French philosopher Paul Ricoeur viewed life as a series of three movements. First, there is orientation, when we feel at home and at peace. Then we go through a period of disorientation, when a life-changing event occurs, a catastrophe strikes and we feel disillusioned. Finally, there is a transition to reorientation, or the “new normal.”
Jordan Peterson said it like this: “Random wandering will not move you forward.”
Everyone who gets into recovery does so out of disorientation, a life-changing event such as discovery, illness, arrest, or disease. While the addict may have facilitated his own fall, this period is just as traumatic as if a tornado ripped back the roof of his house.
God uses the disorientation phase to bring about a new normal, or reorientation. It is when we make life changes that life becomes better.
Recovery Step: If you are enduring a time of disorientation, work your recovery plan wisely. “The plans of the diligent lead to abundance” (Proverbs 21:5).
