Sanctuary Clinics

Sanctuary Clinics Christian Mental Health Treatment & Recovery Program. Sanctuary offers hope and healing.

In Thought“The voice we should listen to most as we choose a vocation is the voice that we might think we should listen ...
06/05/2026

In Thought
“The voice we should listen to most as we choose a vocation is the voice that we might think we should listen to least, and that is the voice of our own gladness. What can we do that makes us the gladdest, what can we do that leaves us with the strongest sense of sailing true north and of peace, which is much of what gladness is? Is it making things with our hands out of wood or stone or paint or canvas? Or is it making something we hope like truth out of words? Or is it making people laugh or weep in a way that cleanses their spirit? I believe that if it is a thing that makes us truly glad, then it is a good thing and it is our thing and it is the calling voice that we were made to answer with our lives.”

— Frederick Buechner, The Pastor’s Workshop

In Reflection
During seasons of recovery or mental health struggles, we are often overwhelmed by a sense of “duty.” We focus on what we should do, what we must do, and what others expect of us. While discipline is necessary, Frederick Buechner reminds us that there is another voice we must learn to listen to: the voice of our own “gladness.” This isn't about fleeting pleasure or selfish indulgence; it is about that deep sense of “sailing true north”—a feeling of alignment, peace, and wholeness that comes when we do what we were uniquely made to do.

God often speaks through the longings He has placed within us. Whether it is working with your hands, writing words that ring with truth, or making someone laugh in a way that “cleanses their spirit,” these moments of true gladness are often the Spirit’s invitation. Your healing journey isn't just about “not being sick” or “not being addicted”; it is about being restored to the fully-alive version of yourself. When we ignore our gladness in favor of a life dictated solely by pressure, our spirits eventually begin to disintegrate. But when we follow the peace that “gladness” brings, we find ourselves on the path of our true calling.

As you start your morning, pay attention to the small things that make your heart “sing.” What activities leave you feeling refreshed rather than drained? What “crazy dreams” have you shoved aside because you thought they were “unrealistic” during your recovery? God is the author of joy, and He wants to use your unique gifts to bring light to a world that “deals too much death.” Your gladness is a signal. Follow it gently today, trusting that as you delight in Him, He is revealing the “true north” of your life’s purpose.

—DH

In Deed
Identify one small thing that brings you genuine “gladness”—even if it's just ten minutes of a hobby or a specific type of work. Do it today as an act of worship and an invitation to the Spirit.

The devil’s snare does not catch you unless you are first caught by the devil’s bait.
06/05/2026

The devil’s snare does not catch you unless you are first caught by the devil’s bait.

In Thought“The best work on the subject of hearing God (outside the Bible) is F. B. Meyer’s book The Secret of Guidance....
06/04/2026

In Thought
“The best work on the subject of hearing God (outside the Bible) is F. B. Meyer’s book The Secret of Guidance. According to Meyer, who writes about these issues in a complete, sane and yet spiritual fashion, waiting is crucial: The circumstances of our daily life are to us an infallible indication of God’s will, when they concur with the inward promptings of the spirit and with the Word of God. So long as they are stationary, wait. When you must act, they will open, and a way will be made through oceans and rivers, wastes and rocks. If you do not know what you ought to do, stand still until you do.”

— Dallas Willard, Hearing God Through the Year

In Reflection
In a culture that prizes action, speed, and immediate results, the spiritual discipline of waiting on God often feels like failure or laziness. Dallas Willard, echoing F. B. Meyer, assures us that this waiting is far from passive. When we don't know what we ought to do, the faithful response is to stand still until we do.

Psalm 130 paints a picture of longing not rooted in fear or dread, but in deep hope and trust: “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Watchmen don't doubt that morning will come; they simply stay alert for its first light because they know the promise of the dawn is certain. This is the posture of hope that should drench our waiting.

Waiting becomes sacred when it is anchored by three concurring guides: God’s Word (Scripture), the inward promptings of the Spirit, and the circumstances of our daily life. For those navigating the complexities of mental health healing or recovery from addiction, this discipline is vital. We often feel compelled to “fix” the problem immediately, leading to impulsive decisions, broken commitments, or relapse. The inability to tolerate uncertainty and delay is a major trigger.

God invites us to wait in hope, knowing that when the time is right, He will act decisively. Meyer promises: “When you must act, they will open, and a way will be made through oceans and rivers, wastes and rocks.” When you are in doubt, do not rush. Stand still, immerse yourself in God's Word, listen for the Spirit’s prompt, and allow the circumstances to unfold. This waiting is a demonstration of faith that tells God, “I trust your timing more than my own.” What urgent decision or action are you contemplating right now that you need to surrender, choosing instead to wait upon the Lord with the hope of a watchman waiting for the morning?

—DH

In Deed
Identify one area where you feel pressure to “act now” just to relieve your own anxiety. Commit to taking no action for 24 hours, asking the Lord for the “dawn” of a clear Spirit-led prompting instead.

Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him.
06/04/2026

Every man I meet is my superior in some way. In that, I learn of him.

In Thought“Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means “to suffer with.” It seems quite unlikely th...
06/03/2026

In Thought
“Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means “to suffer with.” It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty…such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.”

— Henri J. M. Nouwen, Bread for the Journey

In Reflection
Nouwen presents a powerful paradox for those navigating recovery and mental health challenges: Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means “to suffer with,” and it seems unlikely that entering another person's pain could bring joy. Yet, this is the very nature of Christ, who stepped into our suffering rather than remaining distant.

True joy — not fleeting happiness or excitement — is found in the quiet joy of being there for someone else, offering simple presence to a friend in despair, and living in deep solidarity with our human family. This is especially true when that solidarity is forged in weakness, brokenness, and woundedness. For the recovering person, this is the essence of service and sponsorship; your shared experience of brokenness becomes your greatest asset.

The darkness of addiction and isolation thrives when we try to avoid pain. True healing, however, comes from entering the pain alongside a brother or sister with the hope of Christ. When we enter into someone else's pain with a heart of empathy, we reflect the very nature of our Savior, who wept with the grieving and touched the untouchable.

It's in this sacred place of shared burden — in the mental health support group, the 12-step meeting, or a vulnerable conversation — that we discover a deeper, more lasting kind of joy: the joy of love expressed and burdens lightened. When we love others in this way, we not only become a source of comfort, but we also experience the joy of being close to God's heart, where compassion always leads to redemption. Let's go love someone who is hurting!

—DH

In Deed
Reach out to a friend or fellow traveler who is currently struggling and offer ten minutes of undivided listening, simply “weeping” with them through their pain without trying to fix it.

Being heard is so close to being loved that the two are inseparable.
06/03/2026

Being heard is so close to being loved that the two are inseparable.

Your struggle is not your story. It’s just a chapter. Keep turning the page.
06/02/2026

Your struggle is not your story. It’s just a chapter. Keep turning the page.

In Thought“Despite failure, Paul chooses to identify with his new life. He acknowledges and affirms his union with what ...
06/02/2026

In Thought
“Despite failure, Paul chooses to identify with his new life. He acknowledges and affirms his union with what himself cleaves to the good. "Not I, but sin" of Romans 7:20 "it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me" must be read alongside "not I but Christ" of Galatians 2:20. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me." Some who say such things seek to excuse themselves from responsibility for their inner sinfulness or their sinful actions. But not Paul. Paul—like others who have come to life in Christ through the ages—does not excuse or accuse. He accepts the full measure of guilt. He is now concerned with how to enter into the new life to its fullest.”
— Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ

In Reflection
The Apostle Paul’s admission in Romans 7, perhaps the most personally relatable passage in Scripture, can be paraphrased as follows: “The fact is, I know it’s nothing good living in me... instead of doing the good things I want to do, I carry out the simple things I do not want.” We have all been there—knowing the Christlike response would be gentle words or patience, but allowing the old self, the flesh, to offer up a harsh reply or a destructive choice instead. This passage captures the constant, honest struggle within the human heart, especially for those pursuing recovery and consistent wellness.

The crucial move Paul makes is not to use this struggle as an excuse. As Dallas Willard notes, Paul does not excuse or accuse; he accepts the full measure of guilt. Instead, he shifts his identity. His honesty about the internal struggle (“it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me”) is immediately balanced by his affirmation of his new life (“nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me,” Galatians 2:20). He chooses to identify with his union with Christ, not his past failures.

This is a high calling we bear as followers of Christ: a reminder that we are no longer defined by the compulsive, sinful part of us. When we walk “in Christ” and manage to get it right—choosing grace over grievance, sobriety over escape—it is a moment of glory, a tangible sign of Christ’s life in us. Likewise, when we fall short, we are comforted by God’s grace and mercy.

Our task is to confess our shortcomings and failures before Him, own the guilt, and then immediately choose to identify with the new life He has given us. Glory be to God when we fall short in our sinfulness, confess it, experience His forgiveness and grow from the experience. Today, when you inevitably fall short of your best intentions, how will you choose to identify yourself: by the sin dwelling within, or by the Christ living through you?

—DH

In Deed
When you catch yourself having a negative thought or impulse today, stop and say: “That is the old self, but it is not who I am. Christ lives in me.” Consciously look to the Christ-life within you direct the very next action you take.

Spiritual maturity is often revealed when someone doesn’t get their way.
06/02/2026

Spiritual maturity is often revealed when someone doesn’t get their way.

In Thought“When was the last time that you paused to ponder what a privilege it is to have nearly unlimited access to Go...
06/01/2026

In Thought
“When was the last time that you paused to ponder what a privilege it is to have nearly unlimited access to God's word? These days, we can carry it around in our pockets and pull up any chapter and verse or even search the entire Bible in a matter of seconds. Instant access to all of scripture feels so common place. And yet we ought to be astounded at such an honor! In the Bible, we find all that we need for life and godliness—and nothing we do not. Every paragraph is unique in its addition to the whole, and yet every part contributes to the grand story. Most of all, it is the means by which the Spirit brings us into a deeper "knowledge of" God—which we could translate "relationship with." In the longest prayer of our Lord Jesus that scripture records, he spends much time praying for His people. In one specific petition, He asked this: "sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." Jesus himself knew the power of God's word. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, he responded with scriptural truth. In one instance, he quoted Moses from Deuteronomy and reiterated for us that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." If Jesus Christ nourished his own soul on the word of God, how much more do we need his food?”

— Alistair Begg, Truth for Life

In Reflection
No one can deny how crucial a healthy diet is to both our physical and our mental well-being. What we consume affects our energy levels, our moods, and our long-term health. Our spiritual health requires a healthy diet as well. While it’s not the vitamins and minerals of healthy food that nourishes our spirit, it is the pure milk and rich meat of the Word of God. We are so accustomed to having constant, instant access to the entire Bible in our pockets that we can forget what an extraordinary privilege it is to hold the means of our spiritual sustenance.

Jesus himself underscored the essential nature of this spiritual food. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness to turn stones into bread, Jesus responded by quoting Moses: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” If Jesus, the Son of God, relied on scriptural truth to nourish His own soul and withstand temptation, how much more do we, who are constantly fighting the spiritual and emotional battles of recovery, need His food? It is the means by which the Spirit brings us into a deeper knowledge of God—a deeper relationship—and equips us for life.

The Scriptures teach us that God’s Word is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Just like planning and maintaining a balanced diet for our minds and bodies, we need to be consistent and intentional in feeding our spirit on the Word of God. Without this daily intake, we become malnourished, easily weakened by temptation, and ill-equipped to live out our high calling in Christ.

Your spiritual muscles need nourishment to sustain the work of healing and growth. Be in the Word today! What specific time and place will you set aside today to receive the life-giving, soul-nourishing word God has prepared for you? Bon Appétit!

—DH

In Deed
Treat your Bible reading like a literal meal today. Set aside 10 minutes, sit at a table, and “consume” a chapter of Scripture. Ask God to let that specific word nourish your patience, your hope, or your sobriety for the next few hours.

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984 Boston Highway
Monticello, FL
32344

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