When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

As we stop drinking and using, the shock of sobriety is unnerving.

We are confused. We have been charging ahead in one direction for so long it’s difficult to make sense of a new path.

Sure, we know at this point that our addiction is causing troubles. But we are like chickens with their heads cut off—running aimlessly in the hopes of stumbling into relief.

The acute pain of sobering up is temporary.

If we get past this, we are left with a larger issue that requires attention. What now? What’s the replacement? What will fill the hole in our guts and our lives now that we’re dry?

Supposedly, this was the right thing to do, but we can’t help but feel unhinged.

We must receive guidance. Try as we might, if we lead ourselves, we risk a world of heartache and a likely relapse.

Better to avoid the revolving door of recovery and simply take directions on the front end.

We’ve been conditioned to want to forge our own way and not answer to anyone. But this led us to our vices and the downward spiral of addiction.

Now, reaching back out to our God feels petty and painful. But we do it anyway. Reaching out for fellowship and friendship feels like high school all over. But we make a beginning anyway.

And we find that we were designed for these things.

When we actually start seeking, we do begin to find the path back.

God, let me always keep seeking.