Author: Scott

But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. Exodus 8:15 Over the 15 years of my opioid addiction, I experienced three discrete episodes when my drug use came to light and I was confronted by those around me. Each…
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Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, “Plead with the LORD to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.” Exodus 8:8 In jail, I’ll often meet those who resist turning to God while incarcerated, insisting that they don’t want…
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Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart. And all the Egyptians dug along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the Nile. Exodus 7:23-24 Working in addiction medicine, I routinely meet those who want to be sober, but they…
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Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. Exodus 7:20 Even during my opioid addiction, with all my self-loathing, I could…
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Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Exodus 7:11-12 We took a family vacation to Mexico a couple years ago, where…
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And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh . . .” Exodus 7:1 The term Imposter Syndrome, while not a formal mental health diagnosis, describes those who doubt their own ability and feel unworthy of their success or achievements. Despite evidence of their competence, they believe themselves to…
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The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them. Exodus 7:5 Being inherently self-centered, it’s my tendency to make everything about me. When I walk into the nurse’s station and they stop talking, I assume  they’re talking…
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But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Exodus 7:3 I’ve written previously that, even though I’m not thankful for the pain I caused in my addiction, I am thankful for my addiction. As terrible as it was,…
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But Moses said to the LORD, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me . . .” Exodus 6:12 A few years ago, the organization I work for was going through some major changes and I was asked to take on a very small leadership role…
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Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. Exodus 6:9 Working in addiction medicine can be quite rewarding, but you won’t be surprised to hear that it has its frustrations as well. Some days, with some patients, it feels like…
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