In 1853, America hosted its first World’s Fair in New York City. The man who stole the show was Elisha Otis, who introduced the first elevator brake. Until then, very few buildings in New York had more than five stories, because nobody wanted to climb that many steps.
Thanks to Otis, by 1900, New York boasted an amazing 65 skyscrapers. By 1908, that number had swelled to 538.
When Otis demonstrated his invention, no one was willing to step inside the first elevator. And that’s common. We are hesitant to do what we have not first seen someone else do.
So try this. Find someone who has more sobriety than you, and learn from him. Take him to lunch, pick his brain, seek his counsel.
Recovery Step: Paul said, “Be imitators of me” (Ephesians 5:1). Recovery is a great ride, but not one you should get on by yourself.
Author: Mark Denison
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.
