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Anxiety is a pervasive affliction that many individuals experience, yet it is essential to understand that freedom from such distress is attainable through faith. In this podcast episode, we explore the significance of confronting anxiety and the transformative power of walking in peace. Our esteemed guests, who have personally navigated the tumultuous waters of anxiety, share their profound experiences and insights. They underscore the vital role of relying on God's word as a source of strength and comfort during challenging times. Ultimately, we illuminate the path toward liberation from anxiety, emphasizing that it is possible to embrace a life of Victory through faith and community support.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) - Highlight

(01:00) - Meet our Guests

(09:32) - Overcoming Panic and Embracing Healing

(20:46) - Overcoming Anxiety Through Faith

(30:31) - Recognizing the Enemy's Tactics

(40:02) - Seeking Help for Anxiety

(45:15) - Finding Hope in Darkness

(48:54) - Thank you

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Mentioned in this Episode:

• KCM Canada
• Coastal Church
• Kenneth Hagan
• Kenneth Copeland

The thoughts come and they feel.

Only you have this problem.

You're worthless.

So true.

Does God really love you?

What did I do wrong?

You don't know what you're gonna do with your life yet.

Don't bother going to church.

Don't call your friend.

That's not your thought.

That's actually the enemy.

And he's the one that's throwing at you.

And you're gonna have to take a step of faith and you're gonna have to speak to that thought.

It's time to fight.

And it's up to you.

Though.

God never intended for us to live in anxiety.

Guard your mind.

Guard your heart.

I'm not walking this by myself.

I literally have the Prince of Peace with me.

He loves you no matter what.

He will never forsake you.

He's not mad at you.

What are the enemy's tactics?

He likes when we go into isolation.

Hello, and welcome to Victory Podcast.

This is a podcast where we talk about everyday life through a faith lens.

Living in victory.

And today is a bit of a different kind of episode.

Today we're going to talk about anxiety.

And not just anxiety, but freedom from anxiety and how to walk in peace.

And today I have three special guests with me who will discuss this topic with me who have experienced said anxiety.

And so please introduce yourselves.

Hi, my name is John.

I'm a manager here at KCM Canada, and I manage communications and media.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I'm Carrie, and I work here at KCM Canada as a prayer minister.

I have to throw in that I have four kids and eight grandkids, one on the way.

Awesome.

And my name's Christy, and my husband and I, we serve at Coastal Church in Vancouver, and we've been here in Vancouver for 14 years together.

We have five kids, and I'm a homeschool mom as well.

Yeah.

Okay, awesome.

Let's dive into anxiety all here, because we've experienced anxiety at some point, and I don't know what kind of level it ranges from that.

We've.

We've experienced it, but, yeah, it's a very common thing.

And so does anybody want to start by sharing their experience with anxiety?

I. I can.

Yeah.

I can start it.

Anxiety has started for me about.

I don't know.

I'm free from it now.

About 10 years ago.

Okay.

And it was when.

It's even more than that.

Probably because you were little.

Yeah, because we're sisters.

She's my baby sister.

Yeah.

It happened when I had little kids.

And I remember one time I was playing with the little kids, my little kids.

And this thought came to me, you're gonna die, you're gonna die.

You're not gonna see your kids grow up ever, your husband's gonna remarry, all these things.

And I just thought, that's ridiculous.

But as time went on, then I would feel different things, like health, anxiety a little bit.

And then it got to the point where it was just non stop, I couldn't enjoy my life anymore.

All the things, right?

So like say Christmas, kids are opening their gifts, I'm all happy.

And it's like right away, you're gonna die, you're not gonna see your kids.

And.

And then it got to the point where it was debilitating and paralyzing, where I would just stare and I couldn't control the thoughts and I'd roll, I'd kind of run away from it.

And then one time my husband said, that is a spirit of fear.

And on the end of that thought, that's not your thought, that's actually enemy.

And he's the one that's throwing that at you.

And you're gonna have to take a step of faith and you're gonna have to speak to that thought.

So I remember the first time I said in the name of Jesus, I shall live and not die.

But it was weak and I was doing it more as a principle.

And I thought, where have I been?

And I went into my prayer closet and I said, holy Spirit, you were on this journey with me.

I'm not doing this alone.

Teach me how to walk through this valley of the shadow of death, is what it was.

And I said, take me by the hand.

And from that moment on, it was, I was on a journey where if it was every two seconds, I'd be like, nope, I take authority over that.

In the name of Jesus.

God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power and sound mind.

I remember one time I was crying and I was laying on this heat register.

Back in the prairies you lay on heat registers.

And I had the blanket over me and I thought, I can't do this anymore.

And I remember saying, God, do you even hear me?

Like, this is taking too long.

And he said so beautifully, he said, I hear every whisper.

My love never fails.

And perfect love cast out fear.

So from there on I got stronger and stronger.

And I remember one time I was in the kitchen and the kids were all playing around and I had the same thought.

And as, as loud and as thing is, like, you're not going to see these kids Grow up, your husband's going to marry someone else.

Blah, blah, blah.

All the things, right?

And I remembered, I just put my little kitchen knife down and I said, no, I shall live and not die.

I God satisfies me with a good life.

And I looked to Jesus and I ignored him.

Then I just said, no, I'm not listening to you, God.

You said that I'm free.

So who the sun sets free is free indeed.

And from there on it was good until later on.

But I can talk about that later because I didn't stay with it.

You have to stay with the presence of God because the thoughts do come.

Yeah, right.

And that's another part.

Yeah.

It's so interesting how the thoughts come and they feel so true.

Yeah, so true.

Those lies feel like they're.

They're bigger than reality, bigger than the ultimate truth.

I would love to hear maybe.

John, what.

What was your experience with anxiety?

For me, well, I'm now in my mid-40s now, but I think the first time I was really hit with anxiety and depression was, I think my second year at university.

So it was well in the late 90s.

And back then it was.

It wasn't as defined and people didn't really talk about it as much.

That's true.

So I didn't really know what it was technically, so.

But I just had like this heavy feeling and I all of a sudden started feeling like, you know, life is pointless and I didn't know what to do.

And like.

And.

And like, for days I would just be in bed, like I didn't want to get up.

And just.

It was kind of strange because it was at a time where it was right after time when I had a really strong encounter with the Lord.

You know, I had a spiritual breakthrough.

And then all of a sudden, like, I guess few months after, like second year university, all of a sudden I felt like, you know, all these thoughts came into my head, especially at night, and just saying, you know, you know, you're worthless, you know, and like.

Or you don't know what you're going to do with your life yet, and all these things and stuff like that.

And then I struggle.

And then it was hard to share too, because, you know, with friends and stuff and just every night I was like struggling internally.

And so it was just.

It went on for.

Yeah, it went off for just that pretty much that whole year.

And then I had.

Because I didn't go to classes and stuff, I eventually got suspended from Academic lead.

So.

But that was a point where I had to Make a decision.

And at that time, my parents found out, you know, something's going on because they got letters and.

That's.

Right.

You're not welcome at the school anymore.

So they can't send me away to this.

Well, I chose after they recommended it, but, like, it's called discipleship training school.

It's with the youth, with the mission.

So that's when I had to deal with internally, heart and mind of how.

Dealing with God's love towards me and started beginning the process and.

Yeah.

And it didn't.

It began the process of healing, but it was still.

It didn't just go away.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Okay.

Yeah.

You know, you were sent away, but with a purpose and.

And to really rewash and rewire internally what.

What it meant, what it means to.

To be loved by God.

Yeah.

Yeah.

One thing I know is that anxiety is.

Is paired with fear.

And perfect love casts out all fear.

Right.

I would love to hear, Christy, how you.

Yeah.

Experienced anxiety.

Yeah, for sure.

So I always.

Growing up, I was always just a very carefree, happy person.

So this was new to me.

And I just started to have this, like, something.

My heart just starts beating so fast and my vision is going.

And I just thought like, I was.

My life was about to be over.

So I was calling husband.

I didn't know what's going on.

I was so scared and confused.

So I was calling.

I called the 911 emergency, and at that point, it was very hard for me to breathe.

Like, my hands were even, like, turning in and just trying to get oxygen.

So they thought, you're probably having a heart attack, so we're going to come quickly.

So you just stay there and don't move.

So they come up to my apartment at the time with all my kids just watching, and they just assess me and check me out.

And then they end up telling me what you experienced actually was a panic attack.

And then from there, it just started this, like, cycle of panic attacks.

Me constantly calling the emergency, constantly calling the ambulance to come and check on me, and just even being afraid.

You're talking about children.

I have five kids now.

At the time I had three.

And just being afraid to just go out by myself with my kids or to never go without my phone because of just this fear.

And so my husband, since he's.

He's a pastor, he was asked to.

To Initiate a wedding or officiate a wedding.

So he said, you were all invited.

We're all gonna go.

It's on the island.

It's gonna be fun.

And then I was like, okay, that's really great.

I'm happy for you.

I'm gonna stay here in bed because I'm exhausted.

Cause after you have one of those episodes, you're just.

You're done.

And so he's walk.

He's like, okay.

So he walks out.

He comes back in the room with a suitcase.

I'm like, what are you doing?

He's like, you're coming.

So he's like, you're gonna get out of bed by faith.

We're gonna pack your suitcase together.

And I was like, okay.

So it was like.

It was hard.

Like, I felt like my legs were like tree trunks.

I could barely, barely walk.

And I was like, okay, all right, I'm going to do it.

And then.

So on the way there, even on the ferry ride, it was just constant panic attacks.

And even at night when we were in our cabin, I just.

It's kind of similar to you.

I had this voice of the enemy saying, I'm going to kill you in your sleep.

And it was just like.

I felt like there's, like, this bag over my head, and I just could not get out of it because it would take my breath away so much.

And then.

So that really freaked me out.

And.

But, you know, I have a history of knowing that God's promises and knowing his faithfulness, just like a backstory.

I had premature twins, and their life was at risk.

They almost didn't make it here.

And it was that same voice, like, when the doctors would tell me, we're not sure if your.

Your twins are going to make it.

It was that same voice.

I had had a baby shower, and I had all these clothes hung up in.

In the closet, and I heard that same voice saying, your girls are going to die.

They're not going to make it.

So you might as well keep all the tags on the clothes, and.

And you're never going to see them.

So I had, like, this moment of, like, my faith rise up in me, like this fierceness.

I don't know if it's mama bear fierceness, but I was like.

I stood up and I went and ripped up all the tags as fast as I could.

I was like, no, my children are going to live and not die, and they're going to declare the works of the Lord forever.

And then.

So I was like, okay, I think maybe I've Intimidated the enemy a little bit.

Just like, recounting that.

And then in the morning, I went and told my husband what happened.

And he did, you know, thankful for husbands who know the Word.

He sat me out on the patio, got me a cup of coffee, pulled out his Bible.

He's like, you know better than this.

And he started to just open the Word and just remind me who I am in Christ, you know, these are the Scriptures, you know, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind.

You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.

Just really reminding me who I am in Christ, you know?

And then from there, I took some cards and I just wrote down.

I just.

You know, when you're having a pan attack, they say it's like, fight or flight.

And I was doing a lot of flight, and I was like, hey, it's time to fight now.

So I go get God's Word and write down the Scriptures.

I have all these cue cards and then just start speaking them.

In those moments, like you said, it was hard to even, like, you had a whisper.

And in those moments when it would come on me and this would happen for, like, three years, on and off, I just want to sit in a fetal position and just cry and just ignore it because it feels uncomfortable to get up and fight it.

But just the power of God's Word.

I just remember the one moment my kids were watching me again.

It's like I want to be an example to them, to live a life of faith and to walk in victory.

Remember just reading it quietly, like you were saying.

And then all of a sudden, it just gets louder and louder.

It's like truth.

Truth is going in, and it's just uprooting the lies of the enemy.

And, you know, I'm not saying this because I. I'm just trying to earn my healing or I'm trying to earn my deliverance.

But I'm saying this because I remind myself, like, the battle has already been won.

It is a fight that has already been won.

And I'm not walking this by myself.

I literally have the Prince of Peace with me, cheering me on.

And I just remember just imagining Jesus himself, you know, the holes in his hands, reminding us of victory, reminding of his blood and just passing me his armor.

Like, put on the full armor of God.

Like, it's time to fight.

And it's up to you, though, if you want to put that on and you want to do this.

But I'm here.

I'm here, right here.

Prince of Peace is Right here.

Yeah.

And then from there, just continue to do that.

And I just.

Remember I was saying earlier, I've just become so frustrated.

Like, I. I kept feeling I was going around this, like, this battle, like, constantly.

It's like, I just want to be free, Lord.

I want to be free.

And I know you said, whom the sun sets, free is free indeed.

So I just got, like, really mad.

And I think I got to the point where it's like, I'm believing this.

I'm believing that Jesus's stripes, like, I'm already healed, so I'm not going to put up with this anymore.

And I was driving home.

I was just rehearsing in my mind the woman with the issue of Blood.

And I know so many people know that story.

And she kept saying, if only I touch his garment, I will be healed.

If only I touch it.

She kept rehearsing it.

Yeah.

And I was like, I've been saying, like, I'm healed by Jesus stripes.

And I was like, you know, enough is enough.

I'm gonna reach out and I'm gonna take that healing.

Just like she did push through the crowd, you know.

And then I got home, and I still was still having these feelings come up, and I was like, okay, this is not done.

So.

So I'm putting my kids to sleep.

I'm laying in bed with them, and then I'm listening to God's word on.

You know, I think it was on YouTube.

And then this.

This preacher, he's talking about the same story that very night about the women of Issue of Blood.

And he's like, there are some people here that are going to be healed tonight.

I'm like, well, I'm not in that meeting.

But Jesus, you know, he knows where I am.

So he said, just reach out and take your healing.

And so I was like, God, thank you.

I'm healed.

So I just, like, I really identified with her in that moment, and I just reached out and took that healing.

That's good.

And then.

So it was not like.

It was not an instant thing.

It was over a span of like, maybe three and a half years where I finally believed.

Like, I finally.

It kind of finally clicked, like, I'm healed.

And then.

So when it clicked in my heart, it's like I. I sense it was like a supernatural feeling.

But the Prince of Peace, Jesus walked into that room and he touched my stomach and my.

My ears, and they were just, like, on fire.

But it was like his healing power just flowing through my body.

And, you know, I. I've seen God heal people before and for him to do it, to me personally, it was just, it was really special.

And to be like I'm done with this, like I'm turning this page and, but like you said, still continue.

You guys keep those, take those thoughts captive, right?

Yeah, yeah, it's true.

Yeah.

And it's a process.

It's not, it's not an instant, it's not overnight.

There is a freedom that comes and, and maybe the realization maybe instant but, but the walking out and the constant, you know, remembering that God is above all the noise and all the voices that come and all that, all the fear.

One thing that I, yeah.

That I heard everyone say collectively is that it, it took time.

And I would say that like as time passes, I don't know, I don't know if you guys could agree with this, but you get stronger in that.

Right.

The anxiety may still want to come back, but it's still something that we have to live out every day and, and standing on God's word.

Another thing that I noticed everyone say is how much they stood on God's word or the scripture and, and being put in, in inside of scripture and feeding on that.

One thing that I know is that a lot of people talk about anxiety nowadays and they all say they have anxiety varying in different degrees.

But, but why is it important for believers to know that God never intended for us to live in anxiety or even non believers for them to know that that's not how they were intended to live.

Why is that so important?

I could start, I think for me, I think this few realization I had and to help me overcome is because I guess first is when you're, when you feel anxious or when you have worrisome, you're focusing on that and it's related to yourself.

It's kind of form of like putting yourself and your worries and your cares above everything else.

You know, it says God always says put him first.

And it says you seek first the kingdom of God.

And that comes.

That whole context is about worrying now, worrying about clothes and what to eat tomorrow and stuff.

So it's like yeah, putting his kingdom first and he'll meet your needs.

He'll, you know, whatever that is, whether it's physical, whether it's spiritual or emotional.

That was one of the things that helped me got through because as if personally I like I, you know, I'm more quiet person.

I'd like to think a lot.

So especially in younger days I was always deep in my thoughts and, and, and you know, so, so when Worry comes or anxious thought comes.

I would dwell on that.

I would keep thinking about that.

And it goes deeper and deeper into darker places.

And sometimes you get out of it and sometimes you stay there for a bit and it's like sometimes you don't know what to do.

So in those times, you know, I try to pray, and then that helped me keeping prayer.

But it's a struggle, right?

You're trying to pray, you get out of it, and then that thoughts back comes.

And if you don't know how to deal with it, which I didn't when I was younger, it was a cycle.

It was happened again and again.

You.

You thought you got out, but then something happens or some life circumstance changes, and then you feel down again, and then you keep going down that path.

For me, it didn't really.

I didn't have the exact tools until I started working here because it's.

Kenneth, it's all about, you know, having the word of God.

Some of the teachings that he.

I listened to when I first worked here were about dealing with worry and things like that.

So, like, there's a scripture that really spoke to me.

One of the, One of the messages he was shared was about 1 Peter 5, 7, give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares for you.

And I didn't think about that I could actually give my words to God, like give my thoughts to him.

Right.

I did.

I thought, oh, I have to deal with my own thoughts or I have to, you know, try to stop it.

And you try to stop it, but it keeps coming and you, you know, and stuff.

But then when you give it to God and then fill that with His Word, His.

His thoughts.

Right.

It's just to think about all these good things.

It's in the Bible somewhere.

Yeah, yeah.

Replace the thoughts that you have with the good thoughts of the scriptures.

And, and that's what.

When I finally started to really learn to deal with it and try to keep applying that to my.

My life.

Yeah, yeah, you mentioned, you know, you.

You got to cast your cares onto the Lord, and that's.

That's one practical way to.

To do that.

And, you know, scripture leads you to it.

The Word leads you to it.

Cast your word, like, give physically, like if you can think of it physically, like, give, give it up to him.

What are other things, practical ways that you guys have felt that have helped you overcome anxiety?

For me, when I was set free from it the first time, I didn't continue in the meditating of the Word of God.

So a few years down the road, I thought I was free.

And I remember I was sitting in a movie theater with my husband, and all of a sudden, like, you, I thought I was having a heart attack.

I came out and I said to Nigel, I said, nigel, you have to go to the nearest er.

I think this is it.

This is it.

Like, it just felt that way.

And I remember thinking, what?

You kind of beat up yourself about it.

Like, what did I do wrong?

Where am I missing it?

You go on this rabbit trail of looking at yourself.

So this continued and continued and continued.

And then, like you said, clockwork, five o' clock at night.

I could feel all the pressure.

It was honestly like a blanket would come on you and just suffocate you.

And you would.

Like, I'd pace the floor and I'd like, oh, this is so uncomfortable.

And all the things.

And I do remember, okay, quit looking at yourself.

You are a daughter of the most high God.

God does not want you to live like this.

So instead of looking at.

Because, you know, you talk to some people and they're like, well, maybe you missed it here.

Maybe you got to renounce this, or maybe you got to do all this.

You get on this looking, on what you're doing, but you got to look at what he's done.

That's right.

And he's redeemed you from the curse of the law.

We don't have to put up with it.

And I remember where we used to live.

I have this long driveway, this gravel driveway.

And every week I would take the garbage out.

And I remember as an act of faith, you know what I'm gonna do when I take this garbage out?

I'm drawing a line in the gravel, and I'm gonna leave it there.

The anxiety, the fear, it's garbage, and I'm gonna leave it there.

And once I step over that line, I'm going to raise up my hands and it's me and you, Jesus, walking together.

And I ain't looking back.

And that's what I did.

So I said, I remember taking the garbage out and drawing my line.

And I said, when I come over this line, anxiety and fear, you are staying over there, and I will not put up with you.

I am a daughter of the most high God.

And I said, holy Spirit, you're with me.

And it was a beautiful day.

I walked over the line and I walked all chipper into the house.

And yes, it did try to come back.

And I went, no, you're garbage.

You're not with me.

This is not truth.

The Truth is, I'm free.

I remember that that night, after that, I was getting ready to go on a date.

I was all happy and everything, and I was driving.

All of a sudden it came on me again.

And I went, I need some agreement.

And it was, oh, I didn't work here.

I lived in Manitoba, and I thought, I'm phone in kcm.

And I got one of the ladies on the phone and I said to them, I just need agreement.

I am free from anxiety.

I will not fear.

But I agreement.

And I don't know who it was one of the ladies up there and she says, that's right.

So in the name of Jesus, this is it.

And I said, I agree.

In Jesus name.

I'll never have a panic attack again.

I will never put up with it.

And after that, never again have I ever had a panic attack.

But it was just like.

Just realizing that we're precious.

It doesn't matter what we've missed it or what did I do, or am I believing, right?

Am I confessing, right?

It's a journey with him and he's our dad.

And I would never want to see my kids ever try to get everything right before they're happy and peaceful to be in my presence.

You know what I mean?

So that's a little bit of that.

And yes, listening to teaching tapes, practically listening.

I was listening to Kenneth Hagan, Kenneth Copeland.

There was a book that I still carry to this day.

Lillian B. Yeomans, Kneeling from Heaven.

It was.

It was like a lifeline.

And it just got stronger and stronger.

I'm free and sure, you get thoughts like whatever and, you know, chachi BD is there to move you around with your whatever, but you just say, no, I'm not going that way.

We're not going to.

Like, our mom says, you don't need to have it.

That's what my mom always used to say to us.

You said that to me, too.

You're not having that.

We're saying, no, that's awesome.

In Jesus name.

That's so good.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And for me, I think it's like, you know, we hear so much.

It's like God's word is just so powerful.

It's a sword.

Yes.

You know, the entrance of his word brings light.

And I think that for me, you would go take out the garbage, I would go outside and I would pick weeds in my yard.

So if I was.

If I had anxiety and my yard is really manicured, you know, that's why.

But I would go out and I would Pick weeds.

And then the Lord just spoke to me and said, just as you're uprooting those roots.

Yes.

When you take my word and you're speaking my word, you're uprooting the lies of the enemy, and you're replacing it with truth.

You're replacing it with light and freedom.

And, you know, we realize you don't have to be bound by those lies anymore.

You know, when someone lies to you and you found out they were lying, it's hard to keep believing them.

Right.

So God's word just really did that for me.

And I was even thinking the way that Jesus dealt with thoughts from the enemy, you know, he would say, it is written.

It is written.

And like, that.

That is our.

That is our armor.

That's our.

That's our fight.

The word of God is our sword.

And yeah, I would just constantly, just when, just for an example, I was on my patio walking, I just had all of these anxious thoughts come to me, and it actually felt like arrows just, like shooting at me constantly, and my kids around me watching again.

And I went onto the patio, I got my scriptures out, and I just started to speak.

It is written.

It is written.

You know, and just go through God's wor.

You know, you promised that you would never leave me, you would never forsake me.

And he was just.

He's so near when you speak His Word because He is the Word.

And his presence, his peace just shows up.

And it just felt like when I was speaking his word, I was lifting up the shield of faith, quenching those fiery darts of the enemy, which were lies from the enemy.

And you're like, wow, God, like, your word really works.

Thank you so much.

Like, you.

You've already got this victory for me.

I just got to walk in where you already walked for me.

And like, what you were saying, if we are already in Christ, we don't have to earn it.

And when we speak God's word and just meditate on his promises, it just keeps.

It keeps us in our place.

Realizing our place also puts the enemy in his place, which is under our feet.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I.

One thing that I'm realizing too, as you guys are speaking is, is, you know, we.

We say that we.

We give our cares and cast our cares out.

And I'm seeing some practical ways you guys are doing that.

Even, like, physically kind of like.

Like, you know, drawing a line to fate and walking or physically picking out a weed and having really great backyards.

Yeah, I think.

I think those are great, practical things.

Even like one thing that we used to do that I've done for youth is you write down an idea, you write down the thought and then you grab it and burn it.

Yeah.

And it's like this.

Yeah, yeah.

Throw it in your barbecue.

It's like this practical way of saying like I'm taking this, this mental thing that is, that is, that feels sometimes even physical like arrows that it feels like they're attacking and you're taking it physically and you're discarding them as a kind of like prophetic act.

That's right.

Speaking something from physical into.

Into manifest into emotional and, and spiritual.

What do you guys think about how the word says that this is a renewing of the mind?

I feel like this is something that that is, is warfare in the mind.

Anxiety.

What, what would you guys say about that?

I would say you have to renew your mind constantly.

I think you have to guard your mind, guard your heart.

And I think as you're walking renewing your mind, Jesus is revealing himself more and more and it's always let perfect love casts out fear.

So as you see him who he is and he's never going to leave you, never going to forsake you.

He's not mad at you.

You have to remind yourself of that every day because there's so many other voices out there, you know, with media or even well meaning friends and you can come away from a conversation as just like a little sliver of a thought that can.

Just a little one like did he really say that Is just a question.

So if you renew your mind and his, his truth and it's absolute.

I think it has to be daily, daily you have to guard, guard your mind, guard your heart with all diligence and yeah the issues of life and just stay connected to God.

Not as like oh just an out there.

He's.

He's right with you.

It's not a principle, it's a relationship.

He's our dad.

We can call him Abba Father.

There's no bondage with him.

Right.

Just remind you.

Yeah.

Not a principle, it's a person.

Yeah, yeah.

Like he's so practically there for you and he does manifest himself through his word and the Prince of Peace.

Like that's how he, that's his name and so that's what he's going to give to you.

When you walk close to him, you're saying staying connected to him, you know, being connected to the vine.

If your relationship is your, like with him is your main focus.

You know, walking with.

If you want to have great peace in life.

Walk with the prince of peace.

That's right.

There's so many things they say to try, like even the amount of times they're trying to put, you know, encouraging me to even go on medication.

But I knew like God's word, renewing my mind, that was my medication and it really came through.

Yep.

Yeah, exactly.

Health and medication.

Yeah, that's right.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's really good.

That's really good.

Yeah.

One thing too I think we should look at as well is what are the enemy's tactics, right?

What are his, his strategies?

Because sometimes if you, if you can identify the strategy, it's, it's the same dev throughout all of history.

It's the same, same dog, same tricks.

There's nothing new there.

So how can recognizing his strategies help with, with overcoming anxiety?

Do you guys think?

Yeah, I think, I mean there, from my experience, there's few lies that always try to come up and like you're not important or you're not, you're worthless or you know, or, or does God really love you?

Like can he love you if you, you know, live in sin or if you've done something wrong or things like that?

And like, but if you read, if you go back to the world, you know that that's not true, right?

Like he loves you no matter what.

He'll never leave you or forsake you.

But I guess depends, right?

Sometimes you had from your, you know, earthly relationships, you know, people haven't treated you well or, you know, for me my past was like, you know, I moved around a lot so I never had a, besides my family, like, like a longer lasting relationship.

So like, I guess that kind of build anxiety like, you know, people that I form bonds with.

You know, back then we didn't have Internet stuff.

So you, once you move away, it's hard to keep in contact and touch and stuff.

So like I constantly make new friends and just stuff like that.

So like, you know, you feel like sometimes you get left behind or like, you know, the people leave you and stuff like that.

So you know, that's ingrained in you.

So that kind of God's not like that but kind of affects you, right?

A relationship with him.

So until you renew your mind to know that he's, he's not like that.

That's right.

So.

But that's, I think a lot of people, I think from what I see from others people is something that a lot of people go through.

It's like, it's the same lies always.

Like you Know that you know that people will leave you.

God, even God will leave you.

How can he be with you when you're like this and that?

You're not precious.

You're like, you know, you, like you're tainted and all these things.

I think those are one of the lies that we need to recognize.

Yeah, yeah.

And like you said, the enemy uses the same tactics in Adam and Eve, he questioned them.

Has God really said it?

And that's what I think, that it's the questioning.

Are you really healed?

Oh, are you really strong?

Are you really loved?

Oh, you missed it there.

Oh.

And so I think condemnation and meditating on the lies of the enemy can put you right, right in.

And you just have to, like.

It's like a steel trap you have to have on your mind.

Just snap it when it comes.

You don't dwell on it and you just say, I don't have to have that, but just knowing who God is, that he'll never lie to you and what he says is true and.

Yeah, because Adam and Eve fell through that too.

Right?

Yeah, they did.

Has he really said this?

Are you really the son of God, Carrie?

Are you really the daughter of God?

You know, are you really loved?

Are you gonna live a long life?

Well, absolutely.

Yes, I am.

I'm redeemed from the curse of the law.

And J is my savior.

He's my father.

So you can talk to him about it, because I'm done, you know, so.

That'S what I tries to, like, question your relationship with him.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Another verse that came to my mind with when you're asking the strategies or the tactics the enemy uses is how the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

And, you know, you can't just devour anyone.

It's who he may devour.

So he's looking for, like, ins.

Whether it's like not renewing your mind or being consistently doing that or taking captive those thoughts.

I think another thing is he likes when we go into isolation.

That's true.

And I think that the enemy likes to do that.

Like, you know, only you have this problem.

There's something wrong with you.

Don't bother going to church.

Don't call your friends.

You know, our church, I'm thankful we have life groups, so we meet weekly also addition to Sunday.

And he gives, you know, that condemnation, like, don't go and for me, a lot of the condemnation came from, you're a pastor's wife.

Like, you should this not even be, you know, on your playing ground and you should be helping people.

But you're going through this.

And yeah, I'm thankful that I have great pastors that I could even reach out to and talk to.

And like, our mom has been amazing.

She's amazing.

Just to really keep yourself in community and don't, don't think that you need to be going through things by yourself.

You really need each other to encourage and build each other up because you hear testimonies from people and you're going through something similar, and that's your victory right there.

God did it for them.

He's going to do it for me.

He's no respecter of persons.

Yeah, it's true.

Yeah.

There's no shame in telling people and having people come with you alongside you.

And yeah, I agree that isolation, really, it plays a part into it.

It plays a part.

The Word is so key in this part.

And I think that even goes back to what you said about Adam and Eve.

Did God really say that?

Well, we have the Word and the Word is evident that he did.

Yes.

It's written down.

So if anyone ever wonders, does God really think that about me?

Yeah.

Are these things that I'm hearing, are they.

Are they true?

They're not.

Just open that book.

Yep.

You'll see that it's.

That it's all true.

He did say it's true.

Yes.

What are some.

I would love to know what some scriptures are that you guys did stand on.

You guys have already mentioned some, but what are some scriptures that you guys have.

Have stood on through the process?

That way people at home can write them down and, and, and even like, have some inspiration if they're going through something like this.

Oh, this one I've kind of prepared.

I thought I would share some scriptures I will share.

The first one is the first Peter, five, six to seven, giving, like, you know, giving all your words and cares to God, for He cares for you.

Yeah.

Another one I had, I usually stand on is like Philippians four, six, and actually six to nine is great, but like, particularly six says, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So that's it.

Yeah.

Amen.

Come on.

That's so good.

Yeah.

I stood on it.

Seemed like every day was a different scripture.

So it was just kind of a journey.

One was for God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.

So I would just take that and if something made me feel afraid, then I would know that's not of God.

So I would cast that down.

He gives me life and life more abundantly.

And the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.

So I thought, if this is stealing my peace, trying to kill me or destroy me, it's very easy to decipher.

It's the devil.

And another one was God is not a man that he should be lie.

And everything he says is truth that I. I don't know where it's located, but whatever.

Yeah, people can chat.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And.

And Romans 8 was my go to with the Holy Spirit.

Yeah.

Just praying in.

In tongues and praying in the spirit.

Walking with the Holy Spirit.

He'd never leave me forsake me.

I don't.

I'm not in bondage to fear.

Abba father.

Right.

So good.

Yeah.

And yeah, so many similar ones too.

But just how his perfect love casts out fear and like leaves no trace of terror.

Yeah.

No traces.

Yeah.

And I've given you all the power over the power of the enemy.

Nothing by any means shall ever hurt or harm you.

Yes.

I have like the cards I literally wrote out when I was going through that season and some of them have like dinosaur stickers from my kids because it's just always.

I put it in my wallet, I take it where I go.

Yeah.

As a father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Abide in my love, Lord, your God is in your midst.

A mighty one who will save.

He will rejoice over you with gladness.

He will quiet you with his love.

He will exalt over you with loud singing.

And I wrote this.

There's like so, so many.

And yeah, just.

Just having it and getting it in your heart.

Yeah, yeah.

Is key.

Yeah, I like that.

That's a really cool practical way to.

To have scripture handy.

And the Bible is a big book and sometimes like, oh, where do I go?

And.

And yeah, you can put sticky notes, but that's.

That's a really good way to.

Yeah.

When you're in the moment, in a battle, you want to be like, oh, where's that scripture?

Where's that scripture?

Here's my card.

Sometimes carrying a big sword is hard.

You carry little daggers.

Yeah.

That's awesome.

I hope that as people are watching and hearing this, that they are being inspired on these practical ways to I would say battle anxiety.

Even though the war has been won and it is ours, it's still a process to renew your mind.

Right.

And to, to walk in these ways.

So I hope that people are being inspired and, and we'll have clean front lawns and without weeds.

One thing I wanted to touch on before we close is how a lot of the things we've talked about are, are.

Are things that we've experienced through our own personal journeys and even with scripture and, and going to the Word and, and all of these things.

But what do you guys think about seeking professional help?

Help?

What does that look like?

Is there a balance?

Do believers still need to do that or do we only need the Word?

What does that look like for believers?

I think there are times when you do need, I guess, professional help.

I think it depends on your degree of how severe it is and what you're going through.

I mean, sometimes at the moment, you don't know where to turn to.

Right.

So sometimes you, you have.

If you have family close by, you may turn to family or close friends.

And if you go to church, then, yeah, your pastor or you know someone as a church leaders, those are good people to go first.

But sometimes you might need extra help.

I think it's fine to seek extra help.

Maybe they, they might know someone.

I think you should always go to like your church leaders or someone first because they might know someone who could recommend to you.

I know it happened to some people.

I know they know other.

Other people who could guide you through.

But at the same time, I think that's one part.

That's only one part.

That's not everything.

Right.

I think what's really more important is you taking the step as well with going to the Word, finding those scripture for yourself and just not just hearing from someone, not just hearing from us.

You need to search for yourself because it's otherwise, you know, you will not know how to deal with.

With you.

That's good.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Pastor Terry Copeland Pearson sat on this very couch and told us that she had a moment where she struggled through anxiety and worried.

And she had someone.

She went to a pastor and had them speak to her on a daily basis.

I think she said daily for a month or something like that.

And he was helping her deal with stuff and deal with taking worry out and putting identity in.

And I think that's one thing that the Word is good.

And when we hold it with us and we take it everywhere, we're able to change the identity inside of us and realize that the battle is won, that it's all just believing it and walking it out and not believing the lies that whisper sometimes in our ears.

If you could tell somebody watching right now who is struggling with anxiety, if you could tell them something, what would you say to them?

And you guys can look at the cameras if you want.

Okay, sure.

I would say that if you're going through that right now and you're just.

It looks like there's no way out, first I want you to know that that is a lie.

There's always a way.

You know, he is always there for us.

And you know, he is so near.

I think of when his.

The disciples of Jesus were.

They were terrified and they were on the boat and they saw Jesus walking.

But it says that Jesus came to them even before they knew that.

That they needed him.

Even before there was a storm, Jesus came.

He was so near and so ready to reach out and to grab you and to help you.

And, you know, you might think, I'm going through this, there's no way out, I'm never going to get out of it.

So I just want you to know that, you know, he is so near.

He is never going to leave you or forsake you.

So just call upon him, whoever calls on him.

He's going to save you, he's going to help you, he's going to deliver you, and he's going to really put you onto a solid foundation, onto the path that he wants you to be, to walk alongside with him.

That's good.

I would say, don't try to fix it.

Go to him.

I'm a fixer and I try to look at everything, everything, everything.

I'm gonna get out of this.

Go to Jesus.

Jesus.

I know it sounds cliche, but you do.

You gotta walk and talk with him.

And in those moments, just be real with him.

If you have to cry, you just cry.

My van was a wonderful place for just going, no, you know, if you have to do that, that' not against you.

He's with you in every moment like you said.

And then he doesn't want you to stay there.

He doesn't want you to be quiet.

So when those.

Those lies come, open your mouth and say, no, I don't have to have that anymore.

Because Jesus, the Prince of Peace is with me.

I'm set free.

And I would just say there is an expiration date for it.

He's not a.

It's like, I would think if I could see on October 5th, you know, this will never come again, I could go through it.

You're going to get through it every single time.

He's not a respecter person's.

If he's delivered all of us.

Absolutely.

You too.

So I'd say rest in.

Rest in who you are.

You're a daughter, Son of God.

And he's not mad at you.

You've not done, you know, something so horrible that you deserve this.

No.

You're free.

You're free.

Right?

Yeah, that's what I'd say.

Yeah.

I just want to say.

Yeah.

That you may feel alone.

You may feel like, you know, there's nothing, no hope, but you're not alone.

God is there with you.

He loves you.

He.

Yes.

He's.

He's.

He knows you and he's right there with you.

You just have to reach out to him and just.

Yeah.

And never give up.

Because it might seem like you want to give up.

You want to, you know, just, you know, take the easy way out.

But they don't know.

If you don't give, if you give into that, then that's the lies.

Because there are people who need you and there's people who love you.

God loves you.

He's going to use you.

And so, so if you stick through this, whatever you're going through right now, anxiety, depression, you know, there's hope at the end, and, and he's going to provide you with help and everything.

You just have to reach out to him right now.

And so it's.

Yeah, there's just.

And then that you're not alone.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And I, and I would say I would advise people to, to actually open up to someone and talk about it.

Absolutely.

Whether it be a professional or whether it be your parent or whether it be a sibling or a pastor or a friend.

There's.

There's no shame in anxiety.

Everyone goes through it.

I've gone through it.

You guys have gone through it.

Pastor Terry Copel Pierce has sat on this very couch.

International speaker.

She's gone through it.

And so I, I.

There.

There's no shame.

There's no shame in it.

And the fear of.

Did he really say it?

If only they went to God and asked him, actually, God, did you say this?

Can you remind me again?

You know, if they took that step, they wouldn't have believed the lies.

And so I would encourage everyone as well and talk to someone, let people into this fear, because it is, at the end of the day, just fear and receive the love, the love from people, the love from God.

Receive the love and it will cast.

Out every fear and it's good to talk to people.

Yeah.

Even when I'd call my mom and she would say, it's going to be okay, I've went through that, I've had that.

And just to hear someone else, oh, I got through this.

Or I'm with you, you hang up that phone and you're like, like, it's not as bad as I thought, you know, so that's true.

Don't do it alone.

Right?

Yeah.

Come on.

It's not the best thing to hear from a parent.

It's going to be okay.

It's going to be okay.

Like I'm in my 50s and I still call.

Come on.

Like mama.

That's awesome.

She's.

Yeah, she's a fierce woman of God.

Would someone pray for the partners and friends and everyone listening and watching?

That would be amazing.

Sure.

Father God, we thank you so much just for this opportunity to sit and share and testify of your goodness.

Ultimately, God, you are so good.

And I thank you that you are so faithful and everybody listening right now.

God, I just thank you that you are so close to them and partners and everybody viewing.

God, I thank you that you are just so aware of their situation, God.

And you are so, so you are so eager and ready to take them by the hand and to lead them into victory, to lead them into your truth.

God, I thank you.

You said that your love casts out fear.

I think that your love is so perfect, God.

And I just pray that as everyone listening right now that we'd just be able to receive your love, that they would be able to just open up their arms and they open up their eyes and just look to you, God, that you are all you are.

There you are the author and the finisher of their faith, God.

And you are leading them into a good place, God, you said your plans that you have are good and not evil plans to give a hope in the future.

So God, I just thank you that today is a day, it's just, it's a marker showing that, God, you have already defeated every fear, every sickness, every disease, God.

And that we can look to you, we can hold on to your word and we can hold on to your truth and walk in the victory that you have already paid for in Jesus.

Jesus name.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

Thank you so much for sharing your guys stories with everyone here today.

It's nice to be here.

Thank you.

It's nice to be here.

Thanks for having me.

Thank you.

And for everyone watching as well.

Comment your stories.

Comment.

We're here we're listening and we would love to even agree with you that that everything is okay and that anxiety has no hold over you.

And we will agree with you in the comments too.

Yeah, for sure.

Yeah, that's right.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

This is Gwen from Mission, British Columbia.

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