Recovery is less about how we respond in the moment and more about how we prepare for the moment. If you wait until the trigger hits to figure out how to respond, you will eventually fail. Sure, there are some situations that sneak up on us. But virtually every test you face will be something you can prepare for in advance.
If you think back on the last several times you acted out, I’m going to guess they all had several things in common. We all have a pattern to our addiction.
Psychiatrist Dr. Lance Dodes writes, “Compulsions aren’t isolated events that must be managed only when they arise; the best approach is to think ahead. People can work out just what actions to take to prevent feeling overwhelmed – whether changing future plans or developing a new perspective about what is coming up. Such strategies are fairly easy to marshal in advance of that teetering-on-the-edge moment.”
Solomon was a wise man. He suggested, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).
Recovery Step: Don’t wait until your temptations hit. Respond in advance. Develop a battle plan that will be ready when you need it.
