Sometimes, we find great wisdom in strange places.
In Dumb and Dumber, actor Jim Carrey’s character famously said, “According to the map, we’ve only gone four inches.”
That’s the story of recovery. Sometimes, we work hard, attend a ton of meetings, complete the Steps, go to therapy, but feel like we’ve only gone four inches. The answer is to throw away the map.
Successful recovery can never be boiled down to sobriety dates, completed Steps, or other tangible progress. It’s a spiritual thing. Yes, do the things that feed your recovery. But throw away the map.
Recover Step: If you want to go four inches – or four miles – in your recovery, embrace the words of Paul. “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11).
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
