Stand a little taller in recovery

 Growing up as a Latter-day Saint Christian, one of my favorite hymns was Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel. It wasn’t a typical hymn of worship, but it resonated with me deeply, shaping my understanding of perseverance and purpose in life. This hymn was written during the migration of the Mormon pioneers and reflects the determination of those early saints as they pushed their heavy, wheeled carts along difficult trails. The imagery of their physical labor became a metaphor for spiritual and personal resilience.

In recovery, we often encounter similar struggles. Each individual has their own work to do—work that cannot be avoided or delegated. The hymn's third stanza captures this principle perfectly:

Then don’t stand idly looking on;

The fight with sin is real.

It will be long but must go on;

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

The word sin here is worth unpacking. In Hebrew, one of the words translated as sin is chata (khaw-taw), which means "to miss the mark" or "to go astray." In recovery, the fight against "missing the mark" is very real. Substance use disorder presents countless opportunities to stray, and the road to sobriety often feels long and exhausting. But serenity and healing can only be achieved by continuing the journey, step by step, with determination. This is where the principle of “putting your shoulder to the wheel” becomes not just a hymn lyric but a personal mantra.

This idea is further illustrated in Aesop’s fable, Hercules and the Wagoner. The story tells of a wagoner whose cart became stuck in the mud. Frustrated and defeated, he threw down his whip, knelt in the mire, and prayed to Hercules for help. Hercules, however, appeared and admonished him:

"Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel."

The moral of the fable is clear: while divine strength may be available to us, we are also called to exert our own efforts. The wagoner had to use his own strength to lift his cart out of the mud—a lesson in the value of action and personal responsibility.

In recovery, this principle is invaluable. Recovery demands effort. It asks us to roll up our sleeves, dig deep, and commit to the hard work of change. It means pushing forward even when the weight of our past, our shame, or our struggles feels overwhelming. When we “put our shoulder to the wheel,” we engage not just with the process of recovery but with the transformative work of rebuilding our lives.

Now is the time to rise. The time to lift our eyes from the past and resist the temptation to dwell on what is unknown or uncontrollable in the future. This is the season to commit—to squarely place your shoulder to the wheel of your own life and push with purpose toward freedom and sobriety.

The Time is Now to Do What is Right in Recovery

As the new year begins, let this be the season where you make a radical commitment to your recovery. Stand a little taller, focus on the present, and take one courageous step at a time. Leave behind the fear of what has or hasn’t happened and instead embrace the now. Recovery is about doing what is right, regardless of the challenges or consequences, and trusting that your efforts will bear fruit.

When you submit your life and your will to a Higher Power—as you understand it—you’ll find the strength to push forward. In those moments of surrender, remember these words:

Then work and watch and fight and pray

With all your might and zeal.

Push ev’ry worthy work along;

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

(Chorus)

Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,

Do your duty with a heart full of song.

We all have work; let no one shirk.

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

Today’s Thoughtful Meditation:
Recovery takes work, courage, and commitment. It requires strength and effort. Today, I resolve to put my shoulder to the wheel of my recovery, to stand a little taller, and to move forward—one determined step at a time.