2025 Recovery Month

Unveiling God’s Plan for Recovery

Developed by Pastor Trevor M. Crenshaw

Welcome to our monthly Pastor’s Corner. For our September 2025 Recovery Month, I want to highlight a theme that resonates deeply with the human experience: recovery. We live in a world filled with brokenness – broken relationships, broken promises, broken spirits, and broken bodies. We all, in some way, need healing, restoration, and a path to move forward from the wounds or captivity of the past. The good news, the eternally relevant truth, is that God has a plan for our recovery.

I’m reminded of Sarah, a woman who had carried the weight of unspoken grief for years after the loss of her child. On the surface, she was strong and resilient, but beneath her composed exterior lay a deep well of sorrow that colored every aspect of her life. She tried various ways to cope – keeping busy, burying herself in work, even trying to force a sense of normalcy. Yet, the ache remained. It wasn’t until she began to truly surrender her pain to God, through prayer and the support of a small group at church, that she began to find a path toward healing. It wasn’t a quick fix, and the pain didn’t vanish overnight, but slowly, surely, Sarah started to rediscover joy, to find meaning again, and to experience the gentle, persistent comfort that only God can provide. Her recovery wasn’t about forgetting her loss, but about learning to live differently, loved and supported by her Heavenly Father in its shadow.

Sarah’s journey echoes the timeless message found in Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This verse is a cornerstone of understanding God’s heart for those who are hurting. It tells us that in our most vulnerable and shattered moments, we are not alone. God doesn’t stand at a distance, judging or indifferent. Instead, He draws near, offering solace, strength, and a pathway to wholeness. The word “saves” here isn’t just about eternal salvation; it includes deliverance, healing, and restoration in every area of our lives.

What are the implications of this profound truth? Firstly, it means that our brokenness does not disqualify us from God’s love or His plan. In fact, it often makes us more receptive to His grace and more reliant on His strength. God doesn’t wait for us to become perfect before He begins to work in our lives. He meets us exactly where we are, in the midst of our struggles and our pain.

Secondly, God’s plan for recovery often involves a process. Just as Sarah’s healing unfolded gradually, so too does our journey toward wholeness. There may be setbacks, moments of doubt, and times when the path seems unclear. But the promise remains: God is with us, guiding us, and providing the resources we need to keep moving forward. This process often involves vulnerability, honesty with ourselves and with God, and a willingness to receive support from others in the faith community.

Thirdly, God’s recovery plan is holistic. It’s not just about fixing the surface-level symptoms, but about addressing the root causes of our brokenness. This process can involve healing emotional wounds, breaking free from destructive patterns, mending fractured relationships, and restoring our spiritual connection with God. His desire is for our complete well-being – spirit, soul, and body.

The main lesson we can draw from this is one of hope and surrender. No matter what you are facing today, no matter what wounds you carry or what chains bind you, God has a plan for your recovery. It’s a plan rooted in His boundless love, His unwavering presence, and His infinite power to heal and restore. Our role is to surrender our brokenness to Him, to trust in His timing and His ways, and to remain open to the healing and restoration He desires to bring into our lives.

As we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that we serve a God who is intimately acquainted with suffering and deeply committed to healing. Let us take comfort in His promise to be near the brokenhearted and let us actively participate in His plan for our recovery by seeking Him, trusting Him, and allowing His love to mend our wounded souls. May we all experience the fullness of His restoring grace.