Wednesday Wisdom | We’re All in Recovery

There’s been a heightened anxiety over the past few years with the pandemic, political uncertainty, social unrest, and rapidly advancing technology. The rapid clip of change can lead to uneasiness and result in our being drained mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. During this time, people seek the safety and comfort of the known.

Are you providing people with the sense that you are a safe space where they can share their challenges, difficulties, and innermost self?

Over the years, many people have come to me, viewing me as a safe person to trust with their struggles. I’m not sure why, honestly. It’s simply something that started happening when I was little and continued as I grew older, even though I faced challenges of my own and didn’t always consider myself to be the most trustworthy person on the planet.

I had to learn how to steward this trust well. There were wrong turns, shortcomings, and failures along the way. I’ve had to hone my listening skills and become comfortable as a caretaker of other people’s stories while resisting the urge to fix what isn’t mine to fix.

Nonetheless, I am humbled by their trust.

²²throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
Ephesians 4:22-24 (NLT)

We live in a world and during a time where we are all healing mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the year that wasn’t (2020). The turmoil we experienced takes a toll. How will we get right?

Apart from a complete revival—mental, physical, emotional, spiritual—I’m not sure we can. We are now all in recovery.

Mentally, find someone to talk to that will listen well without trying to fix you. Spend time with a trusted friend even if it’s simply a phone call or text exchange, although this is too deep for texts, in my humble opinion. Seek out counseling or talk with a chaplain. Maybe you need to go one step further and engage the help of someone equipped to handle trauma. For me, I visit with a chaplain regularly. We’re still in the getting to know each other stage, but I can see our conversations help me. And through work, as I mentioned in a previous post, I have access to trauma training and counseling. It’s hard, but rewarding if I’m willing to do the work.

Physically, step outside. Go for a walk. Take off your mask and breath in some fresh air! If you feel up to it, head up to the gym and rekindle that old workout routine or dust off that forgotten bicycle stashed in your garage. Spend time with your better half or a friend you enjoy being around.

Emotionally, admit your hurts. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Let go of any anger, bitterness, envy, or jealousy. Let go of your rage and any resentment. Turn of the news. Skip the social media. Unplug. Unwind. Spend quality time with someone you love and who loves you.

Spiritually, discover God. Explore a relationship with a power greater than yourself. I find time to spend time with God in reading His Word and in daily conversation. I carve out time to write. For me, these are necessities like breathing fresh air, drinking water, and eating a good meal.