Patience (Episode 2 - Archive)Patience (Episode 2 - Archive)
Relational Recovery
Wes Thompson and Austin Hill talk about what patience really looks like in recovery, especially when life feels unfair or progress is slow. They reflect on faith, anger, and how to confront problems without giving up or exploding.
7:03•20 Sept 2026
Patience, Pressure and Recovery: Holding On When You Want to Quit
Episode Overview
- Patience is framed as choosing not to rush into anger, even when you’ve genuinely been wronged.
- The patience of Christ on the cross is used as a model for holding a bigger perspective during suffering.
- Moments when recovery feels pointless or progress is slow are highlighted as key chances to practise patience instead of quitting.
- Patience does not mean ignoring harmful behaviour; it shapes the tone and timing of how concerns are raised.
- Hard conversations are best approached by calming emotions beforehand and asking questions rather than accusing.
“"It's easier to do the right thing and to stay on the right path when things are easy... When you're working really hard and things just aren't going the way that you want it to go... that seems to be a ripe opportunity to practice patience."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This archived conversation from *Relational Recovery* focuses on one deceptively simple virtue that can make or break recovery: patience. Host Wes Thompson and co-host Austin Hill talk honestly about how hard it is to keep calm when life feels unfair or people push your buttons.
Wes reflects on the "patience of Christ" on the cross, noting that Jesus’ words, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," were not only about forgiveness but also about holding back immediate anger in the face of massive injustice. It’s a powerful example for anyone wrestling with intense emotions and cravings. The episode speaks directly to people in recovery who feel tempted to quit when progress is slow or circumstances feel stacked against them.
As Wes shares, when you’re "working really hard" and things still "aren't going the way that you want it to go," giving up can seem appealing, but that moment is actually "a ripe opportunity to practice patience." A key part of the chat is the tricky line between being patient and simply tolerating harmful behaviour.
Austin raises the question of when to speak up and when to wait, and Wes suggests that patience is less about staying silent and more about *how* you speak: preparing beforehand, calming your emotions, asking questions instead of attacking, and giving people space to respond. As Austin summarises, patience is "an attitude we take when things go poorly," while still recognising that change is needed.
Anyone tired of white-knuckling their behaviour change will relate to this honest, relatable talk on slowing down, seeing the bigger picture, and staying the course when it would be easier to walk away. Where might a bit more patience shift your recovery this week?
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