Dustin Garrett was addicted to heroin, nearly took his life in prison, and is now a strong Christian husband and father. 

He shares what he believes his parents could have done better when the early signs of waywardness first appeared — and what his father eventually did that was exactly what he needed, even though he hated it at the time.

You’ll hear why tough love becomes necessary once a child is fully in a prodigal season, and how well-meaning help can actually prolong the problem instead of solving it.

Perhaps the most powerful moment in this conversation: the testimony of his grandmother, who kept speaking God’s truth over him for years even when no one was listening — and who ended up playing a key role in his eventual return to Jesus. Too many parents let discouragement stop them from pointing their kids to Christ. This episode is a reminder that consistency matters more than results you can see right away.

If you’re watching a child drift and aren’t sure whether to tighten your grip or let go, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Here are some of the main points from this episode:

• It’s vital to address waywardness when it first appears by conversations that speak to their hearts bathed in biblical truth, consequences and accountability.
• Once a child or young adult is fully wayward, often helping them out of their natural consequences is the worst thing you can do. (Learn why in the episode)
• Dustin shares one simple thing that every parent can do, but few implement that he believes would have made a big difference early on.
• Why hiding your family challenges could just make them worse
• It’s difficult to hold your children accountable in areas you yourself aren’t experiencing victory in.

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  Scriptures used in this episode are:

  • Luke 15:20 

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