September 27, 2024 • 29 mins
This episode was released on September 24, 2024.
Join Kenza Haddock as she shares her journey of overcoming mental health struggles through faith. Watch as she inspires and encourages others to find strength in their beliefs to overcome challenges.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
There's a mental health crisis in the United States. We see it in the news.
(00:04):
We see it in our own families. Sometimes we deal with things in ourselves and we don't know what
to do. And of course, there's different levels, but you know, there's hope. There's hope through
Jesus Christ. And now there's a new book. It's called The Three Enemies of Your Mental Health.
It's by my guest today, Kenza Hadid. It comes out October 1st. It's released October 1st. It's a
(00:25):
brand new book. You can buy it wherever Christian books are sold. And I urge you to get it because
there's hope. She's a clinical psychiatrist. She's also a spirit-filled believer. She believes in the
power of the Holy Spirit. She knows that mental health is not just something that you do in the
clinic, although there's a place for that, but also it's a spiritual war. You don't want to
(00:46):
miss my conversation with Kenza Hadid. Share this with other people. Get the book when it comes out.
I'm Stephen Strang and this is the Strang Report.
Welcome back everyone and welcome to my guest Kenza Hadid. I'm so excited about this new book
(01:10):
that you've written and I want to start by asking you why you wrote the book and what does it mean
on the cover where it says, Gain Lasting Victory Over the Devil, the Flesh, and the World? So I wrote
the book for two reasons. One is personal because I grew up just struggling with so much anxiety and
(01:32):
depression and one of the reasons why was my misunderstanding of God's nature. And secondly,
once I became a counselor, once God called me into the field of counseling and I started treating
people from both a clinical and a biblical perspective, I realized Steve just how many
brothers and sisters in the faith did not have a concept of their authority in Christ and in
(01:59):
fighting these three forces, the devil, the flesh, and the world. Well I think that's so important
and we've done a lot of books over the years on spiritual warfare and there are some in the
church that you know it's kind of if in doubt cast it out but it's a lot more complex than that isn't
(02:22):
that and because there's different ways that people can be oppressed and there are so many problems
in the world nowadays. You know my experience is that you've got depression or some level of
mental illness or some level of demonic oppression in almost every family. Oh absolutely, absolutely.
(02:42):
It's to the point where last year the news and even the Surgeon General, they released a statement
saying that suicide is at its highest numbers in the United States and at this point I mean it's
it is at its highest and anxiety disorder has reached the number one clinical mental health
(03:05):
diagnosis in our nation and I mean it's it's been that way for years. Well let's walk through the
book. I've had the privilege of reading it. The book isn't quite out yet but I want people to find
out about it because I think it's known so necessary and also I don't know if this is really germane
but I'll just mention it that there is such a need for this kind of material that we actually had
(03:28):
people in the book publishing industry saying to us what do you have that deals with mental health
because there's such a demand in the marketplace for it and we just felt that rather than just
writing about mental health and there are many good books on that that actually it's not only
mental illness but there's also the flesh and there's also attacks from the devil so why don't
(03:54):
you just kind of walk through these three ways that you've actually organized the book to help
the reader and I guess I was going to say self-diagnose. Is that a correct way to do it?
Can people kind of read the book and sort of get some understanding over things that they may be
dealing with or a loved one is dealing with? So the book it would help them with self-reflection
(04:18):
for sure absolutely and so when I have someone come see me at the office rather than just jumping
into a diagnosis because here's the thing I'll backtrack really quick psychology does not teach
you to diagnose a problem from the root. Psychology is just the study of observation so from a clinical
(04:39):
perspective psychology is just what you see with all of your senses it is the word of God
that teaches you to see things from the root and that's why I love combining both the science,
the psychology, plus theology and helping in the spiritual warfare realm and so the first
first things first is we want to deal with the first enemy and that is the adversary,
(05:03):
the accuser of the brother and that is the devil right and with the devil his main goal in our
lives and we call him our infernal enemy and that is he comes against the will of God in our lives
and God's will is for his plans and purposes and for us to glorify him right and so the devil will
do his absolute best to get us to split our faith and listen and for anyone that's that's listening
(05:30):
to this even if he can convince you to split your faith 90% in Jesus and 10% in an object another
object of your faith then he's got his foot in the door and I can give you examples I mean modern
day examples of what I see nowadays in the counseling room and you wouldn't believe just
(05:52):
how I mean it is it's it's rampant I would have someone come see me on a Monday and they would
go see a medium on a Wednesday and and they wonder why they're struggling with emotional turmoil and
and just their mood is up and down up and down and that's because their faith is is split between
(06:13):
the two. So I know in the book that you mentioned Ouija boards and crystals and even yoga can you
kind of walk through some of the things that people might think are innocent or maybe they just don't
understand that actually you mentioned going to see a medium which is one of them. Yes practice
of divination I mean the Bible speaks against that and sometimes I truly believe a lot of times just
(06:39):
like the Bible says my people fail for lack of knowledge I think we don't get into the word
enough to understand that hey you're stepping outside of God's will or sometimes we may even
think or the devil may convince us that I'm a believer so it's okay if I check my horoscope
on a daily basis oh there's no harm in that no there is harm you're opening the door to
(07:04):
the demonic you're you're opening the door to the kingdom of darkness right there and so yes I've
had people wear evil eye necklaces saying that that gives them an extra measure of protection as
if Jesus Christ is not enough so I mean essentially that's what we're saying and in the book you talk
about how people will be referred to you as patients I guess you call them or clients
(07:30):
and they've maybe been to multiple counselors and maybe they got some help but it's like pulling off
the top of a weed without getting the roots the problems come back so how do you get that person
who's obviously wanting some help or they wouldn't be there they wouldn't be sitting in front of you
at your office how do you open up how do you get them to open up to understand that it's a spiritual
(07:56):
issue like the Bible says we're not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities
and powers how do you do that and then I want to move on and talk about the flesh which is our own
carnal sinful nature and then also the world where things are just getting so crazy in the world
(08:17):
that that just sucks a lot of people in and causes problems for the individual as well
yes absolutely so when someone comes to see me now if the person is not a believer I talk to them
about Jesus because here's the thing I will not do deliverance on someone who is not a believer
because the Bible is very clear one will leave and seven will come back in and that's just
(08:43):
that's dangerous and and I I don't think that's that's a good practice now if the person is a
believer then I require transparency and I talk to them about the importance of transparency
and I even make a joke with them I tell them you don't want to compare rap sheets with me
I have done it all and I'm very transparent even in the book about the things I have done
(09:04):
and the things that Jesus has saved me from right and so that's the thing it takes transparency and
writing down the things that we have done so that we can renounce those things and closing the door
to the kingdom of darkness then we can move on to the second enemy and that's the flesh the flesh
of course that's the term that is used in the Bible so why don't you just so that we're sure
(09:29):
we understand how do you deal with the flesh and how do I as a believer or or people who are loved
ones deal with their flesh when it comes to depression other forms of some kind of mental
health so our flesh is basically our attempt to exert our own will over God's perfect will and
(09:54):
the way this happens is obviously we live in a fallen world right and enemy number one who's
the devil he loves using our own sinful nature against us and he does it and I mentioned a cycle
in the book and so he starts out with our own insecurity because he knows that any insecurity
(10:15):
that we have will try to get us to over correct wherever whatever area we're insecure in by trying
to exert power or control in that area and once we do that then we're falling into internal torment
and that's where I'm telling you that 95 percent of the patients I have treated with anxiety
(10:38):
that's where it stems from it is on its insecurity that has not been dealt with and that insecurity
leads to us trying to overpower or over correct and when we do that then it leads to internal
torment and so that's why the Bible says we have to crucify our flesh daily pick up our cross daily
(11:04):
it's a it's difficult it's hard well let's drill down a little bit because really every human being
has to deal with their you know what the Bible would call a carnal sinful nature yeah but what
what are some steps that people can do maybe people who you know are obviously interested in
(11:25):
this or they wouldn't be watching or listening but they don't go to a counselor maybe they don't know
a counselor they could go to or maybe they don't feel they need it but yet they want help
so what are the steps that you outline in your book about dealing with lasting victory over the flesh
you know what's interesting I was just right now I was going to go straight to
(11:50):
paying attention to defense mechanisms right which which is which I've outlined in the book
but I truly feel like like in my spirit and I've outlined this part in the book
for whoever's listening it is so important to pay attention to who you're listening to this is so
important because we have to get into God's word and be able to discern God's voice from the enemy's
(12:15):
voice and and here's how you this is how you know it's it's it's biblical that if you are in Christ
there's no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus right those who walk in the spirit of God
in the spirit of God right and so if you're hearing voices like you're a loser or you're stupid or
(12:36):
you're ugly or you're fat that's not God telling you that that's not even yourself telling you that
that's the enemy and you have to practice casting that casting those thoughts down even if you say
stop it or say you know the Lord rebukes you Satan you have to act on those thoughts you can't repeat
(12:57):
those things to yourself because once you start being the the devil's mouthpiece to yourself then
those thoughts are going to get down in your heart and that's that's one big step that they can take
and then let's talk about what you call the world and you know when we look at the wider culture
there are things that at one time would have been considered mental illnesses that some of the medical
(13:22):
profession and a lot of people the culture are fear are are normative many of which go against
the word of God which creates a real problem for Christians who are trying to do what's right
trying to do what's moral the standing against people you know the Bible says calling wrong
right and right wrong and that's happening so talk to me about how the average person deals with this
(13:49):
and maybe I should ask you how you deal with it in the book what people what can people get
from reading the three enemies of your mental health yes so there is a a term that we use in
the mental health field and that's called desensitization and and this is a very very
serious term and this is why the Lord I mean I mean it's biblical that tells us to guard our
(14:13):
heart right in Proverbs 423 because from it flow the issues of life we have to guard the gates of
our eyes we have to guard the gates of our ears because everything that's going around us all the
external messages that we're getting if we allow them on the inside of us they will influence us
and they will desensitize us to to both start believing that what is truly abnormal is normal
(14:40):
and so that's why the Bible says do not do not be conformed to the path to the to this world but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind and so one of the things that I say you have to do and
and this is it may be difficult but it is a step that we have to we have to take and that is get
(15:03):
before God get with God and surrender every aspect of your life to him and I am I'm talking to busy
parents even if your kids are in a million sports right busy parents surrender every aspect of your
life every role that God has called you to in your life and and say Lord I surrender every aspect of
(15:24):
my life and every role you've called me to whether that's a spouse whether that's me being a teacher
maybe whatever it is a parent and ask him to organize those according to his will now when
you do that he's going to shift it he's going to shift certain friends he's going to get some
friends out and bring some friends in and you want him to do that because you want to evaluate
(15:50):
your relationships as well and that is another step the people you are closest to your guard
comes down and they have the capacity to influence you and so that's another one I think that is so
important and I remember that a mentor told me one and I'm sure this has been written about that
(16:10):
the two things that will affect your life five years from now more than anything else are the
books you read and the people that you hang with and I think that's so true and you know I believe
that your book is one that people should read people seem to be reading less and less these days
but when they're looking for answers books are some of the best ways to do it they can read it
(16:35):
at their own pace they can reflect on it and so forth why would you tell someone who
maybe has someone in their life who needs to read this book you know that's hard to sometimes get
somebody else to do what you need because even if you speed read it it's going to take an hour and
if you read it word for word it'll take three hours which is a commitment of time now if it's
(16:58):
going to be life-changing it is absolutely worth it and a whole lot less expensive to buy a book
than it is to go for even one hour of counseling or therapy but just talk to me about what you
would do it I guess you know in your practice you would have this too because you probably
encourage people to read certain materials to help them out and of course in your own ministry
(17:21):
you're going to be encouraging people to read this book absolutely yes so in the book I contained
everything that I usually would provide throughout a about six weeks to a three month period of
counseling and put it all in one book because I know that not everyone has the time to go to
(17:42):
counseling and I know there's still that stigma surrounding counseling and so they can't afford
it absolutely paycheck to paycheck they have maybe miserable lives but you know that's just
the facts of life yes absolutely and there are moms with little kids who they literally they just
can't leave the house without bringing all their kids to counseling with them and so they just
(18:07):
can't go and so I put all of the problems that I normally assign my patients in the book this way
they can work on it at their own pace and they can gain that freedom because at the end of the day
the helper is the Holy Spirit I'm just a conduit right he just used me to write it I'm just a
conduit of of the book I just think that you have some things like little helpful things like this
(18:33):
says the destructive cycle of the flesh which points to insecurity which points to power control
which points to internal torment that's just one it's in here several times there's questions for
reflection there are charts you know here's one with some pictures of our old nature from Ephesians
(18:56):
chapter 2 but the but because there's great love for us which is the cross and then finally our new
nature which is Ephesians same chapter a few verses later I just found that as I went through it
you know that just kind of grabs your attention and I think it's so important I want to encourage
people to read the book but even for people who don't read the book who are watching this podcast
(19:21):
which by the way if this is ministering to you and you know someone that needs it you need to send
the link to them you need to put on social media of course we encourage that for every podcast
but I think that it's particularly important because this is a book that will help people
those are the kinds of books we try to publish of course at charisma media and I I'll admit I'd
(19:42):
brag on all my authors but I just really want to give my personal endorsement to this book and just
say how important it is to read it so to help help us in the few minutes we have left some
practical things that people can take away that will help them in their walk you had a reason for
writing the book what are some of those reasons that you want the reader because really when you
(20:05):
write it you're not writing it for a group no if it's a broadway play or something like that
or concert you're performing for a group no a reading experience is a very personal experience
one one reader one book one author so what are you hoping to accomplish you know I am hoping and
(20:27):
praying that for that person for you if you're listening that you feel the peace that I once felt
because I struggled with anxiety to the point where I I had suicidal ideations in my life and so
and so I approached this book from not only a personal perspective but also a professional
(20:54):
perspective and and I want to add one thing to anyone who's struggling with depression
a lot of depression that I've seen in the counseling room stems from there's unresolved
unprocessed emotions that that we haven't been able to deal with and so the and I highlight
(21:20):
all of that and if you have like for example there's like a disagreement that happened between
you and a loved one whether or not it's a spouse or mom dad your child and if you don't take that
to God then you and you allow it to fester over and over you're going to attach meaning to it right
and then once you attach meaning to it and it gets down deep in your heart then it turns into
(21:47):
a disagreement and then it turns into a depression and so a lot of times what you want to do when
you're holding on to that unforgiveness is take it to God listen there's a reason why the Lord
tells us to forgive people and forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation at all
(22:08):
there those are two totally different topics and so I also outline how to go about forgiving someone
in a healthy way and you don't have to talk to the person forgiveness is something that's between you
and the Lord and there are also three types of forgiveness that we go through and sometimes you
(22:29):
have to forgive someone who's dead you know maybe and of course there can be no reconciliation there
but what are the three areas actually I have two questions I want to I want you to talk through the
three areas because it's so important but I'm also interested first in what was the turning point for
you was there a turning point where things were so bad and then suddenly something happened that at
(22:52):
least set you in I know it's not one and done it's usually a process and it's usually complicated
but often there's a turning point or maybe I should ask you was there a turning point for you
I'm smiling because there was a turning point and my turning point was I had a dream about Jesus
(23:13):
when I was Muslim so yeah I was I was in a very very bad place I'm gonna not cry it was really bad
and it was because Islam was very oppressive and I it was to the point where I believed that God
(23:34):
hated me and that's I mean that's what a lot of times what it teaches if you don't do enough for
God then when I say God I mean Allah if you don't do enough for Allah he hates you and it's so
oppressive and and you know we're not meant to carry that load and that's I mean that's the load
that Jesus was was came and he came and it was placed on him right and I was just crushed
(24:01):
underneath my own sin underneath the weight of my own sin and I cried out to God and God had been
reaching out to me before then but finally one night I had a dream that it was the end times
and I saw in my dream I saw the the sky open and in my dream I saw a man in a white robe descending
(24:24):
from heaven and that man was Jesus with his hands wide open and I felt a peace that I had never felt
in my life before now mind you before this anxiety was my norm so panic attacks anxiety depression
bad thoughts all of that were my norm and then I saw Jesus and that's what my turning point was now
(24:50):
it didn't those thoughts didn't stop then but hope was born then and so I had someone tangible to hold
on to for the time what a beautiful story and in the couple of minutes we have left
the three areas of forgiveness I think are so important and that causes me to remember something
(25:11):
I read one time you've probably heard this before it says that holding unforgiveness is like drinking
poison and hoping the other person dies I mean unforgiveness just hurts you so bad so it's so
important tell us the three areas of forgiveness and then I want you to pray for our Lord Jesus
and viewers who may need help maybe an area of unforgiveness or other areas but go ahead and share
(25:38):
the three areas absolutely so the first one is forgiveness or unforgiveness against someone and
that could be someone who is alive or to your point someone who has passed away and I go through
the steps to forgiving that person the second one is forgiveness and forgiveness and forgiveness
through the steps to forgiving that person the second one is forgiving ourselves for things that
(26:04):
we have done see a lot of times we are unwilling to receive God's forgiveness because we somehow
convince ourselves that hey if I don't forgive myself then I'm going to keep myself from making
the same mistake again and that's no that that's a lie from the enemy self-will never helps it is by
(26:27):
the power of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome the flesh it is not by willpower alone so
forgiveness or unforgiveness against someone unforgiveness against self the third one is the
one that's rarely ever talked about and that's holding trespasses against God not that God has
done something against us but sometimes when we go through a terrible tragedy like losing a loved one
(26:54):
sometimes when we don't understand why that happened to us we will not process through that
grief with God we won't go to God for it and we'll hold bitterness against God and the enemy will
have a field day with that and he will try to turn us away from God. That is so important and now
will you pray that the Holy Spirit will make some of these truths alive from this podcast which I
(27:19):
hope people share of it also through your book. Absolutely yes. Faithful Father, Lord thank you
for this opportunity God thank you for Steve and Lord and every listener God on this podcast. God
thank you for the call you have on their lives. Lord for anyone who's struggling with depression
(27:42):
or anxiety Lord I pray that by your Holy Spirit that your presence would fall tangibly on them
right now God. God I pray that in the coming days and the coming weeks Lord that you would wake them
up with a new song Lord. God I pray that they would feel your tangible presence. God I pray that you
(28:03):
would silence the enemy's voice from them Lord and I pray that you your voice would be louder. I would
pray that you will equip them with everything they need God to overcome anxiety to overcome depression.
Lord I pray that you'd give them discernment beyond their ears and wisdom to walk in everything that
(28:27):
you have purpose for them and I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. I hope you prayed that
prayer I hope it helped you. I hope that you will get this new book of course many people see this
after October 1st but the book actually releases on Tuesday October 1st. I believe that this book
(28:47):
will really help you. I've read it myself as we talked about in the podcast today there's so many
people that need help and this book like we said is quicker and easier and cheaper than going for
than going for some kind of counseling and you'll get a lot of the truths that Kenza Hedik has to
share. Please share this with other people put it on social media email it to someone that you know
(29:12):
and enjoy it. I thought of three friends I'm going to send it to because I think that the book will
help them and so be sure to subscribe to The Strength Report if you don't already click the
little bell so you know when we're on live every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. Eastern time until
next time God bless you.
There's a mental health crisis in the United States. We see it in the news.
(00:04):
We see it in our own families. Sometimes we deal with things in ourselves and we don't know what
to do. And of course, there's different levels, but you know, there's hope. There's hope through
Jesus Christ. And now there's a new book. It's called The Three Enemies of Your Mental Health.
It's by my guest today, Kenza Hadid. It comes out October 1st. It's released October 1st. It's a
(00:25):
brand new book. You can buy it wherever Christian books are sold. And I urge you to get it because
there's hope. She's a clinical psychiatrist. She's also a spirit-filled believer. She believes in the
power of the Holy Spirit. She knows that mental health is not just something that you do in the
clinic, although there's a place for that, but also it's a spiritual war. You don't want to
(00:46):
miss my conversation with Kenza Hadid. Share this with other people. Get the book when it comes out.
I'm Stephen Strang and this is the Strang Report.
Welcome back everyone and welcome to my guest Kenza Hadid. I'm so excited about this new book
(01:10):
that you've written and I want to start by asking you why you wrote the book and what does it mean
on the cover where it says, Gain Lasting Victory Over the Devil, the Flesh, and the World? So I wrote
the book for two reasons. One is personal because I grew up just struggling with so much anxiety and
(01:32):
depression and one of the reasons why was my misunderstanding of God's nature. And secondly,
once I became a counselor, once God called me into the field of counseling and I started treating
people from both a clinical and a biblical perspective, I realized Steve just how many
brothers and sisters in the faith did not have a concept of their authority in Christ and in
(01:59):
fighting these three forces, the devil, the flesh, and the world. Well I think that's so important
and we've done a lot of books over the years on spiritual warfare and there are some in the
church that you know it's kind of if in doubt cast it out but it's a lot more complex than that isn't
(02:22):
that and because there's different ways that people can be oppressed and there are so many problems
in the world nowadays. You know my experience is that you've got depression or some level of
mental illness or some level of demonic oppression in almost every family. Oh absolutely, absolutely.
(02:42):
It's to the point where last year the news and even the Surgeon General, they released a statement
saying that suicide is at its highest numbers in the United States and at this point I mean it's
it is at its highest and anxiety disorder has reached the number one clinical mental health
(03:05):
diagnosis in our nation and I mean it's it's been that way for years. Well let's walk through the
book. I've had the privilege of reading it. The book isn't quite out yet but I want people to find
out about it because I think it's known so necessary and also I don't know if this is really germane
but I'll just mention it that there is such a need for this kind of material that we actually had
(03:28):
people in the book publishing industry saying to us what do you have that deals with mental health
because there's such a demand in the marketplace for it and we just felt that rather than just
writing about mental health and there are many good books on that that actually it's not only
mental illness but there's also the flesh and there's also attacks from the devil so why don't
(03:54):
you just kind of walk through these three ways that you've actually organized the book to help
the reader and I guess I was going to say self-diagnose. Is that a correct way to do it?
Can people kind of read the book and sort of get some understanding over things that they may be
dealing with or a loved one is dealing with? So the book it would help them with self-reflection
(04:18):
for sure absolutely and so when I have someone come see me at the office rather than just jumping
into a diagnosis because here's the thing I'll backtrack really quick psychology does not teach
you to diagnose a problem from the root. Psychology is just the study of observation so from a clinical
(04:39):
perspective psychology is just what you see with all of your senses it is the word of God
that teaches you to see things from the root and that's why I love combining both the science,
the psychology, plus theology and helping in the spiritual warfare realm and so the first
first things first is we want to deal with the first enemy and that is the adversary,
(05:03):
the accuser of the brother and that is the devil right and with the devil his main goal in our
lives and we call him our infernal enemy and that is he comes against the will of God in our lives
and God's will is for his plans and purposes and for us to glorify him right and so the devil will
do his absolute best to get us to split our faith and listen and for anyone that's that's listening
(05:30):
to this even if he can convince you to split your faith 90% in Jesus and 10% in an object another
object of your faith then he's got his foot in the door and I can give you examples I mean modern
day examples of what I see nowadays in the counseling room and you wouldn't believe just
(05:52):
how I mean it is it's it's rampant I would have someone come see me on a Monday and they would
go see a medium on a Wednesday and and they wonder why they're struggling with emotional turmoil and
and just their mood is up and down up and down and that's because their faith is is split between
(06:13):
the two. So I know in the book that you mentioned Ouija boards and crystals and even yoga can you
kind of walk through some of the things that people might think are innocent or maybe they just don't
understand that actually you mentioned going to see a medium which is one of them. Yes practice
of divination I mean the Bible speaks against that and sometimes I truly believe a lot of times just
(06:39):
like the Bible says my people fail for lack of knowledge I think we don't get into the word
enough to understand that hey you're stepping outside of God's will or sometimes we may even
think or the devil may convince us that I'm a believer so it's okay if I check my horoscope
on a daily basis oh there's no harm in that no there is harm you're opening the door to
(07:04):
the demonic you're you're opening the door to the kingdom of darkness right there and so yes I've
had people wear evil eye necklaces saying that that gives them an extra measure of protection as
if Jesus Christ is not enough so I mean essentially that's what we're saying and in the book you talk
about how people will be referred to you as patients I guess you call them or clients
(07:30):
and they've maybe been to multiple counselors and maybe they got some help but it's like pulling off
the top of a weed without getting the roots the problems come back so how do you get that person
who's obviously wanting some help or they wouldn't be there they wouldn't be sitting in front of you
at your office how do you open up how do you get them to open up to understand that it's a spiritual
(07:56):
issue like the Bible says we're not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities
and powers how do you do that and then I want to move on and talk about the flesh which is our own
carnal sinful nature and then also the world where things are just getting so crazy in the world
(08:17):
that that just sucks a lot of people in and causes problems for the individual as well
yes absolutely so when someone comes to see me now if the person is not a believer I talk to them
about Jesus because here's the thing I will not do deliverance on someone who is not a believer
because the Bible is very clear one will leave and seven will come back in and that's just
(08:43):
that's dangerous and and I I don't think that's that's a good practice now if the person is a
believer then I require transparency and I talk to them about the importance of transparency
and I even make a joke with them I tell them you don't want to compare rap sheets with me
I have done it all and I'm very transparent even in the book about the things I have done
(09:04):
and the things that Jesus has saved me from right and so that's the thing it takes transparency and
writing down the things that we have done so that we can renounce those things and closing the door
to the kingdom of darkness then we can move on to the second enemy and that's the flesh the flesh
of course that's the term that is used in the Bible so why don't you just so that we're sure
(09:29):
we understand how do you deal with the flesh and how do I as a believer or or people who are loved
ones deal with their flesh when it comes to depression other forms of some kind of mental
health so our flesh is basically our attempt to exert our own will over God's perfect will and
(09:54):
the way this happens is obviously we live in a fallen world right and enemy number one who's
the devil he loves using our own sinful nature against us and he does it and I mentioned a cycle
in the book and so he starts out with our own insecurity because he knows that any insecurity
(10:15):
that we have will try to get us to over correct wherever whatever area we're insecure in by trying
to exert power or control in that area and once we do that then we're falling into internal torment
and that's where I'm telling you that 95 percent of the patients I have treated with anxiety
(10:38):
that's where it stems from it is on its insecurity that has not been dealt with and that insecurity
leads to us trying to overpower or over correct and when we do that then it leads to internal
torment and so that's why the Bible says we have to crucify our flesh daily pick up our cross daily
(11:04):
it's a it's difficult it's hard well let's drill down a little bit because really every human being
has to deal with their you know what the Bible would call a carnal sinful nature yeah but what
what are some steps that people can do maybe people who you know are obviously interested in
(11:25):
this or they wouldn't be watching or listening but they don't go to a counselor maybe they don't know
a counselor they could go to or maybe they don't feel they need it but yet they want help
so what are the steps that you outline in your book about dealing with lasting victory over the flesh
you know what's interesting I was just right now I was going to go straight to
(11:50):
paying attention to defense mechanisms right which which is which I've outlined in the book
but I truly feel like like in my spirit and I've outlined this part in the book
for whoever's listening it is so important to pay attention to who you're listening to this is so
important because we have to get into God's word and be able to discern God's voice from the enemy's
(12:15):
voice and and here's how you this is how you know it's it's it's biblical that if you are in Christ
there's no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus right those who walk in the spirit of God
in the spirit of God right and so if you're hearing voices like you're a loser or you're stupid or
(12:36):
you're ugly or you're fat that's not God telling you that that's not even yourself telling you that
that's the enemy and you have to practice casting that casting those thoughts down even if you say
stop it or say you know the Lord rebukes you Satan you have to act on those thoughts you can't repeat
(12:57):
those things to yourself because once you start being the the devil's mouthpiece to yourself then
those thoughts are going to get down in your heart and that's that's one big step that they can take
and then let's talk about what you call the world and you know when we look at the wider culture
there are things that at one time would have been considered mental illnesses that some of the medical
(13:22):
profession and a lot of people the culture are fear are are normative many of which go against
the word of God which creates a real problem for Christians who are trying to do what's right
trying to do what's moral the standing against people you know the Bible says calling wrong
right and right wrong and that's happening so talk to me about how the average person deals with this
(13:49):
and maybe I should ask you how you deal with it in the book what people what can people get
from reading the three enemies of your mental health yes so there is a a term that we use in
the mental health field and that's called desensitization and and this is a very very
serious term and this is why the Lord I mean I mean it's biblical that tells us to guard our
(14:13):
heart right in Proverbs 423 because from it flow the issues of life we have to guard the gates of
our eyes we have to guard the gates of our ears because everything that's going around us all the
external messages that we're getting if we allow them on the inside of us they will influence us
and they will desensitize us to to both start believing that what is truly abnormal is normal
(14:40):
and so that's why the Bible says do not do not be conformed to the path to the to this world but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind and so one of the things that I say you have to do and
and this is it may be difficult but it is a step that we have to we have to take and that is get
(15:03):
before God get with God and surrender every aspect of your life to him and I am I'm talking to busy
parents even if your kids are in a million sports right busy parents surrender every aspect of your
life every role that God has called you to in your life and and say Lord I surrender every aspect of
(15:24):
my life and every role you've called me to whether that's a spouse whether that's me being a teacher
maybe whatever it is a parent and ask him to organize those according to his will now when
you do that he's going to shift it he's going to shift certain friends he's going to get some
friends out and bring some friends in and you want him to do that because you want to evaluate
(15:50):
your relationships as well and that is another step the people you are closest to your guard
comes down and they have the capacity to influence you and so that's another one I think that is so
important and I remember that a mentor told me one and I'm sure this has been written about that
(16:10):
the two things that will affect your life five years from now more than anything else are the
books you read and the people that you hang with and I think that's so true and you know I believe
that your book is one that people should read people seem to be reading less and less these days
but when they're looking for answers books are some of the best ways to do it they can read it
(16:35):
at their own pace they can reflect on it and so forth why would you tell someone who
maybe has someone in their life who needs to read this book you know that's hard to sometimes get
somebody else to do what you need because even if you speed read it it's going to take an hour and
if you read it word for word it'll take three hours which is a commitment of time now if it's
(16:58):
going to be life-changing it is absolutely worth it and a whole lot less expensive to buy a book
than it is to go for even one hour of counseling or therapy but just talk to me about what you
would do it I guess you know in your practice you would have this too because you probably
encourage people to read certain materials to help them out and of course in your own ministry
(17:21):
you're going to be encouraging people to read this book absolutely yes so in the book I contained
everything that I usually would provide throughout a about six weeks to a three month period of
counseling and put it all in one book because I know that not everyone has the time to go to
(17:42):
counseling and I know there's still that stigma surrounding counseling and so they can't afford
it absolutely paycheck to paycheck they have maybe miserable lives but you know that's just
the facts of life yes absolutely and there are moms with little kids who they literally they just
can't leave the house without bringing all their kids to counseling with them and so they just
(18:07):
can't go and so I put all of the problems that I normally assign my patients in the book this way
they can work on it at their own pace and they can gain that freedom because at the end of the day
the helper is the Holy Spirit I'm just a conduit right he just used me to write it I'm just a
conduit of of the book I just think that you have some things like little helpful things like this
(18:33):
says the destructive cycle of the flesh which points to insecurity which points to power control
which points to internal torment that's just one it's in here several times there's questions for
reflection there are charts you know here's one with some pictures of our old nature from Ephesians
(18:56):
chapter 2 but the but because there's great love for us which is the cross and then finally our new
nature which is Ephesians same chapter a few verses later I just found that as I went through it
you know that just kind of grabs your attention and I think it's so important I want to encourage
people to read the book but even for people who don't read the book who are watching this podcast
(19:21):
which by the way if this is ministering to you and you know someone that needs it you need to send
the link to them you need to put on social media of course we encourage that for every podcast
but I think that it's particularly important because this is a book that will help people
those are the kinds of books we try to publish of course at charisma media and I I'll admit I'd
(19:42):
brag on all my authors but I just really want to give my personal endorsement to this book and just
say how important it is to read it so to help help us in the few minutes we have left some
practical things that people can take away that will help them in their walk you had a reason for
writing the book what are some of those reasons that you want the reader because really when you
(20:05):
write it you're not writing it for a group no if it's a broadway play or something like that
or concert you're performing for a group no a reading experience is a very personal experience
one one reader one book one author so what are you hoping to accomplish you know I am hoping and
(20:27):
praying that for that person for you if you're listening that you feel the peace that I once felt
because I struggled with anxiety to the point where I I had suicidal ideations in my life and so
and so I approached this book from not only a personal perspective but also a professional
(20:54):
perspective and and I want to add one thing to anyone who's struggling with depression
a lot of depression that I've seen in the counseling room stems from there's unresolved
unprocessed emotions that that we haven't been able to deal with and so the and I highlight
(21:20):
all of that and if you have like for example there's like a disagreement that happened between
you and a loved one whether or not it's a spouse or mom dad your child and if you don't take that
to God then you and you allow it to fester over and over you're going to attach meaning to it right
and then once you attach meaning to it and it gets down deep in your heart then it turns into
(21:47):
a disagreement and then it turns into a depression and so a lot of times what you want to do when
you're holding on to that unforgiveness is take it to God listen there's a reason why the Lord
tells us to forgive people and forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation at all
(22:08):
there those are two totally different topics and so I also outline how to go about forgiving someone
in a healthy way and you don't have to talk to the person forgiveness is something that's between you
and the Lord and there are also three types of forgiveness that we go through and sometimes you
(22:29):
have to forgive someone who's dead you know maybe and of course there can be no reconciliation there
but what are the three areas actually I have two questions I want to I want you to talk through the
three areas because it's so important but I'm also interested first in what was the turning point for
you was there a turning point where things were so bad and then suddenly something happened that at
(22:52):
least set you in I know it's not one and done it's usually a process and it's usually complicated
but often there's a turning point or maybe I should ask you was there a turning point for you
I'm smiling because there was a turning point and my turning point was I had a dream about Jesus
(23:13):
when I was Muslim so yeah I was I was in a very very bad place I'm gonna not cry it was really bad
and it was because Islam was very oppressive and I it was to the point where I believed that God
(23:34):
hated me and that's I mean that's what a lot of times what it teaches if you don't do enough for
God then when I say God I mean Allah if you don't do enough for Allah he hates you and it's so
oppressive and and you know we're not meant to carry that load and that's I mean that's the load
that Jesus was was came and he came and it was placed on him right and I was just crushed
(24:01):
underneath my own sin underneath the weight of my own sin and I cried out to God and God had been
reaching out to me before then but finally one night I had a dream that it was the end times
and I saw in my dream I saw the the sky open and in my dream I saw a man in a white robe descending
(24:24):
from heaven and that man was Jesus with his hands wide open and I felt a peace that I had never felt
in my life before now mind you before this anxiety was my norm so panic attacks anxiety depression
bad thoughts all of that were my norm and then I saw Jesus and that's what my turning point was now
(24:50):
it didn't those thoughts didn't stop then but hope was born then and so I had someone tangible to hold
on to for the time what a beautiful story and in the couple of minutes we have left
the three areas of forgiveness I think are so important and that causes me to remember something
(25:11):
I read one time you've probably heard this before it says that holding unforgiveness is like drinking
poison and hoping the other person dies I mean unforgiveness just hurts you so bad so it's so
important tell us the three areas of forgiveness and then I want you to pray for our Lord Jesus
and viewers who may need help maybe an area of unforgiveness or other areas but go ahead and share
(25:38):
the three areas absolutely so the first one is forgiveness or unforgiveness against someone and
that could be someone who is alive or to your point someone who has passed away and I go through
the steps to forgiving that person the second one is forgiveness and forgiveness and forgiveness
through the steps to forgiving that person the second one is forgiving ourselves for things that
(26:04):
we have done see a lot of times we are unwilling to receive God's forgiveness because we somehow
convince ourselves that hey if I don't forgive myself then I'm going to keep myself from making
the same mistake again and that's no that that's a lie from the enemy self-will never helps it is by
(26:27):
the power of the Holy Spirit that we can overcome the flesh it is not by willpower alone so
forgiveness or unforgiveness against someone unforgiveness against self the third one is the
one that's rarely ever talked about and that's holding trespasses against God not that God has
done something against us but sometimes when we go through a terrible tragedy like losing a loved one
(26:54):
sometimes when we don't understand why that happened to us we will not process through that
grief with God we won't go to God for it and we'll hold bitterness against God and the enemy will
have a field day with that and he will try to turn us away from God. That is so important and now
will you pray that the Holy Spirit will make some of these truths alive from this podcast which I
(27:19):
hope people share of it also through your book. Absolutely yes. Faithful Father, Lord thank you
for this opportunity God thank you for Steve and Lord and every listener God on this podcast. God
thank you for the call you have on their lives. Lord for anyone who's struggling with depression
(27:42):
or anxiety Lord I pray that by your Holy Spirit that your presence would fall tangibly on them
right now God. God I pray that in the coming days and the coming weeks Lord that you would wake them
up with a new song Lord. God I pray that they would feel your tangible presence. God I pray that you
(28:03):
would silence the enemy's voice from them Lord and I pray that you your voice would be louder. I would
pray that you will equip them with everything they need God to overcome anxiety to overcome depression.
Lord I pray that you'd give them discernment beyond their ears and wisdom to walk in everything that
(28:27):
you have purpose for them and I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. I hope you prayed that
prayer I hope it helped you. I hope that you will get this new book of course many people see this
after October 1st but the book actually releases on Tuesday October 1st. I believe that this book
(28:47):
will really help you. I've read it myself as we talked about in the podcast today there's so many
people that need help and this book like we said is quicker and easier and cheaper than going for
than going for some kind of counseling and you'll get a lot of the truths that Kenza Hedik has to
share. Please share this with other people put it on social media email it to someone that you know
(29:12):
and enjoy it. I thought of three friends I'm going to send it to because I think that the book will
help them and so be sure to subscribe to The Strength Report if you don't already click the
little bell so you know when we're on live every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. Eastern time until
next time God bless you.
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