The Journey From FAILing to HEALing

By Leslie Lindsey Davis

Are you ready to go on remarkable journey of self-discovery, spiritual growth, and healing?

In The Journey From FAILing to HEALing, Leslie invites you to explore how you can change by embracing the unknown, venturing beyond your comfort zone, and uncovering the extraordinary within the ordinary.

Here's why you'll love the book:

• Real-life spiritual journey: Join Leslie on her life-changing journey, beginning with a simple question: "Do you want to go?" and her courageous response: "Why not?" Her journey to Africa sparks a journey of discovering God has always been with her.
• Finding strength in being you: Through heartwarming anecdotes and deep reflections, this book will guide you in embracing your vulnerability and discovering your true self all while deepening your connection with God.
• Unlocking the doors to self-discovery: Dive into profound reflections, each designed to help you find wisdom in life's unexpected moments.
• Spiritual wisdom: Enrich your spiritual understanding with the comprehensive Bible verses referenced at the end of each section. Three thought-provoking questions accompany each verse, allowing you to explore its relevance in your own life.

The Journey From FAILing to HEALing isn't just any book; it's a roadmap for anyone on a path of transformation, self-love, and a deeper connection with God. It's an adventure of self-discovery and faith.

Are you ready to begin your own personal journey towards healing and spiritual understanding? Are you prepared to unlock the doors to a life filled with love, wisdom, and a renewed sense of purpose?

The time has come to move from FAILed to HEALed! Join Leslie on this inspiring adventure where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Discover the power within you and the Father who never left you.

Buy The Journey from FAILing to HEALing now and begin your personal journey to self-discovery and spiritual growth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joy & Elephants
• Release date: Jan 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224195794

Book preview

The Journey

from

FAILing to HEALing

First Attempts In Learning

can lead to

Healthy Emotions And Loving

yourself

––––––––

Leslie Lindsey Davis

Copyright

Leslie Lindsey Davis

The Journey from FAILing to HEALing

2023

•  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

•  Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher don’t assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

•  Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including international, federal, state, and local governing professional licensing, business practices, advertising, and all other aspects of doing business in the US, Canada, or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the reader and consumer.

•  Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on behalf of the consumer or reader of this material. Any perceived slight of any individual or organization is purely unintentional.

•  The resources in this book are provided for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the specialized training and professional judgment of a health care or mental health care professional.

•  Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for the use of the information provided within this book. Please always consult a trained professional before making any decision regarding treatment of yourself or others.

For more information, email [e-mail].

Dedicated to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Despite how hard I fought them,

they never let go until I trusted them

to teach me how to swim.

The scripture quotations contained in this book are from the New King James Version.

Definitions in this book are sources from Webster’s Dictionary.

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Author: Pfishin’ Sisters

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as made up by the Pfishin’ Sisters

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––––––––

www.youcanteatlove.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/youcanteatlove

www.facebook.com/leslielindseydavisauthor

Instagram: www.instagram.com/you_cant_eat_love

Table of Contents

They ran out of index cards

How I found myself from the back of an elephant

The Craving for Change

God’s Mysterious Timing

The Call to Africa

Embracing God’s Love

Continuing the Journey

Bible verses for reflection:

FAILing and HEALing questions:

Life can be like shampooing your hair

Life’s Repetitive Cycles

The Emotional Tsunami

The Transformation Journey Begins

Healing and Growth

Bible verses for reflection:

FAILing and HEALing questions:

A Short Tale About Raw Toast

The Birth of Raw Toast

A History of Failures

The Power of Words

The Journey Continues

Bible verses for reflection:

FAILing and HEALing questions:

Equal Rights?

The pre-flight instructions are important

The Oxygen Mask Lesson

Life in Shambles

Confronting Emotions

God’s Comfort and  Society’s Expectations

Bible verses for reflection:

FAILing and HEALing questions:

Life is not a Lifetime Movie

The Urge to Be Someone Else

The Pain of Being Myself

Discovering Your Purpose

Bible verses for reflection

FAILing and HEALing questions:

No such thing as  too many Band-Aids

Finding Wisdom in the Small Things

The Power of a Single Verse

The Power of Forgiveness

Taking Control Because

I am Protected

Bible verses for reflection

FAILing and HEALing questions:

Chaos, or is it?

The Perfect Storm

Chaos on the Roads

Lost in the Swamp

Finding Inner Peace

Beyond the Chaos

Bible verses for reflection:

FAILing and HEALing questions

You have entered the NO DA (and no regrets) Zone

The Unholy Trinity

The Grip of Shame

Breaking Free

It’s my battle but not my fight

Betrayal

Illusion or Courtroom Drama?

Let God Fight

Forgive?

Bible verses for reflection

FAILing and HEALing questions:

Your Journey Begins

Request for a Review

Postscript

Acknowledgments

Resources for Your Well-Being

About the Author

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal;

It is the courage to continue that counts."

Winston Churchill

They ran out of index cards

For as long as I can remember, I’ve made lists. I’ve made lists of dreams, wishes, and those boring must-do’s. I’ve even created lists of chores with schedules in minutes. Occasionally, I’ve created a list to take care of my lists. No wonder my sons joke that I have planners for my planners.

Over time, my lists became something more; I started jotting thoughts, ideas, quotes, and sometimes entire paragraphs onto any scrap piece of paper I could find. Most recently, I keep index cards on hand with a pen close by, so I don’t lose the sparks of brilliance before they vanish into the ether.

I went to the store and noticed they were all out of index cards. One of my friends joked. I think you bought them all!

If you could see my desk, you’d understand her comment—it’s littered with index cards filled with my inspirations, ideas, and, yes, a few nagging to-dos.

Now, you might be wondering what lists and index cards have to do with a book called "The Journey From FAILing to HEALing." Well, each one of the sections in this book began its life as a few scribbles on some random piece of paper. They were ideas that occurred to me as I was busy trying to figure out the best way to live my life. Or it was a thought that kept running through my mind when I was really struggling to hang on.

As I jotted down these random ideas, some of them started taking on a life of their own and wanted to be explored. They wanted to show me how I got from where I was to where I am. Sometimes, I was up for the journey; other times, I fought it.

In "The Journey From FAILing to HEALing," you’re invited to unravel the power of embracing the unknown, venturing beyond your comfort zone, and discovering the extraordinary within the ordinary.

This book is a foundation, not just for my journey to Leslie 2.0 but for your journey to ‘You 2.0’ as well.

And it really began with a trip to Africa.

It began with a simple question, Do you want to go? And my simple response, Why not?

And I really didn’t ask any questions. I was that numb.

I had never done anything so far out of my comfort zone in my entire life. I had spent many years doing what I thought I should do and deferring my dreams and wishes to everyone else because I believed that was what I was supposed to do.

My dreams and my wishes didn’t count. That’s what I believed.

So, when Joan Murray of Joan Murray Ministries asked me if I wanted to go to Africa, I said yes.

It was time. Time for what?

I really didn’t know.

Isn’t that the best part about an adventure? You don’t know what is around the next bend.

There are days when I look back and tell people that if I had known how hard the journey would be, I never would have left home. But I am so grateful I did.

This book isn’t just my story. It’s a journey anyone can take. It’s a voyage into healing, self-love, and a deeper understanding of who’s truly in charge of our destinies.

There are a few tsunamis along the way.

Don’t worry. Someone will be there to help you float until you learn to swim.

As you begin this adventure, you’ll discover "The Journey From FAILing to HEALing" is about finding strength in vulnerability, gaining wisdom from life’s unexpected moments, and unlocking the doors to self-discovery. By the end, you will clearly understand who you are and to whom you belong.

No need to rush through the book. Each section stands independently, yet they are woven together, forming a tapestry of life lessons and spiritual revelations.

At the end of each section, I have listed the complete referenced Bible verse. I use the New King James Version because I like how it reads. I’ve also included three questions to help you dig deeper and discover how to apply the lessons to your life.

I invite you to come along with me on this path toward healing and understanding. I hope that, together, we’ll find inspiration and insight as we travel. I also hope you will discover a new perspective on life’s small but amazing moments and gain an unwavering belief in your power to reinvent yourself to ‘You 2.0.’

I am so grateful you are along for the ride.

A blue signature on a black background Description automatically generated

Winson

––––––––

A drawing of a sign post Description automatically generated

"Not until we are lost do we

begin to understand ourselves."

Henry David Thoreau.

How I found myself

from the

back of an elephant

The Craving for Change

The airplane’s engines roared as we touched down in Nairobi, finally ending the exhausting ten-hour flight in a cramped airplane seat. It was night when we left Amsterdam; now, it was morning in Africa. Not a cloud in the sky. Vast open land, nothing like the areas surrounding the major US airports. Every building looked tired and dirty. Only the runways appeared to be well maintained.

As relief and exhaustion surged through me, I could not get off the plane fast enough. I felt as if I had been sitting on a board covered with a very thin pad. My knees ached and burned like they had road rash after hours of being smashed against the seat in front of me.

My mind focused on the desperate need for an ice-cold Diet Coke and a strong urge to board the next plane home.

A black background with a black square Description automatically generated with medium confidence

You might wonder why I was already prepared to abandon this adventure when I hadn’t even started. What could possibly prompt such a drastic urge to run home before the journey even began?

But that’s a tale for a bit later. First, let me rewind several years.

The year was 2013 when I received an unexpected invitation: a mission trip to Africa in the coming year.

Are you interested? the leader asked.

I didn’t know the leader very well, but said, Yes!.

When I told my husband I was going to Africa, he asked me, Where are you going, and who are you going with?

I told him, I don’t know. I’m going to Africa.

Doesn’t it sound a little crazy?

What was going on in my life? What was going on when I jumped at the chance to go somewhere I had never been with people I didn’t know for a reason I could not describe? 

To put it very bluntly, I had allowed my job to consume me completely. I was working over sixty hours a week—hardly home on the weekends (and I had a family to take care of as well). I was to the point it was killing me; well, maybe not literally, but my authentic self was dying.

If I am being honest, I would say that, looking back, I was sacrificing myself on the altar of everyone else. I would go to bed at night praying I wouldn’t wake up. I dreaded going into the office. I felt as if I was slamming my head against the wall.

I was trying to climb a mountain no one could climb. Each day, I was climbing but sliding further than where I had started. I felt I could never accomplish anything because the mountain was insurmountable.

I felt undervalued.

It didn’t matter what I did. It would never be enough.

I felt pressured to hold up a situation that was not my responsibility.

I put everything into something that would never