Bedrock Realities for True Healing

By Don Chesley Stevens

Includes study questions after each reality for deeper discovery! Wonderful for study and discussion groups! Also can be used as a handbook for private counseling sessions.

An alternative approach to true healing from anxiety, depression, addiction, and all struggles in life. These Bedrock Realities are foundational truths for healing individuals and relationships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329021259

Book preview

Bedrock Realities for True Healing

Bedrock Realities

For TRUE Healing

Don Chesley Stevens

Copyright © 2015 by Don Chesley Stevens

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-1-329-02125-9

Bedrock Realities Publishing

P.O. Box 399

Brenham, TX 77834-0399

www.bedrockrealities.com

INTRODUCTION

Each bedrock reality is a difficult truth. Please take time to ponder each reality before proceeding to the next one. They are in no particular order.

My healing came as I accepted each reality. Peace and joy took root inside me when I began to implement these realities into my life. Relationships also began to improve.

These realities are not true merely because I choose to believe them. Neither are they made false should I ever choose to reject them.

A thing either is or it is not.

BEDROCK REALITY #1

I am a relational being of intentional design

The early years of my life unfolded with me believing I needed no one. One of my strongest memories from childhood was that I didn’t belong anywhere. This tendency towards low self-esteem was part of me from birth. Just like others are born with the tendency towards alcoholism.

This did not mean I had to give in to this tendency. Yet, several unpleasant circumstances during childhood seemed to reinforce the feeling. I began to believe I truly was unworthy of love.

As my life came apart at the age of 37, it seemed that I had no one to whom I could turn. The religion of my youth emphasized guilt and shame and that served only to confirm my feelings of unworthiness. Family and friends were no option because at the time I was too ashamed of the mess I had made of my life. I didn’t fully understand what was going on inside of me. How could I explain it to others?  I only knew it hurt badly. (The deep pain was a result of several circumstances happening to me at the same time and over which I had no control. Being in control was quite important to me, at the time.)

I had never handled internal feelings well. My first full panic attack hit me in my teens. After that, I was in and out of the hospital with muscle spasms, spastic colon and various other symptoms until the day when my world came crashing down. I considered taking my life and the lives of my beloved wife and three precious children. That thought so frightened me that I cried out to the God of my youth. The voice that answered back was nothing like the God I had known previously.

The Designer showed up in my deepest pain. He didn’t bring guilt, shame, or accusations. He was personal, tender, and loving. He came as a Helper alongside. He spoke deep truths inside me; right where it hurt so badly. The realities He brought were far from pleasant. However, they were vital to my healing and long-term recovery.

For a while, my journey only included my Designer and me. Eventually, my wife joined us. She allowed me to be honest without being critical. This permitted the true me to bud and blossom. The tender and personal way the Designer approached me, handing out deep truths as I was able to handle each, was just what I needed.

Walking in truth and honesty cost me relationships. Even to this day some are uncomfortable around my true self. I learned that true friends and true family encourage you to live in the truth about yourself.

Living in truth doesn’t mean you have to bring everyone around you into truth. Not everyone is called to truth at the same time or at the same level.

Living in truth never gives you permission to be ugly or rude. Truth is best given in small doses, balanced with love, and exercised with MUCH discretion.

It is never right to be impolite!

Love waits patiently.

Love is kind,

Is not jealous.

Love does not boast,

Is not puffed up,

Is not rude,

Is not selfish,

Is not irritable,

Holds no grudges,

Does not rejoice in wrongdoing,

But, rejoices