Courage to Stop the Enabling: Profiling Enablers. There is a prime enabler, primary co-enabler, sympathetic co-enabler, entangled co-enabler, detached co-enablers and unsuspecting co-enablers. Primary enablers are addicted to their loved ones with addiction issues. It is difficult for an enabler to see their own issues because they are so focused on rescuing their loved one with substance use disorder. Enablers need to be confronted and challenged to admit their dysfunctional behaviors.

An enabler is one who empowers another to persist in self-destructive behaviors that are characteristic in substance use disorder by providing excuses or by making it possible to avoid the consequences of such behaviors. An enabler must realize they are not dealing with their rational loved one, but with one driven by the insatiable demon of addiction. There are 5 stages of grieving denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The road of acceptance leads to peace.

Rather as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses..." 2 Corinthians 6:4 We will learn how to develop the character skill of endurance through suffering. The principle in this lesson is: Activating faith makes me strong in any circumstance.

Therefore, my dear friends, stand firm (steadfast). Let nothing move you. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Steadfast is to be fixed, firm, steady and unlovable. We will evaluate evidence of faintheartedness and identify bondage in our lives. We will learn how to let God's Word build in us steadfast courage. The principle is "Relationships with mental torment are bondage."

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. I can do (endure) everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 I can no longer think like a person in spiritual poverty. I must reprogram my thinking and speak to myself with the truth of God's Word. This lesson identifies our imbalances and helps us set goals to balance ourselves. There is another self evaluation scale to determine where the lies are that keep you stuck. Submitting myself to God and resisting the devil is a maturity skill.

Emotional maturity develops as we build faith in Christ. When my faith is weak my emotions are in control. I know this is happening because I can hear myself whining, nagging, complaining, and in general discontent feeding my flesh. This lesson teaches you how to go to higher ground, higher than your emotions.

So, my friend, if the Bible is empty and lifeless to you, persevere until it comes alive in your soul. For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Emotional maturity owns complete responsibility to receive instructions and correction. He that has no rule over his own spirit (lacks self-control) is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28

This lesson will look at different levels of foolishness: naive, stubbornness, mockers and scorners. This is an in-depth study of the warnings and instructions in Proverbs. There is a Defilement Questionnaire at the end of the study.

What is it that you know to do that you are not doing? Consider carefully what you hear: with that light (truth) you use, you shall have enough light, and will be given more light (truth). But for you that have light and refuse it, even the light you have will be taken from you. Mark 4:24-25

A child does not have the moral capacity to understand how to accept light and govern themselves through the truth of God's Word. An adult walking in "DARKNESS" has missed this stage. The goal is to retrain our thinking patterns and break the many lies that bind us in destructive behaviors.