What Causes Traction and What Causes Obstacles in Your Recovery as a Believer

Recovery for a Christian is a intensely sacred, holy journey of transitional change and restoration, rooted in God’s transformative power rather than in human systems. From a Biblical view, what causes traction, momentum toward healing, begins with a heart surrendered to God. James 4:8 promises, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”, showing that intimacy with the Lord through prayer and worship builds a foundation for progress that leads to total healing. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work, as seen in Romans 6:6… “knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with”, empowers believers to break free from past bondage. Traction gains strength through obedience to God and His Word, like Philippians 4:8’s call to focus on what is true and pure, renewing the mind against destructive patterns. Community plays a vital role too; Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend”. Your believing recovery coach or godly friends can provide accountability and encouragement, pushing you, the believer, forward when weariness creeps in to put you in neutral.

Yet, obstacles inevitably arise, often springing from the heart’s deceitful nature. Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”. Self-reliance or lingering pride can stall recovery because it is temptingyou to lean on your own understanding instead of God’s wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 says,“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”. The enemy exploits these weaknesses, as 1 Peter 5:8 cautions: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. Distractions, whether worldly pleasures, unresolved bitterness, or, as discussed earlier, social media, pull focus from Jesus, our true source of strength. Isolation is another hurdle; neglecting fellowship with believers contradicts Hebrews 10:24-25’s call to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” Without this support, doubts fester, and old habits regain footing. It is done very insidiously so that you won’t even realize it’s happening.

Traction flourishes when you, the believer, cling to God’s promises over your struggles. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”… scripture illuminates the way, cutting through confusion. Consistent prayer, modeled by Jesus in Luke 5:16, keeps the spirit aligned with God’s will, while forgiveness – both receiving it and extending it – frees the soul from guilt’s chains (Colossians 3:13). Obstacles, though, are often rooted in neglecting these disciplines. Failing to guard the heart (Proverbs 4:23) invites temptation, and unconfessed sin, as David laments in Psalm 32:3-4, drains vitality: “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.” The remedy lies in repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit, who equips believers to overcome (Galatians 5:16). The right recovery coach can guide this process, but ultimate victory rests in Christ alone. Consider your recovery coach as a catalyst to a full recovery. John 16:33 assures, “In Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. Recovery thrives not by any steps, but by abiding in Jesus Christ, forever and always.

Have a blessed rest of your day, as you knock down every obstacle in the name of Jesus! Lord willing, hope to see you next post. Until then, don’t get stuck in the mud, remembering you have to GO to the mud in order to get stuck in it!