A man took his eye off the road, and ran into a tree, leaving him bloodied and trapped in his car along a country road. He saw a man coming toward him on a horse, so he honked his horn as he cried out for help. The man on the horse dismantled, for his horse had a limp. Seeing that his horse had a broken leg, the rider took out his pistol and shot the horse, putting him out of his misery.
As he approached the man in the car, he saw a rabid dog running by him, foaming at the mouth. Sensing the dog had a horrible disease, he shot the dog. Then he stepped up to the car.
The driver had rolled the window down so he could call for help. His would-be savior asked him how he was doing. Having seen what the man had done to the horse and the dog, the driver said, “I’m doing just fine!”
While it may have been humane to put the horse and the dog out of their misery, the same response would not have been appropriate for the driver of the car.
Here’s the lesson. While there are general principles that are common to all recovery, one size does not fit all. I suggest you learn from as many recovering addicts as you can. But while you learn from everyone, copy no one.
Recovery Step: “I will guide you with my eye” (Psalm 32:8). Your ultimate recovery plan may incorporate elements common to others. But always let God have the final word.
