187. The Danger Of Speculation

187. The Danger Of Speculation

What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This conversation with Hope in Recovery regular voice Andy Petry zooms in on one sneaky issue that can wreck progress fast: speculation – or, as he calls it, "mind reading". Speaking as a grateful believer in Jesus who lives with anxiety, depression, sexual addiction and grief, Andy shares a very down-to-earth story about forgetting to do the dishes on his day off and spiralling into shame.

Before his wife Julia even came home, he had already decided she was angry, disappointed and done with him – and he hadn’t spoken to her once. Her calm response exposed how much damage his inner storytelling had already done.

From there, Andy unpacks how speculation works: "Speculation is the story that we start to create when we don't have all of the facts." He links it to fear, insecurity and shame, showing how it fuels resentments, ramps up anxiety and can push people back towards old coping behaviours like alcohol, porn or other addictions. For anyone in recovery – especially those in Celebrate Recovery – this conversation offers simple, practical tools.

Andy breaks it down into questions like: What’s the story I’m telling myself? What am I assuming? What evidence do I actually have? He talks about writing daily inventories, fighting your battles once instead of rehearsing conflicts in your head, and seeking clarity by having honest conversations rather than guessing someone’s motives.

Grounded in Scripture and Celebrate Recovery principles, Andy reminds listeners to lean on Christ instead of their own understanding, rooting identity in who God says they are rather than what they fear others think. If speculation has ever pushed you towards a drink, a website or a secret habit, this honest chat might be exactly the nudge you need to take the next right step in community. Where might your own mind-reading be holding you back from healing?