1 00:00:08,257 --> 00:00:09,177 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:14,537 --> 00:00:17,936 Speaker 2: Welcome to the special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, 3 00:00:18,337 --> 00:00:22,537 Speaker 2: inspired by topical themes from Sarah Young's seasonal prayer devotional, 4 00:00:22,817 --> 00:00:27,176 Speaker 2: Jesus Listens prayers for every season. Today we are featuring 5 00:00:27,257 --> 00:00:31,177 Speaker 2: guests who share stories of renewal, restoration, and the vibrant 6 00:00:31,177 --> 00:00:34,857 Speaker 2: hope that comes with starting anew just as spring wakes 7 00:00:34,857 --> 00:00:38,057 Speaker 2: the world from winter. You'll hear from previous Jesus Calling 8 00:00:38,097 --> 00:00:42,017 Speaker 2: Podcast guests about how they found strength, peace, and restoration 9 00:00:42,417 --> 00:00:46,537 Speaker 2: after periods of darkness and struggle. Our first thoughts are 10 00:00:46,577 --> 00:00:50,537 Speaker 2: from certified neurocoach, podcaster and author Alicia michel. 11 00:00:52,897 --> 00:00:56,097 Speaker 1: I love being able to take what we know about 12 00:00:56,097 --> 00:01:00,697 Speaker 1: science and neuroscience and integrate it together with biblical truth 13 00:01:01,257 --> 00:01:05,536 Speaker 1: because when we as Christians can understand the beautiful ways 14 00:01:05,617 --> 00:01:08,937 Speaker 1: that God has made our bodies and made our minds, 15 00:01:09,217 --> 00:01:11,377 Speaker 1: it really helps us get in a place where we 16 00:01:11,497 --> 00:01:15,337 Speaker 1: can choose to embrace those truths in a different way. 17 00:01:15,417 --> 00:01:17,337 Speaker 1: Let me give you an example. So a lot of 18 00:01:17,417 --> 00:01:19,697 Speaker 1: us struggle with emotions throughout a day, up and down 19 00:01:19,737 --> 00:01:23,257 Speaker 1: all the time, right, that's normal being a human. We 20 00:01:23,297 --> 00:01:25,737 Speaker 1: sometimes get in these patterns where we beat ourselves up 21 00:01:25,777 --> 00:01:28,737 Speaker 1: because we think I got angry at them again. I 22 00:01:28,817 --> 00:01:31,697 Speaker 1: know I shouldn't. I always fall on this pattern. In 23 00:01:31,737 --> 00:01:35,937 Speaker 1: the moment, we're just reacting, but afterwards we're beating ourselves 24 00:01:36,017 --> 00:01:39,377 Speaker 1: up about it. Well, in the moment, our entire body. 25 00:01:39,737 --> 00:01:43,377 Speaker 1: When we're in the middle of an emotion, the sympathetic 26 00:01:43,497 --> 00:01:46,617 Speaker 1: nervous system is turned on, which that side of our 27 00:01:46,657 --> 00:01:48,937 Speaker 1: body is. Many of us have heard of the term 28 00:01:48,977 --> 00:01:51,417 Speaker 1: fight or flight. That is the side of our body 29 00:01:51,417 --> 00:01:53,937 Speaker 1: that is in its state. So the blood is being 30 00:01:53,977 --> 00:01:56,337 Speaker 1: pumped to the extremities. We're ready to run away, We're 31 00:01:56,337 --> 00:02:01,697 Speaker 1: ready to fight versus the parasympathetic nervous system, which is 32 00:02:01,737 --> 00:02:04,257 Speaker 1: the rest and digest side of our body. This is 33 00:02:04,297 --> 00:02:07,417 Speaker 1: when our logical mind is turned back on. It's that 34 00:02:07,497 --> 00:02:09,977 Speaker 1: whole kind of centered calming. I can make a wise 35 00:02:10,017 --> 00:02:12,737 Speaker 1: decision sort of thing. So I say that to say 36 00:02:12,776 --> 00:02:16,137 Speaker 1: that when we are able to learn about our body 37 00:02:16,177 --> 00:02:19,777 Speaker 1: and recognize that instead of trying to make ourselves have 38 00:02:19,817 --> 00:02:22,937 Speaker 1: a different response, we can help our bodies get into 39 00:02:23,057 --> 00:02:27,017 Speaker 1: a parasympathetic state so that we can make a logical response. 40 00:02:27,057 --> 00:02:29,297 Speaker 1: We can walk through an emotion, which I teach a 41 00:02:29,377 --> 00:02:34,057 Speaker 1: three step method to help walk through emotions called add acknowledge, discern, 42 00:02:34,137 --> 00:02:38,017 Speaker 1: and decide, acknowledge that it makes sense why I'm feeling 43 00:02:38,017 --> 00:02:41,377 Speaker 1: this way, and look at an emotion without necessarily judging 44 00:02:41,417 --> 00:02:44,897 Speaker 1: it or saying it's bad. And then I'm able to discern, Okay, 45 00:02:45,297 --> 00:02:47,537 Speaker 1: that may be what I'm feeling, but what's true? You 46 00:02:47,577 --> 00:02:50,537 Speaker 1: know what's true and what's not true in this moment, 47 00:02:50,897 --> 00:02:53,056 Speaker 1: and then looking at both of those to then say 48 00:02:53,177 --> 00:02:55,617 Speaker 1: to that decide step Okay, God, what do you want 49 00:02:55,657 --> 00:02:57,857 Speaker 1: me to do next? How do you want me to 50 00:02:57,897 --> 00:03:01,017 Speaker 1: take what I'm feeling which is real, but keep it 51 00:03:01,057 --> 00:03:03,537 Speaker 1: in alignment with God's word? What is the next best 52 00:03:03,537 --> 00:03:06,417 Speaker 1: step you want me to take with this? And also 53 00:03:06,777 --> 00:03:09,777 Speaker 1: where do you want me to emotionally dwell as a 54 00:03:09,817 --> 00:03:12,497 Speaker 1: result of this? But I always tell them like, if 55 00:03:12,497 --> 00:03:14,457 Speaker 1: you're in the middle of an emotion, we have to 56 00:03:14,457 --> 00:03:16,017 Speaker 1: be able to get you to a place of calm 57 00:03:16,057 --> 00:03:18,056 Speaker 1: so that your logical mind can turn on to work 58 00:03:18,097 --> 00:03:22,017 Speaker 1: through this. So I think understanding both of those together 59 00:03:22,657 --> 00:03:24,577 Speaker 1: it really helps us to respond the way we want 60 00:03:24,617 --> 00:03:26,897 Speaker 1: you because our intention is to respond for the Lord. 61 00:03:26,937 --> 00:03:29,697 Speaker 1: It's to honor him with our words. What if we 62 00:03:29,777 --> 00:03:32,537 Speaker 1: could take actions to understand our body to help it 63 00:03:32,577 --> 00:03:35,577 Speaker 1: align with God's word completely in the way that he intends. 64 00:03:36,657 --> 00:03:39,057 Speaker 1: Something I want to mention about this process of managing 65 00:03:39,057 --> 00:03:41,857 Speaker 1: emotions is that it's important to connect with God not 66 00:03:42,137 --> 00:03:44,737 Speaker 1: just on a Sunday morning or when we're having these 67 00:03:44,777 --> 00:03:48,817 Speaker 1: moments of dealing with a difficult emotion. The foundational truths 68 00:03:48,857 --> 00:03:52,777 Speaker 1: of who we are in God that's established mainly through 69 00:03:52,857 --> 00:03:56,417 Speaker 1: that everyday interaction with the Lord with time and his word. 70 00:03:56,697 --> 00:03:59,417 Speaker 1: I love that devotionals like Jesus Calling give us that 71 00:03:59,657 --> 00:04:02,217 Speaker 1: language of what we could be feeling and then give 72 00:04:02,297 --> 00:04:05,337 Speaker 1: us scriptures to go through. So taking that time every 73 00:04:05,417 --> 00:04:09,057 Speaker 1: day to spend with Him and letting him fill our 74 00:04:09,177 --> 00:04:12,937 Speaker 1: minds with truth, that makes that second step of add 75 00:04:13,097 --> 00:04:15,857 Speaker 1: the discerned step, that makes it a lot easier to 76 00:04:15,897 --> 00:04:18,937 Speaker 1: hear God's spirit of the Holy Spirit, because we are 77 00:04:18,976 --> 00:04:21,937 Speaker 1: already filling our hearts with that and we're learning what 78 00:04:21,976 --> 00:04:25,097 Speaker 1: that truth is. I had a very honest relationship with 79 00:04:25,137 --> 00:04:26,896 Speaker 1: God even from the beginning, just because I came to 80 00:04:26,897 --> 00:04:29,936 Speaker 1: the Lord with a lot of questions, and I was 81 00:04:30,017 --> 00:04:32,896 Speaker 1: blessed to have a lot of other young people around 82 00:04:32,936 --> 00:04:34,897 Speaker 1: me who were willing to answer those questions and to 83 00:04:34,936 --> 00:04:38,777 Speaker 1: go there with me. But I remember encountering Jesus calling 84 00:04:39,176 --> 00:04:41,176 Speaker 1: to me. It was just like this breath of fresh 85 00:04:41,217 --> 00:04:44,777 Speaker 1: air because it was like how I thought, not glossing 86 00:04:44,816 --> 00:04:48,256 Speaker 1: over the fact that we're feeling some really hard things. 87 00:04:48,816 --> 00:04:51,216 Speaker 1: And I love how Sarah brings that out and says, 88 00:04:51,537 --> 00:04:53,777 Speaker 1: this is hard, I am in so much pain or 89 00:04:53,816 --> 00:04:57,296 Speaker 1: I'm experiencing this, but always brings it back to the 90 00:04:57,337 --> 00:05:00,976 Speaker 1: reality of who he is. Just the transparency always really 91 00:05:01,017 --> 00:05:04,217 Speaker 1: appealed to me. We're learning what that truth is. And 92 00:05:04,257 --> 00:05:07,136 Speaker 1: the other thing is is we're learning to trust God 93 00:05:07,537 --> 00:05:09,736 Speaker 1: in big and little ways every day so that when 94 00:05:09,736 --> 00:05:13,017 Speaker 1: a big emotion comes up, we've seen Lord, You've been 95 00:05:13,017 --> 00:05:15,376 Speaker 1: faithful to me as I work for these things every day, 96 00:05:15,496 --> 00:05:17,736 Speaker 1: I'm going to open this area of my life to 97 00:05:17,777 --> 00:05:19,936 Speaker 1: you that's a little more tender, and I'm going to 98 00:05:19,936 --> 00:05:22,256 Speaker 1: invite you in. So I think it's an important part 99 00:05:22,296 --> 00:05:24,777 Speaker 1: just to get the word in, but it's critical to 100 00:05:24,856 --> 00:05:28,376 Speaker 1: that next level of trust and intimacy that we need 101 00:05:28,416 --> 00:05:30,537 Speaker 1: to have in order to work through our emotions. 102 00:05:33,176 --> 00:05:36,736 Speaker 2: Next up, we'll hear from entrepreneur and author Zim Flores. 103 00:05:38,017 --> 00:05:41,256 Speaker 3: We grew up in a small town in Minnesota called Rochester. 104 00:05:41,657 --> 00:05:44,017 Speaker 3: It's where the Mayo Clinic is and so we did 105 00:05:44,056 --> 00:05:47,537 Speaker 3: a lot of kind of exploring and wandering around and 106 00:05:47,577 --> 00:05:50,856 Speaker 3: hanging out with our motley crew of church friends. So 107 00:05:50,936 --> 00:05:53,897 Speaker 3: I grew up going to church multiple times a week. 108 00:05:54,376 --> 00:05:57,897 Speaker 3: All of my friends were from church. I have very 109 00:05:57,936 --> 00:06:01,537 Speaker 3: fond memories of being at the home of our pastors, 110 00:06:02,176 --> 00:06:06,337 Speaker 3: and it was something that was important to me. As 111 00:06:06,376 --> 00:06:09,976 Speaker 3: a nurse, my brother and I had to spend a 112 00:06:10,017 --> 00:06:12,936 Speaker 3: lot of our time after school and getting ready in 113 00:06:12,976 --> 00:06:16,416 Speaker 3: the morning by ourselves because my mom would work twelve 114 00:06:16,457 --> 00:06:20,537 Speaker 3: hour shifts. So we grew up to be quite independent. 115 00:06:21,176 --> 00:06:25,377 Speaker 3: I was a pretty big thinker. I went off to college. 116 00:06:25,457 --> 00:06:27,856 Speaker 3: I ended up cloning a gene when I was nineteen 117 00:06:27,936 --> 00:06:31,976 Speaker 3: years old, and I toured around the country talking about 118 00:06:32,017 --> 00:06:35,257 Speaker 3: my research. With my best friend, we started an anti 119 00:06:35,337 --> 00:06:38,616 Speaker 3: tobacco organization. We were the youngest in the country and 120 00:06:38,657 --> 00:06:42,936 Speaker 3: we traveled around to talk to young people about the 121 00:06:42,976 --> 00:06:47,097 Speaker 3: ills of tobacco and about the ills of smoking. In 122 00:06:47,137 --> 00:06:50,777 Speaker 3: addition to that, I worked to open up an international 123 00:06:50,777 --> 00:06:53,697 Speaker 3: civil rights museum, so I started an organization to do that, 124 00:06:53,856 --> 00:06:57,697 Speaker 3: And so I spent a lot of time with communities 125 00:06:57,777 --> 00:07:00,537 Speaker 3: and working in communities and listening to their stories and 126 00:07:00,897 --> 00:07:05,056 Speaker 3: One of the things that was really, I guess impactful 127 00:07:05,097 --> 00:07:06,976 Speaker 3: now that I think about it growing up is that 128 00:07:07,056 --> 00:07:09,896 Speaker 3: I was able to move in between different circles. So 129 00:07:09,937 --> 00:07:12,657 Speaker 3: I started in Minnesota in a community that didn't look 130 00:07:12,697 --> 00:07:15,097 Speaker 3: like me, that I moved into a new community that 131 00:07:15,217 --> 00:07:17,737 Speaker 3: looked like me, but I still felt like I was 132 00:07:17,777 --> 00:07:20,257 Speaker 3: an outsider to then going to high school and then 133 00:07:20,297 --> 00:07:22,417 Speaker 3: going to this middle school that was an art school. 134 00:07:22,457 --> 00:07:25,217 Speaker 3: And so I had all of these experiences where I 135 00:07:25,297 --> 00:07:27,497 Speaker 3: was like an insider at some points and an outsider 136 00:07:27,497 --> 00:07:30,937 Speaker 3: at other points, and that allowed me to be able 137 00:07:30,977 --> 00:07:34,057 Speaker 3: to move in and out of different circles as I 138 00:07:34,217 --> 00:07:37,696 Speaker 3: kind of grew up and grew older. And so there 139 00:07:37,816 --> 00:07:41,697 Speaker 3: is a period of my life where I wasn't always 140 00:07:41,737 --> 00:07:44,537 Speaker 3: in church. I was there, but I wasn't there right. 141 00:07:44,577 --> 00:07:47,617 Speaker 3: It was like the equivalent of being the lukewarm Christian, 142 00:07:47,657 --> 00:07:50,537 Speaker 3: if you will. But I always tried as much as 143 00:07:50,577 --> 00:07:54,857 Speaker 3: I could to stay in church. So right after I 144 00:07:54,937 --> 00:07:58,377 Speaker 3: graduated college, I sold everything that I owned and I 145 00:07:58,417 --> 00:08:02,217 Speaker 3: moved to India and I was there working in Bangalore. 146 00:08:02,337 --> 00:08:03,256 Speaker 4: I learned Hindi. 147 00:08:03,577 --> 00:08:06,417 Speaker 3: To this day, I can still read and write, and 148 00:08:06,417 --> 00:08:11,417 Speaker 3: and I didn't have a church there because one, it's 149 00:08:11,537 --> 00:08:16,137 Speaker 3: pretty tough to find a church in India. They're predominantly Hindu, 150 00:08:16,257 --> 00:08:20,657 Speaker 3: they're Muslims. There are pockets of Christianity in certain places, 151 00:08:20,657 --> 00:08:24,217 Speaker 3: but it was generally pretty hard to find a place 152 00:08:24,297 --> 00:08:27,336 Speaker 3: that really resonated with me. So I started watching church 153 00:08:27,377 --> 00:08:30,777 Speaker 3: online with the church that I had gone to in college, 154 00:08:31,137 --> 00:08:34,697 Speaker 3: and I started journaling. I started spending time with God alone, 155 00:08:35,337 --> 00:08:38,097 Speaker 3: and I think it was there that, outside of the 156 00:08:38,097 --> 00:08:41,737 Speaker 3: confines and outside of the structure of church, I started 157 00:08:41,777 --> 00:08:45,377 Speaker 3: to really cultivate a personal relationship with God, which I 158 00:08:45,377 --> 00:08:49,417 Speaker 3: think is important for everybody to do. And in doing that, 159 00:08:50,257 --> 00:08:55,457 Speaker 3: I realized as I left India, as I moved to 160 00:08:56,337 --> 00:08:58,497 Speaker 3: all the places that I moved to after I left, 161 00:08:58,497 --> 00:09:02,377 Speaker 3: and then finally landing in Chicago, it almost seemed rare 162 00:09:03,217 --> 00:09:07,977 Speaker 3: for somebody who had this success to be very outspoken 163 00:09:08,737 --> 00:09:12,657 Speaker 3: about her relationship with God, or at least it felt 164 00:09:12,657 --> 00:09:16,897 Speaker 3: that way. When we think about the transforming nature of 165 00:09:17,057 --> 00:09:21,817 Speaker 3: God and who he is, he really does change every 166 00:09:21,857 --> 00:09:25,137 Speaker 3: part of our lives. And if He does change every 167 00:09:25,177 --> 00:09:28,537 Speaker 3: part of our lives, then when we talk about any 168 00:09:28,577 --> 00:09:31,057 Speaker 3: part of our lives, he should naturally be a part 169 00:09:31,097 --> 00:09:35,217 Speaker 3: of it. So I don't necessarily think that I don't know, like, 170 00:09:35,257 --> 00:09:37,017 Speaker 3: I don't think that it should be something that is 171 00:09:37,057 --> 00:09:40,857 Speaker 3: like a rarity for women and men of God to 172 00:09:41,137 --> 00:09:46,457 Speaker 3: talk about God in a way that inspires people to 173 00:09:46,497 --> 00:09:49,657 Speaker 3: think a little bit differently about God in their own lives, right, Like, 174 00:09:49,777 --> 00:09:52,257 Speaker 3: is He something that you just talk about on Sundays 175 00:09:52,657 --> 00:09:57,017 Speaker 3: or Wednesdays or is He something that really truly permeates 176 00:09:57,017 --> 00:10:00,977 Speaker 3: through every aspect of your life where it is undeniable 177 00:10:01,857 --> 00:10:07,777 Speaker 3: that whatever happened to you today God. So I would 178 00:10:07,817 --> 00:10:11,136 Speaker 3: say that my time in India, being away from everything 179 00:10:11,177 --> 00:10:13,857 Speaker 3: that I knew, everybody that I knew, speaking a different 180 00:10:13,937 --> 00:10:19,656 Speaker 3: language completely, that was where my faith in God was strengthened. 181 00:10:22,537 --> 00:10:26,257 Speaker 2: Next up, we'll hear from Major League Baseball player Dansby Swanson. 182 00:10:27,057 --> 00:10:29,017 Speaker 5: ILL think this day and age, I mean, we've never 183 00:10:29,057 --> 00:10:32,817 Speaker 5: been more connected but disassociated from one another. We're connected 184 00:10:33,497 --> 00:10:37,377 Speaker 5: through technology, but we're not connected in person, and there's 185 00:10:37,417 --> 00:10:41,537 Speaker 5: such an energy that we get from people. And I 186 00:10:41,537 --> 00:10:44,057 Speaker 5: think that that's why God created us to live in 187 00:10:44,097 --> 00:10:47,417 Speaker 5: community with one another, because there is such a level 188 00:10:47,497 --> 00:10:50,497 Speaker 5: of His love and connection that comes with that. I 189 00:10:50,577 --> 00:10:54,377 Speaker 5: do a lot of therapy and very grateful that our 190 00:10:54,457 --> 00:10:57,977 Speaker 5: therapist everything he does is based around you know, scripture, 191 00:10:57,977 --> 00:11:00,617 Speaker 5: and it's based on Jesus being the sinner and the focus. 192 00:11:00,657 --> 00:11:02,817 Speaker 5: So we do a lot of work just to kind 193 00:11:02,817 --> 00:11:07,017 Speaker 5: of continue to stay centered on what matters, and that 194 00:11:07,097 --> 00:11:09,697 Speaker 5: to me is probably the most important thing. God does 195 00:11:09,737 --> 00:11:11,697 Speaker 5: a lot of things through people for me. Then I'm 196 00:11:11,737 --> 00:11:14,977 Speaker 5: just so grateful that I'm able to see those and 197 00:11:15,097 --> 00:11:18,017 Speaker 5: keep that perspective to just trust in his plan and 198 00:11:18,097 --> 00:11:20,337 Speaker 5: just be able to realize what He's done for me 199 00:11:20,377 --> 00:11:23,737 Speaker 5: along the way. Our identity is supposed to be taken 200 00:11:24,257 --> 00:11:27,617 Speaker 5: into what we do, as opposed to taking our identity 201 00:11:27,697 --> 00:11:29,937 Speaker 5: from what we do, and I think the only way 202 00:11:29,937 --> 00:11:33,857 Speaker 5: to really discover who we are is to ask God. 203 00:11:33,897 --> 00:11:37,017 Speaker 5: It's to spend that quiet time, it's to spend time 204 00:11:37,057 --> 00:11:40,417 Speaker 5: in Scripture to like start to understand who we are. 205 00:11:41,057 --> 00:11:43,697 Speaker 5: And that way, when we're secure in knowing that we 206 00:11:43,777 --> 00:11:48,737 Speaker 5: can take that into whatever room we walk into, our 207 00:11:48,777 --> 00:11:53,697 Speaker 5: identity is secure in Christ and what he did for us. 208 00:11:53,777 --> 00:11:57,257 Speaker 5: And no matter how great we are, we're still never 209 00:11:57,337 --> 00:12:00,337 Speaker 5: going to be perfect. Jesus is the one that lived 210 00:12:00,337 --> 00:12:03,977 Speaker 5: a perfect life so that he could sacrifice himself for 211 00:12:04,137 --> 00:12:09,377 Speaker 5: our shortcomings. Prayers a great way to stay present, and 212 00:12:09,457 --> 00:12:11,937 Speaker 5: when we're present and we're in the moment, that's when 213 00:12:11,937 --> 00:12:14,897 Speaker 5: we really feel God's peace and grace. And the more 214 00:12:14,897 --> 00:12:17,617 Speaker 5: that we stay and understand where our feet are, then 215 00:12:17,617 --> 00:12:20,777 Speaker 5: the better off will be spending that time. Whether it's 216 00:12:20,777 --> 00:12:22,497 Speaker 5: in the morning or at night, you know, whether it's 217 00:12:22,497 --> 00:12:26,017 Speaker 5: a daily devotional like Jesus Calling, or you know some 218 00:12:26,137 --> 00:12:28,417 Speaker 5: type of scripture that you're following, or any type of 219 00:12:28,417 --> 00:12:32,337 Speaker 5: little devotional. It's just a way to constantly recenter yourself 220 00:12:32,537 --> 00:12:39,537 Speaker 5: into the right things. Jesus listens. May twenty third, My 221 00:12:39,657 --> 00:12:43,857 Speaker 5: strong Shepherd, I come to you with all my weaknesses, spiritual, 222 00:12:44,097 --> 00:12:47,417 Speaker 5: emotional and physical. As I rest in the comfort of 223 00:12:47,457 --> 00:12:50,177 Speaker 5: your presence, I remember that nothing is impossible with you, 224 00:12:50,617 --> 00:12:53,777 Speaker 5: and I rejoice in you. Whenever anxiety attempts to wedge 225 00:12:53,817 --> 00:12:56,337 Speaker 5: its way into my thoughts, please remind me that you 226 00:12:56,377 --> 00:12:58,937 Speaker 5: are my shepherd. Since you are taking care of me, 227 00:12:59,097 --> 00:13:01,737 Speaker 5: I don't need to be afraid of anything. Rather than 228 00:13:01,777 --> 00:13:04,497 Speaker 5: trying to maintain control over my life, I want to 229 00:13:04,537 --> 00:13:05,657 Speaker 5: abandon myself to you. 230 00:13:05,377 --> 00:13:05,657 Speaker 6: You. 231 00:13:06,417 --> 00:13:09,257 Speaker 5: Even though this feels scary and precarious, I know that 232 00:13:09,297 --> 00:13:11,857 Speaker 5: the most secure place to be is right beside you 233 00:13:12,337 --> 00:13:14,297 Speaker 5: and your comforting name. Jesus Amen. 234 00:13:16,497 --> 00:13:20,257 Speaker 2: Next up, we'll hear from author and life coach Chris Jansen. 235 00:13:22,377 --> 00:13:27,177 Speaker 6: I realized alcohol was a problem immediately after I tried 236 00:13:27,177 --> 00:13:29,217 Speaker 6: it for the first time. I was a freshman in 237 00:13:29,297 --> 00:13:33,817 Speaker 6: high school and we were at a gathering on the 238 00:13:33,857 --> 00:13:37,137 Speaker 6: side of the road with upperclassmen and I tried beer. 239 00:13:37,457 --> 00:13:43,097 Speaker 6: And I was a very perfectionistic child. I was a 240 00:13:43,177 --> 00:13:47,417 Speaker 6: rigid thinker. I lived in my head. So when I 241 00:13:47,457 --> 00:13:51,537 Speaker 6: had a sip of alcohol, it was very magical. It 242 00:13:51,617 --> 00:13:54,257 Speaker 6: was like it just took all of that being in 243 00:13:54,337 --> 00:13:58,777 Speaker 6: my head, being so focused on things that really weren't 244 00:13:58,857 --> 00:14:02,057 Speaker 6: serving me, and it just relaxed me. It made me 245 00:14:02,097 --> 00:14:06,537 Speaker 6: feel okay. It changed my state and made me feel calm. 246 00:14:06,977 --> 00:14:12,657 Speaker 6: And that's great, but it's not sustainable. And so after 247 00:14:12,817 --> 00:14:17,097 Speaker 6: I tried alcohol for the first time, I kept drinking 248 00:14:17,217 --> 00:14:20,537 Speaker 6: socially with friends. I knew it wasn't good for me. 249 00:14:20,937 --> 00:14:24,657 Speaker 6: I hated the way I felt. The next day, I 250 00:14:24,737 --> 00:14:28,017 Speaker 6: heaped a ton of shame and guilt on myself for it. 251 00:14:28,857 --> 00:14:31,857 Speaker 6: I had tried probably for twenty four years, from the 252 00:14:31,897 --> 00:14:34,097 Speaker 6: time I first tried it as a freshman in high 253 00:14:34,097 --> 00:14:36,697 Speaker 6: school until I was thirty seven years old. I'd tried 254 00:14:36,737 --> 00:14:41,417 Speaker 6: to become a non drinker on my own. When I 255 00:14:41,577 --> 00:14:45,457 Speaker 6: was thirty seven, I just knew it had grown to 256 00:14:45,497 --> 00:14:48,337 Speaker 6: where I knew it was a problem. It did not 257 00:14:48,537 --> 00:14:51,097 Speaker 6: look like I had a problem. I had three babies, 258 00:14:51,137 --> 00:14:54,057 Speaker 6: I was an athlete. I was really good at these 259 00:14:54,097 --> 00:14:57,497 Speaker 6: other things in life. So nobody was telling me. And 260 00:14:57,537 --> 00:15:01,217 Speaker 6: I asked my pastor, a doctor, a therapist, my husband, 261 00:15:01,297 --> 00:15:03,697 Speaker 6: my good friends, do you think I have a problem, 262 00:15:03,737 --> 00:15:07,297 Speaker 6: because I was pretty sure I did, And everybody's answer 263 00:15:07,457 --> 00:15:09,937 Speaker 6: was like, oh, honey, no, you don't need recovery. You 264 00:15:09,977 --> 00:15:13,857 Speaker 6: don't need that, you don't have a problem. And that 265 00:15:14,257 --> 00:15:16,657 Speaker 6: was the problem that I knew in my gut. It 266 00:15:16,737 --> 00:15:19,537 Speaker 6: was going to kill me. I was that housewife at 267 00:15:19,537 --> 00:15:22,057 Speaker 6: home drinking too much while I was doing the dishes 268 00:15:22,177 --> 00:15:27,857 Speaker 6: or cleaning up, and I knew I couldn't do it. 269 00:15:27,977 --> 00:15:32,657 Speaker 6: I also didn't know what to do about it. I 270 00:15:32,697 --> 00:15:36,937 Speaker 6: felt God leading me to look up online what to 271 00:15:37,017 --> 00:15:40,057 Speaker 6: do for help one night, and I went to a 272 00:15:40,097 --> 00:15:43,777 Speaker 6: women's meeting the next day, and that's when my recovery 273 00:15:43,857 --> 00:15:46,777 Speaker 6: started and everything changed for me because in that meeting, 274 00:15:47,497 --> 00:15:49,337 Speaker 6: a woman in the group who knew it was my 275 00:15:49,457 --> 00:15:53,657 Speaker 6: first time, she said to me it's not your fault. 276 00:15:54,777 --> 00:15:59,737 Speaker 6: It's like an allergy. She said, you're an alcoholic, it's 277 00:15:59,817 --> 00:16:02,257 Speaker 6: like an allergy, and you never have to have another 278 00:16:02,377 --> 00:16:06,777 Speaker 6: drink again. And in that moment, all the shame and 279 00:16:06,817 --> 00:16:09,937 Speaker 6: guilt flew off my shoulders in that moment, and my 280 00:16:10,097 --> 00:16:16,217 Speaker 6: belief changed from I'm a monster to I'm deserving of 281 00:16:16,257 --> 00:16:21,377 Speaker 6: recovery and community and sobriety because I'm addicted to alcohol. 282 00:16:22,017 --> 00:16:24,977 Speaker 6: And then that started a journey of recovery that changed 283 00:16:25,017 --> 00:16:30,217 Speaker 6: my whole life. Just shy of fourteen years and I 284 00:16:30,297 --> 00:16:34,337 Speaker 6: never took another sip of alcohol again. I worked a 285 00:16:34,377 --> 00:16:38,017 Speaker 6: program of recovery, and I had friends in recovery, and 286 00:16:38,057 --> 00:16:42,977 Speaker 6: I stayed close to my sober community. And when it 287 00:16:43,057 --> 00:16:47,497 Speaker 6: was twenty twenty, we were in quarantine where the pandemic 288 00:16:47,537 --> 00:16:50,897 Speaker 6: had hit. I'd always lived in the same state my 289 00:16:50,937 --> 00:16:54,897 Speaker 6: whole life, California, we decided to move to Colorado. We 290 00:16:54,897 --> 00:16:58,777 Speaker 6: were brand new empty nesters. I went and tried to 291 00:16:58,857 --> 00:17:04,097 Speaker 6: get plugged into a recovery community in my new town. 292 00:17:04,617 --> 00:17:10,537 Speaker 6: I couldn't find went right away, And so after thirteen 293 00:17:10,617 --> 00:17:15,457 Speaker 6: and a half years, I started to take that for granted, 294 00:17:15,657 --> 00:17:19,817 Speaker 6: and take it for granted that my recovery program, and 295 00:17:19,937 --> 00:17:25,537 Speaker 6: sobriety was magical. Like a person who takes a vitamin 296 00:17:25,657 --> 00:17:27,976 Speaker 6: to feel better, and they feel better and then they 297 00:17:27,977 --> 00:17:30,537 Speaker 6: think they don't need the vitamin anymore. That was me. 298 00:17:32,017 --> 00:17:35,456 Speaker 6: So I did invite alcohol back into my life. I 299 00:17:35,497 --> 00:17:39,497 Speaker 6: think that's important to note because from that story you 300 00:17:39,497 --> 00:17:42,377 Speaker 6: can see it wasn't like a low note. I went 301 00:17:42,417 --> 00:17:45,417 Speaker 6: out on a high note. I wasn't depressed, no big 302 00:17:45,657 --> 00:17:50,337 Speaker 6: traumatic thing had happened. And then I drank. Life was 303 00:17:50,377 --> 00:17:52,937 Speaker 6: better than it had ever been, and I just thought 304 00:17:52,977 --> 00:17:56,617 Speaker 6: I could have it all. So it just got worse, 305 00:17:56,817 --> 00:17:59,497 Speaker 6: and then I really did have an ugly bottom where 306 00:18:00,177 --> 00:18:06,377 Speaker 6: there were some bad episodes. And the last time I drink, 307 00:18:06,497 --> 00:18:11,697 Speaker 6: I am very lucky I didn't die. And so I 308 00:18:11,697 --> 00:18:15,777 Speaker 6: immediately the day after that went back to the recovery 309 00:18:15,857 --> 00:18:19,936 Speaker 6: community and with fresh eyes right, it was definitely the 310 00:18:19,977 --> 00:18:23,537 Speaker 6: place for me. I felt like that was family. I 311 00:18:23,617 --> 00:18:28,777 Speaker 6: was home, and people in recovery they are not full 312 00:18:28,817 --> 00:18:34,657 Speaker 6: of shame. That's a beautiful thing to me. Physical wellness 313 00:18:34,977 --> 00:18:38,696 Speaker 6: leads to emotional wellness for me. So I run or 314 00:18:39,177 --> 00:18:42,696 Speaker 6: work out, or walk or hike. I stay connected to 315 00:18:42,737 --> 00:18:46,537 Speaker 6: both my recovery community and my church community and my girlfriends, 316 00:18:46,537 --> 00:18:51,057 Speaker 6: my friends, and prayer. Every day. My quiet time is 317 00:18:51,097 --> 00:18:56,537 Speaker 6: really important for me. That quiet time and then also 318 00:18:56,577 --> 00:19:00,857 Speaker 6: the listening time. So my routine is all pray and 319 00:19:00,937 --> 00:19:03,897 Speaker 6: then I'll go on a run and during the run, 320 00:19:04,137 --> 00:19:07,177 Speaker 6: I just let my mind listen. I keep little voice 321 00:19:07,217 --> 00:19:09,696 Speaker 6: memos on my phone and when I hear things that 322 00:19:09,777 --> 00:19:12,017 Speaker 6: I know are from the spirit, I put them in 323 00:19:12,057 --> 00:19:16,216 Speaker 6: there and write them down. Jesus callings beautiful piece of work. 324 00:19:16,697 --> 00:19:20,777 Speaker 6: It helps us readers to get our prayer life jump started. 325 00:19:20,817 --> 00:19:26,817 Speaker 6: Really for the day. God says we have grace. He 326 00:19:26,897 --> 00:19:31,736 Speaker 6: says we're valuable and we're worthy. And I know for me, 327 00:19:31,897 --> 00:19:35,256 Speaker 6: as a young person, I tried to control that. I 328 00:19:35,297 --> 00:19:39,857 Speaker 6: didn't understand God's grace because I thought, I'll tell you 329 00:19:39,937 --> 00:19:42,537 Speaker 6: if I'm what I deserve and what I don't deserve. 330 00:19:42,657 --> 00:19:45,417 Speaker 6: I'll tell you if I'm worthy or not right. I 331 00:19:45,457 --> 00:19:48,977 Speaker 6: felt like everything I did I had to earn it, 332 00:19:49,537 --> 00:19:52,777 Speaker 6: and that's the opposite of grace. And so when we 333 00:19:52,897 --> 00:20:00,417 Speaker 6: live in that mindset of control, we're unable to accept 334 00:20:00,457 --> 00:20:04,577 Speaker 6: grace and we're taking control of our own worthiness and 335 00:20:04,617 --> 00:20:08,897 Speaker 6: we don't get to do We just don't. God has 336 00:20:09,017 --> 00:20:11,857 Speaker 6: said we're worthy and valuable no matter what. 337 00:20:15,417 --> 00:20:18,857 Speaker 2: Next up we'll hear Sonya Curry, author and mother of 338 00:20:19,017 --> 00:20:20,657 Speaker 2: NBA star Steph Curry. 339 00:20:21,617 --> 00:20:26,297 Speaker 7: I have three children. There's Seth, Stephan and Sadel. Stephan 340 00:20:27,137 --> 00:20:31,617 Speaker 7: is an NBA player that everyone's very familiar with. Seth 341 00:20:31,737 --> 00:20:35,137 Speaker 7: is an NBA player now with the Brooklyn Nets, and 342 00:20:35,177 --> 00:20:39,577 Speaker 7: Stephan is with the Warriors. And actually Sadel is married 343 00:20:39,617 --> 00:20:42,177 Speaker 7: to Damian Lee, who also plays with the Warriors, so 344 00:20:42,257 --> 00:20:44,177 Speaker 7: it gets to be teammates. 345 00:20:43,617 --> 00:20:44,977 Speaker 4: With his brother in law. 346 00:20:45,497 --> 00:20:50,897 Speaker 7: And Sadel is an instagrammer influencer with more of an emphasis. 347 00:20:51,057 --> 00:20:57,537 Speaker 7: Her platform is more focused on mental health, raising my children. Really, 348 00:20:57,577 --> 00:21:00,456 Speaker 7: there was a time in my life where I was 349 00:21:00,497 --> 00:21:03,817 Speaker 7: in the world. I mean I was in clubs, I 350 00:21:04,137 --> 00:21:09,577 Speaker 7: was doing those things, and it was impacting my marriage, 351 00:21:09,617 --> 00:21:11,137 Speaker 7: it was impacting. 352 00:21:11,097 --> 00:21:12,617 Speaker 4: Just my focus on my home. 353 00:21:12,857 --> 00:21:18,617 Speaker 7: I was searching for life, life that had substance because 354 00:21:18,777 --> 00:21:20,976 Speaker 7: lots of things were going on around me. I mean 355 00:21:21,097 --> 00:21:24,537 Speaker 7: I would the games were going on. I wanted for nothing. 356 00:21:24,657 --> 00:21:28,177 Speaker 7: We had a great life, you know, through Dell's profession 357 00:21:28,297 --> 00:21:31,337 Speaker 7: with the NBA and his occupation. So I wanted for 358 00:21:31,497 --> 00:21:37,216 Speaker 7: nothing materialistically. I just wasn't fulfilled in Sonia, and so 359 00:21:37,377 --> 00:21:38,697 Speaker 7: I was searching for some. 360 00:21:38,737 --> 00:21:40,897 Speaker 4: Of that fulfillment in the world. 361 00:21:43,577 --> 00:21:46,417 Speaker 7: And I remember one day going to church and the 362 00:21:46,457 --> 00:21:49,937 Speaker 7: pastor delivered a sermon and then he said, if you're 363 00:21:50,057 --> 00:21:53,497 Speaker 7: tired of doing the same thing over and over again 364 00:21:54,377 --> 00:21:59,177 Speaker 7: and you want something new, the altars open, Jesus is 365 00:21:59,217 --> 00:22:00,817 Speaker 7: waiting for you. And you know, it's one of those 366 00:22:00,897 --> 00:22:03,497 Speaker 7: church experiences where you're like, he's staring right at me 367 00:22:03,657 --> 00:22:07,017 Speaker 7: even though he wasn't, and is like, how did he know? 368 00:22:07,257 --> 00:22:10,057 Speaker 7: And did somebody call him and tell him Sonia's coming? 369 00:22:10,137 --> 00:22:12,017 Speaker 4: And she you know, this is what you need to do. 370 00:22:12,497 --> 00:22:15,377 Speaker 7: Basically, Jesus was calling and telling him. 371 00:22:15,137 --> 00:22:18,097 Speaker 4: She needs to be at the altar. So I got up, 372 00:22:18,177 --> 00:22:21,496 Speaker 4: walked to the front and that was the moment. 373 00:22:21,657 --> 00:22:23,817 Speaker 7: That was the moment where it was like, God, I 374 00:22:23,897 --> 00:22:26,337 Speaker 7: really want a personal relationship with you. I don't know 375 00:22:26,377 --> 00:22:29,337 Speaker 7: what that looks like. I've heard what it should be, 376 00:22:29,937 --> 00:22:34,417 Speaker 7: but I'm just gonna surrender to you and get up 377 00:22:34,577 --> 00:22:37,417 Speaker 7: and walk and see what happens. But the other stuff 378 00:22:37,497 --> 00:22:39,897 Speaker 7: wasn't working, so we got to do something different. So 379 00:22:39,977 --> 00:22:44,657 Speaker 7: it was just really as simple as that I had 380 00:22:44,777 --> 00:22:48,897 Speaker 7: my school, which God had laid heavily on my heart, 381 00:22:48,977 --> 00:22:51,097 Speaker 7: that he needed to be a part of that. So 382 00:22:51,177 --> 00:22:54,977 Speaker 7: I added the spiritual development into the curriculum out of 383 00:22:55,097 --> 00:22:58,857 Speaker 7: school and changed the name and became a Christian Montessori school, 384 00:22:59,137 --> 00:23:03,216 Speaker 7: teaching the Bible and leading by biblical principles. And so 385 00:23:03,377 --> 00:23:07,297 Speaker 7: that all happened all at the same time when I 386 00:23:07,337 --> 00:23:10,976 Speaker 7: went from just being religious and going to church to 387 00:23:11,097 --> 00:23:15,417 Speaker 7: really having a personal relationship with God, and it just 388 00:23:16,577 --> 00:23:17,777 Speaker 7: saved my family. 389 00:23:17,897 --> 00:23:21,857 Speaker 4: It saved me and got me more focused. 390 00:23:21,377 --> 00:23:25,137 Speaker 7: On living out the potential that God had placed in 391 00:23:25,177 --> 00:23:28,297 Speaker 7: me to get to the purpose that He had for 392 00:23:28,417 --> 00:23:31,817 Speaker 7: my life. And if it had not been again for 393 00:23:32,617 --> 00:23:36,457 Speaker 7: Central Church of God, my church home community, several of 394 00:23:36,497 --> 00:23:40,777 Speaker 7: my close friends who were believers, who were my accountability 395 00:23:40,937 --> 00:23:45,097 Speaker 7: partners to just speak in to me constantly and pray 396 00:23:45,137 --> 00:23:48,737 Speaker 7: with me constantly, I know I would not be sitting 397 00:23:48,777 --> 00:23:52,097 Speaker 7: here doing what I'm doing right now. I guess I 398 00:23:52,257 --> 00:23:56,537 Speaker 7: just came to a personal relationship with God, and God 399 00:23:56,617 --> 00:24:02,897 Speaker 7: saved and started this journey. The impact that it began 400 00:24:02,977 --> 00:24:07,177 Speaker 7: to have at home, not only only was I speaking it, 401 00:24:07,457 --> 00:24:08,496 Speaker 7: but I was living it. 402 00:24:08,577 --> 00:24:10,216 Speaker 4: I was walking the talk. 403 00:24:10,457 --> 00:24:14,217 Speaker 7: And so yes, I was already raising my children taking 404 00:24:14,257 --> 00:24:16,857 Speaker 7: them to church, because that's how I was raised, but 405 00:24:16,977 --> 00:24:19,696 Speaker 7: then they started seeing the transformation in me. 406 00:24:20,377 --> 00:24:22,457 Speaker 4: They started seeing me praying more. 407 00:24:22,617 --> 00:24:27,457 Speaker 7: We started doing morning devotions before school every morning during 408 00:24:27,457 --> 00:24:28,137 Speaker 7: the school. 409 00:24:27,937 --> 00:24:29,976 Speaker 4: Year to get up at six point thirty. 410 00:24:30,377 --> 00:24:33,537 Speaker 7: We'd read through a chapter of the Bible and just 411 00:24:33,617 --> 00:24:37,177 Speaker 7: read it. I wanted to train them in how to 412 00:24:37,177 --> 00:24:40,657 Speaker 7: put God first. You can fit God into your schedule, 413 00:24:40,737 --> 00:24:43,097 Speaker 7: is what I wanted them to see. And then the 414 00:24:43,137 --> 00:24:45,897 Speaker 7: other thing was to you know, I didn't drink for 415 00:24:46,697 --> 00:24:51,257 Speaker 7: about twelve years. I just stopped drinking alcohol. And they 416 00:24:51,257 --> 00:24:54,017 Speaker 7: didn't see me doing that. They didn't see me going 417 00:24:54,057 --> 00:24:56,617 Speaker 7: out and saying, Okay, tonight, I'm going out with my 418 00:24:56,977 --> 00:25:01,297 Speaker 7: girlfriends and to clubs and things like that. So they 419 00:25:01,457 --> 00:25:08,577 Speaker 7: began to see the spirits transform in me in action 420 00:25:09,057 --> 00:25:13,456 Speaker 7: versus just words, and so instead of do as I say, 421 00:25:14,097 --> 00:25:15,137 Speaker 7: they got to just see it. 422 00:25:15,177 --> 00:25:16,456 Speaker 4: And then I didn't have to say it. 423 00:25:16,497 --> 00:25:18,857 Speaker 7: I didn't really have to say it much because they 424 00:25:18,937 --> 00:25:20,057 Speaker 7: just started seeing it. 425 00:25:20,137 --> 00:25:21,617 Speaker 4: And then they saw the. 426 00:25:21,697 --> 00:25:24,897 Speaker 7: Joy that I had in me and the focus that 427 00:25:24,977 --> 00:25:32,617 Speaker 7: I had in being content where I was. I try 428 00:25:32,657 --> 00:25:35,857 Speaker 7: to bring Jesus into their homes, which is peace. 429 00:25:36,017 --> 00:25:36,257 Speaker 4: To me. 430 00:25:36,457 --> 00:25:39,177 Speaker 7: Jesus is just peace, and I try to always be 431 00:25:39,297 --> 00:25:43,577 Speaker 7: peaceful in their spaces and share scripture with them when 432 00:25:43,657 --> 00:25:46,936 Speaker 7: I can, because it's me and I don't know any 433 00:25:46,977 --> 00:25:49,936 Speaker 7: other way to do it, and I love it. So 434 00:25:50,457 --> 00:25:52,177 Speaker 7: I love them and I love God, and I just 435 00:25:52,217 --> 00:25:54,777 Speaker 7: try to find ways to bring it. 436 00:25:54,817 --> 00:25:56,617 Speaker 4: I don't know, I'm geting emotional about that, to just 437 00:25:56,657 --> 00:25:57,857 Speaker 4: bring them both together. 438 00:25:59,457 --> 00:26:01,777 Speaker 7: There's no rule book for how to be a parent, 439 00:26:02,697 --> 00:26:06,097 Speaker 7: and sometimes we don't have the best examples from our parents, 440 00:26:06,177 --> 00:26:09,297 Speaker 7: and you know, so we're just fly by night, just 441 00:26:09,297 --> 00:26:12,216 Speaker 7: just doing this thing right, flying by the seat of 442 00:26:12,257 --> 00:26:15,337 Speaker 7: our pants, and so we just need some encouragement. 443 00:26:15,457 --> 00:26:16,657 Speaker 4: Life is hard enough. 444 00:26:19,337 --> 00:26:22,017 Speaker 2: To wrap up this special episode, we'll hear from pastor 445 00:26:22,137 --> 00:26:23,696 Speaker 2: Darius Daniels. 446 00:26:25,377 --> 00:26:32,097 Speaker 8: I cannot overstate the power of one person's ability to 447 00:26:32,217 --> 00:26:40,537 Speaker 8: change a life. Sometimes you are planting seeds and you 448 00:26:40,617 --> 00:26:46,936 Speaker 8: are making an impact and you have no idea the 449 00:26:47,057 --> 00:26:50,617 Speaker 8: fruit that's going to come from someone else's life later 450 00:26:51,217 --> 00:26:54,657 Speaker 8: and the impact that you have actually made. There are 451 00:26:54,697 --> 00:26:57,177 Speaker 8: several all throughout my life. I talk about a story 452 00:26:57,177 --> 00:27:00,736 Speaker 8: with one guy. His name is Terrence Alexander, and I 453 00:27:00,817 --> 00:27:04,857 Speaker 8: met him when I was in college, and by God's providence, 454 00:27:04,897 --> 00:27:07,297 Speaker 8: he had transfer to my school from another school and 455 00:27:07,377 --> 00:27:11,577 Speaker 8: we met and during one of the most difficult seasons 456 00:27:11,617 --> 00:27:15,737 Speaker 8: of my time in tenure in college, he just as 457 00:27:15,777 --> 00:27:21,097 Speaker 8: a friend. He mentored me, coached me, and really he 458 00:27:21,137 --> 00:27:23,537 Speaker 8: was a thought partner for me as I was trying 459 00:27:23,537 --> 00:27:28,216 Speaker 8: to sort through the decision to go from law school, 460 00:27:28,497 --> 00:27:30,696 Speaker 8: to abandon my plans to go to law school and 461 00:27:30,777 --> 00:27:34,216 Speaker 8: to go to seminary God. Using him is one of 462 00:27:34,217 --> 00:27:37,777 Speaker 8: the reasons I'm in the ministry right now and doing 463 00:27:37,817 --> 00:27:43,417 Speaker 8: this recording with you right now. Relational intelligence is the 464 00:27:43,457 --> 00:27:50,657 Speaker 8: ability to define and align your relationships. And so when 465 00:27:50,697 --> 00:27:53,817 Speaker 8: I say define an align, this is what I mean. 466 00:27:54,497 --> 00:28:01,297 Speaker 8: I mean it's possible to give labels to relationships that 467 00:28:01,337 --> 00:28:06,337 Speaker 8: those relationships don't actually reflect, just because to call someone 468 00:28:06,377 --> 00:28:09,857 Speaker 8: a friend doesn't actually make them one. So that's the 469 00:28:09,857 --> 00:28:13,937 Speaker 8: defining part this whole idea of aligning your relationships. It's 470 00:28:13,977 --> 00:28:19,297 Speaker 8: about aligning your own personal investment, and it's about aligning 471 00:28:19,377 --> 00:28:26,977 Speaker 8: your expectations so that you aren't expecting something consistently from 472 00:28:27,017 --> 00:28:30,537 Speaker 8: someone who is unable or unwilling to give it. That 473 00:28:30,617 --> 00:28:33,697 Speaker 8: leads to frustration, it leads sometimes it leads to pain 474 00:28:33,817 --> 00:28:36,937 Speaker 8: and betrayal and things of that particular nature. No one 475 00:28:37,017 --> 00:28:38,817 Speaker 8: is perfect We're not God, so there are going to 476 00:28:38,857 --> 00:28:41,977 Speaker 8: be times where, you know, we make relational mistakes. But 477 00:28:42,017 --> 00:28:44,377 Speaker 8: it's one thing to make those kind of mistakes because 478 00:28:44,377 --> 00:28:47,297 Speaker 8: we're imperfect. It's another thing to make those mistakes because 479 00:28:47,297 --> 00:28:54,497 Speaker 8: we're naive. There is no area of our life, no 480 00:28:54,577 --> 00:28:57,337 Speaker 8: air of our life, that is not directly or indirectly 481 00:28:57,657 --> 00:29:01,537 Speaker 8: impacted by our relationships. Our physical wellbeing, our financial wellbeing, 482 00:29:01,537 --> 00:29:04,457 Speaker 8: our relational wellbeing, our spiritual wellbeing. And I go so 483 00:29:04,537 --> 00:29:07,377 Speaker 8: far as to say, which I believe that relationships are 484 00:29:07,377 --> 00:29:10,577 Speaker 8: purpose partners, that at the end of the day, purpose 485 00:29:10,697 --> 00:29:14,097 Speaker 8: isn't just about the acquisition of things. Purpose is about 486 00:29:14,137 --> 00:29:17,577 Speaker 8: assistant people in some way. When you carry out your 487 00:29:17,657 --> 00:29:23,497 Speaker 8: life's purpose, you're going to be adding value to other humans, 488 00:29:23,977 --> 00:29:25,657 Speaker 8: directly or indirectly. 489 00:29:27,497 --> 00:29:29,857 Speaker 2: Thank you for listening to this special bonus episode of 490 00:29:29,897 --> 00:29:32,617 Speaker 2: the Jesus Calling podcast. As you look forward to the 491 00:29:32,617 --> 00:29:35,897 Speaker 2: renewal of Spring, we hope you'll find restoration and joy 492 00:29:36,097 --> 00:29:39,817 Speaker 2: during this season. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure 493 00:29:39,857 --> 00:29:43,137 Speaker 2: to subscribe and like it on your favorite podcast platform. 494 00:29:43,777 --> 00:29:46,897 Speaker 2: For more information on the devotional Jesus Listens prayers for 495 00:29:46,937 --> 00:29:59,897 Speaker 2: every season, please visit Jesuscalling dot com.