New Life LIVE: October 6, 2026

Announcer: Welcome to the New Life Live podcast. We hope to provide help and hope in your life through God's word, counselors, and psychologists as we answer questions from listeners who call with the challenges of life. Let's go to today's episode.
Brian Perez: Hey, welcome to New Life Live. I'm your host, Brian Perez. Thank you so much for watching and listening today. We pray that what you hear today will encourage you in whatever it is you're going through. If not, we want to hear from you. You can find out all the details at newlife.com/radio on how to reach us. We've got Dr. Jim Burns here today as well as Dr. Jill Hubbard. Serge, we will get to your call in just a moment, but first, Dr. Jill, what's on your mind to start us off?
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Hello, guys. Good to be back with you today. Okay, well, it's Thursday. I have been thinking about something that we all have a hard time not thinking about, and that is the heat. Okay, we have gone through here in California, what is it, our fourth round of heat waves? Now today it's supposed to be a cooling trend, and we are on our knees praying for this. So, let me just confirm that us Californians, and especially Southern Californians that live near the beach, are wimps. We are total wimps. We are total weather wimps. We are acclimated to mild temperatures, not too hot, not too cold. Yes, we like our sunshine and a little sprinkle of rain. We do not know how to exist in humidity, and we definitely do not do bugs. And so we would have been terrible coming across the West in the covered wagons, right? We would have all died.
Jim Burns: It's amazing anybody made it West, right?
Dr. Jill Hubbard: It is amazing. Okay, so it's been difficult. And if, you know, like, yes, in the US we have AC, unless your house was built in the thirties like mine. Right now I live in a third world country, that is my house with no AC. And so it is difficult. So, okay, now, my point is not to complain and woe is me—I will survive the heat—or talk about weather. But I have been thinking about how many people, I have many clients and we have many listeners, who have things that they can't stop thinking about. Like, I'm thinking about the heat all the time and it's just weather, right? I think about people with chronic pain and how hard it is to deal with life when you are in chronic pain. You know, acute pain is three to six months. Chronic pain goes beyond that and it's often pain that shouldn't be, and yet it is, right, for various reasons. Now, we all have certain pains, and certainly emotional pain is debilitating, and those walking around, you don't always, you can't see it on the outside. But there's also a lot of people around us that are in chronic pain, physical pain, and it affects their mental state. It goes hand in hand. A lot of people with depression and anxiety have chronic pain. People who have neck and back problems have more depression and anxiety. It goes hand in hand. And so I think it's important to recognize that. And if you are a person that is in chronic pain, one, we feel for you. I know when my son was 16, he went through a top five pain surgery. And so my 16-year-old was reduced to a six-year-old and had a metal bar in his chest, 18 inches long, for two and a half years to keep his ribs from growing into his heart. That was something to endure, and it was long-term chronic pain that was hard to get past. Now, I do hear the music and I have some more things and maybe I can finish up a little bit after the break, as I typically run out of time to make my point.
Brian Perez: You definitely kept us riveted to the edge of our seats here to hear how this ends. So yes, we will finish that conversation and then we'll go to Serge in San Diego who's calling in. He listens to us on SiriusXM Channel 131. So many ways to listen to us nowadays. You can even download the New Life app and you can catch up on past episodes too at newlife.com. All right, we'll be back here on New Life Live.
Announcer: To find out more information about New Life or to order any of the resources mentioned on today's program, call 1-800-NEW-LIFE. Now back to New Life Live.
Brian Perez: All right, let's finish up with Jill's conversation.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Well, yes, and I forgot to show, I had a little prop here. So someone gave me a little fan, and isn't it great that it matches me today? I did not do that on purpose. But this has been, you know, very, very helpful. Okay, now I have it on. Okay, to help me survive because, again, woe is me, right? I'm having to suffer a little heat, which is kind of an age thing too, and I don't like that. So, yeah. So I was talking about though chronic pain, which is really no laughing matter at all, and in how, you know, it combines with the emotional pain. And I have people that cry and they're just like, "How do I get through each day?" And it is difficult and there aren't always the best answers out there. Like, it's really understandable why so many people become prescription addicts, right? And you really have to watch that. And why when it's unbearable you just want it to go away. But like most things in life, we have to push through it. And when we can't change our circumstances, the best thing that we can change is our paradigm. We have to have these paradigm shifts in spite of. And so it means we have to hold up our situation and look at it from different angles, right? And so right, even in the midst of the pain, it's like, okay, what is something good that is happening? Right? So we have to choose some positive outlooks because you can get really negative and bitter, right? And that affects everyone around you. So finding ways to keep your spirits up, right? You know, I have water at my house. Sunday I turned the hose on myself. You know, that really was refreshing. We need healthy distractions, activities. Even if you have limitations because of your pain, what can you do? What can you get engrossed in that can take your mind off of it even for a short time? So healthy distractions, right? Sometimes we need to just do some grounding. It can feel like we are just beside ourselves. And this is something also when I talked before about worry that you can do. But it's the 5-4-3-2-1 technique. And that is: okay, what are five things you can see? Four things you can touch. Right? I can touch the chair. Three things you can hear. Two things you can smell. And one thing you can taste. And so turning your attention to doing that. So to kind of keep your feet on the ground and to calm yourself so that you don't in the midst of your pain, you know, hyperventilate and get so full of anxiety, which makes it worse. So, and then, you know, besides prayer and having people around you talking through it, talking about the pain as well as what else it's touching in your life, and having self-compassion. Right? You are more limited when you have chronic pain. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's awful.
Jim Burns: Yeah, so sorry. Well, you know, what I hear you saying, and it's a spiritual discipline I've been working on, renewing your mind for good. And it doesn't change the circumstance, but the renewal of mind sometimes is a mindset refocus. So when you said the 5-4-3-2-1, it's that's not changing, you still have pain, but you're also looking at what else is true. What else is true right now is that I smell beauty, I see beauty, you know, whatever it might be. And that's a good, it's a good spiritual discipline to renew our minds. Most powerful organ in our body, probably, if the mind is an organ.
Brian Perez: We archive all of our episodes in case you want to go back and listen to Jill's opening remarks and take notes. And one quick question before we go to Serge and also Eddie, he's on hold. But the 5-4-3-2-1, does it matter the order that you because somebody listening right now might be thinking, "Oh, was it five things I can smell or five things I can taste?"
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Just take the five senses and do 5-4-3-2-1 of each. Yes.
Brian Perez: I know some people, myself, might obsess that wait, I did it wrong and that's why I still feel this way and you know.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Yeah, but that's just to kind of calm yourself down, take your mind away from the worry, the anxiety, and the focus on what you can't control. So you're looking at what you can control and you're also looking at God's creation, right? And remember He's bigger than all of this.
Brian Perez: Yeah, so it's not five things I can taste for sure because it would be a lot of different foods to be eating all at once and you know.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Yes, well, unless you have an eating disorder, then we don't recommend that.
Brian Perez: Correct, correct. Although we can help you with that if you want to call in and speak with us. And you want the smell to be a nice smell. Oh yes, not after I went to the gym this morning and I didn't take a shower. I have not taken a shower, I'll let you guys know. For sure. All right, Serge in San Diego, thanks so much for calling in to New Life Live and thanks for listening to us on SiriusXM Channel 131. Eddie, you'll be up next, but Serge, go ahead.
Serge: Okay, am I on?
Brian Perez: You are on.
Serge: Well, okay, well it's a pleasure to meet you guys. I'm calling because of an episode I heard prior and it was about some of these people that have gotten into narcotics, drugs, illegal drugs, and the list goes on from alcohol to cigarettes to marijuana to cocaine and all that. So some of them were saying, "Well, you know, how come how come God doesn't help me?" So I'm just I'm just calling to share what I have learned. And I am a man after God's own heart and it started way back then. But what happened with me and I never went to a rehab was that I started getting into reading God's word. And through trial and error, this is what I found. Through reading God's word and praying more than occasionally and also praising God in worship, heartfelt worship, as the times went on, the drugs were were incompatible with me. So when I went back to doing drugs, it was miserable because God's Spirit was living in me through the worship, through the prayer, and that's how I was delivered. Never went to rehab. And I think you were just talking about it right now is that the renewing of the mind through God's word transforms the heart. And so the heart is who I am. I have discovered this through all my studies is that my heart and my soul is who I am and God's word has transformed me. And a carnal Christian is a miserable Christian, and I have discovered that through experience. And I can say that God delivered me and yes, and so I can say that the power of God is in God's word because Jesus said that "The words that I speak, they are spirit and they are life." And I have in my studies I have learned that Ruach is the breath of life. Ruach Hakodesh, Holy Spirit of God. And it takes it does take time, you know. God's word does say that if we seek Him like we would for jewels and gold and silver, we'll find Him. And I try to share with some people and they try it one time, they're done. No, it's a personal relationship. And so I gotta say victory and triumph and all glory to God because He delivered me years ago and I have fallen in love with the Lord.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Wow, that's a wonderful testimony, Serge. And look at how much you dove in though to God. And I'm assuming you're also in community, church communities with other believers. You know, yeah, I mean, all things are possible with God, right? And without God, really we can't do it. And that's why even, you know, kind of semi-secular programs like 12-step are really a God-based program, right? It takes the unchurched or people that feel too condemned to walk into a church and it gives them, you know, the idea of a higher power, God in a more palatable way for where they're at in their shame. But really, without the spiritual awakening, right, there really isn't true recovery. And there are actually a lot, you know, of programs out there that are like discipleship programs. Or you have like a Teen Challenge where they do a lot of worship and Bible study and acts of service, right, in terms of their program.
Jim Burns: Well, you know, Jill, even when you hear about these different programs, some of the best programs are the ones that, like you just said, Teen Challenge and some of those, even the secular world looks at this and goes, their rate is better. But they're getting them involved in daily prayer, just like what Serge was talking about, daily Bible study. You know, the Bible says discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. And the word discipline actually means it's like an act of almost exercise. And so the discipline side of being with God really does change things. So I vote for Serge. I think what Serge, I think you're onto something. And, you know, and I don't hear you saying, "Well, but don't go to the small group at my church that's working through this." No, you do we do whatever it takes. And the Bible's very clear on that, basically saying, I'm paraphrasing now, but do whatever it takes to grow in Christ, do whatever it takes to become whole. And but there's power, and I appreciate you saying this, there's power, as you said, in the word. I made a decision in 1983 to start reading through the Bible and I've been doing it every day since then, and I miss a day or two. But I'll tell you, the anointing that happens for my marriage, for my life, for decisions, it happens in the quietness of sitting on this chair that I go sit on every morning and and do that. I don't get something totally fresh every time. I mean, I wish I could say that.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: But isn't it like if you do it at least four times a week, the research shows it makes a huge difference?
Jim Burns: It does, it does, it does, it does. And so, you know, that's kind of the line you need to do it at least four times a week. No, exactly. And we get too busy, we get we drift, we get distracted. But Serge is reminding us that that's what I don't care what our situations, we all have stuff. It's a good idea to go into that direction. Way to go, Serge.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: And Serge, it sounds like like you had a full surrender, which is important. And so many people in addiction that I talk to, it's like they avoid God. "Yeah, I know God's there, but, you know, I'm not ready yet." Like, they're still trying to do it their own way and that is a huge obstacle, you know. You have to admit you're powerless, you have to admit that you can't do it without the Lord.
Jim Burns: Yeah, I like the word, the phrase, full surrender.
Brian Perez: Serge, thanks for calling us today here on New Life Live. And now we'll talk to Eddie, who is a 99-for-the-1 partner. Thank you, Eddie, for partnering with us there in Orlando, Florida, and thank you for watching us on YouTube. Hi there. How can we help you?
Eddie: Well, I can, Eddie, are you there? I'm here. You know, let me just say this. New Life has helped me be transformed so much. I didn't grow up in a Christian family. God saved me in college. And looking for truth, I came across New Life. That's why I give. So I just got done spending time with my grandkids. I apologize, no, you know what, I don't apologize. God I didn't have grandparents and this is where you could help me. I have great boundaries with my adult kids. I have three daughters, one son. I told my son-in-laws, "She may be my daughter, but she's your wife first." I've had great relationships with my 17 grandkids. And with that said, I have an audience with them. Oh, I'm so thankful. I need help because I can talk to them about anything. They're starting to hit teenage years. I didn't have grandparents and they so it's been so much fun because I'm doing something I've never done before. But now I'm at a precipice to guide them, talking as they start reaching puberty and relationships. How can I best teach them? Because for me, this is where this is my question. How do I get them, I believe looking at family of origin of who they're going to marry? Because I believe the two most important decisions in life are: one, coming to know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, and two, who you marry is even more important than any education that you get. So I'm looking for help. How do I present that? My adult kids let me let me talk to my kids openly. But I want them to I think it's important to understand family of origin and who they get involved with, you know, in looking at those things. So that's the question I have for you folks, and I appreciate you so much. Jill, I remember I go all the way back to when you were one of the boys.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Yeah, wow, you do, Eddie. Yeah.
Eddie: So, and what you so I'll just close with this. You know, I've got how many years it doesn't even matter. I just put the credit card on there and I let it rip and that's what I do. But I'll look forward to getting your advice after this commercial.
Brian Perez: He's a pro. He knows. And we didn't call her one of the boys. We said Beauty and the Beasts. The boys were the beasts and Jill was the beauty. So, there you go. Eddie, great hearing from you. Hang on, man. We do have this commercial break to take and then we'll come back to your question. But thank you for being one of our 99-for-the-1 partners. Those are the people who graciously support the work that we do. And we just heard Eddie's testimony. It was this ministry that brought him to Jesus that has continued to grow him in his relationship with God. And we see this happening all the time several times a week here on New Life Ministries. So we invite you to support us too. Find out more at newlife.com and consider becoming one of our 99-for-the-1 monthly partners.
Announcer: To find out more information about New Life or to order any of the resources mentioned on today's program, visit newlife.com. Now back to New Life Live.
Brian Perez: All right, let's go back to Eddie in Orlando, Florida, who's got 17 grandkids. How do you keep track of them all, Eddie?
Eddie: Very carefully.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Yeah. And have they entered the teen years or are they pre-teen? Like you're anticipating or
Eddie: They go from three years old to 17.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Wow. Okay, so you're in there. Okay. That's awesome.
Eddie: Yes, it does. Jim and Jill, look, I appreciate and you know it's so neat. I just had a daughter, son-in-law go to the marriage intensive. And it's so nice to see a second generation in what you guys are doing.
Dr. Jill Hubbard: Wow. Yeah. That's cool. I love your heart, Eddie. I love how intentional you have been in spite of what you didn't have, right? You just didn't go to your default. You have been doing the work, Eddie. And that you're even saying how do, you know, I want them to consider family of origin. Oh my gosh, absolutely. Right? You know, when you're picking a husband, how does he treat his mother? Right? What are the glaring things? Doing a little bit of homework instead of, "I feel in love, I'm attracted to the person." Right, right, so so good.
Jim Burns: Hey, Eddie, there are 17 kids who are incredibly blessed to have you as their grandpa. I'll just tell you that right now. And also you got your adult children. So, way to go. You're what we call the transitional generation. You know, the Bible talks a lot about generation to generation. That's really what you're talking about. How do you pass your life, your faith, your values from generation to generation, not just with your adult children but to your grandkids and then on? And that's what you're doing. You're the transitional generation. And, you know, the Bible says you inherit the sins of a previous generation, but we can break that dysfunction from whatever you can. You didn't even have a grandpa and now you're doing it and you're doing great stuff. I want to encourage you about continuing.