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Better Together

Courage Overcomes Fear | Better Together Episode 1174

June 18, 2026 | S8 E1174 | 50:59

Courage Overcomes Fear | Better Together Episode 1174
Courage is not the absence of fear or pretending that everything is okay. Courage is the decision to keep moving forward! Even in life's darkest moments, you are never alone. God orders our steps, and His truth lights our path. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000
#Fear #Courage #Strength #Faith #Obedience #Boldness #TrustGod #Perseverance #Anxiety #Confidence #Grief #Suffering #BrokenHeart #Authority #PersonalStory #Truth #PresenceofGod #LaurieCrouch #SheilaWalsh #DonnaPisani #BlyndaLane

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Better Together | Courage Overcomes Fear | Better Together Episode 1174 | June 18, 2026
  • If fear tries to hold you back, you can run to your heavenly
  • 00:00:01.539 --> 00:00:04.943
  • Father. his perfect love drives out all fear and his favor. it
  • 00:00:04.943 --> 00:00:09.514
  • Surrounds us like a shield. there is nothing to fear when
  • 00:00:09.514 --> 00:00:12.384
  • The king of the universe is on your side. come on, let's talk
  • 00:00:12.384 --> 00:00:16.855
  • About it.
  • 00:00:16.855 --> 00:00:42.847
  • >> i want to talk today about finding courage in our identity.
  • 00:00:44.082 --> 00:00:48.420
  • And i was reminded of a story that happened. dennis and i had
  • 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:51.623
  • Not been in ministry very long. we went on the mission field,
  • 00:00:51.623 --> 00:00:54.893
  • Traveled overseas, and we had a seven month old child. bethany
  • 00:00:54.893 --> 00:00:58.463
  • Was is 40 something now. she was just seven months old then.
  • 00:00:58.463 --> 00:01:03.101
  • Wow. 40 years ago we went to nepal. it was the first country
  • 00:01:03.101 --> 00:01:07.172
  • That we were going to do our missions in, and we were part
  • 00:01:07.172 --> 00:01:10.208
  • Of a team of 40 americans who were going in to backpack
  • 00:01:10.208 --> 00:01:13.211
  • Bibles into the himalayan mountains, into villages that
  • 00:01:13.211 --> 00:01:15.747
  • Had never heard about jesus before. and so, of course, you
  • 00:01:15.747 --> 00:01:19.751
  • Know, we we have no idea really what we were getting into. we
  • 00:01:19.751 --> 00:01:22.987
  • Really hadn't trained. i mean, i went there with a dress and
  • 00:01:22.987 --> 00:01:25.990
  • Heels on.
  • 00:01:25.990 --> 00:01:27.125
  • >> and a baby to hike and a baby on your back and a seven
  • 00:01:27.225 --> 00:01:30.095
  • Month old baby on my back. right. exactly. so i don't know
  • 00:01:30.095 --> 00:01:33.098
  • What i was thinking, but.
  • 00:01:33.098 --> 00:01:34.299
  • >> part of the training was that we did this hike through
  • 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:37.235
  • Rough terrain and we had to cross rivers. well, in nepal
  • 00:01:37.235 --> 00:01:40.105
  • There were bridges, but they were often like slats and ropes,
  • 00:01:40.105 --> 00:01:43.007
  • Or there could be a bucket on a pulley being pulled across, or
  • 00:01:43.007 --> 00:01:46.111
  • Sometimes if there was no bridge. and this was when we
  • 00:01:46.111 --> 00:01:49.013
  • Finally got to this river, there was no bridge at all. we
  • 00:01:49.013 --> 00:01:52.016
  • Had to make a human chain during this training exercise
  • 00:01:52.016 --> 00:01:54.319
  • Across the river. well, it was rainy season and so the current
  • 00:01:54.319 --> 00:01:57.222
  • Was swift and it was muddy water. and i was first of all,
  • 00:01:57.222 --> 00:02:00.658
  • I'm super princess like, you've got me out in nepal with heels
  • 00:02:00.658 --> 00:02:05.063
  • On.
  • 00:02:05.063 --> 00:02:06.097
  • >> right now. i'm traveling, traversing the terrain.
  • 00:02:06.197 --> 00:02:08.733
  • >> so as we're crossing this river as a human chain, we're
  • 00:02:08.733 --> 00:02:12.704
  • About in the middle of the river. dennis is on one side
  • 00:02:12.704 --> 00:02:15.707
  • And somebody else is on the other. the person in front of
  • 00:02:15.707 --> 00:02:18.710
  • Me lost their footing and let go of me, and i started to just
  • 00:02:18.710 --> 00:02:21.846
  • Kind of go with the current down the stream. and it was
  • 00:02:21.846 --> 00:02:24.849
  • Terrifying. and i didn't really i was terrified to begin with.
  • 00:02:24.849 --> 00:02:27.819
  • Just then, a dead dog floats by and i was like, i said, yes to
  • 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:31.689
  • What?
  • 00:02:31.689 --> 00:02:32.290
  • >> yeah. what is happening?
  • 00:02:32.390 --> 00:02:33.591
  • >> where was the baby? the baby was. we were staying in an
  • 00:02:33.591 --> 00:02:35.927
  • Orphanage. no, the baby was not on my back. thank you. sorry. i
  • 00:02:35.927 --> 00:02:39.697
  • Know the baby was still in the orphanage. and we did gather
  • 00:02:39.697 --> 00:02:42.700
  • Her after this, she came home with us, so. okay, but. so
  • 00:02:42.700 --> 00:02:45.703
  • We're in the middle of this river. dennis grabs a hold of
  • 00:02:45.703 --> 00:02:48.706
  • Me. we get back to the other side and we finish this
  • 00:02:48.706 --> 00:02:51.709
  • Training exercise. well, needless to say, the next time
  • 00:02:51.709 --> 00:02:53.811
  • We come to a river, i was a little terrified because of the
  • 00:02:53.811 --> 00:02:56.848
  • Last one. the current was so swift. and so i remember saying
  • 00:02:56.848 --> 00:02:59.984
  • To her sherpa guide, hey, i'm. i don't know that i can do this.
  • 00:02:59.984 --> 00:03:03.721
  • I had a hard time the first time. i definitely can't
  • 00:03:03.721 --> 00:03:06.057
  • Because we kind of failed. he said, well, you're going to
  • 00:03:06.057 --> 00:03:08.893
  • Have to do it. there's no other option. there's no bridge
  • 00:03:08.893 --> 00:03:11.829
  • Anywhere. and i said, well, can you carry me? of course, you
  • 00:03:11.829 --> 00:03:14.766
  • Know, he's like three feet tall. and he said, no, i cannot carry
  • 00:03:14.766 --> 00:03:17.936
  • You. so he said, but let me give you a secret. and he said,
  • 00:03:17.936 --> 00:03:21.706
  • If you will just fix your eyes on something on the other side
  • 00:03:21.706 --> 00:03:24.809
  • Of the river, it doesn't matter how swift the current is,
  • 00:03:24.809 --> 00:03:27.712
  • Doesn't matter how strong it is. he said. you'll make it to the
  • 00:03:27.712 --> 00:03:30.782
  • Other side. and so this one, we got into the river and it was
  • 00:03:30.782 --> 00:03:33.918
  • Only up to our knees this time, and it was freezing cold. but i
  • 00:03:33.918 --> 00:03:37.755
  • Kept my eyes fixed on a rock that was embedded in the hill
  • 00:03:37.755 --> 00:03:40.892
  • On the other side of this river. and i made it across in a
  • 00:03:40.892 --> 00:03:44.729
  • Straight line, and i said, thank god you didn't have to
  • 00:03:44.729 --> 00:03:46.965
  • Carry me because i made it across. but that story has
  • 00:03:46.965 --> 00:03:49.867
  • Carried me through my life because i realized that
  • 00:03:49.867 --> 00:03:51.970
  • Oftentimes we look for courage in the wrong places. first of
  • 00:03:51.970 --> 00:03:54.872
  • All, we think courage is an emotion. like, i'll start doing
  • 00:03:54.872 --> 00:03:57.809
  • This when i have the courage. and i think courage feels like
  • 00:03:57.809 --> 00:04:00.812
  • Fear. yeah, you just have to take the step anyways. but the
  • 00:04:00.812 --> 00:04:03.781
  • Reason why you can take the step, even when it feels like
  • 00:04:03.781 --> 00:04:06.818
  • Fear, is that you've discovered your identity in christ and you
  • 00:04:06.818 --> 00:04:09.754
  • Know who's holding you.
  • 00:04:09.754 --> 00:04:11.823
  • >> i think we all can relate to having situations in our lives
  • 00:04:11.823 --> 00:04:14.993
  • That feel fearful, where we need courage. and when i start
  • 00:04:14.993 --> 00:04:20.231
  • Feeling that way, when i'm kind of feeling like i've got some
  • 00:04:20.231 --> 00:04:23.201
  • Forward momentum, god is sending me in a direction, but
  • 00:04:23.201 --> 00:04:27.272
  • There's a part of me that wants to turn back because i don't
  • 00:04:27.272 --> 00:04:29.874
  • Know what's ahead. how do i calm my heart? how do i
  • 00:04:29.874 --> 00:04:34.479
  • Continue taking the steps forward when i just want to go
  • 00:04:34.479 --> 00:04:37.315
  • Back? and i think the biggest thing i can think of is that
  • 00:04:37.315 --> 00:04:40.618
  • Faith is not faith in the outcome. faith is faith in god.
  • 00:04:40.618 --> 00:04:46.524
  • And so if i have faith in an outcome, i could be very
  • 00:04:46.524 --> 00:04:50.061
  • Disappointed. when i walk forward in something doesn't
  • 00:04:50.061 --> 00:04:52.096
  • Turn out the way i wanted to, but i have all my faith in god.
  • 00:04:52.096 --> 00:04:56.034
  • Then all i know is because my steps are ordered by him, i can
  • 00:04:56.034 --> 00:05:00.805
  • Trust the outcome to him. and a lot of times we go into
  • 00:05:00.805 --> 00:05:04.042
  • Something. god might be calling us to something, and we think
  • 00:05:04.042 --> 00:05:06.944
  • It's for one purpose. i don't know if you've ever been there
  • 00:05:06.944 --> 00:05:09.947
  • And you find out later it was for something else, or you find
  • 00:05:09.947 --> 00:05:13.051
  • Out that he's doing 2 or 3 things as he's doing one thing.
  • 00:05:13.051 --> 00:05:16.154
  • And because of that, that's why it's so important that our
  • 00:05:16.154 --> 00:05:18.990
  • Hearts are are malleable and surrendered to him because we
  • 00:05:18.990 --> 00:05:21.192
  • Have to be available to say, i'm going to, i'm going to
  • 00:05:21.192 --> 00:05:24.162
  • Chart this course. i'm going to go forward because he's opening
  • 00:05:24.162 --> 00:05:27.165
  • The door. he's telling me to go, but i don't know what the
  • 00:05:27.165 --> 00:05:30.201
  • Outcome is going to be. and it doesn't matter how freeing to
  • 00:05:30.201 --> 00:05:33.204
  • Be in a place where the outcome is not what we focus on, but
  • 00:05:33.204 --> 00:05:37.008
  • The steps of god in our life, giving us courage after courage
  • 00:05:37.008 --> 00:05:41.713
  • After courage to take each step. that's the win. that's the win
  • 00:05:41.713 --> 00:05:45.249
  • When we get there, that's great, but let's not focus on that.
  • 00:05:45.249 --> 00:05:48.152
  • Let's focus on having the courage to take the next step.
  • 00:05:48.152 --> 00:05:52.056
  • >> paul writes to the philippians church and he says
  • 00:05:52.056 --> 00:05:54.525
  • In philippians chapter three, verses 12, he says, not that
  • 00:05:54.525 --> 00:05:57.261
  • I've already obtained all of this or have already arrived at
  • 00:05:57.261 --> 00:06:00.131
  • My goal, but i press on to take hold of that for which christ
  • 00:06:00.131 --> 00:06:04.102
  • Jesus took hold of me. paul would have probably the
  • 00:06:04.102 --> 00:06:06.504
  • Equivalent of many phds. he was incredibly brilliant, man, knew
  • 00:06:06.504 --> 00:06:09.974
  • Many languages, and he saying, not that i've already obtained
  • 00:06:09.974 --> 00:06:13.544
  • All this, nor have i already arrived at my goal. so he's
  • 00:06:13.544 --> 00:06:16.647
  • Already feeling what many of us feel, which is like not enough.
  • 00:06:16.647 --> 00:06:19.283
  • Like i don't have enough. i don't have what what i need,
  • 00:06:19.283 --> 00:06:22.453
  • But i'm still going to grab a hold of what god is holding on
  • 00:06:22.453 --> 00:06:26.057
  • To me for. and i've read this scripture for years, but i
  • 00:06:26.057 --> 00:06:29.160
  • Realized paul's secret sauce in his courage and his strength
  • 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:33.531
  • Was not reaching first, but realizing he'd already been
  • 00:06:33.531 --> 00:06:37.468
  • Reached and held so consistently being held, there
  • 00:06:37.468 --> 00:06:42.206
  • Was never a moment that paul didn't know. he wasn't being
  • 00:06:42.206 --> 00:06:45.777
  • Held like he knew god was holding on to him. and to me,
  • 00:06:45.777 --> 00:06:49.247
  • Courage comes from that place. if i can fix my eyes on this,
  • 00:06:49.247 --> 00:06:52.517
  • This firm belief, i am never once not embraced by god. he's
  • 00:06:52.517 --> 00:06:57.789
  • Never going to ask me to do something that that i can't do
  • 00:06:57.789 --> 00:07:02.326
  • Without him holding on to me. and i think we kind of like, i
  • 00:07:02.326 --> 00:07:06.931
  • See these things online and it will say like, you're more than
  • 00:07:06.931 --> 00:07:09.934
  • Enough. well, no, i'm not more than enough. right? and the
  • 00:07:09.934 --> 00:07:13.604
  • Reason why god allows us to feel like we're not enough is
  • 00:07:13.604 --> 00:07:16.874
  • So that we'll lean on the one who is enough. yes. i don't
  • 00:07:16.874 --> 00:07:19.710
  • Ever want to just do it in my own strength. of course i want
  • 00:07:19.710 --> 00:07:23.414
  • To be. so leaned back on his hold that what i can carry is
  • 00:07:23.414 --> 00:07:27.552
  • Much greater than my personal capacity because he holds on to
  • 00:07:27.552 --> 00:07:30.421
  • Me. so have you ever had a moment where courage. you've
  • 00:07:30.421 --> 00:07:33.925
  • Needed courage to do something, and then where did you find.
  • 00:07:33.925 --> 00:07:36.928
  • Where did you summon up the courage?
  • 00:07:36.928 --> 00:07:39.363
  • >> your story reminds me of that passage in hebrews 12
  • 00:07:39.363 --> 00:07:42.400
  • Where it says, keep your eyes fixed on jesus, who both began
  • 00:07:42.400 --> 00:07:45.903
  • And finished this race. we're in study how he did it because
  • 00:07:45.903 --> 00:07:49.207
  • He never lost sight of where he was headed. that glorious
  • 00:07:49.207 --> 00:07:52.677
  • Finish in and with his father. and i think sometimes that's,
  • 00:07:52.677 --> 00:07:56.314
  • You know, when you're going through something that's hard.
  • 00:07:56.314 --> 00:07:58.416
  • But you. i had a thing where i thought i'd broken my neck and
  • 00:07:58.416 --> 00:08:03.120
  • Ended up in er for 18 hours. and i remember getting out of
  • 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:07.425
  • That thinking, you know, lord, that was all i'd done was torn
  • 00:08:07.425 --> 00:08:12.563
  • Ligaments, which, you know, would eventually do a level of
  • 00:08:12.563 --> 00:08:15.733
  • Healing. but i remember coming home and thinking, okay, lord,
  • 00:08:15.733 --> 00:08:18.336
  • That was nothing compared to what you went through. so i
  • 00:08:18.336 --> 00:08:22.273
  • Need some help here. and so that's when i took out the book
  • 00:08:22.273 --> 00:08:26.210
  • Of hebrews because i love the letter to the hebrews, great
  • 00:08:26.210 --> 00:08:29.847
  • Faith chapter, chapter 11, but then that chapter 12, this, it
  • 00:08:29.847 --> 00:08:33.851
  • Was just like this moment of god saying, do you get it? he
  • 00:08:33.851 --> 00:08:37.054
  • Never lost sight of where he was headed, that glorious
  • 00:08:37.054 --> 00:08:41.359
  • Finish in and with god. so even when you're in something like
  • 00:08:41.359 --> 00:08:45.630
  • That or you're stuck somewhere, it's like, keep your eyes.
  • 00:08:45.630 --> 00:08:49.267
  • Don't ever lose sight of where you're headed. yeah.
  • 00:08:49.267 --> 00:08:53.170
  • >> i am still learning how to let god inform my emotions, and
  • 00:08:53.170 --> 00:08:59.310
  • I do it by being in the word. i have to be in scripture. i have
  • 00:08:59.310 --> 00:09:03.114
  • To be reading it myself and studying it and letting it wash
  • 00:09:03.114 --> 00:09:07.151
  • Over me. that has to take precedence over any other voice
  • 00:09:07.151 --> 00:09:11.589
  • In this world. so get in scripture, get in the word,
  • 00:09:11.589 --> 00:09:15.192
  • Read what god has said about you through that lens.
  • 00:09:15.192 --> 00:09:19.363
  • >> my husband and i lived in new zealand. our oldest was
  • 00:09:19.363 --> 00:09:22.400
  • Actually born in in new zealand. before we got pregnant with her.
  • 00:09:22.400 --> 00:09:26.771
  • We just the two of us kind of not newlyweds. we'd been
  • 00:09:26.771 --> 00:09:29.840
  • Married about four and a half years. but new zealand is known
  • 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:32.777
  • As the adventure capital of the world. so you're not going to
  • 00:09:32.777 --> 00:09:35.746
  • Live in new zealand and not try a few things. and i'd always
  • 00:09:35.746 --> 00:09:39.483
  • Wanted to skydive and we did everything we bungee and we
  • 00:09:39.483 --> 00:09:41.719
  • Scuba and we had done everything, but i'd never
  • 00:09:41.719 --> 00:09:44.488
  • Skydived. and so we went and we signed up to, to skydive. and
  • 00:09:44.488 --> 00:09:48.259
  • For me, it was one of those things where when you go into
  • 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:50.895
  • The room to get on your, you know, all your gear, you see
  • 00:09:50.895 --> 00:09:54.665
  • Along the wall, all of these instructors and it has these
  • 00:09:54.665 --> 00:09:57.268
  • Like numbers 27,000, 10,000, 12,000. and these are the
  • 00:09:57.268 --> 00:10:02.239
  • Numbers of jumps they've had. so i'm looking at it and i'm
  • 00:10:02.239 --> 00:10:05.576
  • Like, i mean, what are the chances that the guy with
  • 00:10:05.576 --> 00:10:08.913
  • 27,000 jumps today is going to be his day? that he i mean,
  • 00:10:08.913 --> 00:10:11.649
  • What are the.
  • 00:10:11.649 --> 00:10:12.617
  • >> chances where you went?
  • 00:10:12.617 --> 00:10:13.851
  • >> yeah. so i'm so i'm pretty sure i'm safe because he's had
  • 00:10:13.851 --> 00:10:17.455
  • 27,000 jumps or whatever it is. and so we, you know, get into
  • 00:10:17.455 --> 00:10:20.558
  • The plane and it's tandem. let me say it's i was not going by
  • 00:10:20.558 --> 00:10:23.694
  • Myself. it was a tandem with an instructor. and so we signed up
  • 00:10:23.694 --> 00:10:27.431
  • For the package where you get the video and the pictures and
  • 00:10:27.431 --> 00:10:30.434
  • Everything. so when todd and i are finished and we get down to
  • 00:10:30.434 --> 00:10:33.504
  • The ground, and then we get all of the video and pictures, and
  • 00:10:33.504 --> 00:10:36.674
  • That night we're looking at everything. and we still laugh
  • 00:10:36.674 --> 00:10:39.443
  • About it today because you look at the pictures and todd is
  • 00:10:39.443 --> 00:10:42.446
  • He's coming down, his eyes are like saucers and he's like this.
  • 00:10:42.446 --> 00:10:46.517
  • And you just get the picture of him and he's looking at the
  • 00:10:46.517 --> 00:10:49.920
  • Ground and, you know, and he's just it looks terrified. and i
  • 00:10:49.920 --> 00:10:52.923
  • Mean, he did it, but he's terrified. and then you get the
  • 00:10:52.923 --> 00:10:55.926
  • Pictures of me and it's like. i mean, the whole way down, i am
  • 00:10:55.926 --> 00:11:00.898
  • Just like, this is the.
  • 00:11:00.898 --> 00:11:02.767
  • >> greatest thing in the world. i'm flying.
  • 00:11:02.767 --> 00:11:05.703
  • >> it was amazing. and i mean, that probably depicts our
  • 00:11:05.703 --> 00:11:09.340
  • Personalities anyway, but it is such a reminder about i
  • 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:13.978
  • Actually interviewed a girl named riley kehoe recently. she
  • 00:11:13.978 --> 00:11:17.515
  • Was in 2004. she was ten years old and happened to be in
  • 00:11:17.515 --> 00:11:20.851
  • Thailand when the tsunami came.
  • 00:11:20.851 --> 00:11:22.687
  • >> wow.
  • 00:11:22.687 --> 00:11:23.854
  • >> 230,000 people lost their lives and she and her family
  • 00:11:23.854 --> 00:11:26.557
  • Ended up being saved. and they were fine. but she speaks about
  • 00:11:26.557 --> 00:11:29.994
  • It today. and one of the things she says is maybe when she was
  • 00:11:29.994 --> 00:11:34.165
  • Ten and a half or 11, like only a few months later, her dad
  • 00:11:34.165 --> 00:11:37.301
  • Made her and her sister go back into the ocean because he
  • 00:11:37.301 --> 00:11:40.971
  • Wanted to rid them of that fear. and she was like, dad, i'm not
  • 00:11:40.971 --> 00:11:44.542
  • Going back into the ocean. and he said, it doesn't mean you're
  • 00:11:44.542 --> 00:11:48.279
  • Not going to have fear to go back in there, but you just
  • 00:11:48.279 --> 00:11:51.615
  • Have to have a little more courage than you have fear.
  • 00:11:51.615 --> 00:11:54.351
  • Yeah. and that's how i felt about, wow, out of that plane.
  • 00:11:54.351 --> 00:11:57.221
  • I, of course, i was afraid to to get out, but my reaction to
  • 00:11:57.221 --> 00:12:01.158
  • It was i just chose to have a little more courage than i had
  • 00:12:01.158 --> 00:12:04.295
  • Of fear. and i think, how much can we live our life that way?
  • 00:12:04.295 --> 00:12:08.833
  • I don't i think sometimes we've said we have to have faith or
  • 00:12:08.833 --> 00:12:12.737
  • Fear, and we have to choose a camp and we have to be. and if
  • 00:12:12.737 --> 00:12:16.373
  • You have any amount of fear, then you don't have faith. and
  • 00:12:16.373 --> 00:12:19.343
  • I actually think i've said that before, like you got to choose.
  • 00:12:19.343 --> 00:12:22.413
  • And the more i evaluated situations in my life, i
  • 00:12:22.413 --> 00:12:24.515
  • Realized i never was fully without fear. i just had to do
  • 00:12:24.515 --> 00:12:28.352
  • It. afraid i just had to have a little more courage than i did
  • 00:12:28.352 --> 00:12:31.455
  • Fear. right. and i think maybe that could be helpful to
  • 00:12:31.455 --> 00:12:35.226
  • Somebody who is struggling to take that step. and i don't
  • 00:12:35.226 --> 00:12:38.629
  • Even know. maybe to those watching what that step looks
  • 00:12:38.629 --> 00:12:41.766
  • Like, you know, what is that fear step? yes, i'm talking
  • 00:12:41.766 --> 00:12:45.102
  • About jumping out of a plane, but somebody may have a just a
  • 00:12:45.102 --> 00:12:48.372
  • Real fear of approaching a neighbor or starting a business
  • 00:12:48.372 --> 00:12:51.976
  • Or starting a business or parenting, whatever that is.
  • 00:12:51.976 --> 00:12:55.146
  • Can we just say, have a little more courage than you do fear
  • 00:12:55.146 --> 00:12:58.015
  • And just do it afraid?
  • 00:12:58.015 --> 00:13:08.492
  • >> i don't think it's possible to live completely without fear.
  • 00:13:08.492 --> 00:13:11.395
  • And i don't think it's a sin to be afraid. what becomes a sin
  • 00:13:11.395 --> 00:13:15.266
  • Is when we land there and we stay there, because things are
  • 00:13:15.266 --> 00:13:18.435
  • Going to happen in life that are scary. you know, you get a
  • 00:13:18.435 --> 00:13:22.072
  • Diagnosis or something happens with your child. but what i've
  • 00:13:22.072 --> 00:13:24.608
  • Discovered is to bring all that into the presence of the lord.
  • 00:13:24.608 --> 00:13:28.546
  • I don't have to pretend to be brave. i get to be honest. i
  • 00:13:28.546 --> 00:13:31.715
  • Get to be real. if you're in a place right now where you do
  • 00:13:31.715 --> 00:13:35.553
  • Feel fear, then we as a family here, we pray the peace of
  • 00:13:35.553 --> 00:13:39.089
  • Christ over you. we pray the presence of christ over you.
  • 00:13:39.089 --> 00:13:42.426
  • You are not alone.
  • 00:13:42.426 --> 00:13:45.296
  • >> god wants us to do life together because we are better
  • 00:13:45.296 --> 00:13:48.766
  • Together.
  • 00:13:48.766 --> 00:13:49.934
  • >> connect with us on social media and join a community that
  • 00:13:50.034 --> 00:13:51.969
  • Encourages and prays for one another.
  • 00:13:51.969 --> 00:13:54.205
  • >> we can't wait for you to join us.
  • 00:13:54.205 --> 00:13:58.108
  • >> let's keep the conversation going. you can find the better
  • 00:13:58.108 --> 00:14:01.478
  • Together podcast on your favorite listening platform.
  • 00:14:01.478 --> 00:14:04.982
  • Subscribe today.
  • 00:14:04.982 --> 00:14:08.993
  • Subscribe today.
  • 00:14:08.993 --> 00:14:12.223
  • >> i've shared on the show before that my my upbringing
  • 00:14:12.223 --> 00:14:15.726
  • Was very abusive. my mother was very abusive and i was i wanted
  • 00:14:15.726 --> 00:14:21.932
  • Kids, but i was afraid, honestly, to be a mom, you know,
  • 00:14:21.932 --> 00:14:24.902
  • And you see generational things happening. right? and so i
  • 00:14:24.902 --> 00:14:28.105
  • Thought, i don't even know how to be a mom. how am i going to
  • 00:14:28.105 --> 00:14:31.976
  • Be a mom? but i knew i wanted to be one. and what's
  • 00:14:31.976 --> 00:14:35.112
  • Interesting is my oldest chance. he is one of the most
  • 00:14:35.112 --> 00:14:38.015
  • Adventurous humans ever. during covid, i was, you know,
  • 00:14:38.015 --> 00:14:41.185
  • Everybody's working from home. i had a desk and it was facing
  • 00:14:41.185 --> 00:14:43.687
  • Out in the window because it made me feel like some
  • 00:14:43.687 --> 00:14:46.624
  • Semblance of normalcy. right. and i was on a zoom call and i
  • 00:14:46.624 --> 00:14:49.660
  • Look out and my youngest is, which he does this. he's a golf
  • 00:14:49.660 --> 00:14:53.797
  • Guy. he just was hitting, you know, chips in the front yard
  • 00:14:53.797 --> 00:14:56.834
  • Because i guess that's what we do now. and i look out there
  • 00:14:56.834 --> 00:14:59.937
  • And all of a sudden i'm like, what's moving around up top?
  • 00:14:59.937 --> 00:15:02.940
  • And my oldest is on the top of the flagpole, just in his crocs.
  • 00:15:02.940 --> 00:15:06.110
  • Just like hanging out, watching him hit shots. and i'm on a
  • 00:15:06.110 --> 00:15:10.214
  • Zoom call talking and i'm like. and it was funny, but also at
  • 00:15:10.214 --> 00:15:17.721
  • The same time, i thought, this kid is like doing all the
  • 00:15:17.721 --> 00:15:22.493
  • Things that we're so afraid to do. i wish he'd be a little bit
  • 00:15:22.493 --> 00:15:26.363
  • More careful. but also, i'm thinking, i'm so afraid to do
  • 00:15:26.363 --> 00:15:30.000
  • Anything and everything. and a lot of it is i was raised that
  • 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:33.671
  • Way. we were raised to be cautious and make sure that
  • 00:15:33.671 --> 00:15:38.309
  • Tomorrow came. and yes, there's a balance. don't be reckless.
  • 00:15:38.309 --> 00:15:41.178
  • Yeah, right. but i think all of us could afford to be a little
  • 00:15:41.178 --> 00:15:44.682
  • More courageous. do something that scares you. every day i
  • 00:15:44.682 --> 00:15:47.217
  • Have that magnet. i don't think i do it every day, but i try to
  • 00:15:47.217 --> 00:15:50.821
  • I actually try to do things that i am not good at because i
  • 00:15:50.821 --> 00:15:54.692
  • Think that's actually what i'm afraid of. i'm afraid of not
  • 00:15:54.692 --> 00:15:56.927
  • Being good at something. and so i started something, bible art
  • 00:15:56.927 --> 00:16:00.965
  • Journaling, and i am a little bit of an artist, but for me,
  • 00:16:00.965 --> 00:16:04.635
  • People will look at it and be like, oh, that's beautiful. but
  • 00:16:04.635 --> 00:16:07.638
  • For me, it wasn't what i imagined it being. so it's not
  • 00:16:07.638 --> 00:16:11.008
  • Perfect in my mind, and it's actually the best practice for
  • 00:16:11.008 --> 00:16:13.644
  • Me. and so it doesn't have to be big. it doesn't have to be
  • 00:16:13.644 --> 00:16:17.081
  • Jumping on a plane. i love jumping on a plane. i like i've
  • 00:16:17.081 --> 00:16:20.184
  • Done that, but i what scares me more are the small things
  • 00:16:20.184 --> 00:16:23.354
  • Messing up a bible page. i think even like taking notes in
  • 00:16:23.354 --> 00:16:26.890
  • The bible the first time ever scared me. so it could be very,
  • 00:16:26.890 --> 00:16:30.494
  • Very small. it could be very, very big. but whatever it is,
  • 00:16:30.494 --> 00:16:34.098
  • The if you don't do it, you just didn't do it right. so why
  • 00:16:34.098 --> 00:16:37.668
  • Not try it? and if you fail, that's an experience of failure.
  • 00:16:37.668 --> 00:16:42.506
  • Does it make you a failure? you just failed so that you won't.
  • 00:16:42.506 --> 00:16:46.343
  • Maybe next time.
  • 00:16:46.343 --> 00:16:47.811
  • >> so don't they say that courage is just faith? that
  • 00:16:47.811 --> 00:16:50.314
  • Said it's prayers.
  • 00:16:50.314 --> 00:16:51.415
  • >> yeah. oh, i love that.
  • 00:16:51.415 --> 00:16:53.984
  • >> part of life is that there are things that are scary out
  • 00:16:53.984 --> 00:16:57.054
  • There. i mean, you just have to live in our world to know that.
  • 00:16:57.054 --> 00:17:00.391
  • So there's a healthy side to fear. you know, that you, you
  • 00:17:00.391 --> 00:17:04.028
  • Have it when you have a little children, you don't want them
  • 00:17:04.028 --> 00:17:06.530
  • To put their hand on a fire. you don't want them to run
  • 00:17:06.530 --> 00:17:10.234
  • Across the road chasing a balloon when there's a car
  • 00:17:10.234 --> 00:17:12.336
  • Coming. but you don't want anyone to be your child and
  • 00:17:12.336 --> 00:17:15.305
  • Offer yourself to be dominated by fear. that does not get to
  • 00:17:15.305 --> 00:17:18.475
  • Be on the throne of your life. it gets sometimes to have a say,
  • 00:17:18.475 --> 00:17:23.447
  • But jesus is on the throne, and god, your father is watching
  • 00:17:23.447 --> 00:17:26.617
  • Over you. and it says perfect love, which is his casts out
  • 00:17:26.617 --> 00:17:32.423
  • Fear. so if you do face some fear, don't feel you've failed
  • 00:17:32.423 --> 00:17:35.959
  • The lord, but bring your fear to him and ask for his peace.
  • 00:17:35.959 --> 00:17:40.597
  • We all love psalm 23. yes, because it starts with the lord
  • 00:17:40.597 --> 00:17:44.368
  • Is my shepherd. i have all that i need. he lets me rest in
  • 00:17:44.368 --> 00:17:47.538
  • Green meadows. he leads me beside peaceful streams. he
  • 00:17:47.538 --> 00:17:50.374
  • Renews my strength. he brings me along right paths, bringing
  • 00:17:50.374 --> 00:17:53.944
  • Honor to his name. so the first three verses he's talking about,
  • 00:17:53.944 --> 00:17:57.948
  • God come to verse four and he switches it, and he's talking
  • 00:17:57.948 --> 00:18:01.185
  • To god. even when i walk through the darkest valley, i
  • 00:18:01.185 --> 00:18:04.822
  • Will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. it doesn't say
  • 00:18:04.822 --> 00:18:09.493
  • There's not something to be afraid of. the reason he says
  • 00:18:09.493 --> 00:18:12.029
  • He's not afraid is because the lord is close beside him.
  • 00:18:12.029 --> 00:18:15.199
  • >> that's right.
  • 00:18:15.199 --> 00:18:16.500
  • >> and to me, that's what makes all the difference in the world.
  • 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:20.637
  • Life is scary. there's a lot of scary stuff out there on the
  • 00:18:20.637 --> 00:18:23.841
  • News if you watch the news. i mean, there's all sorts of
  • 00:18:23.841 --> 00:18:26.710
  • Things, but but i think when you know you're in the center
  • 00:18:26.710 --> 00:18:29.746
  • Of god's will and you're where you're supposed to be, to me,
  • 00:18:29.746 --> 00:18:32.683
  • It's like it's the safest place on earth.
  • 00:18:32.683 --> 00:18:34.751
  • >> yeah. you know, i think about jeremiah.
  • 00:18:34.751 --> 00:18:37.187
  • >> yes.
  • 00:18:37.187 --> 00:18:38.388
  • >> so here god calls jeremiah before he was born, gives him a
  • 00:18:38.489 --> 00:18:42.493
  • Purpose, right? and then he tells him, i have plans for you.
  • 00:18:42.493 --> 00:18:46.463
  • And jeremiah says, first thing in security, i. i'm too young.
  • 00:18:46.463 --> 00:18:51.969
  • >> he says, don't say that. he didn't he didn't say, no,
  • 00:18:51.969 --> 00:18:55.239
  • You're not. or he didn't. yeah. he was full of fear, you know,
  • 00:18:55.239 --> 00:19:00.177
  • And and god didn't say, you're not full of fear. he did. he
  • 00:19:00.177 --> 00:19:04.915
  • Didn't disagree with him. good. you know what, what did he say?
  • 00:19:04.915 --> 00:19:08.218
  • He said, i'm with you. yeah. and in every place that he says
  • 00:19:08.218 --> 00:19:12.556
  • For us not to fear, he gives us the reason why we don't have to
  • 00:19:12.556 --> 00:19:17.127
  • Fear. it's because he's with us.
  • 00:19:17.127 --> 00:19:19.263
  • >> yeah, yeah.
  • 00:19:19.263 --> 00:19:20.497
  • >> you know, and and the result of courage is just trusting god
  • 00:19:20.597 --> 00:19:24.701
  • More than what threatens you. yeah. jeremiah is a perfect
  • 00:19:24.701 --> 00:19:29.072
  • Example of that. yeah. for us today, because i think
  • 00:19:29.072 --> 00:19:32.943
  • Sometimes we think that god wants us to do something alone
  • 00:19:32.943 --> 00:19:37.814
  • That he's going to call because he's just watching out. if we
  • 00:19:37.814 --> 00:19:40.951
  • Have enough faith, he's just looking down, are you going to
  • 00:19:40.951 --> 00:19:44.188
  • Pray enough? are you going to, you know, and, and so we kind
  • 00:19:44.188 --> 00:19:47.257
  • Of do so much, i think, out of fear or punishment that we're
  • 00:19:47.257 --> 00:19:51.495
  • Going to get in trouble, you know, because fear kind of
  • 00:19:51.495 --> 00:19:54.665
  • Comes from trouble and, and rejection and all of that stuff
  • 00:19:54.665 --> 00:20:00.671
  • Become, you know, we kind of get fear from all that stuff.
  • 00:20:00.671 --> 00:20:03.373
  • But god does everything he does out of pure love for us. and
  • 00:20:03.373 --> 00:20:07.945
  • It's not him asking us to do something by ourselves. he's
  • 00:20:07.945 --> 00:20:14.117
  • Always saying, kind of, we're going to do this and, and
  • 00:20:14.117 --> 00:20:16.687
  • You're going to do this. and guess what? i'm going with you.
  • 00:20:16.687 --> 00:20:19.690
  • >> yeah.
  • 00:20:19.690 --> 00:20:20.891
  • >> and we're going to do it together because i would never
  • 00:20:20.891 --> 00:20:23.527
  • Call you to do something that i don't want to help you with.
  • 00:20:23.527 --> 00:20:26.630
  • Right. that and you can't do without me. so i'm going to go
  • 00:20:26.630 --> 00:20:29.600
  • With you. yeah. and he's not judging us. it's not that we
  • 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:32.636
  • Have to be perfect and we have to, you know, walk without any
  • 00:20:32.636 --> 00:20:35.939
  • Fear. it's just there wouldn't be courage if there wasn't fear,
  • 00:20:35.939 --> 00:20:39.943
  • Right? yeah. and so in the face of what we think we can't do,
  • 00:20:39.943 --> 00:20:44.881
  • God builds courage inside of us. and that's obedience.
  • 00:20:44.881 --> 00:20:49.253
  • >> yeah.
  • 00:20:49.253 --> 00:20:50.487
  • >> the bible says perfect love casts out all fear that we are
  • 00:20:50.487 --> 00:20:55.459
  • Not to be afraid, that god has not given us the spirit of fear,
  • 00:20:55.459 --> 00:21:00.430
  • But of power and love and a sound mind. they say the the
  • 00:21:00.430 --> 00:21:04.735
  • Opposite of fear isn't faith, it's love. so god is love. so i
  • 00:21:04.735 --> 00:21:11.642
  • Just think that if we're fearful, we need more of god. i
  • 00:21:11.642 --> 00:21:16.546
  • Think that's going to solve our problem. but it takes courage
  • 00:21:16.546 --> 00:21:20.017
  • To do a lot of things that god maybe has called us to do. and
  • 00:21:20.017 --> 00:21:25.989
  • If we didn't, if we weren't afraid, how would we know we
  • 00:21:25.989 --> 00:21:29.226
  • Had courage? how would we know we had faith unless it was
  • 00:21:29.226 --> 00:21:32.129
  • Called upon. but we don't have to fear. jesus is not giving us
  • 00:21:32.129 --> 00:21:38.335
  • That spirit. god says, i am with you. do not be afraid. i
  • 00:21:38.335 --> 00:21:43.307
  • Am your god. i will strengthen you. i'll help you. i'll uphold
  • 00:21:43.307 --> 00:21:47.644
  • You with my beautiful right hand. that's what god promises
  • 00:21:47.644 --> 00:21:51.014
  • To us. and so when we're afraid and it's taking everything in
  • 00:21:51.014 --> 00:21:55.819
  • Us to step out in faith, just do it. because god goes before
  • 00:21:55.819 --> 00:22:01.758
  • You. he goes behind you. he goes beside you. you are
  • 00:22:01.758 --> 00:22:05.996
  • Covered. you are strengthened. you have his grace. he's made
  • 00:22:05.996 --> 00:22:10.300
  • You for this. god is with you. and don't ever forget that.
  • 00:22:10.300 --> 00:22:15.305
  • >> have you ever seen someone who's going through maybe their
  • 00:22:15.305 --> 00:22:18.575
  • Darkest hour? you know, i it comes to mind somebody who's
  • 00:22:18.575 --> 00:22:21.411
  • Lost a child or somebody, whatever that thing may be, and
  • 00:22:21.411 --> 00:22:24.648
  • You watch them. i've sat at memorial services before where
  • 00:22:24.648 --> 00:22:27.584
  • I've seen the parents or i've seen the spouse and their hands
  • 00:22:27.584 --> 00:22:31.221
  • Are are raised or they're bowed. and you think, how do they find
  • 00:22:31.221 --> 00:22:35.892
  • That in the midst of that? how do they find that courage? how
  • 00:22:35.892 --> 00:22:38.962
  • Do they find that peace? and it's because, you know, they've
  • 00:22:38.962 --> 00:22:41.898
  • Been with the father because only he could bring that kind
  • 00:22:41.898 --> 00:22:44.167
  • Of peace. only he can bring that kind of comfort. and so it
  • 00:22:44.167 --> 00:22:47.904
  • Though i don't want it to ever be that dramatic. can i be as
  • 00:22:47.904 --> 00:22:51.274
  • Desperate for his presence in my everyday life as somebody
  • 00:22:51.274 --> 00:22:55.445
  • Who is experiencing the worst thing that they ever could go
  • 00:22:55.445 --> 00:22:58.915
  • Through? yeah. because you see what you get out of that moment
  • 00:22:58.915 --> 00:23:02.185
  • When you're in presence, when you understand that him being
  • 00:23:02.185 --> 00:23:06.156
  • With you is the greatest gift that we're given. and so, of
  • 00:23:06.156 --> 00:23:10.460
  • Course, in those dark moments, but in the moment where you're
  • 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:13.730
  • Going into the school with your child or in when you're
  • 00:23:13.730 --> 00:23:16.967
  • Parenting the hard moment or whatever he is with you. and
  • 00:23:16.967 --> 00:23:19.970
  • Could we crave his presence so much that all of those mundane,
  • 00:23:19.970 --> 00:23:24.040
  • Everyday things, we sense him with us, that fear just becomes
  • 00:23:24.040 --> 00:23:28.745
  • A distant feeling because we are. we're. his presence gives
  • 00:23:28.745 --> 00:23:33.784
  • That supernatural courage.
  • 00:23:33.784 --> 00:23:35.485
  • >> i think sometimes we make the mistake of thinking, if
  • 00:23:35.485 --> 00:23:38.188
  • God's with me, nothing bad will happen. right? and i think it's
  • 00:23:38.188 --> 00:23:41.391
  • So interesting. i mean, you mentioned jeremiah, but also
  • 00:23:41.391 --> 00:23:43.527
  • Think of joseph in the old testament, right? every major
  • 00:23:43.527 --> 00:23:47.464
  • Turning point. i mean, when he's thrown into that abandoned,
  • 00:23:47.464 --> 00:23:51.067
  • Well, it says, and god was with him when he's trafficked into
  • 00:23:51.067 --> 00:23:54.704
  • Egypt, it says, and god was with him when he's thrown into
  • 00:23:54.704 --> 00:23:57.874
  • Prison, it says, and god was with him. right. i think
  • 00:23:57.874 --> 00:24:01.511
  • Sometimes we've misunderstood what it means god being with us,
  • 00:24:01.511 --> 00:24:06.216
  • It doesn't mean that we won't go through things that are hard
  • 00:24:06.216 --> 00:24:09.219
  • Or things are scary, but we will never walk through them
  • 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:11.588
  • Alone.
  • 00:24:11.588 --> 00:24:12.255
  • >> that's right. you think.
  • 00:24:12.255 --> 00:24:13.490
  • >> about c.s. lewis, right? chronicles of narnia. you think
  • 00:24:13.490 --> 00:24:15.592
  • About how it's always winter but never christmas. and they
  • 00:24:15.592 --> 00:24:19.896
  • Went through all of this.
  • 00:24:19.896 --> 00:24:21.498
  • >> oh, i never paid attention to that. that's profound. right?
  • 00:24:21.498 --> 00:24:24.501
  • >> yeah. always winter, but never christmas. and then later
  • 00:24:24.501 --> 00:24:27.471
  • On, when they were saying how they asked, is aslan the jesus
  • 00:24:27.471 --> 00:24:32.476
  • Figure is the lion, is he safe? and he said, oh no, he's not
  • 00:24:32.476 --> 00:24:38.215
  • Safe, but he's good. yeah. he's good. yeah. right. and i think
  • 00:24:38.215 --> 00:24:42.319
  • We've set ourselves up in this place of no safety. security
  • 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:46.189
  • Means it's good. and that might be a false it's a false
  • 00:24:46.189 --> 00:24:51.228
  • Security. it i would even say maybe it's from the enemy
  • 00:24:51.228 --> 00:24:55.599
  • Because it stops you from actually doing the things that
  • 00:24:55.599 --> 00:25:00.136
  • Need courage for what you're called to be on this earth.
  • 00:25:00.136 --> 00:25:04.875
  • >> it's really good.
  • 00:25:04.875 --> 00:25:06.176
  • >> so it's really good. johnny. so then you have to define what
  • 00:25:06.176 --> 00:25:08.979
  • Is safety, right? right. what is because i think, i think
  • 00:25:08.979 --> 00:25:12.849
  • Yeah, right. 100%. i mean, both of you were you were talking
  • 00:25:12.849 --> 00:25:16.987
  • About jeremiah, like, what is safety? and here's what i love
  • 00:25:16.987 --> 00:25:21.091
  • About the story about jeremiah is god didn't fix his feelings.
  • 00:25:21.091 --> 00:25:25.395
  • He just corrected his image, his identity.
  • 00:25:25.395 --> 00:25:28.665
  • >> yeah.
  • 00:25:28.665 --> 00:25:29.866
  • >> like, i'm not going to tell you to not fear. i'm just going
  • 00:25:29.966 --> 00:25:32.469
  • To say, don't say i'm not old enough to do this. i'm not
  • 00:25:32.469 --> 00:25:35.472
  • Equipped enough to do this. and i think some of us would be it
  • 00:25:35.472 --> 00:25:39.342
  • Would be so great if some of us would just kind of actually
  • 00:25:39.342 --> 00:25:42.512
  • Hear god saying that over us. don't say that. you can't do
  • 00:25:42.512 --> 00:25:45.448
  • That. don't say that you're not adequate. and yes, is it going
  • 00:25:45.448 --> 00:25:48.451
  • To be scary? of course it is. i mean, there's going to be
  • 00:25:48.451 --> 00:25:51.454
  • You're going to be put out in places where, according to the
  • 00:25:51.454 --> 00:25:54.491
  • World's standards of safety, it may not look safe.
  • 00:25:54.491 --> 00:25:56.626
  • >> right.
  • 00:25:56.626 --> 00:25:57.827
  • >> but i am with. you like you're never alone. so then the
  • 00:25:57.827 --> 00:26:00.530
  • Safety is in his presence. it's not in the outward surroundings.
  • 00:26:00.530 --> 00:26:03.600
  • >> right?
  • 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.601
  • >> i think courage and confidence in god's goodness
  • 00:26:04.701 --> 00:26:06.770
  • Comes with age and with growth and with experience. when i
  • 00:26:06.770 --> 00:26:11.508
  • Think back to how i was when i was in my 20s or 30s, i really
  • 00:26:11.508 --> 00:26:16.546
  • Struggled. you know, if i felt god wanted me to do something
  • 00:26:16.546 --> 00:26:19.549
  • New that i'd never done before, i was like, no, you know, i
  • 00:26:19.549 --> 00:26:22.586
  • Would just say, no, i don't think i can do that. and now
  • 00:26:22.586 --> 00:26:25.689
  • Whatever door god opens, if i know god's opened it, i know a,
  • 00:26:25.689 --> 00:26:29.159
  • I'm not going through it by myself. and i know that he has
  • 00:26:29.159 --> 00:26:32.529
  • Made a way. so don't ever think you know what, i don't feel
  • 00:26:32.529 --> 00:26:36.266
  • Qualified for this, but god's given me an opportunity. god's
  • 00:26:36.266 --> 00:26:40.236
  • Looking at your heart, and when he looks at your heart and he
  • 00:26:40.236 --> 00:26:43.673
  • Sees your. yes, god can really use you.
  • 00:26:43.673 --> 00:26:46.710
  • >> so we're talking about jeremiah. how many of us quote
  • 00:26:46.710 --> 00:26:50.080
  • That? jeremiah 2911 for i know the plans i have for you,
  • 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:53.383
  • Declares the lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
  • 00:26:53.383 --> 00:26:56.620
  • But i think sometimes we forget, i mean, even the title of
  • 00:26:56.620 --> 00:27:00.457
  • Jeremiah 29 and my bible says a letter to the exiles. yeah.
  • 00:27:00.457 --> 00:27:05.495
  • 2910 says, this is what the lord says when 70 years are
  • 00:27:05.495 --> 00:27:09.099
  • Completed for babylon, i will come to you and fulfill my
  • 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:12.202
  • Gracious promise to you, to bring you back to this place.
  • 00:27:12.202 --> 00:27:15.171
  • There was 70 years of exile to get. i have plans for you that
  • 00:27:15.171 --> 00:27:18.908
  • Are to prosper you and not to harm you. and i think sometimes
  • 00:27:18.908 --> 00:27:22.412
  • We overlook that and we're. and we put a magnet on our fridge,
  • 00:27:22.412 --> 00:27:25.882
  • Or we quote it in a yearbook or something, and we forget there
  • 00:27:25.882 --> 00:27:30.487
  • Was pain associated with that promise, and there was waiting
  • 00:27:30.487 --> 00:27:34.391
  • Associated to that promise. and it's meant to say, i am with
  • 00:27:34.391 --> 00:27:38.728
  • You no matter what life brings, because we know life will bring.
  • 00:27:38.728 --> 00:27:42.399
  • >> i think.
  • 00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.066
  • >> it's the.
  • 00:27:43.066 --> 00:27:43.500
  • >> best news.
  • 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.267
  • >> of all is the best.
  • 00:27:44.267 --> 00:27:46.069
  • >> i don't think it's. i remember when we had a horrible
  • 00:27:46.069 --> 00:27:49.072
  • House situation where we ended up owning two houses, and for
  • 00:27:49.072 --> 00:27:51.708
  • Five years it was a disaster. we had to file for bankruptcy.
  • 00:27:51.708 --> 00:27:55.412
  • So barry and i had to go to bankruptcy court. and that's
  • 00:27:55.412 --> 00:27:58.682
  • Like, you know, interesting. so here's what was interesting. we
  • 00:27:58.682 --> 00:28:03.286
  • Walked in and we were case number six. so i'm sitting a
  • 00:28:03.286 --> 00:28:06.156
  • Little bit far back and and i'm watching the man to my right
  • 00:28:06.156 --> 00:28:09.159
  • And he's got a tissue and he's literally, it's like it's
  • 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:11.928
  • Snowing, he's tearing apart. and i look at somebody else
  • 00:28:11.928 --> 00:28:14.764
  • Over there and he's got his head in his hands. and i
  • 00:28:14.764 --> 00:28:17.767
  • Suddenly thought, you know what's amazing about this?
  • 00:28:17.767 --> 00:28:20.170
  • Jesus is here in bankruptcy court. no matter what you go
  • 00:28:20.170 --> 00:28:23.440
  • Through, he's healing a cancer ward. he's in a bankruptcy
  • 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:25.942
  • Court. he's here. whatever we're going through, the best
  • 00:28:25.942 --> 00:28:30.046
  • News is you'll never go through alone.
  • 00:28:30.046 --> 00:28:32.482
  • >> yeah, that's so powerful.
  • 00:28:32.482 --> 00:28:34.150
  • >> and you were talking about joseph earlier. so again, it's
  • 00:28:34.150 --> 00:28:37.187
  • Equating what safety a safety is not your situation being
  • 00:28:37.187 --> 00:28:40.724
  • Perfect because everything you walk through, whether it's just
  • 00:28:40.724 --> 00:28:44.160
  • The battle, the enemy trying to destroy you or will repeat it
  • 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:46.796
  • Again, it may be your own mistakes. god uses everything.
  • 00:28:46.796 --> 00:28:50.834
  • He doesn't waste a hurt, but he uses all of it. and i know all
  • 00:28:50.834 --> 00:28:54.838
  • Of us here could probably say together in unison. i mean, are
  • 00:28:54.838 --> 00:28:57.841
  • There things i wished i'd done differently? yeah, but as god
  • 00:28:57.841 --> 00:29:00.744
  • Redeemed and restored it 100%, yes. and i'm grateful for all
  • 00:29:00.744 --> 00:29:03.913
  • Of it because it's at its strength. absolutely. so i
  • 00:29:03.913 --> 00:29:06.282
  • Don't think we keep looking for the absence of fear, right. i
  • 00:29:06.282 --> 00:29:11.020
  • Think a more important way of looking at that is fear may
  • 00:29:11.020 --> 00:29:13.890
  • Always be there. it's just you decide if you're going to agree
  • 00:29:13.890 --> 00:29:16.926
  • With it or not. and so don't agree with fear. agree with
  • 00:29:16.926 --> 00:29:21.364
  • Truth.
  • 00:29:21.364 --> 00:29:21.798
  • >> yeah, yeah.
  • 00:29:21.798 --> 00:29:22.899
  • >> but then you have to know the anatomy of a lie and the
  • 00:29:22.999 --> 00:29:26.803
  • Anatomy of a truth, right? because fear attaches itself to
  • 00:29:26.803 --> 00:29:30.607
  • A lie. that's not, you know, whether it happens or doesn't
  • 00:29:30.607 --> 00:29:33.576
  • Happen, it's a. lie because god's always.
  • 00:29:33.576 --> 00:29:35.445
  • >> with you and.
  • 00:29:35.445 --> 00:29:36.446
  • >> god's not given us the spirit of fear.
  • 00:29:36.446 --> 00:29:38.548
  • >> yes.
  • 00:29:38.548 --> 00:29:39.749
  • >> neuroscience even lines up with what god's word says, that
  • 00:29:39.849 --> 00:29:42.285
  • Perfect love removes all fear. in fact, i love about this
  • 00:29:42.285 --> 00:29:46.990
  • Scripture is that the only perfect love is god. and to
  • 00:29:46.990 --> 00:29:51.294
  • Discover the perfect love of god, it's really in the word of
  • 00:29:51.294 --> 00:29:54.130
  • God. now here's the thing is that fear is based on lies.
  • 00:29:54.130 --> 00:29:59.235
  • Lies that are telling you that something won't be taken care
  • 00:29:59.235 --> 00:30:03.173
  • Of, or they'll be extreme pain or things won't work out. those
  • 00:30:03.173 --> 00:30:08.211
  • Lies and that fear can't just be stopped. you have to replace
  • 00:30:08.211 --> 00:30:11.948
  • It with the word of god. and so for years, from the sexual
  • 00:30:11.948 --> 00:30:15.418
  • Abuse i experienced as a child, i believed that i wasn't
  • 00:30:15.418 --> 00:30:19.756
  • Beautiful, beauty was painful, and i believed that i didn't
  • 00:30:19.756 --> 00:30:22.392
  • Have a voice. but the only way i could replace those lies was
  • 00:30:22.392 --> 00:30:26.329
  • With the word of god. in fact, i even put on my phone five
  • 00:30:26.329 --> 00:30:29.899
  • Times a day, five alarms a day that had the opposite of what
  • 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:33.336
  • Those lies were saying. so i'm a child of god. he's given me a
  • 00:30:33.336 --> 00:30:38.508
  • Voice. with god, nothing is impossible. i'm able to do
  • 00:30:38.508 --> 00:30:41.411
  • Exceedingly abundantly above what he asks or thinks. like
  • 00:30:41.411 --> 00:30:44.247
  • Every promise i could imagine, i put into my my phone. so that
  • 00:30:44.247 --> 00:30:48.618
  • Reminder came up five times a day, and before i knew it, i
  • 00:30:48.618 --> 00:30:52.488
  • Wasn't just stopping the lie. i was building new neural
  • 00:30:52.488 --> 00:30:55.325
  • Pathways with truth. so those lies didn't have any power
  • 00:30:55.325 --> 00:30:58.228
  • Anymore. you have to replace it with the truth of god. it's
  • 00:30:58.228 --> 00:31:01.130
  • Powerful. it's his very essence that begins to transform you.
  • 00:31:01.130 --> 00:31:06.102
  • >> courage doesn't mean pretending that everything's
  • 00:31:06.102 --> 00:31:08.338
  • Just going to be all right, but it comes through the scriptures
  • 00:31:08.338 --> 00:31:12.308
  • That say, nothing can separate me from the love of god. it
  • 00:31:12.308 --> 00:31:16.613
  • Just is a promise that god says, nothing's going to separate you
  • 00:31:16.613 --> 00:31:20.283
  • And me and my love for you. yeah, you know that you can go
  • 00:31:20.283 --> 00:31:24.187
  • Through anything. that we can go through everything or
  • 00:31:24.187 --> 00:31:28.458
  • Anything, because his divine presence is with us, and
  • 00:31:28.458 --> 00:31:31.728
  • Nothing's going to stop that. nothing's going to hinder it.
  • 00:31:31.728 --> 00:31:34.631
  • And he has a sovereign will.
  • 00:31:34.631 --> 00:31:36.466
  • >> that's right.
  • 00:31:36.466 --> 00:31:37.667
  • >> what i love about that verse that, you know, when paul says
  • 00:31:37.767 --> 00:31:40.203
  • It's romans 83839, for i am convinced. i'm convinced in the
  • 00:31:40.203 --> 00:31:43.973
  • Greek, it's the sense is i was convinced and i remain
  • 00:31:43.973 --> 00:31:49.012
  • Convinced. so so when he was first saved, you know, and he's
  • 00:31:49.012 --> 00:31:52.715
  • Knocked off his horse and he's blind and he meets the the
  • 00:31:52.715 --> 00:31:55.885
  • Risen christ. i would have been full of faith that night,
  • 00:31:55.885 --> 00:31:59.756
  • Convinced that nothing could separate me. he's now writing
  • 00:31:59.756 --> 00:32:02.458
  • It to this letter to the romans. 20 years later. he's been
  • 00:32:02.458 --> 00:32:06.663
  • Shipwrecked, he's been stoned, he's been left.
  • 00:32:06.663 --> 00:32:08.698
  • >> for dead.
  • 00:32:08.698 --> 00:32:09.832
  • >> he's been in prison. and what he writes to us is, okay,
  • 00:32:09.933 --> 00:32:12.802
  • I was convinced, but let me tell you, i remain convinced.
  • 00:32:12.802 --> 00:32:16.673
  • >> now more than ever. nothing. yes.
  • 00:32:16.673 --> 00:32:18.908
  • >> that can separate us from the love of god.
  • 00:32:18.908 --> 00:32:20.843
  • >> in christ jesus.
  • 00:32:20.843 --> 00:32:22.111
  • >> encounters with jesus will do. that's. that's what we have
  • 00:32:22.111 --> 00:32:24.747
  • To keep going for. that in our walk with the lord is presence.
  • 00:32:24.747 --> 00:32:28.851
  • >> yeah.
  • 00:32:28.851 --> 00:32:29.819
  • >> because encounters with him change everything.
  • 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:31.587
  • >> they do. whether you feel his presence.
  • 00:32:31.587 --> 00:32:34.424
  • >> or not. because some people like i can just listen to a
  • 00:32:34.424 --> 00:32:38.294
  • Worship song and i'm in the presence of god like that.
  • 00:32:38.294 --> 00:32:40.530
  • Dennis, though, is black and white. and i remember him
  • 00:32:40.530 --> 00:32:43.366
  • Saying to me years ago, he's like, i don't know how you do
  • 00:32:43.366 --> 00:32:46.436
  • It. like within three seconds, jesus is talking to you. and
  • 00:32:46.436 --> 00:32:49.339
  • It's taken me like, i'm like, i don't really sense or feel
  • 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:52.375
  • Anything. you know, this was in the early days. he had to
  • 00:32:52.375 --> 00:32:55.345
  • Practice that. but so everybody experiences god differently.
  • 00:32:55.345 --> 00:32:57.780
  • What i've learned through the years of following jesus is the
  • 00:32:57.780 --> 00:33:01.417
  • Minute i sense fear. so the first thing is you have to
  • 00:33:01.417 --> 00:33:05.655
  • Identify that it is fear, that it's a lie from the pit of hell.
  • 00:33:05.655 --> 00:33:08.791
  • To me, that's important because then when i can identify that
  • 00:33:08.791 --> 00:33:11.828
  • The fear is not coming from god, because honestly, when god
  • 00:33:11.828 --> 00:33:15.732
  • Speaks, every time god speaks, hope is attached to it. so if
  • 00:33:15.732 --> 00:33:19.268
  • You're hearing anything where hope is not attached to it,
  • 00:33:19.268 --> 00:33:21.471
  • That's a lie. and that's because the enemy, if he's
  • 00:33:21.471 --> 00:33:26.209
  • Bringing fear your way, whether it's because of a past
  • 00:33:26.209 --> 00:33:29.445
  • Experience or something you're about to face, honestly, it is
  • 00:33:29.445 --> 00:33:33.049
  • An indicator of something that god is getting ready to do. but
  • 00:33:33.049 --> 00:33:36.719
  • I have found in my life the other side of fear, there's
  • 00:33:36.719 --> 00:33:39.655
  • Always purpose. there's always potential. there's always
  • 00:33:39.655 --> 00:33:43.126
  • Promise. fear is not your identity. who god says you are
  • 00:33:43.126 --> 00:33:46.796
  • Is your identity. it's an indicator. it's never meant to
  • 00:33:46.796 --> 00:33:49.632
  • Intimidate you. god's promises are stronger, more powerful,
  • 00:33:49.632 --> 00:33:53.002
  • And able to obliterate every lie and every fear that has
  • 00:33:53.002 --> 00:33:56.539
  • Ever tried to come against you.
  • 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:59.609
  • >> join the conversation on our better together youtube channel.
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  • Subscribe today and never miss a new upload.
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  • 00:34:06.999 --> 00:34:10.921
  • >> but i remember years ago we were walking through like the
  • 00:34:10.921 --> 00:34:13.891
  • Hardest time we had ever. we had had a huge betrayal in our
  • 00:34:13.891 --> 00:34:16.960
  • Church, which hindsight, 30 years.
  • 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:18.829
  • >> later.
  • 00:34:18.829 --> 00:34:19.963
  • >> i could have handled that with a little less insecurity.
  • 00:34:20.064 --> 00:34:22.833
  • >> yeah. so but.
  • 00:34:22.833 --> 00:34:24.068
  • >> whatever you learn from it. so we're in the middle of this
  • 00:34:24.068 --> 00:34:27.004
  • Betrayal and i'm kind of shipwrecked. i'm not feeling
  • 00:34:27.004 --> 00:34:29.106
  • The presence of god at all. i'm just irritated at everything.
  • 00:34:29.106 --> 00:34:32.076
  • So somebody, a friend of mine who lives here in texas, said
  • 00:34:32.076 --> 00:34:34.978
  • To me, hey, i have this christian retreat that that i
  • 00:34:34.978 --> 00:34:38.282
  • Have been to. it really touched me. i'd love to pay your way,
  • 00:34:38.282 --> 00:34:41.485
  • Fly you to texas. it was very sweet and i was like, anything
  • 00:34:41.485 --> 00:34:44.655
  • To get away from people would be the best thing. i just need
  • 00:34:44.655 --> 00:34:47.558
  • Space. first of all, i was a little nervous because she
  • 00:34:47.558 --> 00:34:50.594
  • Wouldn't tell me about it. but we get here and there's 50 of
  • 00:34:50.594 --> 00:34:53.597
  • Us getting on a bus together, and we're going to be on a five
  • 00:34:53.597 --> 00:34:57.468
  • Hour bus trip out into the middle of nowhere in texas. so
  • 00:34:57.468 --> 00:35:00.437
  • I was like, this was a huge mistake. anyways, we finally
  • 00:35:00.437 --> 00:35:03.373
  • Get out to where we're going. and then i was like, at least i
  • 00:35:03.373 --> 00:35:06.510
  • Get my own room. no, i'm in a dorm room with seven women who
  • 00:35:06.510 --> 00:35:10.380
  • All have problems. i'm like, i don't need anybody else's
  • 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:12.649
  • Problems. i have enough of my own knauls are sharing their
  • 00:35:12.649 --> 00:35:15.486
  • Stuff and i'm like, i got to get out of here. anyways. three
  • 00:35:15.486 --> 00:35:18.655
  • Days in, they have all these exercises and you're out in the
  • 00:35:18.655 --> 00:35:21.525
  • Middle of the wilderness and they're like, you're going to
  • 00:35:21.525 --> 00:35:24.394
  • Hear from jesus. and i'm like, no, i haven't heard from him.
  • 00:35:24.394 --> 00:35:27.397
  • I'm pretty sure he's not here and i'm about to leave. so
  • 00:35:27.397 --> 00:35:30.400
  • Fourth day is fast day, which means they're giving us a
  • 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:32.603
  • Little backpack, water, a protein drink, and all these
  • 00:35:32.603 --> 00:35:35.372
  • Little scripture exercises to do for the day. and then they
  • 00:35:35.372 --> 00:35:37.608
  • Say, there's 400 acres. you can go wherever you want to ask
  • 00:35:37.608 --> 00:35:40.577
  • Jesus where you should go. this is getting weirder by the
  • 00:35:40.577 --> 00:35:43.514
  • Moment. so and be careful of the snakes. i'm like, really? i
  • 00:35:43.514 --> 00:35:46.550
  • Live in dc? like, i'd rather get a parking ticket for $4,000
  • 00:35:46.550 --> 00:35:49.586
  • Than.
  • 00:35:49.586 --> 00:35:50.154
  • >> to face a snake. yeah.
  • 00:35:50.254 --> 00:35:51.488
  • >> so finally we're going out there. i have a stick in my
  • 00:35:51.488 --> 00:35:54.491
  • Hands because i'm terrified i'm going to find a snake. and
  • 00:35:54.491 --> 00:35:57.461
  • Finally i find this spot. i'm like, this looks perfect. and
  • 00:35:57.461 --> 00:36:00.397
  • Then because i'm a woman, i'm like, maybe i can find a better
  • 00:36:00.397 --> 00:36:03.534
  • Spot. so i put the stick in the ground and then i go to find a
  • 00:36:03.534 --> 00:36:07.404
  • Better spot. there wasn't anything better. so i go back
  • 00:36:07.404 --> 00:36:09.573
  • To this spot. when i get back there, there's a stag standing
  • 00:36:09.573 --> 00:36:12.643
  • There with ten point, ten point antlers.
  • 00:36:12.643 --> 00:36:14.711
  • >> wow.
  • 00:36:14.711 --> 00:36:15.879
  • >> and i, i'm not, i also, we don't even own a dog or a cat.
  • 00:36:15.979 --> 00:36:19.383
  • I don't even know how to deal with wildlife, let alone the
  • 00:36:19.383 --> 00:36:22.386
  • Fact i'm starving. i'm thinking i'm hallucinating. i haven't
  • 00:36:22.386 --> 00:36:24.521
  • Eaten all day. i'm like, okay, forget it. i put my stick in
  • 00:36:24.521 --> 00:36:27.558
  • The ground. this is where i want to be. you can't. you got
  • 00:36:27.558 --> 00:36:30.661
  • To leave. so i start talking to the deer finally. then the deer
  • 00:36:30.661 --> 00:36:34.398
  • Starts screaming and starts stomping his foot, which
  • 00:36:34.398 --> 00:36:36.400
  • Apparently i don't know. my husband tells me later, means
  • 00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:38.635
  • He's he could charge you. and i'm like, oh my gosh, finally,
  • 00:36:38.635 --> 00:36:41.638
  • I'm not leaving. in the name of jesus. i sit down, i'm like,
  • 00:36:41.638 --> 00:36:44.641
  • You're gone. the deer finally leaves. so now i'm sitting on
  • 00:36:44.641 --> 00:36:47.578
  • The ground and i'm irritated. i'm hungry. and i'm like, i'm
  • 00:36:47.578 --> 00:36:50.447
  • Fighting battles in dc. now i'm fighting deer. what is
  • 00:36:50.447 --> 00:36:55.385
  • Happening? lord, where are you? i haven't felt your presence at
  • 00:36:55.385 --> 00:36:58.021
  • All this week. i came here to hear from you. and in the
  • 00:36:58.021 --> 00:37:01.024
  • Stillness of the woods, god speaks to me. he says, stop
  • 00:37:01.024 --> 00:37:04.027
  • Fighting for what i've already paid for. he said that deer
  • 00:37:04.027 --> 00:37:07.664
  • Represent. it wasn't the enemy. it wasn't a battle. it
  • 00:37:07.664 --> 00:37:10.200
  • Represented me guarding what i've already paid for. when i
  • 00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:13.136
  • Said, it is finished, i've already paid for the battles
  • 00:37:13.136 --> 00:37:17.074
  • That you're facing now and that you'll you'll face in your
  • 00:37:17.074 --> 00:37:19.943
  • Future, he said. it is finished. it's echoing over your life
  • 00:37:19.943 --> 00:37:23.547
  • Right now. so good. and so i don't normally get theology
  • 00:37:23.547 --> 00:37:26.717
  • From wildlife, but that changed my life because i feel like we
  • 00:37:26.717 --> 00:37:31.455
  • Have spent our lives fighting for something that's already
  • 00:37:31.455 --> 00:37:36.493
  • Been paid for. so when we say you can you have courage, it's
  • 00:37:36.493 --> 00:37:40.130
  • Because he's already with you.
  • 00:37:40.130 --> 00:37:41.298
  • >> that's right.
  • 00:37:41.298 --> 00:37:42.499
  • >> it is finished. it's already been paid over every healing,
  • 00:37:42.599 --> 00:37:44.801
  • Over every business deal, over every insecurity, over every
  • 00:37:44.801 --> 00:37:49.072
  • Fear, anything you'll ever face.
  • 00:37:49.072 --> 00:37:51.975
  • >> when jesus died on the cross and that curtain was torn from
  • 00:37:51.975 --> 00:37:56.580
  • Top to bottom, it ended the separation between us and god.
  • 00:37:56.580 --> 00:38:02.452
  • We had a direct bridge to god. and so sometimes we forget that.
  • 00:38:02.452 --> 00:38:07.824
  • Sometimes we think that he's so far away, he doesn't hear us.
  • 00:38:07.824 --> 00:38:10.794
  • The silence means no, or he doesn't care anymore. but the
  • 00:38:10.794 --> 00:38:13.196
  • Reality is, the silence is a beauty that you can sit in and
  • 00:38:13.196 --> 00:38:17.534
  • Remember that we were made for such a time as this.
  • 00:38:17.534 --> 00:38:20.704
  • >> and what you're saying there, i love in luke 1019, you're
  • 00:38:20.704 --> 00:38:24.274
  • Talking about authority, like understanding the authority
  • 00:38:24.274 --> 00:38:26.910
  • That we walk in. and even when you said snakes, i'm like, okay,
  • 00:38:26.910 --> 00:38:30.480
  • You would have had to operate out of some kind of authority
  • 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:34.084
  • There. luke 1019 says, i have given you authority to trample
  • 00:38:34.084 --> 00:38:37.888
  • On snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the
  • 00:38:37.888 --> 00:38:41.158
  • Enemy. nothing will harm you. and then it says this. however,
  • 00:38:41.158 --> 00:38:44.795
  • Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that
  • 00:38:44.795 --> 00:38:49.199
  • Your names are written in heaven. this is why you can
  • 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:54.171
  • Look at that and understand that he wasn't. that wasn't the
  • 00:38:54.171 --> 00:38:57.174
  • Enemy, that was a guard over you. because your name is
  • 00:38:57.174 --> 00:38:59.976
  • Written in heaven. no matter what comes our way, we have
  • 00:38:59.976 --> 00:39:03.947
  • That safety.
  • 00:39:03.947 --> 00:39:04.614
  • >> yeah.
  • 00:39:04.614 --> 00:39:05.082
  • >> yeah, yeah.
  • 00:39:05.082 --> 00:39:06.249
  • >> i wonder how often we have that guard there. kind of like
  • 00:39:06.350 --> 00:39:09.319
  • The deer, the stag. and we just push it away and like, reject
  • 00:39:09.319 --> 00:39:15.525
  • It. and i think of how lament oftentimes, at least in my
  • 00:39:15.525 --> 00:39:20.530
  • Story, lament after crisis and actually sitting in it helps me
  • 00:39:20.530 --> 00:39:24.534
  • In the healing and actually find courage and find the
  • 00:39:24.534 --> 00:39:29.172
  • Opposite of fear. and we're so busy running from it and not
  • 00:39:29.172 --> 00:39:33.510
  • Sitting in it and allowing us ourselves to heal through the
  • 00:39:33.510 --> 00:39:37.047
  • Lament. i feel like, especially with our culture, we're very
  • 00:39:37.047 --> 00:39:40.717
  • Like, oh, let's make everything happy, pollyanna. let's just do
  • 00:39:40.717 --> 00:39:44.988
  • We spin it for the positive all the time. but there's a whole
  • 00:39:44.988 --> 00:39:48.558
  • Book of lamentations, right? that we don't sit in. and maybe
  • 00:39:48.558 --> 00:39:52.195
  • Some of what we need to address in our fear is through what we
  • 00:39:52.195 --> 00:39:57.234
  • Need to lament, and maybe we need to reconcile some
  • 00:39:57.234 --> 00:40:01.538
  • Relationships that we just really are afraid of or don't
  • 00:40:01.538 --> 00:40:04.141
  • Want to. maybe we need to face something that we either did or
  • 00:40:04.141 --> 00:40:08.412
  • Was done to us, but we we have to stop running from it and not
  • 00:40:08.412 --> 00:40:13.717
  • Allow fear to be what determines who we are or our
  • 00:40:13.717 --> 00:40:19.890
  • Future at that.
  • 00:40:19.890 --> 00:40:20.991
  • >> it's interesting you say that, though, because i
  • 00:40:20.991 --> 00:40:23.193
  • Actually was speaking with a counselor who helped me
  • 00:40:23.193 --> 00:40:26.696
  • Understand a little bit more about my nervous system. and
  • 00:40:26.696 --> 00:40:29.266
  • What's interesting is i think we tell ourselves as kind of a
  • 00:40:29.266 --> 00:40:33.637
  • Safety way to protect ourselves, that either stuffing it or
  • 00:40:33.637 --> 00:40:37.607
  • Running from it is actually better for our nervous system
  • 00:40:37.607 --> 00:40:40.210
  • To not feel it. but for me, at least, what i had to learn is
  • 00:40:40.210 --> 00:40:44.581
  • It's kind of like, you can't go over it, you can't go around it.
  • 00:40:44.581 --> 00:40:47.784
  • You got to go through it. you know, it's, it's sitting in
  • 00:40:47.784 --> 00:40:50.787
  • That and feeling the pain of whatever that is. maybe the
  • 00:40:50.787 --> 00:40:53.657
  • Friendship, betrayal or the loss of a loved one, just kind
  • 00:40:53.657 --> 00:40:56.593
  • Of allowing yourself to feel it actually starts to regulate
  • 00:40:56.593 --> 00:41:00.931
  • Your system versus the idea of pushing away because your body
  • 00:41:00.931 --> 00:41:04.968
  • Still knows it's there, it will always know it's there, it'll
  • 00:41:04.968 --> 00:41:07.771
  • Know. and so it's almost like a way of self-regulating is
  • 00:41:07.771 --> 00:41:11.341
  • Exactly what you're saying, sitting in it, feeling it and
  • 00:41:11.341 --> 00:41:15.011
  • Asking the lord, what do you say about this thing? how do
  • 00:41:15.011 --> 00:41:18.215
  • You bring healing to this thing? because you will, at some point.
  • 00:41:18.215 --> 00:41:22.152
  • I think i have learned in my older years, the body kind of
  • 00:41:22.152 --> 00:41:25.789
  • Keeps the score. you will have to account for that pain at
  • 00:41:25.789 --> 00:41:29.359
  • Some point. so be courageous to sit in that and, and lament
  • 00:41:29.359 --> 00:41:35.499
  • Whatever you need to lament because the lord has something
  • 00:41:35.499 --> 00:41:38.268
  • To say about it.
  • 00:41:38.268 --> 00:41:39.135
  • >> yeah, yeah.
  • 00:41:39.135 --> 00:41:40.203
  • >> he has something really special to say about what is
  • 00:41:40.303 --> 00:41:43.039
  • Happening. and i think it's another way of even more
  • 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:47.010
  • Intimacy with him to sit in the pain of what is happening
  • 00:41:47.010 --> 00:41:50.680
  • Instead of stuffing it or trying to go around it.
  • 00:41:50.680 --> 00:41:53.183
  • >> he says he's close.
  • 00:41:53.183 --> 00:41:54.317
  • >> to the brokenhearted.
  • 00:41:54.317 --> 00:41:55.452
  • >> he's close to the brokenhearted.
  • 00:41:55.452 --> 00:41:57.120
  • >> you know. he he heals the wounded. and those that are,
  • 00:41:57.120 --> 00:42:00.690
  • Are wounded in spirit. and, you know, he's given us everything
  • 00:42:00.690 --> 00:42:05.929
  • That pertains to life and godliness. and so we sit in and
  • 00:42:05.929 --> 00:42:11.134
  • Feel it, knowing that god's the only real healer that there is,
  • 00:42:11.134 --> 00:42:15.805
  • And sit in that comfort that only the holy spirit can bring
  • 00:42:15.805 --> 00:42:20.176
  • You. that's, you know, when you're going through because
  • 00:42:20.176 --> 00:42:21.978
  • There is a season for everything.
  • 00:42:21.978 --> 00:42:24.147
  • >> and not to sit in the pain.
  • 00:42:24.147 --> 00:42:25.849
  • >> not to sit in the pain.
  • 00:42:25.849 --> 00:42:27.717
  • >> sit in the comfort that god has for you, sit in his healing
  • 00:42:27.717 --> 00:42:31.254
  • Presence, sit in his redemption, you know, as he restores.
  • 00:42:31.254 --> 00:42:36.726
  • That's jesus is all about the restoration of the
  • 00:42:36.726 --> 00:42:40.297
  • Brokenhearted and the, the peace that passes all
  • 00:42:40.297 --> 00:42:43.166
  • Understanding and the joy that's unspeakable. you know,
  • 00:42:43.166 --> 00:42:46.436
  • How would we know god and all those beautiful facets of him
  • 00:42:46.436 --> 00:42:51.174
  • If we didn't go through the stuff that we go through,
  • 00:42:51.174 --> 00:42:54.411
  • Because we're going to go through it anyway? pain. life
  • 00:42:54.411 --> 00:42:58.048
  • Is life, right? that's right. and it's going to either suck
  • 00:42:58.048 --> 00:43:01.117
  • For you or you are going to sit and you're going to get stuff
  • 00:43:01.117 --> 00:43:05.522
  • From god and revelation from god that will change your world,
  • 00:43:05.522 --> 00:43:09.426
  • Change your life, change who you are on the inside. it
  • 00:43:09.426 --> 00:43:12.362
  • Brings transformation in our life. yeah. so sit however long
  • 00:43:12.362 --> 00:43:16.066
  • You need to know, knowing that god has not given us the spirit
  • 00:43:16.066 --> 00:43:18.835
  • Of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind, and that
  • 00:43:18.835 --> 00:43:23.840
  • God is with us and nothing can separate anything. right from
  • 00:43:23.840 --> 00:43:29.312
  • God's love and his care and his sovereign will in our lives. so
  • 00:43:29.312 --> 00:43:34.284
  • Many things can portray themselves that just you feel
  • 00:43:34.284 --> 00:43:38.021
  • Like you're looking fear in the face. and i want you to know
  • 00:43:38.021 --> 00:43:41.992
  • That when those times come, when that fear comes, you have
  • 00:43:41.992 --> 00:43:48.131
  • To remember that god is with you and that his grace is
  • 00:43:48.131 --> 00:43:51.935
  • Sufficient. haven't you been around people that have gone
  • 00:43:51.935 --> 00:43:55.238
  • Through things i have loved, ones i've got friends that have
  • 00:43:55.238 --> 00:43:57.807
  • Gone through some dark places. i mean, this week one of my
  • 00:43:57.807 --> 00:44:02.412
  • Dearest friends lost her 13 day old baby, you know, and i just
  • 00:44:02.412 --> 00:44:07.050
  • Sit back and i watch them and i just think of the just the
  • 00:44:07.050 --> 00:44:10.687
  • Horribleness of that. but yet god gives a grace that is so
  • 00:44:10.687 --> 00:44:17.527
  • Sufficient. he gives a joy that is unspeakable. he gives a
  • 00:44:17.527 --> 00:44:24.000
  • Peace that passes all understanding. and the things
  • 00:44:24.000 --> 00:44:28.505
  • That you think you could never face or never get through. god
  • 00:44:28.505 --> 00:44:34.444
  • Will give you what you need to get you through. he is a
  • 00:44:34.444 --> 00:44:38.048
  • Sovereign god. he doesn't leave you lonely. he doesn't leave
  • 00:44:38.048 --> 00:44:41.251
  • You hanging. god is with you to give you what you need to
  • 00:44:41.251 --> 00:44:45.588
  • Comfort you, to be your supply to. to offer you his embrace
  • 00:44:45.588 --> 00:44:51.494
  • And his love and his mercy and his joy. to restore your joy.
  • 00:44:51.494 --> 00:44:58.268
  • To turn your mourning into dancing. to take the ashes of
  • 00:44:58.268 --> 00:45:03.206
  • Your life and turn it into joy. i'm telling you, god can do it,
  • 00:45:03.206 --> 00:45:07.210
  • And god will do it on your behalf.
  • 00:45:07.210 --> 00:45:10.380
  • >> when you read the gospel of john through when you read
  • 00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:13.383
  • Those, you know, like 14, 15, 16, 17, that great conversation
  • 00:45:13.383 --> 00:45:17.253
  • That jesus has with his disciples. on first reading,
  • 00:45:17.253 --> 00:45:20.323
  • I'm thinking, this is the worst peace speech i've ever read in
  • 00:45:20.323 --> 00:45:23.693
  • My.
  • 00:45:23.693 --> 00:45:24.027
  • >> life.
  • 00:45:24.027 --> 00:45:25.328
  • >> because it's like, you know, if they hated me, they're going
  • 00:45:25.328 --> 00:45:27.897
  • To hate you and they're going to kill you. and you, you know,
  • 00:45:27.897 --> 00:45:31.000
  • And, but at every point, what makes the difference is i will
  • 00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:35.772
  • Be with you.
  • 00:45:35.772 --> 00:45:36.372
  • >> i'll be with you.
  • 00:45:36.372 --> 00:45:37.540
  • >> i will be with you. my peace will be with you. and he
  • 00:45:37.540 --> 00:45:41.277
  • Promises us. and god is not like any of us. he doesn't lie.
  • 00:45:41.277 --> 00:45:44.380
  • If god says that his peace can be with us. and i have learned
  • 00:45:44.380 --> 00:45:48.551
  • That in some of the most difficult places in life of
  • 00:45:48.551 --> 00:45:52.856
  • Thinking. i don't know what the outcome is yet, but i know
  • 00:45:52.856 --> 00:45:56.760
  • You're with me. and because of that, we our story ends well. i
  • 00:45:56.760 --> 00:46:02.599
  • Remember you mentioned about the lion, the witch, and the
  • 00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:04.834
  • Wardrobe. i remember my mom giving me that book for
  • 00:46:04.834 --> 00:46:07.604
  • Christmas. and after our christmas lunch, i'm sitting
  • 00:46:07.604 --> 00:46:09.839
  • And i'm reading it, and i get to the bit where aslan is slain,
  • 00:46:09.839 --> 00:46:14.210
  • And i throw the book across the room and my mom's like, what
  • 00:46:14.210 --> 00:46:17.814
  • Are you doing? and i said, mom, i hate this story. and she said,
  • 00:46:17.814 --> 00:46:21.084
  • Then you need to read on. and i think that that is the truth of
  • 00:46:21.084 --> 00:46:26.356
  • God's word. you find yourself in a hard place.
  • 00:46:26.356 --> 00:46:30.026
  • >> read on. that is so.
  • 00:46:30.026 --> 00:46:32.095
  • >> powerful, sheila. and i wonder how many viewers
  • 00:46:32.095 --> 00:46:35.732
  • Watching today are actually, you know, you mentioned lament,
  • 00:46:35.732 --> 00:46:39.135
  • Which really means grief. you know, if that's a new word to
  • 00:46:39.135 --> 00:46:42.138
  • Anybody watching and how many people have maybe lost the
  • 00:46:42.138 --> 00:46:45.775
  • Breath of courage or even the ability to step forward because
  • 00:46:45.775 --> 00:46:49.512
  • The level of grief and the past and the failure has been so
  • 00:46:49.512 --> 00:46:52.982
  • Great, there's nothing we've experienced that jesus himself
  • 00:46:52.982 --> 00:46:55.518
  • Hasn't felt first. yeah. for the same feelings that we've
  • 00:46:55.518 --> 00:46:58.788
  • Had, emotions we've had. he experienced the same thing. and
  • 00:46:58.788 --> 00:47:02.425
  • Yet he sits with us in those moments with comfort, with
  • 00:47:02.425 --> 00:47:06.796
  • Peace, with everything we need. 2000 years ago when he said it
  • 00:47:06.796 --> 00:47:10.466
  • Is finished, he already paid the price for your courage, for
  • 00:47:10.466 --> 00:47:13.770
  • Your strength, for your boldness, for whatever you need
  • 00:47:13.770 --> 00:47:16.105
  • Right now. and i'm sure there's people watching right now that
  • 00:47:16.105 --> 00:47:18.808
  • Are going through really hard places. in fact, i think we're
  • 00:47:18.808 --> 00:47:22.645
  • Talking about courage because maybe just an encouragement
  • 00:47:22.645 --> 00:47:25.281
  • From god to you, hey, don't give up right now. read on.
  • 00:47:25.281 --> 00:47:29.419
  • Your story is not over yet. well, here's what i love and i
  • 00:47:29.419 --> 00:47:33.523
  • Have experienced it so much in my life. i think probably in
  • 00:47:33.523 --> 00:47:36.392
  • Some of the greatest battles and the greatest painful
  • 00:47:36.392 --> 00:47:40.597
  • Moments that i've walked through, i have felt god's
  • 00:47:40.597 --> 00:47:43.833
  • Peace when i've asked him, god, thank you for peace in the
  • 00:47:43.833 --> 00:47:48.438
  • Middle of the situation. and here's here's what i love about
  • 00:47:48.438 --> 00:47:51.441
  • It. it's beyond understanding. when you look at the
  • 00:47:51.441 --> 00:47:54.210
  • Circumstances, it doesn't make sense. but the reason why you
  • 00:47:54.210 --> 00:47:56.446
  • Can have peace that goes beyond understanding is because he is
  • 00:47:56.446 --> 00:48:00.016
  • Peace. he calls himself the prince of peace. and so when
  • 00:48:00.016 --> 00:48:03.286
  • He's present and whatever that situation is, there's a sense
  • 00:48:03.286 --> 00:48:07.156
  • Of peace that comes because, you know, he's going to handle
  • 00:48:07.156 --> 00:48:10.193
  • It and it's not over. i think sheila said something recently
  • 00:48:10.193 --> 00:48:14.764
  • That i heard her say about, you know, it's not the end of the
  • 00:48:14.764 --> 00:48:17.634
  • Story. keep reading. god's not finished with your story yet.
  • 00:48:17.634 --> 00:48:20.837
  • He's a god of victory. he's a god who like there's nothing
  • 00:48:20.837 --> 00:48:25.174
  • Impossible with him. galaxy after galaxy he's created. he
  • 00:48:25.174 --> 00:48:28.044
  • Knows the hairs on your head. he knows your cells. he knows
  • 00:48:28.044 --> 00:48:31.247
  • What you're thinking right now. he knows where you are. he
  • 00:48:31.247 --> 00:48:33.950
  • Knows whether you feel fulfilled, lonely, or alone. he
  • 00:48:33.950 --> 00:48:37.520
  • Hasn't left you, but he is the prince of peace. sometimes we
  • 00:48:37.520 --> 00:48:40.657
  • Think it's based on our circumstances. it's not. it's
  • 00:48:40.657 --> 00:48:43.259
  • Based on his presence. i just want to invite us to go ahead
  • 00:48:43.259 --> 00:48:47.497
  • And pray for those that are watching right now. lord, we
  • 00:48:47.497 --> 00:48:50.400
  • Are just so grateful for the entrustment that you have given
  • 00:48:50.400 --> 00:48:52.669
  • Us in these moments. and so to steward this conversation. lord,
  • 00:48:52.669 --> 00:48:57.373
  • You know who needed to hear this? who needs to be reminded
  • 00:48:57.373 --> 00:49:00.443
  • That you're with them, that they're not doing this for your
  • 00:49:00.443 --> 00:49:04.113
  • Approval, but lord, that they already are loved and embraced
  • 00:49:04.113 --> 00:49:07.583
  • By you. i thank you that you're holding them closely and let
  • 00:49:07.583 --> 00:49:11.287
  • Them see you in ways that they've never seen you before.
  • 00:49:11.287 --> 00:49:14.891
  • Experience you in ways they've never experienced you before.
  • 00:49:14.891 --> 00:49:16.659
  • Today, in the name of jesus, we take authority over all shame,
  • 00:49:16.659 --> 00:49:20.863
  • Over all fear, and we silence it now in jesus name. and we
  • 00:49:20.863 --> 00:49:25.034
  • Thank you, lord, that your truth and your love and who you
  • 00:49:25.034 --> 00:49:28.404
  • Are will shine and shout larger and louder in jesus name. we
  • 00:49:28.404 --> 00:49:32.709
  • Declare that now that there's a peace that will surround them.
  • 00:49:32.709 --> 00:49:36.079
  • And lord, that those that are watching will experience
  • 00:49:36.079 --> 00:49:39.515
  • Courage and the one step forward, the two steps forward.
  • 00:49:39.515 --> 00:49:43.519
  • Just allow them to experience the bountiful blessing that you
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  • Have in store for them. in jesus name we pray, amen.
  • 00:49:46.756 --> 00:49:51.060
  • >> amen.
  • 00:49:51.060 --> 00:49:52.862
  • >> connect with us on social media and let us know how our
  • 00:49:52.862 --> 00:49:55.932
  • Team can pray for you.
  • 00:49:55.932 --> 00:50:04.407
  • >> i think what it means to live fearless is that you just
  • 00:50:04.407 --> 00:50:08.745
  • Fear less. it doesn't mean that there's absolutely no fear.
  • 00:50:08.745 --> 00:50:12.782
  • What it means is that you've made a choice to let faith be
  • 00:50:12.782 --> 00:50:17.420
  • Larger than the fear. and i think that is really what that
  • 00:50:17.420 --> 00:50:20.590
  • Looks like. it doesn't mean that you'll be void of having
  • 00:50:20.590 --> 00:50:23.493
  • An insecure thought or fearful thought, but i do think that we
  • 00:50:23.493 --> 00:50:26.496
  • Have to make sure that as we're walking out this life, that we
  • 00:50:26.496 --> 00:50:29.999
  • Grab a hold onto the truth, that god puts courage in us,
  • 00:50:29.999 --> 00:50:34.303
  • And he won't put anything in front of us that he is not able
  • 00:50:34.303 --> 00:50:37.273
  • To walk with us through, and that we can hold his hand
  • 00:50:37.273 --> 00:50:40.510
  • Through it and have the courage to conquer whatever is in front
  • 00:50:40.510 --> 00:50:43.379
  • Of us.
  • 00:50:43.379 --> 00:50:45.114
  • >> watch better together on the go. download the free tbn plus
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  • App to stream all of your favorite conversations.
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