On a rainy day during the American Revolutionary War, George Washington rode up to a group of soldiers attempting to raise a wooden beam to a high position. After watching their lack of success, Washington asked the corporal why he didn’t join in and help, to which the corporal replied, “Don’t you realize that I am the corporal?” Politely, Washington said, “I do recognize that.” And then Washington dismounted his horse and went to work with the soldiers to get the oak beam in position. As they finished, General Washington wiped the sweat from his face and said, “If you should need help again, call on Washington, your commander-in-chief, and I will come.”
General Washington’s mindset is what we need in recovery. He was thinking “others first.” It is when we put our own status ahead of helping others that we are in trouble. In recovery, one of the best ways you can help yourself is by helping someone else.
Recovery Step: “Live as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16).
