don't.

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, safe place where we can face life's hurts, hang-ups, and habits from A to Z, with Jesus Christ leading the way.

Maybe your struggle is anger.
Maybe it's anxiety.
Maybe it's codependency or control.
Maybe it's grief, fear, forgiveness, food issues, gambling, people-pleasing, po*******hy, relationship struggles, resentment, or something you've never told anyone about.

You don't have to wait until your life is falling apart to ask for help.

We ALL have something.

And at Celebrate Recovery, you don't have to pretend that everything is okay. You can find a Forever Family that will walk alongside you as you pursue healing, freedom, and a deeper relationship with Jesus.

📖 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 NIV

🙏 Let's pray:

Jesus, thank You for meeting us exactly where we are. Give us the courage to face the areas of our lives that need healing and the humility to ask for help. Break down the walls of shame, fear, and isolation that keep us from experiencing the freedom You have for us. Surround us with people who will encourage us, challenge us, pray with us, and point us back to You. Lead the way as we take our next step toward healing.

In Jesus' name, Amen. 🙏

No matter what letter of the alphabet your struggle begins with, there's a place for you at Celebrate Recovery.

🌎 Find a Celebrate Recovery near you at CRLocator.com

Jesus leads the way. Recovery happens together. ❤️




CelebrateRecovery.com

08/25/2026

08/24/2026

Sometimes life brings situations we cannot control.

Sometimes it’s an unexpected loss. Sometimes it’s news we weren’t prepared for. Sometimes it feels like the wind has been knocked out of us and the rug has been pulled out from underneath our feet.

In those moments, we may not understand why, but we can remember who is with us.

God is with you.
God loves you.
And you don’t have to walk through the difficult moments alone. ❤️

Reach out to your sponsor. Call your accountability partners. Connect with your Forever Family. Attend an extra Celebrate Recovery meeting if you need one. Let others pray with you and be present.

At Celebrate Recovery, when life feels overwhelming, we often return to a prayer that reminds us what we can control, what we need to surrender, and where our strength comes from: the Serenity Prayer.

Today, wherever you are and whatever you may be carrying, let’s pray it together out loud.

🙏 God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

We have the entire Serenity Prayer listed on today's graphic.

If today is a hard day, please don’t isolate. Reach out. Show up. Pray. Let someone walk alongside you.

You are not alone. ❤️‍🩹