Vince Lombardi famously said, “Winning isn’t everything. It’s the only thing.”
I like this quote from Bobby Knight even more. “The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. The key is the will to prepare to win.”
In recovery, it’s what we do before the temptation hits that will determine our response. Let me say that again. It’s what we do before the temptation hits that will determine out response.
You cannot accept defeat as an option. You must go all in. I love a line from Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back. “Do, or do not. There is no try.”
There is no try in recovery. If you try to stay sober, you won’t make it. If you try to look away from porn, you’ll still look at porn. But again, the real battle comes before the temptation itself.
If you are tired of acting out, of looking at porn, of living in captivity to masturbation, draw a line in the sand today. Then focus on what you need to do to be ready when the next temptation presents itself.
Paul urged all followers of Christ, “I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1).
Recovery Step: You must have the will to prepare to stay sober. Then decide: do, or do not. There is no try.
