On this week’s episode of Melody and Friends, Melody travels to Texas to speak with best selling author and international speaker Gary Thomas to discuss something that can be very difficult for spouses, when to walk away. Gary talks about how as Christians, we often feel the guilt and responsibility of meeting the needs of unhealthy people in our lives. Gary says that instead of attempting the impossible task of mollifying toxic people, it's time we dedicate our energy to a more worthwhile effort: completing the work God has given us by investing in reliable people. He shares his experience on how to identify truly toxic people, how to deal with them in difficult situations, and the most important aspect for many, when and how to walk away from a toxic relationship.

Our listeners can learn more about Gary Thomas, his books and more by visiting the links below: https://garythomas.com/ , and can check out When to Walk Away: Finding Freedom from Toxic People by clicking the link here:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310346762/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310346762&linkCode=as2&tag=garythomas0e-20&linkId=4e994c710a924b11a90d60ab148d43e2

Who is Gary Thomas?

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships within the Christian community. 

Gary is the author of 20 books that together have sold over two million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards . His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation. 

Gary holds a B.A. in English Literature from Western Washington University, an MA degree in systematic theology from Regent College (Vancouver, BC), and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Western Seminary (Portland, OR). He has served on the teaching team at Second Baptist Church, Houston and as an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston Texas.

Things We Talk About in this Episode

• The difference between labeling and name calling and why labeling can be important for victims in relationships with toxic individuals.
• What truly defines a toxic person in a relationship and how their behavior will differ from the “normal” spouse or partner.
• How someone can actually experience a rebirth when they learn to remove themself from that toxic relationship and how to know “when to walk away.”
• How to decipher when someone is exhibiting toxic behavior versus being a toxic person and what to do when a spouse begins acting toxic towards their partner.
• How to deal with toxicity when it's overt, but also covert where the partner may look great to those looking outside the home, but inside they are continually abusive in passive aggressive ways.
• How to reveal to your wife that you are dealing with sexual addictions without creating greater trauma and chaos in her life by doing so.