Craig Brown | Founder | Stop Hiding Start Healing
Change is hard, especially when it comes to the deep-seated flaws and habits we’ve carried for a lifetime. Many of us desire transformation but struggle with how to actually make it happen. The good news? We don’t have to do it alone.
Understanding Where Character Defects Come From
Before we can remove our character defects, we need to understand where they originate. They typically come from three main sources:
- Our Parents – Genetically and emotionally, we inherit traits and behaviors from our parents. While this shapes how we respond to life, it doesn’t define our destiny.
- Our Circumstances – The way we were raised, our experiences, and how we learned to cope with pain, shame, and rejection all contribute to our character defects.
- Our Choices – Repeated behaviors become habits. Over time, what started as a coping mechanism can turn into a destructive pattern.
Why Is It So Hard to Let Go?
Letting go of character defects isn’t easy, and there are key reasons why:
- They’ve Been With Us Forever – We’ve lived with these habits and mindsets for so long that they’ve become part of who we are.
- We Accept Them as Our Identity – We convince ourselves, “That’s just the way I am,” rather than believing we can change.
- They Seem to Work for Us – Character defects often mask deeper pain, give us a sense of control, or even help us gain attention. But in the end, they set us up for failure.
As one person in recovery put it:
“Character defects are always on the psychological back burner – recovery just stops them from catching everything on fire.”
The Path to Transformation
So how do we truly change? The answer lies in submitting to every change God wants to make in our lives and humbly asking Him to remove our defects (Principle 5 of Celebrate Recovery). This aligns with Step 6 in recovery:
“We were entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character.”
Scripture reminds us of this truth:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” – James 4:10
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” – Romans 12:2
Taking the Next Step
If you find yourself struggling with anger, control, insecurity, fear, or any of the countless defects we carry, know this: You don’t have to fix yourself before coming to God. He is the one who transforms. The willingness to change is what He asks of us.
Are you ready to surrender your defects and embrace true freedom?
If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore faith-based recovery, where real and lasting change happens—not by willpower alone, but through God’s healing power.
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