Being in recovery has taught me that avoiding destructive behaviors and experiencing genuine freedom aren’t necessarily the same thing.
I’ve had seasons when I was successfully avoiding certain behaviors but still struggling with the same uncomfortable feelings, fears, and unhealthy thought patterns that contributed to those behaviors in the first place.
Sobriety matters. It provides a clear, measurable boundary: Did I cross the line or didn’t I? And sometimes that boundary is exactly what we need.
But I’ve learned that Jesus invites us to look deeper than our behavior. What’s influencing my choices? What am I believing? What am I avoiding? Where am I turning for comfort?
These questions help reveal what’s happening beneath the surface, where destructive patterns often begin.
Jesus didn’t come merely to help us manage destructive behaviors. He came to make us free — free to trust God, love others, and live beyond the patterns that once controlled us.
The question that helps me continue to move forward is: Am I simply measuring my progress by what I’ve stopped doing, or am I also recognizing the freedom I’m learning to live in?
With hope,
Nathan
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