I used to think I had to pick one lane.
Either I was going to be “the church guy” who just prayed harder…
or “the recovery guy” who just went to meetings and did the steps.
Now I know the truth:
I need both.
If I drop either one—my faith or my recovery—things start slipping fast.
Church: Remembering I’m Not God
Going to church with my mom has changed more than I expected.
I sit there listening to the Word, singing, praying with people who actually care, and I’m reminded of something simple but huge:
I am not God. I don’t have to fix everything on my own.
Church does a few things for me:
- It reminds me I’m loved, not just tolerated.
- It keeps my focus off my guilt and back on grace.
- It gives me people who will pray for me when I don’t have the words.
But church isn’t a magic wand. The sermon ends, and I still have a life to live.
Prayer: Staying Honest With God
Prayer for me isn’t fancy. A lot of times it’s just:
“God, I’m tired. Please help me not drink today. Help me not lose it on people. Help me do the next right thing.”
Prayer keeps me real. When I talk to God honestly—about cravings, anger, fear, shame— I’m not bottling that stuff up until it explodes.
But even with prayer, God doesn’t do my push-ups for me.
He gives strength, not shortcuts.
Meetings: Where I Don’t Have to Pretend
Support meetings are where I can say the quiet stuff out loud:
- “I wanted to drink this week.”
- “I feel alone.”
- “I’m scared I’ll mess everything up again.”
In church, I learn about God.
In meetings, I hear from people who are just like me trying to stay sober one day at a time.
Both matter.
Faith tells me I can be forgiven.
Recovery teaches me how to live like it.
Therapy & Meds: Part of God’s Help Too
I go to therapy. I take meds. I work on my mental health.
For a long time, I thought that meant I didn’t have “enough faith.”
Now I see it differently:
- God gave people wisdom to become doctors and therapists.
- God uses tools—medicine, counseling, coping skills—to help heal broken minds and hearts.
Going to therapy doesn’t mean I don’t trust God.
It means I’m using what He’s provided.
God Still Expects Me to Do the Work
This is the big one for me:
Faith is not an excuse to be lazy in my recovery.
God expects me to:
- Take my meds
- Go to my meetings
- Keep showing up to therapy
- Be honest when I’m struggling
- Set boundaries with people who pull me backwards
- Make amends and live differently than I used to
God forgives instantly—but healing takes time, choices, and effort.
I pray… and I also pick up the phone.
I read my Bible… and I also drag myself to that meeting I don’t feel like going to.
I trust God… and I still tell my therapist the truth.
That’s faith and recovery working together.
Why I Need Both
If I only had faith and no recovery work, I’d be spiritualizing my problems and still stuck in the same cycles.
If I only had recovery and no faith, I’d have tools—but no deeper hope, no sense that my life has purpose beyond my past.
Faith gives my recovery meaning.
Recovery gives my faith feet.
I need both to stay sober.
I need both to stay alive.
I need both to keep moving forward.
If you’re trying to figure out how those two worlds fit together, you’re not alone. You don’t have to choose between church and meetings, prayer and therapy.
You’re allowed to say:
“I trust God… and I’m still doing the work.”
That’s not weak.
That’s wisdom.
– Josh Bridges
YOU {R} NOT ALONE YOU HAVE A VOICE! 