March 12, 2026
FASTER Recovery Scale
Our March chapel speaker let us in on a (not so secret) paradigm of recovery – the FASTER scale. A quick google search says a Christian Counselor, Michael Dye, is the creator of the scale. Our speaker was gracious enough to break it down for us and share some verses along the way.
FASTER
Sometimes you don’t zoom through this scale, it can be a subtle drift – or even skip over some steps – and you might find yourself one day wondering, “How did I get here?”
- Forget Priorities
- Anxious
- Speed Up
- Ticked Off
- Exhausted
- Relapse
When we forget our priorities, we tend to stop trusting God, and reach for sarcasm instead. When we are anxious, there is a growing fear inside and the old negative thoughts creep back in. While speeding up, we volunteer for all the things as a way to “make up” for our past. During the ticked off phase, we only see in black & white, and usually become very defensive. While exhausted needs no explanation, the cure is always Sabbath rest.
Once we make it through all of those stages, we find ourselves relapsing into old patterns of sin. No matter what that sin might be.
Where Are You on This Recovery Scale?
Our speaker encouraged us to take some time to figure out where we are on the scale, reflect on how we slid there, and know that we can always get back to restoration.
The main question to ask is, “What am I refusing to surrender today?”
One of the key takeaways from this Chapel time was to make sure you are inviting others in and not keeping secrets when it comes to this scale. That is how you slide faster down into relapse.
Towards that end, here are a few verses of encouragement for this week.
- “..do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
- “Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
- “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” _ Proverbs 29:11
- “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 13
- “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.” – Revelation 2:5
If you’d like to learn more, CRU has a great worksheet, so you know where you are on the scale: https://www.cru.org/content/dam/cru/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/flesh-series-the-faster-scale.pdf
There is also this great 3-minute read from Spring Church: https://springchurchbellingham.com/springchurchblog/rememberingnottoforget
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