1 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: Welcome to Christian Parent Crazy World, the podcast that tackles 2 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:13,239 Speaker 1: tough topics to help you be a godly parent in 3 00:00:13,280 --> 00:00:16,960 Speaker 1: an ungodly world. I am your host, Catherine Seegers, and 4 00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 1: in today's episode, we will tackle this very timely question, 5 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:25,439 Speaker 1: how do you conquer the giant or giants staring you 6 00:00:25,600 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: down in the new year? Every year I like to 7 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: release a special New Year's episode. I pray over it, 8 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: like really pray, and I ask the Lord what my 9 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:39,239 Speaker 1: listeners need, what parents need? What I need to remember 10 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: as we start this brand new season of life. Some 11 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 1: years I come in with a few directions I could take. 12 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 1: But this year there was one thing on my heart 13 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: and it never moved. Because stepping into a new year 14 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: can be exciting, but it can also be unsettling an 15 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: even scary. Hope is there, absolutely, but fear tends to 16 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:05,959 Speaker 1: sneak in right beside it when that calendar flips. All 17 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: the challenges we push to the side suddenly march right 18 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: to the front. So how do we face these giants 19 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:17,319 Speaker 1: that loom large in the new year? Well, I've got 20 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: seven ways to slay the giants that are keeping you 21 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 1: up on New Year's Eve. That's the ground we will 22 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 1: cover in this episode of Christian parent Crazy World. So 23 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: let's get started. So in previous years, I have shared 24 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 1: some great New Year's episodes, practical ways to parent better, 25 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 1: strengthen relationships with our kids, dig deeper into God's word, 26 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: memorize more scripture. I love all of that, But this 27 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 1: year the focus narrowed down to one issue, probably because 28 00:01:57,080 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 1: it's what I'm staring down myself. And what I've learned 29 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 1: is that when I'm wrestling with something, a lot of 30 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 1: other people usually are as well. Now, the circumstances may differ, 31 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: but the feeling is familiar. Maybe the logistics of your 32 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:17,640 Speaker 1: life just don't add up. Maybe your finances feel like 33 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: a wall you can't get around. Maybe a diagnosis or 34 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:26,399 Speaker 1: a relationship strain is taking up more emotional space than 35 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:31,359 Speaker 1: you know what to do with. And honestly, I can 36 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: relate to all of that right now. My regular listeners 37 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 1: know that my husband is working in another state. Right now, 38 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 1: we're preparing to relocate after my second oldest graduates in 39 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: a few months, and that means I'm handling the weekday parenting, solo, 40 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:52,080 Speaker 1: homeschooling five kids, caring for two pets, and trying to 41 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 1: get a house ready to sell, and the financial mountain 42 00:02:56,040 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: in front of us. Let's just say it's significant. And 43 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:01,360 Speaker 1: on top of all that, I'm going to be empty 44 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: nesting two kids at once. I never saw that when coming, you, guys, 45 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,800 Speaker 1: I just didn't see it. And yet I know a 46 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: lot of people who are dealing with far more than that. 47 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:18,160 Speaker 1: I have dear friends with health battles that I can't 48 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: wrap my head around. One friend has been in a 49 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: wheelchair for forty years. He has a broken leg that 50 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:30,359 Speaker 1: the doctors say will never heal, and amputation is on 51 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: the table. Another friend needs a wheelchair lift that will 52 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: cost ten thousand dollars plus a vehicle that can support 53 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 1: his care, and their household is down to one income. 54 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: I have friends going through separation and divorce, and parents 55 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: whose children are estranged. The last thing I want to 56 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: do is turn a New Year's episode into a heavy cloud. 57 00:03:54,320 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 1: But we have to be honest. These giants are real, 58 00:03:57,560 --> 00:04:01,480 Speaker 1: and as we look ahead, we truly wonder where will 59 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:04,480 Speaker 1: I be in a year, How will this unfold? How 60 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: will I see God's faithfulness? And something that looks impossible 61 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 1: on paper Right now? So I've been sitting with that question, 62 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 1: how do we face giants? And a scripture thankfully is 63 00:04:18,839 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: full of answers, not vague encouragements, actual stories, actual outcomes. 64 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:29,119 Speaker 1: And if we approach our giants one way, scripture shows 65 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,359 Speaker 1: us that we may wander in a desert for a 66 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:36,039 Speaker 1: long season, if not a lifetime. But if we approach 67 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 1: them another way, we can actually walk straight into victory. 68 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 1: So I want to share with you seven principles, Seven 69 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,159 Speaker 1: things we need to remember when we're staring down a giant. 70 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:51,720 Speaker 1: None of them are brand new. You've heard every one 71 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: of them, probably, but when a giant is steering us down, 72 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,160 Speaker 1: we tend to forget the basics. We panic, we rehearse 73 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:03,440 Speaker 1: everything that could go wrong at nauseum, and we stop 74 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 1: remembering who our God is. So let's remember together these 75 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:13,119 Speaker 1: ways to slay our giants. One final note, though, before 76 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: we jump into those ways, be sure to stick around 77 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 1: till the end, because I've got a slightly embarrassing example 78 00:05:21,560 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 1: that kind of ties all of these together, and I 79 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:25,039 Speaker 1: want to make sure that you hear that because it 80 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,039 Speaker 1: kind of brings the message home. All righty, then, so 81 00:05:28,120 --> 00:05:33,920 Speaker 1: what is that first principle? Number one? Keep a childlike 82 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 1: faith when we talk about giants in scripture or honestly, anywhere, 83 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 1: our minds go straight to David, right. Obviously, his name 84 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 1: is practically copyrighted on the concept of giants. Side note. 85 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 1: Have you seen the new series House of David. Oh 86 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 1: my gosh, it's so good. I've really enjoyed watching the 87 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,559 Speaker 1: stories we know so well come alive, although I haven't 88 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,680 Speaker 1: made it to the second season yet because it's behind 89 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: a paywall. Maybe they'll have mercy on us this year 90 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: and get that out from behind that payroll soon. I 91 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:09,720 Speaker 1: hope so. But you should definitely check that out if 92 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:15,920 Speaker 1: you haven't. But watching David's story unfold on screen has 93 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:20,520 Speaker 1: reminded me of something I often forget. When David stepped 94 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:25,440 Speaker 1: in front of Goliath, he did so with a childlike faith. 95 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: His perspective hadn't been worn down yet by disappointment. He 96 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: hadn't lived long enough to become skeptical or cynical or jaded. 97 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:41,479 Speaker 1: Now some might attribute his courage to an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex, 98 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:45,160 Speaker 1: as if rain chemistry pushed him into a very doomed 99 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,039 Speaker 1: looking altercation with a seven foot giant. But you know, 100 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:53,479 Speaker 1: the more I reflect on it, the more convinced I am. 101 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:58,799 Speaker 1: David still had wonder he still believed God could do anything. 102 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: He wasn't like I said, jaded. He wasn't replaying past failures. 103 00:07:04,440 --> 00:07:09,400 Speaker 1: He had a childlike faith. In Matthew chapter eighteen, Jesus 104 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: has this fascinating exchange with his disciples. They ask who 105 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:16,960 Speaker 1: then is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, And 106 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: in response, Jesus calls a child over and he says, truly, 107 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, 108 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 1: you will never enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus goes 109 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: on to talk about humility, about taking the low position 110 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 1: that children held in that culture, and that's exactly what 111 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:46,000 Speaker 1: David carried into battle, a childlike trust, a willing to 112 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:52,720 Speaker 1: believe God for something impossible. Children do that naturally. Now, adulte, 113 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: we talk ourselves out of it. But what some called 114 00:07:56,080 --> 00:08:02,600 Speaker 1: naivete God calls necessary. This isn't about believing myths or 115 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: fairy tales. It's about grounding ourselves in the truth that 116 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: God is bigger than whatever stands in front of us. 117 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:15,000 Speaker 1: I love what Hebrews eleven, verse one tells us. It says, 118 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: without faith, it's impossible to please God. Abraham believe God 119 00:08:20,640 --> 00:08:23,680 Speaker 1: would give him a child through Sarah, who was ninety 120 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: years old while he was one hundred. Talk about impossible. Yeah, 121 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: no one makes it through this life without facing a giant, 122 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:38,360 Speaker 1: many giant, and slaying a giant requires a childlike faith. 123 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: So if you're struggling with that, ask God for help, 124 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: ask him to strengthen your belief. One of my favorite 125 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 1: scriptures is out of Mark nine, verse twenty four. A 126 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: father brings his tormented son to Jesus after the disciples 127 00:08:56,760 --> 00:08:59,839 Speaker 1: couldn't heal him. And Jesus tells a man on everything 128 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:05,079 Speaker 1: as possible for one who believes, and the father responds 129 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 1: with such beautiful honesty. I do believe, he says, and 130 00:09:09,679 --> 00:09:17,240 Speaker 1: then he adds, help me overcome my unbelief. If you're struggling, 131 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 1: if you're having trouble believing God can slay your giant, 132 00:09:20,800 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: ask him to help your unbelief. He welcomes that kind 133 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: of honesty. Alrighty. So after we have embraced a childlike faith, 134 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:40,120 Speaker 1: what do we need to do next? Number two? Fear not? Okay? 135 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 1: So I can almost hear the reaction already from so 136 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:47,679 Speaker 1: many of us, myself included, like right, Catherine, don't be afraid. 137 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:51,760 Speaker 1: Just ignore the massive giants staring me down, keeping me 138 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: up at night, menacing, taunting, breathing down my neck. Sure, 139 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: you know, Like, why didn't I think of that? Huh huh, Yeah, 140 00:09:59,400 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 1: trust me, I get it. There's a reason fear not 141 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: is the most repeated command in all of Scripture. People 142 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,040 Speaker 1: love to quote that the Bible says it three hundred 143 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:14,800 Speaker 1: and sixty five times one for every day of the year. Now, look, 144 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,040 Speaker 1: I don't know if that's true. Others say it's in 145 00:10:17,080 --> 00:10:20,200 Speaker 1: the Bible closer to seventy times. Still, others argue that 146 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 1: the concept of not fearing is woven into Scripture more 147 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:26,960 Speaker 1: than three hundred and sixty five times, but the exact 148 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 1: number doesn't matter. The point is God knew we would 149 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 1: need that command constantly, repeatedly, and it shows up everywhere 150 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 1: because fear shows up everywhere. Why because as human beings, 151 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 1: we are naturally prone to fear. We are hard wired 152 00:10:49,400 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 1: to trust what we see and what we feel what 153 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:56,679 Speaker 1: threatens us. We are more likely to agree with our 154 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:01,959 Speaker 1: circumstances than we are to agree with God and his word. 155 00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: And if breaking free from fear, we're simple. You know it? 156 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: Wouldn't need to be repeated so often. It's repeated because 157 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:16,959 Speaker 1: we struggle with it deeply, like daily. So how do 158 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 1: we even fear not? That's the big question. Right now, 159 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 1: we're gonna get practical. My pastor, who is named Matt Scott, 160 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 1: recently preached a sermon called Fear Not, and honestly, it 161 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 1: was one of the best messages I have ever heard 162 00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:34,960 Speaker 1: on this topic or any topic for that matter. I'll 163 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,839 Speaker 1: link it in the show notes, and I highly recommend 164 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 1: listening to it, whether fear feels like a daily battle 165 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:44,160 Speaker 1: for you or not. But here's the bottom line he shared, 166 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:48,520 Speaker 1: and it has really stuck with me. Every fear is 167 00:11:48,720 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 1: rooted in a lie, and you cannot get rid of 168 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: the fear until you identify and uproot the lie attached 169 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:02,160 Speaker 1: to it. So start with this question, Lord, what am 170 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:07,240 Speaker 1: I afraid of? And then listen. Don't dismiss the question. 171 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: Don't assume you know I'm good. I'm not afraid of anything. 172 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: Most of us are afraid of something. In fact, my 173 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 1: pastor shared an incredible story of a man who was 174 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:22,360 Speaker 1: absolutely certain that he feared nothing until God exposed what 175 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:25,800 Speaker 1: he had been avoiding. That guy was a workaholic who 176 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:30,480 Speaker 1: was deathly afraid of failure and went back to a 177 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 1: childhood wound. So many of our fears do you, guys? 178 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,360 Speaker 1: So I ask the Lord what am I afraid of? 179 00:12:38,360 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 1: And then ask what lie is attached to that fear. 180 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 1: I've been journaling about my fears all week, like laying 181 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,440 Speaker 1: them out, asking God to speak to them. And wow, 182 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: it has been one of the most spiritually productive weeks 183 00:12:55,640 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 1: I've had in a very long time. So identify the route. 184 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 1: Let God replace that lie with truth. And remember this 185 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 1: is a process. The enemy does not stop lying. His 186 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:13,839 Speaker 1: strategy doesn't change, but we can change how we respond 187 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:17,520 Speaker 1: to those lies. He's gonna keep lying, you guys. That's 188 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 1: what he does. He is a father of lies. But 189 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: we've got to stop agreeing with the lies. All right, 190 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 1: Let's keep moving here. Next up, number three, This one, 191 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 1: thankfully is a little easier. Number three, Be thankful. Like 192 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: I said, this one should feel a little easier. Hopefully 193 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 1: we all have something to be thankful for, even in 194 00:13:54,360 --> 00:13:58,559 Speaker 1: the hardest of seasons. Philippians four, verse six gives us 195 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:02,199 Speaker 1: one of the clearest remedies scripture for fear or anxiety. 196 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 1: It says, do not be anxious about anything, but in 197 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 1: every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your 198 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 1: requests to God. So we bring our fears to God 199 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 1: in prayer with thanksgiving. That means, while we're praying about 200 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,200 Speaker 1: the thing that is keeping us up at night, God 201 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 1: asks us to stop and remember everything we already have 202 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 1: to be grateful for. That simple shift moves our focus 203 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: away from the problem into God's faithfulness. When we do that, 204 00:14:43,600 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 1: our faith starts to grow and you begin to see, well, 205 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: He provided here, He intervened there, He made a way 206 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 1: when I couldn't see one. He sustained me in that season. 207 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:01,560 Speaker 1: He answered that prayer that I thought was possible. And 208 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:05,840 Speaker 1: if he came through before, he will come through again. 209 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 1: Then notice what the very next verse promises out of Philippians. 210 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:16,680 Speaker 1: For this is verse seven. After we present our request 211 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: to God with thanksgiving, the peace of God, which transcends 212 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:29,040 Speaker 1: all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds. In Christ, Jesus, 213 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:32,240 Speaker 1: you know a lot of times we want to bring 214 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: God the request and skip straight to the peace right. 215 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 1: We want the spiritual fast pass, But it doesn't work 216 00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:45,400 Speaker 1: that way. Thanksgiving is the bridge that carries us to 217 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:49,800 Speaker 1: that peace. When we remember God's faithfulness and when we 218 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: thank him for it, that is when the peace that 219 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 1: doesn't even make human sense shows up and stands guard 220 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: over our hearts and minds. So make space for gratitude 221 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: every day. And when that fear creeps in, after you've 222 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:13,239 Speaker 1: identified the lie and uprooted it, thank God for his goodness, 223 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: and you will watch that lie shrink, and you will 224 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: watch the truth expand, and then you will watch his 225 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 1: peace settle into places that fear used to live. Okay, 226 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: so we're moving on here. Number four. This one, Oh 227 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 1: my gosh, this one is so big, you guys, this 228 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 1: one's huge. Number four, don't complain. This principle comes straight 229 00:16:42,400 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 1: out of the story of Joshua and Caleb. You probably 230 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: know it well. Moses sends twelve men or spies into 231 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:54,560 Speaker 1: the promised land. Ten come back with panic with fear, 232 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: but two come back with faith. This story comes from 233 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: numbers thirteen and fourteen. Check it out, you guys, read 234 00:17:02,520 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 1: that in your devotionals. This week, Joshua and Caleb returned 235 00:17:06,800 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 1: talking about a land overflowing with milk and honey, saying, 236 00:17:10,480 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: let's go up at once, for we are able to 237 00:17:14,000 --> 00:17:18,440 Speaker 1: overcome it the other ten spies. They return with a 238 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: bad report, a report full of giants and enormous city walls, 239 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: a report designed to stir fear, and that fear drove 240 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: the people to grumble and complain and ultimately to rebel 241 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: against the very God who had delivered them. But let's 242 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:42,399 Speaker 1: be honest, you guys. Giants are real. The obstacles we 243 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 1: face in this new year are real, and you can't 244 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: wish them away, but you can control how you respond 245 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:56,479 Speaker 1: to them. Israel responded by complaining they longed for the 246 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,359 Speaker 1: onions and garlics and Egypt, which, honestly, it makes me 247 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 1: laugh a little bit, because they wanted to go back 248 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:05,760 Speaker 1: to a place where they were literally enslaved, because well, 249 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:09,399 Speaker 1: you know, at least the menu was predictable. And so 250 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:14,160 Speaker 1: they murmured, they grumbled, and ultimately they believed the bad 251 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:19,159 Speaker 1: report over God's promise. And honestly, again, there was truth 252 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 1: in that report. There really were giants, and there were 253 00:18:22,320 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 1: fortified walls, but there was also milk and honey, and 254 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 1: more importantly, the promise of God, and even more importantly, 255 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:36,120 Speaker 1: the presence of God, the same God who delivered them 256 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 1: out of Pharaoh's grip. The same God who split the 257 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: sea in half, the same God who sent manna from 258 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:46,640 Speaker 1: heaven to feed them, was still with them. And you see, 259 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,520 Speaker 1: when we complain, when we focus on the wrong thing, 260 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 1: When our eyes lock onto the giant, fear grows, and 261 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 1: fear fuels grumbling, and grumbling turns to rebellion, and rebel 262 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:05,280 Speaker 1: at its court is simply refusing to trust God, and 263 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: we end up putting more confidence in the Giant than 264 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: in our faithful Father. Think about it. If Israel had 265 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:15,960 Speaker 1: done what we had just talked about in Philippins four, 266 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: if they had presented their request to God, and if 267 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:23,880 Speaker 1: they had done it with thanksgiving, everything would have shifted. 268 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:28,280 Speaker 1: Thankfulness would have reminded them of the plagues in Egypt 269 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:31,880 Speaker 1: which they escaped. It would have reminded them of the 270 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: Red Sea closing over Pharaoh's army of manna, and quail 271 00:19:36,520 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 1: in the wilderness of water from a rock of God's 272 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 1: glory on Mount Sinai. If they had thanked God for 273 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: past deliverance, they would have seen their current giant through 274 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: the right lens. You know, I've spent a lot of 275 00:19:54,640 --> 00:19:58,200 Speaker 1: time in my devotionals lately, in the Book of Philippians, 276 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:02,119 Speaker 1: and one verse practice jumped off the page at me. 277 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:09,720 Speaker 1: Philippians two verse fourteen says, do everything without complaining or arguing. 278 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:16,440 Speaker 1: Everything that one word alone is so convicting, and Paul continues, 279 00:20:17,080 --> 00:20:20,800 Speaker 1: so that you may become blameless and pure children of 280 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:24,919 Speaker 1: God without fault, and a crooked and depraved generation in 281 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:29,719 Speaker 1: which you shine like stars in the universe as you 282 00:20:29,840 --> 00:20:36,359 Speaker 1: hold out the word of life. Oh wow, there's so 283 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:42,800 Speaker 1: much to chew on there. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Now, 284 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:44,600 Speaker 1: some days, I'm gonna be honest. It feels like we 285 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 1: can't do anything in our home without it least a 286 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: little complaining or arguing, or actually a lot. But Scripture 287 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:54,400 Speaker 1: says that when we live differently than the world, when 288 00:20:54,400 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: we refuse to gripe and grumble, we shine like stars 289 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 1: and we hold out something bright, something hopeful to the world. 290 00:21:05,800 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: So we have to guard our hearts against complaining about 291 00:21:09,880 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: the giant, not because the giant isn't real, but because 292 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:18,680 Speaker 1: God is more real and more powerful. But complaining about 293 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:23,680 Speaker 1: that giant literally keeps God from moving on our behalf, 294 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: because He will not move where there is no faith. 295 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 1: A thankful heart keeps us from spiraling. Thankfulness anchors us. 296 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:39,199 Speaker 1: Thankfulness reorients our focus away from the giant back to 297 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 1: the God who gives us stones and strength and aim. 298 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: So don't complain about the giant. And I know this 299 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 1: is hard. This is one of the hardest principles for 300 00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 1: me to practice. I am not good at this. I'm 301 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:54,520 Speaker 1: preaching myself here, but we've got to remember the goodness 302 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:58,600 Speaker 1: of the one who helps us slay the giant and 303 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: watch the complaining dissolve into trust. All right, Number five, 304 00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 1: we are getting there. I love this one. This one's 305 00:22:08,640 --> 00:22:14,400 Speaker 1: so great. Number five. Help someone else slay their giant. 306 00:22:14,840 --> 00:22:18,120 Speaker 1: You guys, this one is so practical and so powerful. 307 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:20,680 Speaker 1: If you're struggling with a giant in your own life, 308 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:24,840 Speaker 1: go help somebody else fight there. Shift your focus, serve someone, 309 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:28,360 Speaker 1: make me all bring coffee, set with them, Pray with them, 310 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 1: Pray for them. Let your heart turn outward instead of inward. 311 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 1: You know, I mentioned before that I have a few 312 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 1: friends that are facing giants far larger than mine this year. 313 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,760 Speaker 1: And when I sit with them, when I truly focus 314 00:22:43,760 --> 00:22:48,280 Speaker 1: on their needs, when I serve them, my own giants shrink, 315 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 1: they fade. And I know those moments strengthen them and 316 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 1: their battle too. This is a theme I want to 317 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:00,000 Speaker 1: explore more in the months ahead. Our call to serve them, 318 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 1: those who are struggling with more than we are. And 319 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 1: let me just say that, as a homeschooling mom with 320 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:07,840 Speaker 1: a part time job and a husband working out of state, 321 00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 1: serving can feel nearly impossible to squeeze into an already 322 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:17,440 Speaker 1: full day. But if service is central to our calling, 323 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 1: and it is central to God's heart, then I have 324 00:23:20,640 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: to trust that when I make space for others, when 325 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:29,240 Speaker 1: I make space for ministry, God will make space for me. 326 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:32,679 Speaker 1: He will help me, help them, and He will be 327 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 1: faithful to me and my battle against my own giant. 328 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: Because something holy happens when I stop staring at my 329 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 1: own giant and turn towards someone else, my giant. Like 330 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:47,280 Speaker 1: I said, it gets smaller, my faith starts to grow bigger, 331 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 1: and God meets us both. It's so cool, all right, 332 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: we are in the home stretch here. This next one 333 00:23:54,240 --> 00:24:06,400 Speaker 1: is so important. Number six. You must hey, friends, it's 334 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 1: Katherine here. If you're trying to raise godly kids in 335 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 1: this wild and wacky world, you need all the help 336 00:24:12,160 --> 00:24:15,159 Speaker 1: you can get, and I've got you covered. When you 337 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:18,880 Speaker 1: subscribe to my website, you'll get instant access to tons 338 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:22,680 Speaker 1: of free resources made just for Christian parents. You'll get 339 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 1: my Prodigal Bundle, which is packed with every podcast, article 340 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:30,040 Speaker 1: and scripture list I've created for parents walking that tough 341 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,720 Speaker 1: prodigal road. You'll also get my free eat book Beyond 342 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:37,439 Speaker 1: the Lies and covering five myths the culture spreads to mothers, 343 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 1: plus powerful scripture lists to pray over your kids, and 344 00:24:40,640 --> 00:24:43,720 Speaker 1: even scripture songs to help your family hide God's word 345 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:47,040 Speaker 1: in your hearts without even trying. And of course I'll 346 00:24:47,119 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 1: keep you encouraged with my weekly newsletter full of faith 347 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,000 Speaker 1: filled PEP talks and outlines of what we're tackling each 348 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 1: week on the show. So don't miss out. Head over 349 00:24:56,560 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 1: to Katherine Scars dot com. That's Katherinesegers dot com and 350 00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:04,320 Speaker 1: subscribe today. Because Christian parenting may be crazy, but you 351 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:12,000 Speaker 1: don't have to do it alone. Number six. In order 352 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:17,399 Speaker 1: to slay your giant this year, you must persevere in prayer. 353 00:25:17,920 --> 00:25:21,359 Speaker 1: You know, sometimes we forget the most powerful weapon in 354 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:26,600 Speaker 1: our arsenal prayer. I remember when my daughter spent almost 355 00:25:26,600 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 1: a full year doubting that God existed, calling herself agnostic 356 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 1: after more than a decade of homeschooling and discipleship. It 357 00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 1: was so painful and so discouraging. What a giant. But 358 00:25:43,440 --> 00:25:46,439 Speaker 1: the one thing I refused to let go of was 359 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:51,120 Speaker 1: God's Word. Every single day, without fail I prayed scripture 360 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:55,840 Speaker 1: over her, and you know what she believes in God now, 361 00:25:55,880 --> 00:25:59,679 Speaker 1: Praise God. But I haven't stopped praying. My husband and 362 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 1: I still pray God's word over her and over all 363 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: of our kids every single day. And I want to 364 00:26:07,359 --> 00:26:13,400 Speaker 1: encourage you gather scriptures that speak directly to your situation. 365 00:26:13,600 --> 00:26:16,639 Speaker 1: Just do a Google search. Use Google for some good 366 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:20,600 Speaker 1: look scriptures up that speak to healing, or marriage, or finances, 367 00:26:20,760 --> 00:26:24,399 Speaker 1: or your vocation or your relationship. If you have a 368 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:28,200 Speaker 1: prodigal or a questioning child. I have a free list 369 00:26:28,760 --> 00:26:32,159 Speaker 1: on my website at Katherine Segers dot com that will 370 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:35,040 Speaker 1: definitely help you. That's what I've been praying four years. 371 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:40,000 Speaker 1: But whatever your giant is, find the verses that speak 372 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:44,760 Speaker 1: to it and pray those verses every day. When doubt 373 00:26:44,760 --> 00:26:49,400 Speaker 1: creeps in, pray, when discouragement hits, pray, print those verses, 374 00:26:49,520 --> 00:26:51,600 Speaker 1: write them down, put them in your notes app and 375 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 1: your documents folder on your phone. Just get them in 376 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:57,720 Speaker 1: front of your eyes and on your lips and in 377 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:02,119 Speaker 1: your spirit, in your heart, because God's word will not 378 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:08,359 Speaker 1: return void. Prayer is powerful. But here's the truth. Even 379 00:27:08,520 --> 00:27:15,200 Speaker 1: before prayer changes your situation, it will change you. We 380 00:27:15,359 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: need scripture alive and active inside of us, because if 381 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:26,280 Speaker 1: it isn't, the enemy's voice will be. And nothing silences 382 00:27:26,359 --> 00:27:33,840 Speaker 1: the enemy's voice like prayer. Alrighty, we have arrived at 383 00:27:33,880 --> 00:27:37,520 Speaker 1: our destination. Folks, we are landing this plane. There is 384 00:27:37,640 --> 00:27:41,160 Speaker 1: one last way that we will slay our giants this year. 385 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:44,719 Speaker 1: And honestly, oh my gosh, this one is oh simple. 386 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:47,879 Speaker 1: Actually they all are. But when you're facing a giant, 387 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:51,280 Speaker 1: you don't need hard, you need some simple. So this 388 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:57,360 Speaker 1: last thing that you must remember is number seven. Remember 389 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 1: that God is with you and He is for you. Look, 390 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 1: you are not facing this giant alone. We just celebrated 391 00:28:07,840 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 1: Christmas this season. We proclaim Emmanuel, which is God with us, 392 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:17,560 Speaker 1: God beside us, God stepping into our mess and not 393 00:28:17,880 --> 00:28:20,959 Speaker 1: waiting for us to climb out of it ourselves. And 394 00:28:21,080 --> 00:28:25,160 Speaker 1: I love Joshua chapter one, verse nine for this very reason. 395 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 1: Think about the moment when God spoke these words Moses 396 00:28:30,440 --> 00:28:34,919 Speaker 1: the great liberator of Israel, the man who had confronted Pharaoh, 397 00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 1: the man through whom God had parted the Red Sea, 398 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,360 Speaker 1: who called down bread from heaven, who received the law, 399 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:45,360 Speaker 1: and who lifted his hands to secure victory against the enemy, 400 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:49,800 Speaker 1: who stood in the gap when Israel deserved judgment. Yeah, 401 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:55,840 Speaker 1: that guy was gone. Israel's leader was dead. The nation 402 00:28:56,160 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 1: was grieving, and Joshuaah was now the one who was 403 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,720 Speaker 1: holding the responsibility and the rains for this nation, leading 404 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 1: a very restless people into a land full of giants 405 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:13,719 Speaker 1: and fortified cities. And right then, God says, have I 406 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:18,960 Speaker 1: not commanded you be strong and courageous, Do not be afraid, 407 00:29:19,680 --> 00:29:23,360 Speaker 1: do not be discouraged. And I want to pause there. 408 00:29:24,320 --> 00:29:28,720 Speaker 1: Why why shouldn't they be discouraged after all their giants 409 00:29:28,800 --> 00:29:33,800 Speaker 1: in the land? Right well, God tells us why. He says, 410 00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:38,959 Speaker 1: for the Lord, your God will be with you wherever 411 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:43,600 Speaker 1: you go. You see, God's presence makes all the difference. 412 00:29:44,040 --> 00:29:48,880 Speaker 1: This wasn't some motivational fluff. It was it was divine assurance. 413 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:52,400 Speaker 1: If we're seeking the Lord, if we are surrendered and 414 00:29:52,480 --> 00:29:56,240 Speaker 1: repentant and trusting and walking in his ways, then He 415 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:59,080 Speaker 1: is with us. When we face the giant. He goes 416 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 1: before us, he fights for us, and ultimately the outcome 417 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:11,040 Speaker 1: doesn't rest on our shoulders. The victory belongs to him. 418 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:14,200 Speaker 1: So yes, you may be staring down something pretty big 419 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 1: this year, but that giant is staring at something far 420 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:23,840 Speaker 1: more fearsome. He is staring at your God. And God 421 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:27,920 Speaker 1: is definitely bigger than your giant, and he is for you. 422 00:30:29,760 --> 00:30:32,720 Speaker 1: So I want to give you a very practical, very real, 423 00:30:32,880 --> 00:30:38,080 Speaker 1: and honestly some embarrassing example of how this works in 424 00:30:38,120 --> 00:30:40,080 Speaker 1: real life. And if you don't want to hear an 425 00:30:40,160 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 1: unflattering scene from my past, Phil free to skip ahead. 426 00:30:43,200 --> 00:30:45,040 Speaker 1: You know, I don't know, like five minutes or something. 427 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:49,160 Speaker 1: I won't be offended. Probably, So about twenty years ago, 428 00:30:49,520 --> 00:30:54,400 Speaker 1: we did Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and I was 429 00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:56,960 Speaker 1: all in you guys, and like so many people, I 430 00:30:57,120 --> 00:31:00,600 Speaker 1: walked away with the dream, you know, the one I'm 431 00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:04,000 Speaker 1: talking about. Maybe maybe you have a similar dream, pay 432 00:31:04,440 --> 00:31:07,360 Speaker 1: off the house. I love what Dave says. He says 433 00:31:07,400 --> 00:31:09,640 Speaker 1: that the paid off home mortgage will take the place 434 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: of the BMW as the status symbol of choice. And 435 00:31:12,440 --> 00:31:14,960 Speaker 1: that was a status symbol I wanted. I wanted my 436 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:18,960 Speaker 1: mortgage paid off. I wanted to be completely debt free, 437 00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:21,400 Speaker 1: the clouds would part, the angel would sing, and all 438 00:31:21,440 --> 00:31:24,680 Speaker 1: that stuff. You know. Anyway, So about eighteen years ago 439 00:31:25,560 --> 00:31:28,520 Speaker 1: we had a fifteen year mortgage. Do the math. We 440 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 1: should have been done like three years ago. But God 441 00:31:31,920 --> 00:31:35,520 Speaker 1: opened the door for us to move from Tennessee to Alabama. 442 00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:37,640 Speaker 1: And we had a very young, growing family and needed 443 00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:42,240 Speaker 1: some more space, and y'all, oh my gosh, God provided 444 00:31:42,360 --> 00:31:47,280 Speaker 1: so abundantly above anything I could have imagined. The cost 445 00:31:47,320 --> 00:31:50,160 Speaker 1: of living here is incredible, and I couldn't believe the 446 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:54,640 Speaker 1: house that we could afford. But here's the thing, we 447 00:31:54,800 --> 00:31:57,920 Speaker 1: couldn't really afford it at first, not the way I 448 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:01,160 Speaker 1: wanted to. But everything happens so fast. We sold our 449 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:04,680 Speaker 1: house in Tennessee like in a weekend, and we bought 450 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:07,920 Speaker 1: this one in Alabama. And I knew we'd take a 451 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:11,200 Speaker 1: hit with Alabama's state income tax. I just didn't know 452 00:32:11,240 --> 00:32:14,360 Speaker 1: how big that hit would be. And we had already 453 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:18,840 Speaker 1: moved in before we got our first full paycheck. And 454 00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 1: when it hit our account, let's just say it was 455 00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:25,760 Speaker 1: not what I was hoping to see. And I had 456 00:32:26,200 --> 00:32:31,440 Speaker 1: a full blown, knockdown drag out panic attack. Like my 457 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:34,520 Speaker 1: husband came home to find me sitting on the floor 458 00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:40,120 Speaker 1: in the corner, mumbling unintelligible things, angrily googling she browses 459 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:43,239 Speaker 1: in Alabama. I was like terrified and was angry. I 460 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:46,720 Speaker 1: was like angry at the Leonard skinnerd State for their 461 00:32:46,720 --> 00:32:49,640 Speaker 1: stupid state income tax, and was angry at our bank account. 462 00:32:49,680 --> 00:32:53,160 Speaker 1: And if I'm being honest, like really honest, I was 463 00:32:53,240 --> 00:32:56,880 Speaker 1: mostly angry at God for letting us end up here. 464 00:32:57,920 --> 00:33:02,160 Speaker 1: And now, to be fair, it wasn't like financially irresponsible, 465 00:33:02,280 --> 00:33:06,720 Speaker 1: but it was way outside of my comfort zone and 466 00:33:07,040 --> 00:33:10,680 Speaker 1: what I was really doing in that moment, in that 467 00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:16,320 Speaker 1: panic attack, I was bowing to a giant, but really 468 00:33:17,200 --> 00:33:19,440 Speaker 1: I think the giant had already drawn his sword and 469 00:33:19,480 --> 00:33:24,840 Speaker 1: I just like ran straight into it. But wisely, my 470 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:27,960 Speaker 1: husband said, look, let's just give this a couple of months, okay, 471 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:30,600 Speaker 1: and if we're still struggling, if you still feel this way, 472 00:33:30,720 --> 00:33:35,640 Speaker 1: we will reassess. And a few months passed, and you 473 00:33:35,640 --> 00:33:39,400 Speaker 1: know what, we were okay. Then a few more months 474 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:44,200 Speaker 1: passed and my husband got a very unexpected but big 475 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:49,520 Speaker 1: promotion with a big raise, and suddenly, suddenly it all 476 00:33:49,600 --> 00:33:54,880 Speaker 1: made sense. We were exactly where God wanted us to be, 477 00:33:55,840 --> 00:33:58,600 Speaker 1: and you guys, that giant fell and I should have 478 00:33:58,880 --> 00:34:06,240 Speaker 1: never listened to in the first place. Now fast forward 479 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:11,040 Speaker 1: eight years and we are moving back to Tennessee, and 480 00:34:11,160 --> 00:34:14,200 Speaker 1: I found myself lamenting the fact that this would likely 481 00:34:14,239 --> 00:34:18,839 Speaker 1: be our third fifteen year mortgage in fifteen years. Now. 482 00:34:18,880 --> 00:34:21,880 Speaker 1: Mind you, we're in our mid fifties now and in 483 00:34:21,920 --> 00:34:24,560 Speaker 1: fifteen years we're gonna be like seventies. So yeah, this 484 00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:30,400 Speaker 1: feels pretty discouraging. And then we met with our financial 485 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:34,399 Speaker 1: advisor recently, who gently explained that because of Nashville's big 486 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:39,000 Speaker 1: city housing cost, combined with the astronomical interest rates right now, 487 00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:43,239 Speaker 1: we'd likely I can't even believe this, we'd likely need 488 00:34:43,280 --> 00:34:48,080 Speaker 1: to double our monthly mortgage and take out a thirty 489 00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:54,640 Speaker 1: year loan. And suddenly, visions of an eighty five year 490 00:34:54,680 --> 00:34:58,319 Speaker 1: old Catherine finally paying off her house started dancing through 491 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:02,759 Speaker 1: my head. I started this race like twenty years ago, 492 00:35:02,840 --> 00:35:06,080 Speaker 1: and twice I've gotten within striking distance. I can see 493 00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:11,799 Speaker 1: the finish line, and now I'm fifteen years before the 494 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:14,120 Speaker 1: starting line. You know, it's kind of like that game 495 00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:17,960 Speaker 1: Shoots and Ladders. You remember that I could see the destination. 496 00:35:18,080 --> 00:35:20,359 Speaker 1: I wasn't quite there, but I could see it. And 497 00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:23,759 Speaker 1: when we moved to Alabama, we hit a spot on 498 00:35:23,800 --> 00:35:26,520 Speaker 1: the board that said, go back to Start. You know, 499 00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:32,040 Speaker 1: it's a big, menacing giant, but we beat it and 500 00:35:32,120 --> 00:35:35,760 Speaker 1: again I can see the finish line and God says, 501 00:35:36,560 --> 00:35:37,520 Speaker 1: go back to Tennessee. 502 00:35:37,640 --> 00:35:38,160 Speaker 2: So we are. 503 00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:41,080 Speaker 1: But with that move, my twenty year dream to pay 504 00:35:41,080 --> 00:35:44,879 Speaker 1: off my house had a spot on the board that says, huh, 505 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:51,040 Speaker 1: huh uh, go back to fifteen years before Start. It's 506 00:35:51,080 --> 00:35:55,040 Speaker 1: the same giant, you guys, just bigger. And maybe you 507 00:35:55,080 --> 00:35:59,200 Speaker 1: can relate with something way more serious than a financial dream. 508 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:02,680 Speaker 1: Maybe that really relationship you've been praying and believing God 509 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:06,200 Speaker 1: to heal seems worse than ever. Or maybe it's your 510 00:36:06,320 --> 00:36:10,520 Speaker 1: job situation or your health. Maybe you're doing this parenting 511 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:14,440 Speaker 1: thing on your own or virtually on your own, and 512 00:36:14,440 --> 00:36:17,480 Speaker 1: you need some help, and you long for a marriage 513 00:36:17,560 --> 00:36:22,000 Speaker 1: that is healthy and whole. And I'll be honest, when 514 00:36:22,000 --> 00:36:23,759 Speaker 1: I hit one of these spots on the board of 515 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:27,760 Speaker 1: life that sends me back to Starter, fifteen years before Start, 516 00:36:28,160 --> 00:36:32,960 Speaker 1: I'm very tempted to complain, to interrogate God, why are 517 00:36:33,000 --> 00:36:36,280 Speaker 1: you doing this? When will the answer come when while 518 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:40,520 Speaker 1: I reach the promised land. You know there is milk 519 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:44,120 Speaker 1: and honey in this new venture, in this new season 520 00:36:44,120 --> 00:36:46,160 Speaker 1: of life and this new year for all of us. 521 00:36:46,920 --> 00:36:52,799 Speaker 1: But wow, the giant is huge and loud, and I 522 00:36:52,840 --> 00:36:55,560 Speaker 1: am tempted to bow again, to let him take over 523 00:36:55,640 --> 00:36:58,280 Speaker 1: my thoughts, to think that I'm never going to finish 524 00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:04,319 Speaker 1: this race. Know what, I'm not going to bow to 525 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:12,520 Speaker 1: that giant again. Instead, I'm choosing gratitude. I'm choosing to 526 00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:15,399 Speaker 1: thank God for eight beautiful years and home I never 527 00:37:15,520 --> 00:37:19,520 Speaker 1: imagined i'd live in. I'm thanking God for the future. 528 00:37:19,560 --> 00:37:23,160 Speaker 1: He's already planned one that does not include thirty years 529 00:37:23,160 --> 00:37:26,120 Speaker 1: of debt. Thank you very much. He has a plan 530 00:37:26,640 --> 00:37:30,680 Speaker 1: for me, and he has a plan for you. He 531 00:37:30,760 --> 00:37:35,239 Speaker 1: will make a way. This giant will not win, Our 532 00:37:35,360 --> 00:37:42,200 Speaker 1: God will. So whatever you're facing, don't complain, don't fixate 533 00:37:42,280 --> 00:37:47,440 Speaker 1: on the negative. Remember God's faithfulness in your past, and 534 00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:51,239 Speaker 1: make a decision right now to trust his faithfulness in 535 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:55,600 Speaker 1: your future. Pray, pray like never before to see it 536 00:37:55,600 --> 00:37:59,120 Speaker 1: come to pass, and remember that He's with you and 537 00:37:59,160 --> 00:38:02,960 Speaker 1: He's for you. In our closing moments here, let's go 538 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:06,440 Speaker 1: back to Philippians Chapter four, Verse nineteen. When your giant 539 00:38:06,800 --> 00:38:12,160 Speaker 1: is screaming at you, yell back. But my God shall 540 00:38:12,320 --> 00:38:17,160 Speaker 1: supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory 541 00:38:17,400 --> 00:38:23,960 Speaker 1: by Christ Jesus. You know this isn't a complicated episode. 542 00:38:24,360 --> 00:38:26,560 Speaker 1: Like I said, I love the deep dives and I've 543 00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:29,760 Speaker 1: got some great ones for you coming up on CPCW. 544 00:38:30,800 --> 00:38:33,360 Speaker 1: But today is just a reminder of what we already 545 00:38:33,440 --> 00:38:36,480 Speaker 1: know and what we need to practice again. I need 546 00:38:36,520 --> 00:38:39,840 Speaker 1: to these giants, you guys. They're real and they're loud, 547 00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:44,160 Speaker 1: and they will consume our thoughts if we let them. 548 00:38:44,680 --> 00:38:44,759 Speaker 2: So. 549 00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:47,800 Speaker 1: We cannot let them so. When it comes to facing 550 00:38:47,840 --> 00:38:51,319 Speaker 1: your giants this year, here's the recap. Number one, have 551 00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:56,240 Speaker 1: a childlike faith. Refuse to be jaded. Number two, don't complain. 552 00:38:56,800 --> 00:39:01,080 Speaker 1: Number three fear not. Identify the lie behind the fear, 553 00:39:01,200 --> 00:39:05,320 Speaker 1: and uproot it. Number four, Be thankful, Shift your focus 554 00:39:05,400 --> 00:39:10,440 Speaker 1: to God's faithfulness. Number five. Help someone else with their giant. 555 00:39:10,760 --> 00:39:16,640 Speaker 1: Serve outwardly. Number six persevere in prayer, pray scriptures about 556 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:21,880 Speaker 1: your giant daily. And number seven, remember that God is 557 00:39:21,920 --> 00:39:26,200 Speaker 1: with you and he is for you. Not rocket science. 558 00:39:26,239 --> 00:39:29,440 Speaker 1: You guys, you already know these things. I already know 559 00:39:29,560 --> 00:39:31,759 Speaker 1: these things, but I need the reminder and maybe you 560 00:39:31,840 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 1: do too. One last scripture I would like to focus 561 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:38,239 Speaker 1: on as we head into this new year. I love 562 00:39:38,280 --> 00:39:41,439 Speaker 1: this one so much. It's from Isaiah chapter twenty six, 563 00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:45,760 Speaker 1: verse three. And God will keep in perfect peace those 564 00:39:45,960 --> 00:39:51,799 Speaker 1: whose minds are steadfast because they trust in Him. That 565 00:39:51,920 --> 00:39:56,440 Speaker 1: is so good, so so encouraging. So I have an 566 00:39:56,520 --> 00:39:59,080 Speaker 1: incredible lineup of guests coming this year. We're going to 567 00:39:59,080 --> 00:40:02,640 Speaker 1: talk about prayer with Jamie Hampton of Praying Christian Women. 568 00:40:03,120 --> 00:40:06,239 Speaker 1: We'll look at what scripture actually says about money, and 569 00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:09,840 Speaker 1: we're going to dive into relationships with a family, empty nesting, 570 00:40:09,960 --> 00:40:15,360 Speaker 1: preparing kids for adulthood, and navigating secular versus Christian higher education. 571 00:40:15,719 --> 00:40:20,000 Speaker 1: Oh and we're gonna talk about the dilemma with science 572 00:40:20,080 --> 00:40:22,560 Speaker 1: and our faith. There really isn't one. We'll see how 573 00:40:22,600 --> 00:40:27,160 Speaker 1: consistent that is. So many good conversations ahead, And next up, 574 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:28,680 Speaker 1: I'm going to be airing one of my all time 575 00:40:28,719 --> 00:40:33,560 Speaker 1: favorite episodes with recording artists Zach Fitzsimmons. Together, we're going 576 00:40:33,640 --> 00:40:36,960 Speaker 1: to impact the most creative and I believe the most 577 00:40:37,080 --> 00:40:40,799 Speaker 1: effective way to learn scripture this year. So make sure 578 00:40:40,840 --> 00:40:42,920 Speaker 1: you're subscribed to it. At Katherine Segars dot com. 579 00:40:42,960 --> 00:40:48,000 Speaker 3: And remember God gave you your kids for a reason. That's 580 00:40:48,040 --> 00:40:52,360 Speaker 3: because you hold the key to unlocking who God created 581 00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:56,680 Speaker 3: them to be. Happy New Year, and remember God's got 582 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:59,680 Speaker 3: you and He's bigger than your. 583 00:40:59,640 --> 00:41:07,760 Speaker 1: Giant Christian parent. 584 00:41:07,880 --> 00:41:11,400 Speaker 2: Crazy World is a production of Life Audio and Salem Media. 585 00:41:11,800 --> 00:41:13,880 Speaker 2: If you liked what you heard today, please take a 586 00:41:13,920 --> 00:41:16,920 Speaker 2: second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite 587 00:41:16,920 --> 00:41:19,919 Speaker 2: podcast app so that more listeners like you can find 588 00:41:19,960 --> 00:41:24,279 Speaker 2: the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, visit us 589 00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:33,719 Speaker 2: at lifeaudio dot com.