The Good Samaritan and the Fixer’s Path to Recovery
Luke 10:25–37 isn’t just a parable—it’s a blueprint. When Jesus says the key to eternal life is to “love God and love your neighbor,” he’s not just answering a lawyer’s question. He’s laying down the same foundation that opens the door to early sobriety.
In AA, this principle is echoed in:
- Step 3: Turning our will and lives over to the care of God.
- Step 11: Seeking conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation.
- Step 12: Carrying the message and practicing these principles in all our affairs.
- And in the Legacies of Unity, Service, and Recovery.
The Good Samaritan doesn’t ask for credentials. He sees a need, acts with compassion, and follows through. That’s recovery in motion.
💡 Recovery Lessons from the Roadside
1. Compassion Over Judgment
The priest and Levite walk past. The Samaritan stops. He’s not the expected helper, but he’s the right one.
Recovery Insight:
Help comes from unexpected places. I’ve learned from ER doctors, concreters, primary school teachers, and a wise woman with piercings and pet tarantulas. AA is the most judgment-free zone I’ve ever known. Every meeting teaches me something new.
2. Action Is the Measure of Love
The Samaritan doesn’t just feel pity—he acts. He bandages, lifts, pays, and returns.
Recovery Insight:
Love isn’t passive. I’ve driven people to meetings, picked them up when they were spiraling, and shown up in regional towns just to be present. Action is one of my three Fixer principles. It’s how I live in business, and it’s how I live in AA.
3. Everyone Is Your Neighbor
Jesus redefines “neighbor” by mercy, not proximity. The Samaritan becomes neighbor through kindness.
Recovery Insight:
“A” with the tarantulas is as sharp and well-read as anyone I know. Recovery expands our empathy. My root cause analysis skills help me act, not wallow. I don’t do “woe is me”—but I’ll lock your gun in my safe if you need me to.
4. Mercy Is a Daily Practice
Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.” It’s not a one-off—it’s a way of life.
Recovery Insight:
Mercy is daily. We extend it and receive it. Every day is a chance to “do likewise.” Just like Deuteronomy 30:10–14 reminds us: God’s will isn’t distant—it’s near, knowable, and livable. And recovery is about living it.
3. Everyone Is Your Neighbor
Jesus redefines “neighbor” not by proximity or similarity, but by mercy. The Samaritan becomes the true neighbor through his kindness.
This links to what I wrot about “A” who has face pircings and keeps pet trantualts – she is as smart as tack and has well read as anyone I know.
Recovery Insight:
Recovery teaches us to expand our circle of empathy. Whether it’s someone struggling with addiction, mental health, or just life—our neighbor is anyone in need of grace.
Yes, and my action based approach, and to some extent the hubris that helped me get into the alcoholic mess, is effective when trated with balance. Balanced hubris (if there is such a thing”, means that I will have a go at anything. And my root cause analsyss skills developed by being a quality management systesm consultant, helps me assess, at least guess at the root cause and act accordingly. You don’t find me in “whoa is me conversations”. But you can ask me to put your gun in my gun safe where they don’t know the key if you want.
4. Mercy Is a Daily Practice
Jesus ends with, “Go and do likewise.” It’s not a one-time act—it’s a way of life.
Recovery Insight:
Mercy is part of the daily discipline of recovery. We extend it to others, and we learn to receive it ourselves. Every day is a chance to “do likewise.”
About Jason Bresnehan
Jason is the founder of Evahan, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and organizations build both financial and legacy wealth. With over 30 years of leadership across sectors and continents, he brings commercial acumen, strategic insight, and lived experience to every engagement. His work spans business transformation, venture management, and M&A, always grounded in a belief that ideas—shared with clarity, balance, and respect—can improve individuals, families, communities, and society.
A strong advocate for freedom, limited government, and enterprise-driven progress, Jason also draws deeply from his personal recovery journey—an experience that reshaped his life and fuels his commitment to growth, contribution, and principled living. Through writing, speaking, and service, he continues to learn, share, and speak with purpose.
I can be engaged (on a remunerated or volunteer basis) to sit on Boards, Committees, Advisory and Reference Group Panels, and to speak to Business, Community, and Youth groups. I’m also open to providing comment to media on topics where I have relevant experience or insight. Please feel free to make contact.