In the most recent episode of the Genuine Life Recovery podcast, I had the honor of chatting with Bill Vanderbush, a pastor and author known for his insights on grace, forgiveness, and identity, especially when it comes to recovery and mental health. Bill’s wide-ranging experience across different Christian denominations gives him a fresh perspective on these important topics. Our conversation serves as a powerful reminder of how embracing grace can truly change our lives, particularly for those dealing with addiction.
Rediscovering Identity Through Grace
The journey of faith and recovery teaches us a vital lesson: our identity isn’t based on our past mistakes or accomplishments but is found in God’s grace. This realization is incredibly freeing for those wrestling with addiction. When we truly explore God’s grace, we start to question the standards we’ve set for ourselves and open up to embracing who we really are.
The Danger of Performance-Based Identity
When we define our worth by our achievements, appearance, or how others see us, we set ourselves up for anxiety, depression, and emotional struggles—or even a false sense of superiority over others. This way of thinking can create a fake idea of holiness based on what we do, making us quick to judge those who don’t measure up to our standards. But God reminds us that true holiness isn’t about being better than others; it’s all about grace.
Understanding that we all receive God’s love equally helps us develop compassion for others. When we see ourselves and others through God’s eyes, we can offer grace instead of judgment. This change in perspective is especially important for people in recovery, who often grapple with feelings of inadequacy and guilt that can lead them to unhealthy coping methods.
The Cycle of Shame and Addiction
For many people, addiction comes from a deep feeling of emptiness—an internal gap they try to fill with different substances or behaviors. The shame of feeling unworthy can lead to self-destructive habits as individuals try to numb their pain. Recovery often starts with a breakthrough moment where we discover our true identity in Christ. We realize that we are made righteous and holy not because of what we do, but through His grace.
This understanding changes our focus from trying hard to be holy to living in gratitude for what we’ve already received. When we embrace our identity as children of God, our actions start to come from a place of thankfulness instead of obligation, freeing us from the pressure of having to perform to be accepted.
Authenticity in Recovery
Recovery is really about rediscovering our true selves—the people God had in mind when He created us. The thought that God knew and loved us even before we were born is both powerful and freeing. As Jeremiah 1:5 says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb,” which highlights that our real identity goes beyond our past actions or mistakes.
When we understand that our worth comes from how God sees us, it helps break down the false identities built from trauma, shame, and addiction. This journey toward being authentic isn’t just about self-improvement; it’s about revealing the truth of who we already are in Christ.
The Contrast Between Control and Freedom
Often, when people are caught in addiction, they chase after power to feel in control instead of seeking true freedom. In religious settings, this need can show up as a desire to follow strict rules rather than accepting the warmth of grace. But Jesus tells a different story—one focused on liberation.
The Bible reminds us, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:36). While this freedom can feel overwhelming because it asks us to take charge of our own choices, it doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want. True freedom is living without being controlled by anything. In fact, one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control—not as a limitation but as a means of empowerment.
The parable of the Prodigal Son captures this idea perfectly. The father allows his son the freedom to make his own choices, even if they’re not the best ones. When the son returns home, the father welcomes him back with open arms, restoring his dignity and identity without any judgment. This story beautifully illustrates God’s incredible grace and unconditional love, no matter what choices we’ve made in the past.
Embracing Our Identity in Christ
As we navigate our recovery journeys, it’s crucial to recognize the distinction between identifying ourselves with our struggles and understanding our true identity as loved children of God. Our worth is not based on our actions but on His grace. This liberating truth encourages us to shed chains of shame and fear, allowing us to pursue a life filled with joy and purpose.
We often misconstrue freedom as a license to indulge in harmful behaviors, but true freedom is about choosing life-giving paths. In our pursuit of authenticity, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, as Hebrews 12:2 instructs: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” By beholding Him, we uncover our true identities and can walk away from the lesser loves that once held us captive.
The Journey of Healing and Restoration
Every addiction has a story filled with pain, loss, and a deep search for identity. Yet, healing is a promise for anyone who is willing to seek it. In God’s presence, we discover joy and fulfillment that far outweigh any fleeting pleasure we once chased through our addictions.
As we start to embrace who we really are, we realize that our struggles don’t define us—our relationship with Christ does. This understanding empowers us to live in freedom, breaking free from the chains of addiction and the pressure to perform. Instead, we find our strength in the grace that truly sets us free.
The Masterpiece of Our Lives
Bill Vanderbush offers deep insights on life and grace based on his time as an ANR representative for EMI Records. He witnessed firsthand how rough recording sessions turn into polished songs, and he uses this experience to illustrate how God’s grace works in our lives. Just like musicians sometimes struggle with pitchy vocals and broken strings while recording, we all go through tough times filled with our own imperfections. But remember, those rough takes aren’t the final version.
Bill encourages us to imagine a day when God unveils the complete masterpiece of our lives, showcasing His grace and purpose. He compares our current situations to unfinished recordings—imperfect but still in progress. This perspective resonates with biblical stories, like those found in Hebrews 11, which highlight the flaws of biblical heroes while celebrating their faith and the bigger plan God had for them.
The Power of Radical Forgiveness
Shifting from the topic of grace, we dive into the important idea of forgiveness, especially radical forgiveness, which is essential for anyone on the road to recovery. Clinging to resentment can push people back into addiction. Forgiveness isn’t just letting someone off the hook; it’s a powerful way to free ourselves.
Bill uses a striking metaphor to explain this: when we forgive, we’re kicking out the people who hurt us from living rent-free in our heads. This act frees us from the weight of resentment, helping us reclaim our mental and emotional well-being. Even though forgiving can feel really unfair—especially when someone has wronged us—it’s crucial to understand that holding onto bitterness only keeps our pain alive.
The Cycle of Judgment and Grace
When we hold onto judgment and unforgiveness, we inadvertently condemn ourselves. Jesus’ teachings reveal that judgment does not come from God but is often self-inflicted. This self-condemnation can lead to cycles of negativity and despair. When we break this cycle by embracing forgiveness, we can experience the fullness of grace.
By choosing to forgive, we not only release others from our judgment but also open ourselves to receive grace in abundance. What we give away—be it judgment or grace—will eventually manifest in our own lives. This powerful principle reminds us that our relationships profoundly affect our emotional and spiritual well-being.
The Abundance of Grace
God wants to pour out goodness on us that goes beyond anything we can imagine. Just when we think we’ve experienced all of His grace, there’s more waiting for us. Instead of viewing the world through a lens of scarcity and judgment, we can embrace the radical goodness of God that has the power to transform our reality. This new perspective helps us picture a world overflowing with the knowledge of God’s glory, just like the ocean spreads over the sea.
Conclusion
In closing, Bill Vanderbush’s insights remind us to embrace our imperfections and recognize that we are all works in progress. Right now, our lives might feel like rough drafts, but through God’s grace and radical forgiveness, there’s a stunning masterpiece waiting for us in eternity. When we choose to forgive and let go of judgment, we open ourselves up to fully experience God’s goodness, letting His grace flow through us and touch those around us.
The journey to recovery and being our true selves might not be easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. By understanding who we are in Christ and accepting His grace, we can break free from the cycles of shame and addiction. This path encourages us to see our worth through God’s eyes instead of the flawed standards of the world, offering hope for redemption and the life-changing power of grace. Ultimately, it’s this grace that leads us to true freedom and the abundant life that God intended for each of us.