Recovery

God restores our strength—step by step, we rise again.

“Praise be to the God… who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
(2 Corinthians 1:3–4)

Those of you who know me may recall that I’ve had a couple of knee replacements in recent years. And while I was surrounded by incredible support, there were moments when recovery felt far off—maybe even unreachable. But through God’s providence and grace, I made it through. In fact, in some ways, I may be stronger now than I was before.

Of course, not every recovery follows a smooth path. Life will ask each of us to heal from something—whether it’s a physical challenge like mine, the ache of a broken relationship, the sting of a job rejection, or the disappointment of falling short of a goal we poured our heart into.

In those moments, hold fast to this truth: God is with you. It’s not by your strength alone that you’ll rise—it’s by His. He is the source of comfort in our darkest valleys.

And here’s the beautiful part: one day, you’ll find yourself on the other side of that valley. You’ll be the one who can offer comfort, wisdom, and hope to someone walking through their own storm. That moment won’t be a coincidence—it will be a divine appointment. God will place you in their path, not just to empathize, but to be a blessing.

Promises to Hold Onto

• Isaiah 40:29–31 — “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak… those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
  A powerful reminder that recovery often begins when we lean into God’s strength, not our own.

• Jeremiah 30:17 — “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,” declares the Lord.
  God doesn’t just mend what’s broken—He restores with purpose and compassion.

• Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
  A tender image of God as the ultimate caregiver.

• Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.”
  Recovery is not just about getting back to where you were—it’s about stepping into something greater.

So, when you’re down, it is ok to lean on others. Rise up with God’s help. And stay ready—because He may soon call you to be the hand that helps someone else climb out of their struggle.

Have a GREAT week—and wherever you’re planted, be a blessing.

Adapted from Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose by Andy Dooley