Welcome to The Fully Lived Life podcast! A podcast for those who are longing to pursue the full life and want to break free from anything that holds them back. Listen in as two friends - a psychologist, Dr. Merry and a life coach, Gillian - talk about life, love and purpose - with wisdom, humour and transparency - through the lens of science, psychology, and life experiences.
In this episode we talk about living a life of faith and some of the obstacles in our way as we journey through life.
Merry shares how she leads clients through to help them with anxiety and then she circles back to that exercise and how it is true in her own life. Merry does a deep dive into her own story beginning in childhood and moving to the present day.
Merry shares her personal journey of growing up in a Christian family and operating out of an anxious state of belief, “I must do the right thing or something bad may happen”.
As an 8-year-old, Merry experienced her first crisis of faith when tragedy struck their family.
Merry shares how trauma led her to OCD like behaviour.
Merry’s belief that “ it’s all up to me”, “I'm on my own”, and “I need to be self sufficient” has led to times of deep loneliness and pain throughout her life.
Can you relate to Merry when she shares these lies that she has believed?
“‘I’m on my own.”
“It’s all up to me.”
“I have to be self sufficient.”
Have you ever asked “God, where are you?”
During her burnout in adulthood, Merry let it all out in front of God, all her ugly tears, her anger, her feelings of betrayal and instead of God turning His back - He drew close. Have you sat with your pain, your wounds, your betrayals and let it all hang out with God?
Merry shares how the story of Lazarus really spoke to her in her own journey.
Merry gives us hope by sharing how her life experiences with loss and burnout sustained her during a very rough few years when her mother and father both passed away and her husband was navigating a cancer diagnosis.
The bridge of faith that she walked across through her life was strong enough to provide her the resilience to journey with loss and cancer.
Dear Listener - if this episode has stirred up some things in your life: Take the brave step of reaching out to a friend, a therapist, a grief counsellor - you are not alone! Our desire is to give you hope for your life journey.
Links:
Story of Lazarus: https://bit.ly/39id38W
Dr. Merry’s book: https://amzn.to/2rCrJyI
Dr. Merry’s videos: https://bit.ly/377eFR0
Dr. Merry’s website: https://drmerry.com
Dr. Lin & Associates: http://drlinandassociates.com
Gillian’s Website: https://gillianmcshane.com
