179. Struggling Well179. Struggling Well
Hope in Recovery
Andy Petry reflects on what it might mean to “struggle well” in Christ-centred recovery, focusing on progress, honesty, and dependence on Jesus. He shares four simple questions to help people assess how they are engaging with their healing journey.
31:25•7 Apr 2026
Struggling Well: Progress, Honesty and Hope in Recovery
Episode Overview
- Struggling well is about progress, not perfection; only Jesus is perfect, so it is okay to still have struggles.
- Consistently showing up to meetings, groups, and community is a key sign of healthy recovery.
- Real healing comes through gut-level honesty and sharing the “last 1%” instead of hiding it.
- Growth often requires letting God push you into uncomfortable changes rather than just seeking relief.
- Fixing your eyes on Jesus each day matters more than measuring how far you think you’ve come.
“Hidden stories don’t heal. The stories that we refuse to tell are the stories that refuse to heal.”
Curious about how others manage their recovery on the messy days, not just the victory days? This episode of Hope in Recovery sits with that exact tension as Andy Petry talks about what it means to "struggle well" instead of chasing impossible perfection. Speaking directly to people walking through Celebrate Recovery and Christ-centred healing, Andy admits his own drive to "nail this recovery thing" and unpackes why that mindset can quietly pile on shame.
He reminds listeners that "we are after progress, not perfection" and that if perfection were possible, "I wouldn’t need Jesus." That honesty sets the tone for a conversation that’s both practical and deeply faith-focused. Andy breaks struggling well into four simple check-in questions: Am I showing up? Am I being honest? Am I allowing God to push me? Am I looking to Jesus?
From getting your "rear end going in the right direction" by just turning up to meetings, to risking true honesty about the "1%" you’re tempted to hide, this talk speaks to anyone who feels stuck in cycles of hiding, shame, or unrealistic expectations. He stresses that struggling well isn’t an excuse to drift back into old habits or spend time with "old drinking buddies"; it’s about staying engaged with growth even when life feels brutal.
Using verses like James 5:16 and Hebrews 12:1–2, Andy keeps pointing back to the idea that growth is the result of continually fixing your eyes on Jesus, rather than obsessing over how far along the track you are. If you’ve ever felt like you’re taking "one step forward and 87 steps back," this conversation might help you ask a better question: what’s the next small right step you can take today?
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