1 00:00:03,830 --> 00:00:06,950 Speaker 1: God, you are God over every cell in my body. 2 00:00:07,090 --> 00:00:10,860 Speaker 1: You have the ability to bring every cell in my 3 00:00:10,920 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 1: body into complete submission to your will. How incredible are you? 4 00:00:20,250 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Faith Over Fear podcast, where we discuss 5 00:00:23,050 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 2: powerful truths to quiet anxiety and fear, big and small. 6 00:00:27,540 --> 00:00:30,660 Speaker 2: I'm your host, Jennifer Slattery. To be honest, today's episode 7 00:00:30,700 --> 00:00:35,470 Speaker 2: feels a bit maybe ironic or maybe Holy Spirit appropriate, 8 00:00:35,570 --> 00:00:38,730 Speaker 2: considering the funk I've been in. For those of you 9 00:00:38,850 --> 00:00:41,570 Speaker 2: not familiar with idioms spoken in the United States, that 10 00:00:41,610 --> 00:00:43,930 Speaker 2: means I've been in a bit of a mood that 11 00:00:44,010 --> 00:00:48,370 Speaker 2: is making it more challenging. For me to choose praise, 12 00:00:48,550 --> 00:00:51,010 Speaker 2: even though I know that's what my soul needs. And 13 00:00:51,630 --> 00:00:53,760 Speaker 2: maybe that's where you're at as well. If so, I 14 00:00:54,300 --> 00:00:58,940 Speaker 2: invite you to join me in setting aside whatever thoughts, concerns, 15 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,810 Speaker 2: and resistance you might feel related to today's topic. And 16 00:01:03,830 --> 00:01:06,750 Speaker 2: really just listen, that's all. Just show up for yourself 17 00:01:06,950 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 2: today by staying present. And then maybe later after you've listened, 18 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:15,380 Speaker 2: maybe process the content with Christ. Today's episode is also 19 00:01:15,580 --> 00:01:19,220 Speaker 2: for those of you who are experiencing panic attacks and 20 00:01:19,459 --> 00:01:24,890 Speaker 2: are desperate for relief. So if either of those realities work, resonate, 21 00:01:25,069 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 2: then lean in because my guest, Wendy, speaks, she gets it. 22 00:01:28,430 --> 00:01:31,740 Speaker 2: She doesn't only understand the heavy weight of suffering and 23 00:01:31,780 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 2: the excruciating physiological charge of panic attacks, but here's the 24 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:42,470 Speaker 2: important part. She's also experienced relief through praise. Wendy, thank 25 00:01:42,510 --> 00:01:43,730 Speaker 2: you so much for joining us. 26 00:01:44,410 --> 00:01:46,590 Speaker 1: Absolutely, Jennifer. I love what you're doing here and the 27 00:01:46,650 --> 00:01:49,010 Speaker 1: conversations you have. So it's a privilege to be one. 28 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 3: Awesome. 29 00:01:50,050 --> 00:01:55,050 Speaker 2: Wendy is a multi-published, Hollywood-trained actress with a heart for 30 00:01:55,090 --> 00:01:59,210 Speaker 2: those who are hurting, experiencing chronic anxiety, and who long 31 00:01:59,250 --> 00:02:03,970 Speaker 2: to experience more of the peace, joy, and freedom Christ promised. 32 00:02:04,060 --> 00:02:07,060 Speaker 2: And while she's not claiming that this is a fix-all, 33 00:02:07,700 --> 00:02:12,980 Speaker 2: she has experienced significant relief and healing through choosing to praise, 34 00:02:13,580 --> 00:02:17,010 Speaker 2: even when that is the last thing she feels needed. 35 00:02:18,300 --> 00:02:21,300 Speaker 2: In fact, Wendy, that's how you discovered many of the 36 00:02:21,340 --> 00:02:25,540 Speaker 2: principles discussed in your book, A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving. 37 00:02:25,660 --> 00:02:27,340 Speaker 3: Is that correct? Yeah. 38 00:02:27,510 --> 00:02:29,250 Speaker 1: And I love what you just said. You said she's 39 00:02:29,290 --> 00:02:31,709 Speaker 1: not claiming that this is a fix-all. And I thought, 40 00:02:32,130 --> 00:02:36,610 Speaker 1: you know, it's a spiritual discovery. practice, it's a spiritual discipline, 41 00:02:36,650 --> 00:02:40,109 Speaker 1: praising God is, and we can continue to praise him 42 00:02:40,389 --> 00:02:44,520 Speaker 1: because he has the ability to fix all, but praising 43 00:02:44,620 --> 00:02:47,980 Speaker 1: him isn't a way of like manipulating him to fix 44 00:02:48,060 --> 00:02:50,560 Speaker 1: it just as we want it to. Sometimes his ways 45 00:02:50,620 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 1: are not our ways, but in the promise of turning 46 00:02:53,340 --> 00:02:56,119 Speaker 1: our eyes, or I like to say our attention and 47 00:02:56,200 --> 00:03:01,380 Speaker 1: our affection to To him, that process begins to fix us. 48 00:03:01,780 --> 00:03:06,140 Speaker 1: It begins to fix our brains, our hearts, our minds 49 00:03:06,260 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: in all these marvelous ways. But even if it doesn't 50 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: do it in the way we want to, just having 51 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: our eyes on him, it does calm down those places 52 00:03:16,020 --> 00:03:19,340 Speaker 1: of panic inside of us and doesn't necessarily transfer us 53 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:22,320 Speaker 1: to a place of peace immediately. But it's still where 54 00:03:22,410 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 1: our eyes, our attention and affection needs to be. And 55 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:28,460 Speaker 1: over time, typically, it brings us to a place that 56 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: is much more peaceful because it's his presence. 57 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:33,790 Speaker 3: Amen. I would actually like to start. 58 00:03:33,810 --> 00:03:38,630 Speaker 2: You share in your book a season when you woke 59 00:03:38,970 --> 00:03:42,650 Speaker 2: up like fresh starting your day with. 60 00:03:42,930 --> 00:03:44,620 Speaker 3: Full on panic. 61 00:03:44,740 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 2: Can you share a little about that and then how 62 00:03:47,660 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 2: that became kind of a catalyst to turning your heart 63 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 2: to Jesus? 64 00:03:52,990 --> 00:03:56,660 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I think sometimes it feels like a never-ending 65 00:03:56,780 --> 00:04:01,420 Speaker 1: rollercoaster ride when you can just get your heart rate down. 66 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:04,640 Speaker 1: And then maybe that's when you go to sleep. Like 67 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,240 Speaker 1: I remember in the season, I would go to sleep 68 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: and to calm my heart down, I would recount out 69 00:04:10,650 --> 00:04:13,690 Speaker 1: loud the 23rd Psalm to the Lord. I would just 70 00:04:13,790 --> 00:04:17,430 Speaker 1: speak it, whisper it out loud and envision my head, 71 00:04:17,450 --> 00:04:19,789 Speaker 1: not just on the pillow, but just cradled in the 72 00:04:19,850 --> 00:04:23,340 Speaker 1: lap of Christ. Just calm with him. Lord, you are 73 00:04:23,380 --> 00:04:26,469 Speaker 1: my shepherd. I have everything I need. I don't need 74 00:04:26,510 --> 00:04:29,669 Speaker 1: to walk. You make me to lie down and rest 75 00:04:29,810 --> 00:04:33,469 Speaker 1: in green pastures besides still waters. And I'd fall asleep 76 00:04:33,610 --> 00:04:37,230 Speaker 1: before even reaching the end of the short psalm. And 77 00:04:37,370 --> 00:04:40,740 Speaker 1: then I would wake up. And I know from lamentations 78 00:04:40,830 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 1: that God promises that his mercy is new every morning. 79 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:46,140 Speaker 1: So I just, I feel like I should then wake 80 00:04:46,260 --> 00:04:49,339 Speaker 1: up in that same place of peace. But as soon 81 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:53,130 Speaker 1: as my mind was aware of the new day, Whether 82 00:04:53,190 --> 00:04:57,310 Speaker 1: it was depression or anxiety, I would either spiral down 83 00:04:57,410 --> 00:05:00,790 Speaker 1: or I'd spiral up. And I just felt like I 84 00:05:01,210 --> 00:05:03,549 Speaker 1: would have to claw my way out of the pit 85 00:05:03,990 --> 00:05:08,450 Speaker 1: or bring myself out of this spinning cycle of panic 86 00:05:09,070 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 1: at the very beginning of the day. And then it 87 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:16,839 Speaker 1: would happen throughout the day. I couldn't know intellectually enough 88 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,549 Speaker 1: scripture to keep me steady. I couldn't know enough of 89 00:05:20,610 --> 00:05:23,810 Speaker 1: the word where it worked some sort of abracadabra magic 90 00:05:23,870 --> 00:05:28,789 Speaker 1: and everything was okay. What I learned over time was 91 00:05:28,870 --> 00:05:33,570 Speaker 1: that remembering what was true, one panic attack or a 92 00:05:33,670 --> 00:05:36,750 Speaker 1: depressive dip at a time, like I said, it became 93 00:05:36,790 --> 00:05:38,550 Speaker 1: my spiritual discipline, but I had to do it. I 94 00:05:38,730 --> 00:05:41,070 Speaker 1: had to practice it from the moment I woke up 95 00:05:41,750 --> 00:05:44,110 Speaker 1: to the moment I went to sleep. And I would 96 00:05:44,150 --> 00:05:48,890 Speaker 1: have pockets of peace. As I practiced this over time, 97 00:05:49,150 --> 00:05:52,990 Speaker 1: the pockets became larger. The response, my mind knew what 98 00:05:53,050 --> 00:05:57,650 Speaker 1: to do with my coping mechanisms, knew what to do faster. 99 00:05:57,670 --> 00:06:00,270 Speaker 1: It's like going to the gym at the very beginning 100 00:06:00,330 --> 00:06:03,710 Speaker 1: when your muscles are so atrophied and you're like, I'll 101 00:06:03,750 --> 00:06:06,940 Speaker 1: grab the three pound weights and do one set of 102 00:06:06,940 --> 00:06:10,539 Speaker 1: 12 lifts, right? It's like, how wimpy is that? But 103 00:06:10,580 --> 00:06:13,630 Speaker 1: you do it enough and before you know it, You 104 00:06:13,650 --> 00:06:17,190 Speaker 1: can do multiple sets of multiple reps with the 15 105 00:06:17,190 --> 00:06:20,990 Speaker 1: pound dumbbells, but you have to start lifting the weight 106 00:06:21,010 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 1: of what is true and noble and right and pure 107 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:29,620 Speaker 1: and praiseworthy when the tendency is to be so weak 108 00:06:30,060 --> 00:06:31,640 Speaker 1: that you can barely get out of bed. 109 00:06:32,029 --> 00:06:32,270 Speaker 3: Yeah. 110 00:06:32,370 --> 00:06:35,049 Speaker 2: I want to actually talk about the perseverance that involved, 111 00:06:35,070 --> 00:06:38,450 Speaker 2: because as you're talking, I'm just thinking of when we struggle, 112 00:06:38,650 --> 00:06:42,490 Speaker 2: we're not just fighting against the panic and the depression 113 00:06:42,550 --> 00:06:45,270 Speaker 2: and all those things, but then we've got all these lies, right? 114 00:06:45,310 --> 00:06:47,850 Speaker 2: This isn't working for me, or I did something wrong. 115 00:06:47,890 --> 00:06:50,070 Speaker 2: God is mad at me or whatever it is for 116 00:06:50,089 --> 00:06:53,419 Speaker 2: the person. So was there some kind of wrestling involved? 117 00:06:54,060 --> 00:06:56,040 Speaker 2: If my memory is correct from your book, that went 118 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:57,599 Speaker 2: on for three years, correct? Yeah. 119 00:06:57,860 --> 00:07:03,060 Speaker 1: Well, I mentioned that timeframe because I had had some 120 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:08,609 Speaker 1: tremendous verbal and emotional abuse. And so sometimes the lies 121 00:07:08,690 --> 00:07:12,430 Speaker 1: we believe actually are carried in the voice of real 122 00:07:12,490 --> 00:07:16,670 Speaker 1: people that spoke them over us. And so- Those lies 123 00:07:16,750 --> 00:07:18,870 Speaker 1: were very much a part of this. And I know 124 00:07:18,890 --> 00:07:20,810 Speaker 1: it was three years because I kept pushing back the 125 00:07:20,850 --> 00:07:23,690 Speaker 1: writing of the book because I had someone speaking, you're 126 00:07:23,710 --> 00:07:27,300 Speaker 1: a fraud. Everybody knows you're a fraud. And so actually here, 127 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 1: if you're listening just to the audio book, you won't 128 00:07:29,540 --> 00:07:30,980 Speaker 1: be able to see this. But if you're tuning in 129 00:07:31,500 --> 00:07:33,420 Speaker 1: on YouTube, then you can see I'm holding up my 130 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,580 Speaker 1: stack of index cards. I've just got them on my 131 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:40,060 Speaker 1: desk here because sometimes I'll think, why am I struggling 132 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: so hard in this moment when I have emails to 133 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:45,110 Speaker 1: respond to or a podcast to hop on? And I 134 00:07:45,120 --> 00:07:48,050 Speaker 1: will take it. And I will write down what is 135 00:07:48,110 --> 00:07:51,130 Speaker 1: the lie that I'm hearing, believing that's keeping me in 136 00:07:51,180 --> 00:07:53,800 Speaker 1: a stuck pattern, in a stuck place. And I'll read 137 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,820 Speaker 1: it and I'll say, okay, for example, you're a fraud. 138 00:07:57,140 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: Is that true? No, it's not. It's not true. And 139 00:08:00,780 --> 00:08:03,820 Speaker 1: I haven't been fraudulent. I haven't been incongruent. I'm not 140 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:06,750 Speaker 1: pretending to be something that I'm not. What does God's 141 00:08:06,790 --> 00:08:09,190 Speaker 1: word say? What do I know is true? And then 142 00:08:09,210 --> 00:08:12,570 Speaker 1: I'll flip the card over and I'll start writing out scripture. Hey, 143 00:08:12,610 --> 00:08:15,910 Speaker 1: what is true? is that I have been honest to 144 00:08:15,950 --> 00:08:18,450 Speaker 1: the degree that I knew how to be honest with 145 00:08:18,470 --> 00:08:20,010 Speaker 1: every struggle I've had. I like that you mentioned that. 146 00:08:20,230 --> 00:08:22,030 Speaker 2: I like that you mentioned, I'm going to pause right 147 00:08:22,070 --> 00:08:25,190 Speaker 2: here because I'm hearing some listeners. They're like, I don't 148 00:08:25,330 --> 00:08:28,540 Speaker 2: know how, I feel like a fraud. So to them, 149 00:08:28,580 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 2: that feels true. And so I like that you said 150 00:08:31,820 --> 00:08:35,170 Speaker 2: as best as you're able because- Today. Yes. 151 00:08:35,500 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 1: Yes. 152 00:08:35,860 --> 00:08:41,200 Speaker 2: Sometimes we can have this measure- that we expect perfection. 153 00:08:41,260 --> 00:08:43,770 Speaker 3: And if we don't have perfection, we are completely. 154 00:08:43,790 --> 00:08:44,709 Speaker 2: Yeah. 155 00:08:44,790 --> 00:08:48,050 Speaker 1: I'm either good or bad and it's all or nothing. 156 00:08:48,250 --> 00:08:51,550 Speaker 1: And so they must be right. I do stink, but, 157 00:08:51,670 --> 00:08:54,390 Speaker 1: but yeah, no, I have not. I have not pretended 158 00:08:54,450 --> 00:08:57,699 Speaker 1: to be something that I'm not as far as I'm aware. 159 00:08:58,260 --> 00:09:00,540 Speaker 1: And here's what God says is true about me. And 160 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:03,900 Speaker 1: I'll just do a little bit of writing and I'm like, Oh, okay. 161 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:06,179 Speaker 1: So there's nothing for me to solve because that's actually 162 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:08,860 Speaker 1: not a problem. It was somebody's problem with me, but 163 00:09:08,880 --> 00:09:11,420 Speaker 1: it's not a problem. And I heard one gentleman once say, 164 00:09:11,500 --> 00:09:15,099 Speaker 1: and this really stuck, if you've done something wrong and 165 00:09:15,140 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: you're dealing with shame, blame, condemnation, rather than just conviction, 166 00:09:20,100 --> 00:09:22,660 Speaker 1: maybe there's some work you have to do to solve 167 00:09:22,730 --> 00:09:25,530 Speaker 1: a problem that you created. But so much of our 168 00:09:25,610 --> 00:09:29,500 Speaker 1: negative thought cycles aren't actually things we've done. They're things 169 00:09:29,530 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 1: we've over time believed about ourselves. So this gentleman had said, 170 00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:36,220 Speaker 1: if it's not something you can solve, then you need 171 00:09:36,260 --> 00:09:40,439 Speaker 1: to do the work that allows you to de-solve it. Okay, 172 00:09:40,460 --> 00:09:43,220 Speaker 1: that thing in my head that I'm sure is a problem, 173 00:09:43,500 --> 00:09:45,340 Speaker 1: take it out, look at it and say, is it 174 00:09:45,380 --> 00:09:48,070 Speaker 1: a problem? Is that actually something I can solve? Well, no, 175 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:50,829 Speaker 1: somebody had a problem with me perhaps, or somebody, let's say, 176 00:09:51,030 --> 00:09:55,390 Speaker 1: sexually abused me or hit me or shamed me. But 177 00:09:55,690 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 1: was it true that I was a problem? I can 178 00:09:57,980 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 1: look at it and say, no. So what can you solve? Well, 179 00:10:00,640 --> 00:10:02,300 Speaker 1: it's not mine to solve. It's their problem. 180 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:02,970 Speaker 2: Okay. 181 00:10:02,990 --> 00:10:05,230 Speaker 1: So you need to let it dissolve. So some things 182 00:10:05,309 --> 00:10:08,030 Speaker 1: I couldn't solve. And I think this is really important. 183 00:10:08,550 --> 00:10:11,670 Speaker 1: realizing a problem, there's nothing you need to do to 184 00:10:11,850 --> 00:10:15,110 Speaker 1: solve the problem. Doesn't mean that it's not stuck. The 185 00:10:15,170 --> 00:10:18,989 Speaker 1: thought pattern didn't get stuck over those three years of 186 00:10:19,070 --> 00:10:21,910 Speaker 1: being hollered at, didn't get stuck and do a number 187 00:10:21,950 --> 00:10:26,150 Speaker 1: in my mind. So while I had this book contract 188 00:10:26,170 --> 00:10:29,380 Speaker 1: that I needed to get to, I was stuck. I 189 00:10:29,410 --> 00:10:34,319 Speaker 1: was mentally stuck in untrue thought patterns. And so I 190 00:10:34,420 --> 00:10:37,719 Speaker 1: had someone suggest to me this idea of Why don't 191 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,439 Speaker 1: you set down all your begging and pleading of the 192 00:10:40,500 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: Lord right now to fix you? And instead, take those petitions, 193 00:10:44,460 --> 00:10:48,990 Speaker 1: take those prayer requests and pivot to proclamations of praise. Hey, God, 194 00:10:49,110 --> 00:10:52,370 Speaker 1: you know what's true. Lead me in truth. You know 195 00:10:52,429 --> 00:10:54,449 Speaker 1: how I've been damaged in my heart and in my 196 00:10:54,490 --> 00:10:57,460 Speaker 1: body and in my mind. You are able to heal it. 197 00:10:57,470 --> 00:10:59,719 Speaker 1: You don't need me to bring you the words asking 198 00:10:59,750 --> 00:11:01,740 Speaker 1: you to do it. I'm just going to praise you 199 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: that you see it. You know it. You're all powerful. 200 00:11:04,660 --> 00:11:07,439 Speaker 1: You're all present. And I'm just going to boast in 201 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:10,660 Speaker 1: your ability to do it. And so it took me 202 00:11:10,980 --> 00:11:15,070 Speaker 1: learning this, practicing this before I could write it and 203 00:11:15,110 --> 00:11:18,270 Speaker 1: launch it. So did I put it into 30 short chapters? 204 00:11:18,309 --> 00:11:22,319 Speaker 1: And the subtitle says 30 days of rejoicing in God's goodness. Yes. 205 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,679 Speaker 1: If it takes you doing it 10 times in a 206 00:11:25,740 --> 00:11:29,559 Speaker 1: row and you need all that time, then you're more 207 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:32,339 Speaker 1: on my timeline. But this is what I've learned today. 208 00:11:32,580 --> 00:11:37,300 Speaker 1: that it takes a spiritual discipline of practicing what is true, 209 00:11:37,540 --> 00:11:40,380 Speaker 1: what is right, what is noble, what is pure, and 210 00:11:40,710 --> 00:11:44,329 Speaker 1: creating new neural pathways in our brain as those old 211 00:11:44,450 --> 00:11:48,910 Speaker 1: lies that were spoken over us or true things that 212 00:11:48,990 --> 00:11:52,550 Speaker 1: we had to then grow up and learn new behaviors even. 213 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:53,959 Speaker 1: as we practice them. 214 00:11:54,160 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 2: We're going to take a break, but when we get back, 215 00:11:57,540 --> 00:11:59,660 Speaker 2: I would like to talk about something you said that 216 00:12:00,380 --> 00:12:03,390 Speaker 2: resonated deeply with me that I think can help us 217 00:12:03,450 --> 00:12:04,970 Speaker 2: when we feel stuck and don't know what to do. 218 00:12:05,030 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 3: So we'll be back in just a minute. We're back. 219 00:12:16,540 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 2: One thing you wrote, Wendy, in your book that really 220 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,699 Speaker 2: made me think. You said that it's easier to act 221 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,530 Speaker 2: our way into a new way of feeling. instead of 222 00:12:27,650 --> 00:12:31,050 Speaker 2: feeling our way into a new way of acting. So 223 00:12:31,110 --> 00:12:33,350 Speaker 2: first of all, if you could explain that, because that 224 00:12:33,370 --> 00:12:36,050 Speaker 2: was like an aha moment for me. Me too. 225 00:12:36,070 --> 00:12:37,270 Speaker 3: I just never think that. 226 00:12:37,790 --> 00:12:41,320 Speaker 1: No, and those are actually Eugene Peterson's words. Let me 227 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: read that quote. It's on day two, and the chapter 228 00:12:44,300 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: is titled, He is Worthy. And the whole point is 229 00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,660 Speaker 1: he's worthy of our worship. He's worthy of our trust. 230 00:12:49,820 --> 00:12:52,370 Speaker 1: He's worthy of our thanks and our praise, whether we 231 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:54,610 Speaker 1: give it to him or not. And oftentimes we don't 232 00:12:54,670 --> 00:12:57,170 Speaker 1: tell God he's good because life doesn't feel good. And 233 00:12:57,210 --> 00:13:00,750 Speaker 1: so we wait to feel good, to come before him 234 00:13:00,790 --> 00:13:02,940 Speaker 1: and tell him he's good. And so this is what 235 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: Eugene Peterson wrote. We think that if we don't feel something, 236 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 1: there can be no authenticity in doing it. But the 237 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,739 Speaker 1: wisdom of God says something different, that we can act 238 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,560 Speaker 1: ourselves into a new way of feeling much quicker than 239 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,559 Speaker 1: we can feel ourselves into a new way of acting. 240 00:13:18,900 --> 00:13:22,439 Speaker 1: Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not 241 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: a feeling for God that is expressed in an act 242 00:13:25,100 --> 00:13:27,920 Speaker 1: of worship. When we obey the command to praise God 243 00:13:27,980 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: in worship, our deep essential need to be in relationship 244 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: with God is nurtured. And I really do think that 245 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:39,450 Speaker 1: this is part of our stuckness is when I get unstuck, 246 00:13:39,730 --> 00:13:42,589 Speaker 1: then I will be happy. And then I will then 247 00:13:42,650 --> 00:13:45,570 Speaker 1: be able to have these lifestyle things that I do. 248 00:13:46,010 --> 00:13:48,089 Speaker 1: Then I'll go to the gym. Then I'll have a 249 00:13:48,110 --> 00:13:51,290 Speaker 1: healthy sleep pattern. Then I'll praise God. Then I'll start 250 00:13:51,340 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 1: going to church. Then I'll get involved in the women's ministry. 251 00:13:53,980 --> 00:13:57,179 Speaker 1: Maybe I'll start going to even the recovery group at church, 252 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,780 Speaker 1: the midweek Wednesday night program at church, because I'll start 253 00:13:59,840 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: feeling better. And so I can start showing up. And 254 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,500 Speaker 1: so it's not just worship. I would say it's the 255 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:07,420 Speaker 1: things that are good for us. We wait until we 256 00:14:07,470 --> 00:14:09,429 Speaker 1: feel good enough to do the things that are good 257 00:14:09,470 --> 00:14:12,729 Speaker 1: for us. Now, if you know anyone or you yourself 258 00:14:12,770 --> 00:14:16,689 Speaker 1: have been to some sort of rehabilitation program, whether that's 259 00:14:16,730 --> 00:14:21,390 Speaker 1: for addiction or whatever that brought you to an inpatient program, 260 00:14:21,490 --> 00:14:24,530 Speaker 1: they will put you on a schedule. of you're going 261 00:14:24,550 --> 00:14:26,580 Speaker 1: to be eating healthy. You're obviously not going to be 262 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:30,680 Speaker 1: taking substances. You're going to have something in your schedule 263 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:33,640 Speaker 1: or multiple somethings in your schedule that get your body moving, 264 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: get your heart rate up. You're going to have a 265 00:14:35,980 --> 00:14:39,260 Speaker 1: healthy sleep schedule. You're not going to be scrolling on 266 00:14:39,300 --> 00:14:43,110 Speaker 1: your phone. So those are good for you things. But 267 00:14:43,310 --> 00:14:45,110 Speaker 1: even that we're like, well, you know what? I'm going 268 00:14:45,130 --> 00:14:47,390 Speaker 1: to do those things when I feel better. And so 269 00:14:47,410 --> 00:14:51,340 Speaker 1: we can look at those physiological practices and say, okay, 270 00:14:51,420 --> 00:14:54,380 Speaker 1: I know that if I, if I was exercising and 271 00:14:54,660 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 1: not eating a bunch of sugar and drinking a bunch 272 00:14:57,540 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: of alcohol, I would probably feel better, but I'm in 273 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:04,690 Speaker 1: such a depraved state. depressed place, I can't do it. 274 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:07,500 Speaker 1: But I love that analogy because we know if we 275 00:15:07,540 --> 00:15:09,650 Speaker 1: would just do it, we would feel better. But we're 276 00:15:09,670 --> 00:15:12,250 Speaker 1: waiting to feel better before we do those healthy lifestyle things. 277 00:15:12,530 --> 00:15:16,310 Speaker 1: What if praising and thanking God and the rhythm of 278 00:15:16,470 --> 00:15:19,910 Speaker 1: worshiping him, getting out of bed, not just lifting up 279 00:15:19,990 --> 00:15:22,670 Speaker 1: our eyes to the mountains where our help comes from, 280 00:15:23,010 --> 00:15:26,590 Speaker 1: but lifting up our hands. And Thanksgiving actually is rooted 281 00:15:26,790 --> 00:15:29,610 Speaker 1: in the word to extend your hands? What if we 282 00:15:29,850 --> 00:15:33,250 Speaker 1: lifted up our thanks and our praise in the midst 283 00:15:33,310 --> 00:15:36,010 Speaker 1: of our panic attack, whatever time of the day it is, 284 00:15:36,450 --> 00:15:38,090 Speaker 1: and just say, here, I'm going to do it. I 285 00:15:38,130 --> 00:15:40,710 Speaker 1: don't feel like doing it. I can't imagine I'm even 286 00:15:40,750 --> 00:15:42,770 Speaker 1: going to be able to get my hands up above 287 00:15:42,810 --> 00:15:46,130 Speaker 1: my shoulders, but here I go. I think that that's 288 00:15:46,170 --> 00:15:51,120 Speaker 1: what this is about. Worshiping God, obeying him, lifting up 289 00:15:51,220 --> 00:15:53,980 Speaker 1: our eyes, lifting up our thanks, lifting up our praise, 290 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:58,350 Speaker 1: lifting up our voices, lifting up our hands. develops in 291 00:15:58,690 --> 00:16:02,770 Speaker 1: us praiseworthy focus on God. God is worthy of our praise, 292 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:06,300 Speaker 1: but we can't wish our way there. We have to 293 00:16:06,340 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 1: start doing it. Yeah. 294 00:16:08,120 --> 00:16:10,520 Speaker 2: On the show, we're pretty big about saying, you know, 295 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:14,320 Speaker 2: we don't spiritually bypass. We don't know our emotions. And 296 00:16:14,340 --> 00:16:17,860 Speaker 2: you actually address that really well. You address that really well. 297 00:16:17,980 --> 00:16:21,450 Speaker 1: We have a chapter called spiritual bypass, and then there's 298 00:16:21,490 --> 00:16:24,750 Speaker 1: a colon and it says a warning. Yeah. Because we 299 00:16:24,770 --> 00:16:26,510 Speaker 1: don't want to do that. We want to be authentic. 300 00:16:27,030 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 1: People and people that spiritually bypass. It's like, I'm going 301 00:16:30,180 --> 00:16:32,540 Speaker 1: to come to God. I'm going to circumvent. I'm going 302 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: to go around the reality of my problem to get 303 00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: to the other side of it. And I just say, 304 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: if you do that, if you're not authentic about really 305 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:43,580 Speaker 1: what's going on, you're going to end up with an 306 00:16:43,820 --> 00:16:47,730 Speaker 1: inauthentic faith experience. We need to be honest. We can't 307 00:16:47,750 --> 00:16:50,270 Speaker 1: just put some spiritual bandaid on it. God is good 308 00:16:50,290 --> 00:16:52,090 Speaker 1: all the time. And you repeat back to me all 309 00:16:52,130 --> 00:16:55,310 Speaker 1: the time. God is good. Yes, it's true. But is 310 00:16:55,350 --> 00:16:59,010 Speaker 1: he good enough? this. And so we wrestle with the 311 00:16:59,090 --> 00:17:01,850 Speaker 1: reality of where we are, but yeah, absolutely. 312 00:17:01,870 --> 00:17:02,250 Speaker 3: The warning. 313 00:17:02,290 --> 00:17:02,490 Speaker 1: Sorry. 314 00:17:02,530 --> 00:17:06,679 Speaker 2: I totally, I totally, I think that was helpful in 315 00:17:06,780 --> 00:17:09,540 Speaker 2: helping people understand what we mean by that and why 316 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:13,300 Speaker 2: that can be detrimental. So adding to that, before we 317 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:16,720 Speaker 2: take our last break before for the episode, what would 318 00:17:16,740 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 2: you say to. 319 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,330 Speaker 3: The person who's like their body is screaming? 320 00:17:20,350 --> 00:17:20,830 Speaker 2: Yeah. 321 00:17:21,220 --> 00:17:23,330 Speaker 3: I am not safe. 322 00:17:23,390 --> 00:17:27,050 Speaker 2: So where is that tension between in that moment, Lord, 323 00:17:27,330 --> 00:17:29,969 Speaker 2: I don't feel safe, but I want to praise you. 324 00:17:30,010 --> 00:17:33,129 Speaker 2: So how can you have those two realities at the 325 00:17:33,170 --> 00:17:33,690 Speaker 2: same time? 326 00:17:33,970 --> 00:17:37,790 Speaker 1: Yeah, man, aren't our bodies something? God, you made our 327 00:17:37,850 --> 00:17:42,490 Speaker 1: bodies and our intuition. And I said, I felt like 328 00:17:42,540 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: my cells got broken with the verbal assaults. And one 329 00:17:46,160 --> 00:17:49,900 Speaker 1: of the things that was the most helpful in my 330 00:17:50,060 --> 00:17:55,980 Speaker 1: recovery was somatic movement. And so that's if your body 331 00:17:56,140 --> 00:18:02,340 Speaker 1: holds trauma, abuse, panic, anxiety, depression, sometimes, and I would 332 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:05,730 Speaker 1: say oftentimes, if not all the time, moving your body 333 00:18:05,930 --> 00:18:09,869 Speaker 1: as part of that. And so I learned, and I 334 00:18:09,930 --> 00:18:13,590 Speaker 1: said this just a moment ago, praising God with the lifting, 335 00:18:13,650 --> 00:18:17,449 Speaker 1: not only of your heart and your eyes, but moving 336 00:18:17,490 --> 00:18:20,970 Speaker 1: your hands up. There is a somatic, a physical movement 337 00:18:21,290 --> 00:18:26,310 Speaker 1: manifestation of praising God that starts to heal what's bound 338 00:18:26,490 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 1: up and broken on the inside. So what I learned 339 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,390 Speaker 1: to do is I wasn't just thanking God. I was 340 00:18:32,630 --> 00:18:36,180 Speaker 1: walking with God and talking with God. I think of 341 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:38,139 Speaker 1: the old hymn, and he walks with me and he 342 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,660 Speaker 1: talks with me and he tells me I am his own. 343 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:42,840 Speaker 1: I think the song is Come to the Garden, right? 344 00:18:43,020 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: But I was, I would say my worst month was 345 00:18:47,340 --> 00:18:52,160 Speaker 1: when July, 2025. So just last July, it was so 346 00:18:52,220 --> 00:18:55,870 Speaker 1: hot here in Texas. And I walked 150 miles that month. 347 00:18:56,090 --> 00:18:57,830 Speaker 1: I had an app that was telling me it was 348 00:18:57,869 --> 00:18:59,830 Speaker 1: the most I walked in one month. And it was 349 00:18:59,850 --> 00:19:03,030 Speaker 1: the hottest because I, it wasn't one long walk. I 350 00:19:03,090 --> 00:19:07,280 Speaker 1: had to get outside. and move my body. And this 351 00:19:07,340 --> 00:19:10,350 Speaker 1: is when I was really, really practicing praise. And I 352 00:19:10,390 --> 00:19:14,330 Speaker 1: would swing my arm. So there's this bilateral stimulation, which 353 00:19:14,390 --> 00:19:17,270 Speaker 1: is helping to heal the two sides of my brain, 354 00:19:17,430 --> 00:19:20,139 Speaker 1: the side that is logical, the side that's emotional, and 355 00:19:20,300 --> 00:19:23,850 Speaker 1: bring some cohesiveness of What is true? What is right? 356 00:19:23,970 --> 00:19:26,610 Speaker 1: How do I feel? What's true about God? What's true 357 00:19:26,670 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 1: about my experience? And I'd swing my arms and then 358 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:31,780 Speaker 1: I would lift my arms and I didn't give a 359 00:19:31,940 --> 00:19:34,320 Speaker 1: rip what the cars passing by, what the people in 360 00:19:34,340 --> 00:19:38,480 Speaker 1: the cars thought. I became very expressive in my praise 361 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,379 Speaker 1: because if I didn't get out and move my body 362 00:19:41,510 --> 00:19:43,550 Speaker 1: and lift my hands and tell God what was true 363 00:19:43,630 --> 00:19:46,429 Speaker 1: about his nature, what was true about his power and 364 00:19:46,450 --> 00:19:49,910 Speaker 1: his praiseworthiness, what was true about me, what his words 365 00:19:50,260 --> 00:19:53,260 Speaker 1: about me, then I was not going to survive that 366 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:56,820 Speaker 1: season in my house not moving. So I did the 367 00:19:56,859 --> 00:20:00,889 Speaker 1: spiritual discipline of waking up, getting up, lifting my hands up, 368 00:20:01,050 --> 00:20:03,949 Speaker 1: lifting my voice up, saying, this is another day that 369 00:20:03,990 --> 00:20:06,770 Speaker 1: you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. 370 00:20:07,050 --> 00:20:09,830 Speaker 1: Your mercies are new. I will pick them up and 371 00:20:09,910 --> 00:20:12,430 Speaker 1: I will run with them today. And if that only 372 00:20:12,470 --> 00:20:16,149 Speaker 1: carried me five minutes, then again, as soon as I 373 00:20:16,290 --> 00:20:18,669 Speaker 1: recognize it, I'd pull out one of these index cards 374 00:20:18,710 --> 00:20:21,149 Speaker 1: and I'd say, what is keeping me stuck? That is 375 00:20:21,210 --> 00:20:23,340 Speaker 1: not true. This is what God said is true. And 376 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,060 Speaker 1: so I had this discipline. I had to act my 377 00:20:26,140 --> 00:20:29,790 Speaker 1: way into a new way of feeling. rather than feel 378 00:20:29,830 --> 00:20:31,490 Speaker 1: my way into a new way of acting. 379 00:20:31,890 --> 00:20:32,850 Speaker 3: Yeah, I love that. 380 00:20:32,869 --> 00:20:35,290 Speaker 2: And as, before we take a break, one thing I 381 00:20:35,330 --> 00:20:37,359 Speaker 2: want listeners to hold on to, but this, what I 382 00:20:37,380 --> 00:20:40,260 Speaker 2: just heard from you, which is really, really hard, you 383 00:20:40,380 --> 00:20:45,619 Speaker 2: fought for yourself. You said, I am worthy of experiencing this. 384 00:20:46,570 --> 00:20:48,910 Speaker 2: And I feel like maybe some listeners need to hear 385 00:20:48,950 --> 00:20:54,020 Speaker 2: that because it does take self-advocacy to prioritize the time 386 00:20:54,080 --> 00:20:55,540 Speaker 2: to do what you need to do to take care 387 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 2: of yourself. We're going to take a quick break to 388 00:20:57,380 --> 00:20:59,980 Speaker 2: hear from our sponsors. Before we do, I wanted to 389 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 2: share a fun Christmas opportunity for you to snag some 390 00:21:03,300 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 2: awesome free books and other goodies. I'm hosting a massive 391 00:21:06,540 --> 00:21:09,100 Speaker 2: giveaway as a way to show my appreciation to all 392 00:21:09,140 --> 00:21:12,870 Speaker 2: my newsletter subscribers. This means if you're a subscriber, you're 393 00:21:13,090 --> 00:21:16,470 Speaker 2: automatically entered into this drawing. So make sure to watch 394 00:21:16,510 --> 00:21:19,670 Speaker 2: your inbox. If you're not a subscriber but would like 395 00:21:19,750 --> 00:21:21,970 Speaker 2: to be, you can sign up through the subscriber link 396 00:21:22,070 --> 00:21:24,830 Speaker 2: in the show notes. Not only will you receive encouraging 397 00:21:24,890 --> 00:21:28,890 Speaker 2: reflections and tips designed to strengthen your faith sent directly 398 00:21:28,910 --> 00:21:31,489 Speaker 2: to your inbox, but you'll also have access to my 399 00:21:31,590 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 2: growing subscribers exclusives folder from which you can download a 400 00:21:35,380 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 2: plethora of free content, again, designed to help you better 401 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:42,240 Speaker 2: manage your anxiety and fear and live with increased peace 402 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:45,899 Speaker 2: and faith. Plus, your subscription provides you with an opportunity 403 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:49,359 Speaker 2: to win the 20 plus items I'm giving away. Today, 404 00:21:49,460 --> 00:21:53,500 Speaker 2: I'm highlighting six books donated by generous authors for the giveaway. 405 00:21:53,660 --> 00:21:57,570 Speaker 2: This week's theme is Strengthening Your Faith. 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On 421 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,970 Speaker 2: December 1st, I'll select one winner from my newsletter subscriber 422 00:23:00,990 --> 00:23:04,450 Speaker 2: list from within the continental U.S. to receive all six 423 00:23:04,490 --> 00:23:08,930 Speaker 2: of these resources along with 14 other goodies. Actually, 15. 424 00:23:08,930 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 2: If you're subscribed to my newsletter, again, you're already included 425 00:23:11,890 --> 00:23:13,740 Speaker 2: in the drawing. If you're not and would like to be, 426 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,560 Speaker 2: sign up through the link in the show notes. And 427 00:23:16,660 --> 00:23:17,380 Speaker 2: best of luck. 428 00:23:26,609 --> 00:23:27,690 Speaker 3: All right, we're back. 429 00:23:28,010 --> 00:23:30,070 Speaker 2: And I would love to hear, I mean, your book 430 00:23:30,109 --> 00:23:33,130 Speaker 2: has so much really powerful scripture, actually, that I think 431 00:23:33,190 --> 00:23:36,090 Speaker 2: is super helpful. But I know there is one that 432 00:23:36,109 --> 00:23:39,980 Speaker 2: the Lord put on your heart for today's recording. 433 00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:41,420 Speaker 3: So I would love if you would share that. 434 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:45,580 Speaker 1: Sure. And it was right before I logged on to 435 00:23:45,619 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: meet with you, Jennifer. But it had been on my 436 00:23:47,859 --> 00:23:51,090 Speaker 1: heart For another specific person earlier this week, I was 437 00:23:51,130 --> 00:23:53,410 Speaker 1: meeting with a young woman who had been through some 438 00:23:53,490 --> 00:23:58,770 Speaker 1: really just treacherous trauma and was doing the work at 439 00:23:58,770 --> 00:24:02,130 Speaker 1: 17 years old to heal. And so I imagine some 440 00:24:02,170 --> 00:24:06,020 Speaker 1: of your listeners are in their 60s, their 70s, you know, wishing, oh, 441 00:24:06,820 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: if I could have seen it, stop some of those 442 00:24:09,619 --> 00:24:12,320 Speaker 1: patterns of thinking, stop some of the patterns, maybe in 443 00:24:12,359 --> 00:24:15,660 Speaker 1: a family cycle that really did damage to me, whatever 444 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:17,920 Speaker 1: it was that led you to the place that you 445 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: tune into a podcast just with the name Faith Over Fear. 446 00:24:21,820 --> 00:24:23,770 Speaker 1: But I was sitting with this young woman and just 447 00:24:23,830 --> 00:24:26,970 Speaker 1: affirmed her that at that age, she's already doing the 448 00:24:27,010 --> 00:24:29,650 Speaker 1: work to know what is true and right and pure. 449 00:24:29,690 --> 00:24:33,070 Speaker 1: And so that was actually, those words come from Philippians 450 00:24:33,609 --> 00:24:37,250 Speaker 1: chapter four. And I've heard that Philippians is like the 451 00:24:37,910 --> 00:24:40,869 Speaker 1: most joyful book in the Bible, the happiest book in 452 00:24:40,890 --> 00:24:45,010 Speaker 1: the Bible, sets our minds on what is most marvelously 453 00:24:45,170 --> 00:24:48,270 Speaker 1: true And it was written from prison. And so it's 454 00:24:48,310 --> 00:24:50,689 Speaker 1: possible that you feel right now that you are in 455 00:24:51,010 --> 00:24:54,830 Speaker 1: a metaphorical prison. If we had another episode, we'd probably 456 00:24:54,869 --> 00:24:58,850 Speaker 1: talk about Paul and Silas in prison, praising and the 457 00:24:59,270 --> 00:25:03,000 Speaker 1: shackles popping off their hands and feet and the prison 458 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:05,619 Speaker 1: doors swinging open, not just for them, but everybody within 459 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:11,199 Speaker 1: ear range. That happens, sometimes not literally or supernaturally in 460 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 1: a moment. But over time, as we practice praise, as 461 00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:19,160 Speaker 1: we persevere in praise, when we're barely persevering in life. 462 00:25:19,450 --> 00:25:24,210 Speaker 1: So this is Philippians written by Paul, not at the time, 463 00:25:24,430 --> 00:25:28,590 Speaker 1: not in the prison where that miraculous release from captivity 464 00:25:28,690 --> 00:25:31,260 Speaker 1: took place. This is later in his life. He's in 465 00:25:31,340 --> 00:25:34,179 Speaker 1: prison again, but he has that experience that he's counting on. 466 00:25:34,380 --> 00:25:36,739 Speaker 1: He knows there's power in praise. And so I'm going 467 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:40,880 Speaker 1: to read Philippians chapter four. Okay, so it's Philippians four. 468 00:25:41,580 --> 00:25:46,359 Speaker 1: verses four through nine. Rejoice in the Lord always. I 469 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:51,540 Speaker 1: will say it again. Rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident 470 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:54,790 Speaker 1: to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious 471 00:25:54,980 --> 00:25:59,670 Speaker 1: about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition 472 00:25:59,869 --> 00:26:03,570 Speaker 1: with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace 473 00:26:03,630 --> 00:26:09,050 Speaker 1: of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts 474 00:26:09,430 --> 00:26:12,970 Speaker 1: and your minds in Christ Jesus. Now that's through verse seven. 475 00:26:13,130 --> 00:26:15,230 Speaker 1: Here's the part I really want you to hear because 476 00:26:15,340 --> 00:26:18,920 Speaker 1: this is the spiritual discipline. Yes, we're told twice, rejoice 477 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:20,440 Speaker 1: in the Lord. Like I want you to do this. 478 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:22,860 Speaker 1: And then it's so important. He says again, I say 479 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:27,619 Speaker 1: it again, rejoice, do these things. But here's really the 480 00:26:27,660 --> 00:26:31,740 Speaker 1: spiritual discipline as I see it. Finally, my brothers and sisters, 481 00:26:32,140 --> 00:26:36,369 Speaker 1: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever 482 00:26:36,420 --> 00:26:40,709 Speaker 1: is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable. I know 483 00:26:40,730 --> 00:26:44,000 Speaker 1: it's called admirable. I've memorized this verse with my children. 484 00:26:44,040 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 1: They were young and they would sing, but it was. 485 00:26:45,940 --> 00:26:46,680 Speaker 3: A song we would sing. 486 00:26:46,740 --> 00:26:50,620 Speaker 1: It says, admirable. So I still say admirable. If anything 487 00:26:50,700 --> 00:26:54,630 Speaker 1: is excellent or praiseworthy, think about those things. Put your 488 00:26:54,670 --> 00:26:59,050 Speaker 1: mind on those things. I'll wrap it up there. It 489 00:26:59,369 --> 00:27:04,810 Speaker 1: takes muscle to work the muscle of your mind, to 490 00:27:04,869 --> 00:27:08,540 Speaker 1: remember what is true and right and praiseworthy. What does 491 00:27:08,630 --> 00:27:12,480 Speaker 1: God's word say? Not what does my inner voice say? 492 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:16,679 Speaker 1: Not what did someone else speak over me that created 493 00:27:16,810 --> 00:27:20,270 Speaker 1: a deep rivet, you know, a deep pattern in my 494 00:27:20,350 --> 00:27:23,830 Speaker 1: brain that I cycle through. I say you can't ruminate 495 00:27:24,070 --> 00:27:27,850 Speaker 1: and meditate at the same time. So rumination is like 496 00:27:27,950 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: water flowing down in a deep aqueduct. It's nice and 497 00:27:33,180 --> 00:27:35,200 Speaker 1: deep and it's always going to go the same way. 498 00:27:35,359 --> 00:27:39,290 Speaker 1: But let's say we want to reroute that water somewhere else. Well, 499 00:27:39,310 --> 00:27:43,359 Speaker 1: we're going to need to now dig another direction, another 500 00:27:43,470 --> 00:27:46,240 Speaker 1: way for that water to go down the hill. We 501 00:27:46,260 --> 00:27:48,320 Speaker 1: don't want it going there anymore. We want it going 502 00:27:48,400 --> 00:27:51,940 Speaker 1: over here. And so it is a practice of making 503 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:56,260 Speaker 1: a new pattern, a new route, a new neuropathway in 504 00:27:56,320 --> 00:27:59,590 Speaker 1: our brain of what is right and what is true. 505 00:27:59,830 --> 00:28:02,649 Speaker 1: What God says is true about us. What God says 506 00:28:02,730 --> 00:28:05,169 Speaker 1: is true about himself, his ability to know and to 507 00:28:05,270 --> 00:28:10,300 Speaker 1: do something about it. to not be God over all, 508 00:28:10,680 --> 00:28:13,419 Speaker 1: but to be here with us. He'll never leave us. 509 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:16,460 Speaker 1: He'll never forsake us. That's something that's true that I 510 00:28:16,500 --> 00:28:20,380 Speaker 1: can meditate on. I'm not alone. He doesn't speak condemnation. 511 00:28:20,420 --> 00:28:24,270 Speaker 1: For those who are in Christ Jesus, there's now no condemnation. Now, 512 00:28:24,330 --> 00:28:25,210 Speaker 1: is there conviction? 513 00:28:25,410 --> 00:28:25,650 Speaker 3: Yes. 514 00:28:25,770 --> 00:28:27,390 Speaker 1: Are there things we can do with conviction? 515 00:28:27,630 --> 00:28:27,970 Speaker 3: Yes. 516 00:28:28,510 --> 00:28:31,370 Speaker 1: So I'm going to think about those things, not the 517 00:28:31,410 --> 00:28:34,710 Speaker 1: hopeless things. I'm going to remember that all my hope 518 00:28:35,020 --> 00:28:37,959 Speaker 1: is bound up in the finished work of Christ. not 519 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:41,990 Speaker 1: if somebody else approves of me, not if I heal 520 00:28:42,090 --> 00:28:45,390 Speaker 1: entirely from this or that, but I'm going to find 521 00:28:45,430 --> 00:28:48,350 Speaker 1: my rest in him. I'm going to remember Psalm 23. 522 00:28:48,350 --> 00:28:51,490 Speaker 1: So I would say part of the spiritual discipline isn't 523 00:28:51,540 --> 00:28:54,700 Speaker 1: just doing what this one passage says. It's hiding these 524 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:58,680 Speaker 1: passages that are true in our hearts and thinking about 525 00:28:58,760 --> 00:29:02,550 Speaker 1: them regularly. And it's not a quick fix, but it 526 00:29:02,610 --> 00:29:05,630 Speaker 1: is putting our eyes and our thoughts and our minds 527 00:29:06,100 --> 00:29:08,820 Speaker 1: on the one who is our fix all. It just 528 00:29:08,860 --> 00:29:10,980 Speaker 1: doesn't always happen in a snap. Yeah. 529 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:16,140 Speaker 2: So as we close, is there one simple practice, just 530 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:19,690 Speaker 2: kind of boil it down to maybe give them five 531 00:29:19,770 --> 00:29:24,150 Speaker 2: minutes a day? What would you, you've mentioned Psalm 23, 532 00:29:24,150 --> 00:29:25,410 Speaker 2: you've mentioned Philippians. 533 00:29:25,570 --> 00:29:25,910 Speaker 3: Is there. 534 00:29:26,630 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 2: Is it unique to them that they're going to find 535 00:29:28,380 --> 00:29:29,840 Speaker 2: their own passage or is it? 536 00:29:29,820 --> 00:29:32,729 Speaker 1: I would say a couple of things. If I were 537 00:29:32,730 --> 00:29:36,870 Speaker 1: writing a prescription here, let me get out. Actually, I 538 00:29:36,870 --> 00:29:37,530 Speaker 1: did this. 539 00:29:37,530 --> 00:29:38,830 Speaker 3: This morning. 540 00:29:38,930 --> 00:29:44,450 Speaker 1: Look at this. Daily gratitude practice. I would start by saying, 541 00:29:44,970 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 1: choose a couple of passages. Every day you're going to 542 00:29:47,910 --> 00:29:50,240 Speaker 1: write out the passage. Here are the two passages I 543 00:29:50,260 --> 00:29:54,420 Speaker 1: would suggest. Psalm 100 in its entirety. It's about five verses. 544 00:29:54,920 --> 00:29:58,460 Speaker 1: And then the one I just read. Philippians chapter four, 545 00:29:58,540 --> 00:30:02,420 Speaker 1: verses four through eight. Write one of those out and 546 00:30:02,500 --> 00:30:07,780 Speaker 1: then write out three small, everyday, ordinary blessings that you 547 00:30:07,820 --> 00:30:10,520 Speaker 1: can see around you. I have a different journal that 548 00:30:10,560 --> 00:30:12,590 Speaker 1: I actually used. I'm not sure where it is. It's 549 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:15,830 Speaker 1: on my messy desk right now. I included thanking God 550 00:30:15,910 --> 00:30:19,140 Speaker 1: for a person whose birthday is today. I included the 551 00:30:19,180 --> 00:30:20,960 Speaker 1: fact that even though my car died when I was 552 00:30:21,020 --> 00:30:24,120 Speaker 1: running errands this morning, I had AAA and I called 553 00:30:24,180 --> 00:30:25,900 Speaker 1: them and they came and were able to get my 554 00:30:25,980 --> 00:30:29,280 Speaker 1: car going. And then I thanked God for this time 555 00:30:29,420 --> 00:30:31,610 Speaker 1: that I knew we were going to have together. These 556 00:30:31,650 --> 00:30:33,730 Speaker 1: were big things. They were small things. They were just 557 00:30:33,750 --> 00:30:36,810 Speaker 1: the everyday, ordinary things. If you have a big thing 558 00:30:36,850 --> 00:30:39,470 Speaker 1: that you can spend some time just writing out your prayer, 559 00:30:39,570 --> 00:30:42,910 Speaker 1: God This felt like an impossible thing to do just 560 00:30:43,030 --> 00:30:44,870 Speaker 1: a week ago. And look at me now. I'm a 561 00:30:44,950 --> 00:30:47,970 Speaker 1: week into it of praising you. I can feel a difference. 562 00:30:48,150 --> 00:30:50,950 Speaker 1: My sleep was better last night. Thank you for this 563 00:30:51,050 --> 00:30:54,050 Speaker 1: big thing too. And then the other practice that I 564 00:30:54,050 --> 00:30:58,490 Speaker 1: really love to do is re-script your petitions. If you 565 00:30:58,550 --> 00:31:01,670 Speaker 1: could ask one thing of God right now, God, save 566 00:31:01,710 --> 00:31:04,690 Speaker 1: me from this. God, I'm in so much pain here. God, 567 00:31:04,760 --> 00:31:08,590 Speaker 1: I can't stop having panic attacks. because I'm just so 568 00:31:08,730 --> 00:31:11,450 Speaker 1: scared of what my kids are going through. And they're 569 00:31:11,490 --> 00:31:14,170 Speaker 1: forsaking you. They're wandered from the faith. They don't want 570 00:31:14,190 --> 00:31:15,060 Speaker 1: a relationship with me. 571 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:15,910 Speaker 3: They this, that, that. 572 00:31:16,450 --> 00:31:21,060 Speaker 1: Instead of praying about it and asking God to do 573 00:31:21,140 --> 00:31:24,480 Speaker 1: something about it, I call it an ask fast. And 574 00:31:24,540 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 1: it's not that asking is wrong. We're told by God 575 00:31:27,540 --> 00:31:30,620 Speaker 1: to ask. But what if for a short season or 576 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:33,920 Speaker 1: even just your morning prayer time, instead of asking him, 577 00:31:33,980 --> 00:31:38,290 Speaker 1: you take that one you pinpointed and you turn it 578 00:31:38,890 --> 00:31:43,370 Speaker 1: into a proclamation of praise. You say, God, you are savior. 579 00:31:44,010 --> 00:31:47,130 Speaker 1: You know how to save my kids. God, you are savior. 580 00:31:47,170 --> 00:31:49,210 Speaker 1: You know how to save my grandkids. You did it 581 00:31:49,270 --> 00:31:51,850 Speaker 1: for me. You pulled me out of the muck and 582 00:31:51,870 --> 00:31:54,190 Speaker 1: the mire, whether somebody pushed me in it or it 583 00:31:54,370 --> 00:31:56,470 Speaker 1: was the mud and mire of my own making. You 584 00:31:56,510 --> 00:31:59,520 Speaker 1: put my feet upon the rock of your salvation. You're 585 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:01,800 Speaker 1: putting a new song in my mouth, even this morning, 586 00:32:01,940 --> 00:32:05,130 Speaker 1: one that's full of hope and joy and proclaiming what 587 00:32:05,170 --> 00:32:06,610 Speaker 1: you can do. And I know you can do it 588 00:32:06,650 --> 00:32:10,600 Speaker 1: for my kids too. Or maybe you would pinpoint cancer 589 00:32:10,930 --> 00:32:13,040 Speaker 1: in your body or in the body of a loved one. 590 00:32:13,340 --> 00:32:16,200 Speaker 1: And instead of saying, God, please heal, you say, God, 591 00:32:16,260 --> 00:32:19,400 Speaker 1: you are God over every cell in my body. You 592 00:32:19,460 --> 00:32:23,400 Speaker 1: have the ability to bring every cell in my body 593 00:32:23,610 --> 00:32:27,970 Speaker 1: into complete submission to your will. How incredible are you? 594 00:32:28,190 --> 00:32:31,620 Speaker 1: You've numbered my days. You've numbered the hairs on my head. 595 00:32:31,840 --> 00:32:34,280 Speaker 1: And if I don't have hairs on my head because 596 00:32:34,340 --> 00:32:37,080 Speaker 1: I've been through chemo, you know the ones that are 597 00:32:37,100 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 1: going to start sprouting. You are God over all. You 598 00:32:40,400 --> 00:32:43,090 Speaker 1: are exalted in the heavens and the earth. And yet 599 00:32:43,140 --> 00:32:46,410 Speaker 1: you look down from that high and lofty place and 600 00:32:46,490 --> 00:32:52,110 Speaker 1: you also see widows and orphans, the oppressed, the abused, 601 00:32:52,530 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 1: and you love them. And you have the wherewithal, the ability, 602 00:32:56,260 --> 00:32:59,210 Speaker 1: the night, and the care to lift them up out 603 00:32:59,250 --> 00:33:03,040 Speaker 1: of the ash heap. How amazing are you, God? So 604 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:04,400 Speaker 1: those are my practices. 605 00:33:04,950 --> 00:33:05,710 Speaker 3: That's beautiful. 606 00:33:05,770 --> 00:33:08,320 Speaker 2: And I want to encourage the listeners, this section right 607 00:33:08,410 --> 00:33:11,150 Speaker 2: here that she said, I'm going to encourage you to 608 00:33:11,210 --> 00:33:14,240 Speaker 2: re-listen because there was a lot of power in what 609 00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:17,100 Speaker 2: you just said. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wrap up. 610 00:33:17,500 --> 00:33:18,320 Speaker 2: Of course. 611 00:33:18,620 --> 00:33:20,020 Speaker 3: You're like a wealth of scripture. 612 00:33:20,060 --> 00:33:22,580 Speaker 2: I love that scripture just pours from you and that's 613 00:33:22,820 --> 00:33:25,920 Speaker 2: evidence of you clinging to God in your own hard seasons. 614 00:33:26,140 --> 00:33:28,840 Speaker 2: And I want to, for those who I really do 615 00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:31,210 Speaker 2: encourage you to read her book, She's got a lot 616 00:33:31,230 --> 00:33:34,570 Speaker 2: of really helpful practices and also a lot of powerful 617 00:33:34,610 --> 00:33:36,130 Speaker 2: scriptures that she's included. 618 00:33:36,390 --> 00:33:40,310 Speaker 1: And Jennifer, also just to mention that every November, I'm 619 00:33:40,330 --> 00:33:43,830 Speaker 1: going to be hosting what I'm calling a 30-day Ask Fast. 620 00:33:43,910 --> 00:33:47,290 Speaker 1: And what we're doing is we're going through a sacrifice 621 00:33:47,330 --> 00:33:50,170 Speaker 1: of praise and thanksgiving, the book. You can sign up 622 00:33:50,210 --> 00:33:55,290 Speaker 1: at wendyspeak.com forward slash praise. There's a journal that you 623 00:33:55,310 --> 00:33:58,010 Speaker 1: can do some of these practices and just download it 624 00:33:58,330 --> 00:34:01,210 Speaker 1: as we do our reading each day. I think it's 625 00:34:01,230 --> 00:34:04,250 Speaker 1: going to be a really transformative time for all of us. Awesome. 626 00:34:04,270 --> 00:34:06,250 Speaker 2: Well, actually, this is going to air in November. So 627 00:34:06,290 --> 00:34:08,820 Speaker 2: that will be really good. And I'll put a link 628 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:11,840 Speaker 2: to that in the show notes. And again, her book 629 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:16,359 Speaker 2: is called A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving. 30 days 630 00:34:16,440 --> 00:34:18,440 Speaker 2: of rejoicing in God's goodness. 631 00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:19,680 Speaker 3: Here's a brief description. 632 00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:23,890 Speaker 2: When life is bright and blessings abound, gratitude may come easily. 633 00:34:24,130 --> 00:34:27,450 Speaker 2: But what about seasons when heartache overwhelms and praise feels 634 00:34:27,650 --> 00:34:31,560 Speaker 2: more like a sacrifice than a natural overflow of the heart? 635 00:34:32,270 --> 00:34:36,460 Speaker 2: A sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving helps readers find strength 636 00:34:36,580 --> 00:34:39,299 Speaker 2: and renewal as they learn to come honestly to God 637 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:44,010 Speaker 2: in every circumstance, experience the power of praise, rejoice through trials, 638 00:34:44,050 --> 00:34:46,830 Speaker 2: maintain a steadfast heart of worship when life feels unsteady, 639 00:34:47,330 --> 00:34:50,819 Speaker 2: and thank God for who he is, even when they 640 00:34:50,860 --> 00:34:55,080 Speaker 2: don't understand his ways. Friends, Wendy and I both understand 641 00:34:55,140 --> 00:34:58,799 Speaker 2: how difficult that can be. We're not saying that it's easy, 642 00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:03,950 Speaker 2: but we also know that God always has life-giving reasons 643 00:35:04,140 --> 00:35:07,950 Speaker 2: behind each of his instructions and invitations. And when our 644 00:35:08,010 --> 00:35:12,150 Speaker 2: circumstances feel impossibly heavy, praise can be a powerful way 645 00:35:12,390 --> 00:35:16,060 Speaker 2: to release some of that load by anchoring ourselves in 646 00:35:16,080 --> 00:35:19,340 Speaker 2: the strength, the comfort and presence of almighty God. And 647 00:35:19,380 --> 00:35:23,200 Speaker 2: so this week, I encourage you to do exactly what 648 00:35:23,239 --> 00:35:25,509 Speaker 2: she said to also sign up so you can have 649 00:35:25,550 --> 00:35:28,609 Speaker 2: the community support when you're really struggling, somebody else who 650 00:35:28,630 --> 00:35:30,930 Speaker 2: can call out the good in you that maybe you're 651 00:35:30,950 --> 00:35:33,740 Speaker 2: not seeing the wins that maybe are hard for you 652 00:35:33,960 --> 00:35:36,410 Speaker 2: to see. And I thank you for listening. If you 653 00:35:36,510 --> 00:35:39,310 Speaker 2: haven't already done so, I encourage you to subscribe to 654 00:35:39,330 --> 00:35:42,290 Speaker 2: this podcast so you won't miss a single episode and 655 00:35:42,330 --> 00:35:45,250 Speaker 2: share it with your family and friends. Until next time, 656 00:35:45,450 --> 00:35:48,779 Speaker 2: may you live as one who truly has been set free.