From pagan to pastor: how I found God and my purpose episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 11, 2026 · 36 MIN

From pagan to pastor: how I found God and my purpose

from Create with Franz · host Franz Sidney

You can be searching for meaning everywhere—in religion, in politics, in service—and still feel utterly broken inside. What if that deep emptiness is the one thing blocking your healing from PTSD and anxiety? Justin McLane shares a powerful story of radical transformation. Raised in an anti-Christian home, Justin spent nearly 28 years actively practicing paganism... in an attempt to fill a persistent void and overcome a deep feeling of emptiness. As a U.S. Army Combat veteran, Justin recounts how his internal battles with PTSD, depression, and anxiety mirrored his external search for meaning. His journey to faith began when he made a conscious decision to quest: Was it truly possible that God existed? As his honest quest led him to a personal relationship with God, his mindset changed, and his mental health followed: the PTSD, depression, and anxiety all melted away. However, his conversion created new divisions: both his parents and other relatives stopped speaking to him... Justin uses his experience to address why we stop communicating with people we disagree with and shares the crucial need to keep the lines of dialogue open. Now a full-time pastor, Justin proves that you can anchor yourself in faith and truly unleash your potential. In this episode, he shares how it felt to have the absence of God in our life. He also gives us the exact practical, actionable strategies that will bring small - but fundamental - changes in our life. With consistency, those steps into a new realm help us to develop a personal relationship with God and to find freedom from the internal and external conflicts that divide us.   Topic covered: how to fill a void in life, why do i feel empty inside, lost spiritual meaning, spiritual awakening, searching for purpose, conversion from paganism to christianity, ex pagan finds God, starting a relationship with God, Christian healing ptsd, faith over depression and anxiety, military veteran ptsd faith, how to talk to family about faith, religious family conflict, Justin mclane pagan to pastor.   🙏🏼 Thank you for investing your valuable time with us today. If this message spoke to your soul, you are now a messenger. Choose to be the light today and help someone to change their life, too. 🌅 Share the Light: leave a comment, hit subscribe and share this episode right now with one friend who needs an actionable solution. ✍🏼 Leave your legacy: write a quick rating and review on iTunes to help others find true wellness. ❤️ Thank you for being the reason this message reaches the world. God bless you!     Follow me and my art journey here: https://substack.com/@franzsidney Therapy: https://www.facebook.com/franzsidneytherapy/reviews Instagram @CreatewithFranz   Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dZ2ZD2mCiyI

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From pagan to pastor: how I found God and my purpose

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