On July 6th, 2021 Tony's wife left him, and she filed for divorce 28 days later.  

Since then it's been 18 months at the time this episode series is being posted, and it absolutely has been the most difficult time of Tony's life.

Nothing else is even close.

It's been the deepest and darkest valley of his life, and it's been the greatest loss of his life.

After 18 long months, in this series Tony reflects upon 12 lessons he's been learning during this difficult time in his life.

Tony has learned that there are at least 2 different kinds of pain in this world.

One is what Tony calls "stupid pain" and the other is what Tony calls "redemptive pain".

One is pain that is wasted and the other is pain that accomplishes somethihg of significance and value.

One is useless pain and the other is pain with a purpose.

It's kind of like when you have to have surgery, because in a very odd way the doctor is going to help you by "hurting" you even more.  He's going to cut you open, and in a very real way perpetrate even more pain upon your situation and life.  You're going to have to get stiches, and you're going to have to go through recovery and physical therapy.  But at least it's "pain with a purpose".  It's pain that's accomplishing something in your life.  It's "redemptive pain".

As Tony considers the very difficult and painful situation he's been living through, in this series he comtemplates the lessons that he's learning.

These lessons are much deeper than lessons of the "head" because they're lessons of the "heart".

In this fourth episode of the series Tony shares lessons 8 & 9!

"I pray this series will encourage you and help you with the painful things you're facing in your life at this time".  Tony