StayInTheLight recovery podcast

This episode is about how to beat depression. Welcome to stay in the light recovery blog.

Most of us know we do you crazy circumstances and most of us have encountered fear today I want to discuss some suggestions on how to make a friend of fear.

Sounds like the beginning of a typical salvation story: “Wayward boy hears the voice of God, answers the call and changes the world.” And I suppose if I had listened, it might have been just that. Or if I had been in the middle of doing some charitable good deed it would have been more expected. Or if the call had come from a burning bush in the wilderness, I might have been more disposed to stop what I was doing and pay attention. But that’s not how it happened. Instead of listening, I was there to talk. Instead of a charitable deed, I intended to hurt someone. Instead of a burning bush, there was a peculiar old gardener who seemed to appear out of the bushes. I was in Las Vegas with a collector named Jerry Slocum. He had invited me along because of the number of legs I had broken on behalf of the Teamsters. The home I visited belonged to a man who owed Jerry some money and was late in paying it back. The man wasn’t home, so I decided to enjoy myself while I waited. He had a pool, and since Vegas is in the desert, a swim sounded refreshing. I didn’t have swim trunks, but I had no problem with skinny dipping. I climbed out of the pool and stood there, wearing just my boxers, when I was surprised by an elderly black man who came out of nowhere. He wore a tool belt with clippers, so I assumed he was the gardener. He fell to his knees in front of me and spoke those words, “You are a special one, chosen by the Messiah.” “You’re out of your mind,” I responded. “Get off your knees.”

Our mind (and our heart) are both battlegrounds, as they are home to fragments of our life experiences that shape us. Most of us are tiptoeing through pleasant pasture—mixed with shards of glass. An alloy of positive memories, like sweet-smelling fruit, is also impacted by painful incidents that cling like mold...polluting what makes us feel good about ourselves and others. Deep-rooted, emotional pain hurts. It thrusts us off balance, obstructs our plans, and often is difficult to dig up. This messy, tangled web spreads throughout our life and affects the relationships most dear to us. When the source of painful memories suffocates our fruit, it rots. Ultimately, we become numb to our pain and even justify our reactions and make excuses. In this unhealthy state, we lose our joy and happiness. Pain paralyzes us, leaving us standing still, staring off into the future like a mannequin in a store window. Wouldn't it be great if our hearts were like a blackboard? As difficult as it seems, the good news is we can scrape off the mold and let the pain go. God's word says we must endure for a little while. God can restore us. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong and steadfast. – 1 Peter 5:10You knew it was coming.Whether we like to hear it or not, there is no path to the good life when unforgiveness looms in the distance. You may feel justified holding onto grudges but trust us—you’re only hurting yourself.Unforgiveness blocks every good thing.It isn’t worth it. And it won’t change anything or anyone.Think it’s too hard to forgive?You’re right.On your own, it is too hard. That’s why God has said He’ll make the impossible possible for us when we ask Him for help. He commanded you to forgive—He’ll equip you and strengthen you to forgive by faith. If you submit to Him, ask for His help, and make a firm, no-turning-back decision to forgive, one day as if out of nowhere, you’ll say, “I really have forgiven.” STAYINTHELIGHT---LOVE YOU-----LEONARDWAYNE.COM

Dr.Wayne hasn’t just created a recovery podcast – he’s created a StayInTheLight recovery community. Listen to the podcast alongside his 7-day courses supported by others going through the same thing. Now a APA Addiction PsyD working with Doctors and author, he uses his book-Higher and Higher by Leonard Wayne (Author) and podcast to share real tips and compassion to others going through the same thing.Leonard isn’t just another therapist interventionist- he’s in addiction recovery himself. He spent years addicted to drugs and alcohol, letting his fear of failure tie him to his destructive habits. This podcast is about recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, sobriety and the journey of recovery, community and healing. The real stories are inspiring, funny and touching. “You need to know you are not alone, and you are not going crazy!Call me 714 296 1956 or go to leonardwayne.com.StayInTheLight