We Don’t Like Recovery

We don’t like recovery. We don’t like process of recovery, that is.

What we like, is to be recovered.

The Process

Whether the wounds are caused by a natural disaster, death of a loved one, devastation from abuse, critical injury or illness, or struggling to overcome addiction, the process of recovery:

— Is painstaking, grief-filled, overwhelming, and at times, seemingly unendurable

— Can be more difficult than we hope, or imagine, it will be

— Always…ALWAYS…takes more time than we want it to take

— May be complete in certain situations, partial in others, and not possible in some

Even less catastrophic events such as job loss, not reaching a goal, or losing an important possession, require effort and time to recover.

The remnants of “before” have to be dug out and analyzed to find what can be salvaged and made useful. And what must be grieved and thrown away.

It’s a conscious decision to take actions to recover. And to keep taking the next right action. To go through whatever it will take to see what “after” will be.

Sometimes the action improves the situation, and sometimes things may not improve, or even get worse. The decision then, is to give up or try a different action.

We pray there are moments (hopefully more as recovery progresses) where relief and gratitude are experienced.

What we want most, of course, is for “it” not to have happened.

But because it did, what we pray for is understanding, kindness, and help.

And lessons are learned

Here are some of most important lessons:

— Everyone is now, has, or will be, going through something difficult for them. Because that’s life.

— I can’t always see or know about the disaster in someone’s life.

— I don’t know the level of destruction, the emotional toll, or how long it will take them to recover.

— I can’t determine if the disaster is so catastrophic, they might not be able to recover no matter how hard they try.

— I can’t force, sermonize, threaten, or coerce them to take the actions to try to recover.

What Can I Do?

— Not judge.

— Be kind.

— Understand that their disaster is as devastating to them as mine are to me.

— Ask them if, and how, I can help.

— Give them the help I can.

— Pray that God sends the help I’m not able to give. Along with the prayers that God gives them strength, courage, comfort, peace, assurance, and hope.

— Pray for them, turn them over to God, and take care of myself even if they can’t recover, whatever the reasons.

What helps you recover, and gives you the ability to help others recover?

We Don't Like Recovery – What helps you recover, and gives you the ability to help others recover? Share on X

Joni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.

May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.