Some of us who battle depression know what it’s like to turn to alcohol—or any substance—for relief. We’re tempted to grasp at anything within reach to numb the pain, to quiet the voices, to tame the grief.

Imagine trying to meditate on Scripture when you don't know where your children will sleep tonight. Or trying to apply Sunday's sermon when your entire week has been consumed by emergencies. The person sitting in your church may desperately need biblical truth, but the disorder of everyday life makes it difficult to slow down, consider that truth, and apply it.

Recovery is defined as, “return to a normal state of health, mind or strength.” Think about your life before you started using. Is that...