Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Naming your toxic pools

Toxic Brew is a great article on recovery as an adult child. It actually names recovery from trauma as central to the process. Too, it also lists the characteristics of adult children and supplies several sources that have been written since the Adult Children of Alcoholics book was published. All very helpful.

The truth is we cannot lead others by denying who we are. And we cannot equip others to live out their lives fully and faithfully if we are not also on the journey to greater self-awareness and self- acceptance. If we're above the healing Christ offers us, then how do we offer this same grace to others?

Knowing ourselves, we know better how to find nourishment for our soul. It takes wisdom and discernment to name the toxic pools in your own river. And it takes God's grace to work on them. (Phil. 2:13) This rarely comes from just ourselves without some help from mentors, soul friends, or spiritual directors. We do not have anything to give that we did not first receive. (I Corinthians 15:3)

Oldies but Goodies