CWSA Guest: Jeanine Shantz (Pt. 2)CWSA Guest: Jeanine Shantz (Pt. 2)
Christians with Secret Addictions
Guest Jeanine Shantz talks through how the biblical 12 steps, prayer and making amends have reshaped her life, relationships and faith. The conversation focuses on spiritual surrender, emotional honesty and carrying the recovery message to others through Christian community.
14:55•10 May 2026
Jeanine Shantz on Spiritual Detox and Restored Relationships in Recovery
Episode Overview
- Admitting powerlessness and recognising God as higher power is presented as the foundation of Jeanine's recovery.
- Working steps four and five with prayer is described as a "spiritual detox" that exposes blame and restores sanity.
- Steps six and seven are linked to handing character defects and shortcomings over to God for gradual change.
- Making amends in steps eight and nine is portrayed as freeing and as a way to repair family and community relationships.
- Prayer, meditation and meetings are highlighted as daily essentials for ongoing sobriety and spiritual growth.
“"Recovery saved my life and Jesus saved my soul."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This instalment of *Christians with Secret Addictions* brings back guest Jeanine Shantz to talk honestly about how the biblical 12 steps have changed her life from the inside out. You’ll hear Jeanine explain how she once believed she held all the power, and how admitting her "powerlessness" and recognising God as her higher power became the turning point.
She walks through the early steps, sharing how surrendering her will to God every day brings a sense of peace she describes as "a spiritual detox" for a mind once trapped in addiction. Jeanine talks about doing a fearless moral inventory, praying over painful memories, and realising she could no longer blame everyone else for her actions.
She and host Terry Hanna unpack how the steps are spiritual principles meant to restore sanity, with Jeanine describing recovery as introducing her to herself and making her a better daughter, girlfriend and friend. Later, the focus shifts to making amends. Jeanine speaks candidly about repairing family relationships, especially with her brother, and even making amends to her wider community for the damage caused by a former trap house.
Her emotion is framed as tears of joy, as she sees God restoring what addiction once destroyed. Jeanine also shares her role running a Christian sober living house and how prayer for the women there shows her "miracles happen constantly". Daily prayer and meditation help her appreciate small things like birds and clouds as part of "the Lord's landscape".
The episode closes with Jeanine describing herself as "a recovering addict who's in love with Jesus" and urging anyone struggling to surrender their heart to Him and engage with meetings and support. If you’re wrestling with addiction or supporting someone who is, could these spiritual steps and stories of restored relationships be the encouragement you need today?
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