January 8, 2025 • 49 mins
Discover how 2025 can be your most transformative year yet by breaking free from the chains of counterfeit comforts. Join us as we unravel the allure of false refuges such as social media, binge-watching television, or turning to food that often leave us feeling empty and ashamed. We invite you to take journey to renew your mind and shift your perspective towards a deeper spiritual transformation. Equipped with practical tools, we guide you in confronting lies with God's truth and personalizing scripture to combat falsehoods effectively. By understanding the concept of Christ-centered confidence, you'll learn to find peace beyond societal roles and life circumstances. Let us inspire you to invite God into the spaces once occupied by counterfeit comforts, filling them with truth and peace.
Learn more about our Revelation Within Community: https://www.revelationwithin.org
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hi and welcome to our podcast Revelation Within On
the Go.
I'm Heidi Bilesma-Epperson, oneof your hosts and the owner and
lead coach of theRevelationWithinorg ministry.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And I'm Christina Motley, your other host, also a
Revelation Within coach andHeidi's partner in all things
Revelation Within, and we're sohappy to invite you to join us
for this episode of RevelationWithin on the phone.
Oh yay, that was so much fun.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Welcome to 2025.
2025 is here and in ourrevelation within community, we
are celebrating the theme thatthis can be your best year ever.
It can be your best year ever,Christina.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
My best year ever.
Oh, I love that idea.
That's so fun and hopeful.
My best year ever too.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yes, and it can be our listeners' best year ever as
well.
So today we're kind of divingin to how can we break free from
counterfeit comforts andembrace Christ-centered
confidence.
That's kind of what we are allabout.
So we thought let's start thepodcast this year.
(01:25):
Actually, we started with JoyLynn's last week, which was
awesome, awesome.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
If you haven't heard it, go back and listen.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Yes, it was so good, but today we're going to talk
about a little bit aboutbreaking free from counterfeit
comforts and embracingChrist-centered confidence.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I love that, I love that.
I love breaking free fromcounterfeit comforts and
embracing Christ-centeredconfidence.
Wow.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So tell us, what counterfeit comforts even are.
What does that mean?
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Well, of course, a counterfeit is a fake.
It's something that beckons usand we think, oh, this is it,
this is going to be great, thisis what I need.
But it's a fake, it's acounterfeit.
It's something that we go tothat doesn't help.
In fact, a lot of times it doesthe opposite it destroys, it
drains, it, brings us down, ittakes us to a place we don't
(02:20):
want to be.
It causes more problems,actually.
But it always promises asolution, as though it's the be
all, end all, and it isn't Rightexactly and in the moment it
feels like this is it If I couldjust work more?
If I could just work more, if Icould just eat this or eat that
(02:43):
, if I could just have thisdrink, if I could just get on my
phone and scroll through allthe videos and reels for an hour
or two or five, if I could justrelax, I could just have that
body.
Yeah, if I could just have thatbody, if I could just go on
vacation every other day thatsounds lovely.
(03:04):
It does sound lovely, butthere's so many, and many of
them are great.
I was talking with someone theother day who's in like six
Bible studies.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I've been there.
I've been there.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Yes, it's like Bible study is fantastic, that is
wonderful, but she's drained,she's exhausted and she's full
of shame because she can't keepup and she's not ready for any
of the studies and she wants tojust quit them all and run away.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Well, and sometimes counterfeit comforts, of course,
can be things that we knowaren't best for us.
Right, bible study is trickybecause we know that's a good
thing, but maybe the counterfeitcomfort is something we know we
shouldn't be involved with atall.
It's off God's path for us, andyet we go to it anyway to numb
out, shut down, forget, escape.
(04:00):
Sometimes sneaking adds to itthe thrill and the dopamine hit,
and so it feels really good todo things that we're not
supposed to do.
Other counterfeits are like theBible study it's good things
that we take to excess.
Right there you go.
I have a bazillion examples ofboth kinds.
(04:21):
But in 2012, my first husbandwent into a pretty deep
depression and he would stillleave home every day for work,
and that was something I wasthankful to God for.
I was so grateful, in fact andI found myself, triggered by his
depression, into my own kind ofdepression.
(04:42):
It was deep sadness.
Watching the man that I hadknown for 25 years, who had been
such a rock, changed sodrastically, and so I got
involved in something that hadbeen a love of mine earlier in
my life, and a little bit as anadult I got involved in tennis
again, and I don't just meantennis, I mean competitive
(05:04):
tennis, and I tend to be prettycompetitive, and I mean that in
attitude.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
I'm going to say yes, I have experienced that with
you, heidi.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
At first it was just one tennis team and then it was
a you know a tournament here orthere.
At the time I was seeing atherapist who was really
celebrating that I was gettinginvolved in something and not
letting my husband's depressionbe all that I was about.
She loved that I was returningto my love for tennis.
But over time I figured.
(05:37):
If some is good, more is evenbetter and more than that is
excellent.
So I began to play more andmore, until one point I was
involved at one time in eighttennis teams.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Woo.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
All weekend, every weekend.
So I had turned a healthy thinginto a counterfeit comfort.
I could stay away from my houseand not have to deal with the
sadness at all, as long as I hadthat fuzzy yellow ball.
To focus on the fuzzy yellowball and beating the tar out of
(06:12):
it if necessary, and I rememberwhen my therapist expressed a
concern that something that hadbecoming part of a bigger
problem.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
I had no idea how far that excess would pull me from
the peace that I truly longedfor, because the reality of it
is.
I had to come home again.
I had to come back to what wasgoing on at home and each day
face the same truth what wasgoing on at home and each day
face the same truth.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
That was tough, so hard, so hard.
Okay, so I'm going to share onethat I didn't even know I was
going to share.
Fun, I love those.
Yeah, I had something else inmind, but while you were talking
, this came up and I feel likeGod wants me to share this.
Okay, so several.
(07:05):
Well, for many years really.
When I look back, I think whatwas my counterfeit?
I mean, I had several, I hadseveral.
I've talked about food andeating before.
That was definitely front andcenter, but there's another one
that I want to share today andit's kind of, you know, a little
bit embarrassing to share.
I think I can fix everything.
(07:28):
I am going to be the one I'mgoing to fix everything.
If somebody said we don't haveenough people on the team, I
said I'm on the team.
If someone said I need someoneto lead this.
I would say I can be thatperson.
If there was something wrong,if there was something that
needed to be done, I'll go do it.
(07:49):
I thought that that was my wayto get to a place of peace.
It was just like being thebe-all for everybody and
sometimes it felt really good.
Somebody would give me a bighug and say, oh Christina,
you're amazing, amazing, oryou're a lifesaver.
(08:13):
What would I have done withoutyou?
I just can't believe that youstepped in with all that you're
dealing with and your capeflying in the wind.
Yes, the cape is flying, butwhat happened was, if you've
seen the Incredibles, you knowthat capes are not helpful.
(08:34):
Anyway, my cape got stuck inthis counterfeit comfort because
I was getting drained andoverwhelmed.
I remember thinking I just wantto get sick so I can stay home
by myself.
I was a teacher, my kids wereat school, you know, and I was
(08:57):
this end all be all person.
It's like I can't, I can't.
This is before I got sick withLyme disease.
Obviously, this is before I metyou, heidi, because when you
and I started coaching, youcalled me on it.
I kind of did.
I remember that you did, and Imean, I had lists and lists of
responsibilities and I thought Iwas called to all of them and I
(09:23):
thought God had given me thiscape and I thought this is what
I'm supposed to do.
Then why am I feeling so badall the time?
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Yeah, exactly, exactly.
Well does the word of Godaddress counterfeit comforts?
And the answer is I bet you areexcited to hear yes, yes.
The answer is, I bet you areexcited to hear yes, yes.
In Isaiah 55, verses two andthree, god says why, why,
christina, do you keep flyingover buildings?
No, I'm kidding.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
I'm trying, I'm trying, there she goes.
Oh, she hit that one.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Oh, she's going down, oh but seriously, the word of
God doesn't say that.
It says why spend money on whatis not bread and your labor on
what does not satisfy?
Yes, listen, listen to me Godsays and eat what is good and
you will delight in the richestaffair.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Oh, does it really say that in Isaiah?
Speaker 1 (10:21):
That's amazing it is.
It is, isn't it?
There's a lot of gems in theOld Testament.
When God says listen, listen tome and he says twice yeah,
listen, listen to me I'm like,oh man, he's really serious
about this one.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
He really wants us to hear this one.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And basically, he tells us that these comforts,
these are counterfeit comforts.
They promise relief but theyfail to truly satisfy.
Now, if others who arelistening are like Christina and
I've been this way too, wherewe want to help people, you want
to please people, that is areally tricky one because it
(10:59):
looks so good yes, there are somany aspects of it that are
really good but boy, it getsmurky.
I think the enemy loves it whenwe are constantly trying to
please.
And you know what?
Once upon a time I had thisconviction that God I am sure it
was at the heart of he saidwhat you're trying to do, when
you're pleasing everybody,everybody, everybody is control
(11:22):
them to guarantee that they willbe happy and content, so that
you can feel at peace.
That was the way it wasconnected for me.
Yeah, but whether it's peoplepleasing or overeating or
something else.
We so often spin our wheels andspend our time on things that
(11:43):
don't really satisfy on thingsthat don't really satisfy on
things that don't give us whatwe need.
They promise relief but fail todeliver really, and sometimes
this is what it reminds me ofit's like being thirsty but
drinking salt water.
It only makes that problemworse.
I mean if you've ever been atthe ocean and saltwater got into
(12:04):
whatever beverage you knowwhether it's water or soda or
whatever it's like nasty andthat's kind of the way it feels
when I am going after acounterfeit comfort.
It's like it makes the problemworse.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Oh yeah, that's so true, and I just I mean I can't
tell you how many people havesaid to me lately something
about social media and scrolling, Like it has become this huge
thing, much more than even lastyear, five years ago.
Yeah, yeah, I know it's likechanged.
(12:41):
It's become this thing andeverywhere you go you're sitting
on a bus everybody's on theirphone and phones are amazing
Smartphones.
I mean I do banking on my phone.
I do so much.
I love how we can communicatewith each other and all of those
things.
But, wow, getting on your phone, I mean so many people I know
(13:04):
and myself and you, Heidi, we'reall talking about this how
we're getting stuck on something.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
And suddenly every one of the videos we're watching
is about that, and we're stuckand we're stuck on videos and
being silly.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Or this morning it was cats attacking babies.
Oh my God, I mean jumping outand startling babies.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
You know.
I mean I've talked about howthe wedding bloopers just draw
me in and also severe weatherdraws me in like tornadoes.
I'm I'm fascinated by and hugewaves in the ocean and stuff
like that.
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
And before we know it , two hours has gone by and we
haven't come up for air yet.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Well, and here's what's really creepy about it is
that somehow that whatever'shappening behind the scenes,
which I don't understand at all,has figured me out.
And there are things popping upthat I'm like what is this?
Why does it know that I'm drawnto this, you know, like issues
(14:18):
stuff with food and eating,stuff, with body image, and it
pops up and I'm like, oh man,this is just freaking me out.
But it is such a prevalentcounterfeit comfort right now to
be on our iPad or our phone orour computers watching reels and
(14:38):
videos and then comparingourselves with everybody out
there.
Oh, I know.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Oh it's so draining.
It's so draining.
Definitely not the comfort Godhas in mind if we turn to him.
He doesn't just want us to benumb.
No, that's not his version ofcomfort.
His version of comfort is inthe context of our life.
Whatever we're facing, he willsupply comfort.
He's called the God of allcomfort, the father of all
(15:04):
compassion, and there's a reasonfor that.
It doesn't matter what we'refacing, we don't need to escape
it, we don't need to numb out toit.
We can be present to the Lordin it and experience what he
offers.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Well, and I'm just imagining somebody out there
saying but Heidi, you don't knowwhat I'm going through, I don't
want to feel this.
I don't want to feel this, Idon't want to feel anything, I'm
not going to survive if I don'tnumb out.
Anyway, we understand, we getyou out there, we get you, we
understand.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
And then you know, of course, Heidi and I have talked
so many times about food andeating and how we have gone to
food and drinks.
You know um fancy coffees or aglass of wine or soda, diet soda
.
I love bubbles, effervescence,it's awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
We, they make you happy.
Oh no, here we go.
Chocolate chips, ah, oh my gosh.
So we, we understand, weunderstand, they are frauds.
Yeah, frauds, that's a goodword.
Yeah, that's a good word.
It really is False refuge.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
That's what we heard in our Zoom call yesterday.
That was so good.
False refuge, that's what it is.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Yeah Cause there is no rest there, not really no
there's no rest For me when Ihave gone to a counterfeit or a
false refuge, as one of ourparticipants described it.
It means I'm shut down, I'mnumbed out, I'm not present to
life, and that's not really arefuge.
A refuge is a place ofrefreshment, a place of
(16:44):
encouragement, of hope, and Ican't experience that with a
counterfeit or a false refuge.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Yeah, it's so, so true.
Just one more little storyabout that, because I'm feeling
so convicted, but it's a good.
It's a good conviction.
You know, conviction is fromGod, it's loving, but it's good
to see these things.
I want to see what I'm doing.
So last night for whateverreason there were several
(17:12):
reasons everyone in the housewas gone for like 20 minutes,
which is huge because we have abusy house right now and I'm not
often alone, and so I had this20 minutes and my first thought
was to go to the Lord anddebrief about the day, and that
thought went whoosh out thewindow.
(17:33):
That's so cool.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Let's stop for a moment and have a moment of
silence, of praise and thanksthat God put that in your heart
first it was.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
It was there and I thought, oh, this will be so
good I'll have.
And then it was just gone.
And then what I think happenedwas I picked up my phone to
answer a text and all of asudden, I was looking at reels.
I don't even know how ithappened, I wasn't even
cognizant of it and I found thisperson on I think it was
(18:08):
Instagram, who has a chronicillness like, you know,
something similar to me, and shewas talking to the world about
what it's like and I got sostuck in there.
And not that it was bad, andnot that what she was sharing
was bad, but I just thought, andbefore I knew it, 20 minutes
(18:28):
was gone and then what happened?
The front door opened.
I'm just being so honest today.
Yeah, thank you.
The front door opened and Igrabbed my phone and my reading
glasses because that's how old Iam and I shoved them under the
pillow on the couch.
That's how old I am, and Ishoved them under the pillow on
the couch.
You were sneaking.
I was ashamed, I was sneaking.
(18:49):
I didn't want them to walk inand see me looking at reels on
my phone.
Okay, can anyone out thererelate to that?
Right, it's awful.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
It doesn't feel good and shame is a terrible place to
land, especially if you don'tdo something with bringing it to
the Lord and experiencingfreedom from it, because shame
is a liar.
Shame is from the enemy.
It is, it is, and if we don'tprocess it, it's like a monkey
on our back it rides with useverywhere, into the next hour,
into the next day.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Oh, that's so true.
It's so true, so I feel so muchbetter having shared that.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Well, let's give the listener a chance to think about
this for a minute.
What about you, listener?
Is there a counterfeit comfortthat you've turned to recently,
or a false refuge recently, or afalse refuge, and how did it
leave you feeling?
Did you feel shame?
Did it satisfy, or was it likewhat Isaiah describes is
(19:53):
spending on something that isn'tsatisfying, on laboring over
what?
Speaker 2 (20:08):
does not satisfy.
We want to listen to what Godhas for us, and that's the
really, really good news.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
He invites us to something far, far better.
He does, yes, and it's not justbolstering your self-confidence
, it's a confidence rooted inhim, his truth, his promises,
who he is in your life, who hesays you are.
That is what we want.
We want that comfort that comesfrom knowing I know who I have
followed and who I'm followingnow, and he is able to do
(20:33):
whatever it takes to bring me toa place of being like
Philippians 1, 6 says he's goingto accomplish that which he has
started, and so that's what wewant.
We want that confidence rootedin his truth and his promises.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Well, and Heidi, you and I have experienced that
hundreds of times.
We love the way that feels, welove the way it feels to go to
God, but we still trip and westill stumble, and that's what
it's like to live in this world,and so it's okay to trip and
stumble, but it's also feelsreally good just to share it and
(21:08):
say you know what?
Let's go to where the life is.
Let's go to what feels good inour hearts and souls and stays
with us.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
It sticks to your ribs it sticks to your ribs
Counterfeit comfort.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
You know they're often tied to lies that we
believe about ourselves or aboutGod, like I'm not enough or
I'll never change, or he'sholding out on me.
Yeah, I mean, I just gave thatexample of trying to be
everything for everyone.
(21:43):
That came very much out of I'mnot enough.
I'm not enough just as I am.
I'm not enough just getting thedishes done.
That's not enough.
I got to run out there and savethe world.
You know I'm not enough.
And so I think that that issomething to look at.
To ask God, it takes somecourage to go there, right, but
(22:07):
to just say, lord, I'm believingsome kind of a lie about this
counterfeit comfort, Otherwise Iwouldn't keep going back to it.
Will you help me to see whatthe lie is?
What am I believing?
What am I thinking about?
What's going on in my thoughts?
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Yeah, we love Romans.
12, 1 and 2 here at RevelationOf course, I want to just read
it and then we're going tolaunch into what is God's
solution and how do we dive intothat.
Romans 12, 1 and 2 says Iappeal to you, therefore,
brothers, and I love thisbecause Paul says at the outset
I'm not just asking you to thinkabout this, I'm appealing to
(22:44):
you, therefore, brothers, and Ilove this because Paul says at
the outset I'm not just askingyou to think about this, I'm
appealing to you, I entreat you.
There's all kinds of words usedin different translations for
this, but basically it meansplease do this, please do this.
He's pleading, and so, and whatis it?
He's pleading with us to dothat by the mercies of God.
And what is it he's pleadingwith us to do that by the
mercies of God?
(23:05):
Think on those.
Think on the mercies that Godhas poured on your life.
His mercies are new eachmorning, and I think they're new
each minute too, and so God hastold us in his word he wants us
to think on his mercies, and indoing so, then he commissions
us present your bodies as aliving sacrifice, holy and
(23:27):
acceptable to God, which is yourspiritual worship.
You're not supposed to do thisjust in a vacuum.
Okay, be a living sacrifice,Stay there on the altar, don't
move.
It's fine, you're going to lovethis, trust me.
God is not saying that.
He's saying look at what I havedone, what I am doing, what I
(23:47):
will do, and as you ponder themercies of God, that is what
will motivate you to be thatliving sacrifice, holy and
acceptable.
And then it goes on in versetwo.
So that's the context for versetwo Do not be conformed to this
world.
And why?
Because this world is filledwith counterfeit comforts, false
(24:10):
refuges.
Yes, I mean, it's just, it'sall a pipe dream, it's nothing
compared to the substance ofgoing to God.
So do not be conformed to thisworld.
But here's the contrast.
I love this.
I love when God does a contrastof some kind, or or when he
shows up like it says and thenGod, what?
(24:32):
I love that.
So, instead of being conformedto this world and what they tell
us is the answer to ourproblems, especially this time
of year, we're being pushed into.
I feel like, almost like abunch of cattle being funneled
into a shoot, what they call iton farms and stuff, where they
then load the cattle into trucksfor slaughter.
(24:52):
That's a pleasant analogy.
Like, really conforming to theworld is like that.
They're telling us.
We need to have resolutions, weneed to go to the gym, we need
to fix this, we need to fix that, not asking God, the one who
made us.
God made us and he knows.
And so it goes on to say do notbe conformed to this world.
(25:22):
But here's that contrast betransformed how.
By pulling yourself up by yourbootstraps?
No, by buying a 12-month planat the gym or whatever.
No, no, no, no, no.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Saving everybody Putting on a cape.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
That's how you're transformed.
Super girl, get that cape onagain.
No, we are transformed by therenewal of our minds.
So, being transformed by therenewing of your mind, and we're
going to be talking about thata little bit more next week as
well.
But what does this even looklike?
What does it mean?
It's not more Bible study, it'snot more praying, it's not more
(25:57):
memorization of scripture.
I think it's safe to say thatthe only way it's more of those
is if you're not doing any, andthen what you want to do is be
able to reel in God's truth inorder for it to truly be mind
renewal.
We can quote verses all the time, but it doesn't affect us where
we live unless we apply it.
(26:19):
So I can do all things throughChrist who strengthens me is
great, but I need to apply it tothose strongholds I need.
You know I can not scrollbecause of the strength of
Christ that lives in me.
I can do all things, includingnot go back to the kitchen again
.
Through Christ who strengthensme.
I cannot say that snarky word.
(26:39):
Through Christ who strengthensme, I really can.
Can, yes, and so beingtransformed by the renewing of
my mind.
I love this because it doesn'tend there.
It says this is the resultbasically, by testing, you may
discern what is the will of God,what is good, what is
acceptable and perfect.
(27:00):
I love that.
That sounds amazing.
That's what god desires for usis to, yes, experience
transformation, but it's not aprogram for this or a structured
plan for that.
It really isn't.
It's his will, his way, andhe's going to do the
transformation.
We want to renew our minds.
So what are ways we can renewour minds practically?
(27:23):
And we, of course, christinaand I and we at Revelation
Weekend we love to equip thoseof us who love Jesus that's
probably you if you're listeningto this podcast, if you
struggle with experiencingvictory in your walk with him.
We want to equip you to movefrom grasping for counterfeit
(27:44):
comfort to really experiencingthat Christ-centered confidence
by renewing your mind.
We want to show you how to doit.
We get to participate in theprocess with God.
He wants to do thetransformation and, of course,
like we said, reading the Bibleis helpful.
Praying is helpful.
Memorizing scripture is helpful.
(28:04):
Like we said, reading the Bibleis helpful, praying is helpful.
Memorizing scripture is helpful.
If, over the years that youhave done that, you are seeing
no transformation, then thatmight be a clue that what you're
doing isn't actually mindrenewal.
I know it seems counterintuitive.
Yeah, we just don't take thetruth of God's word far enough.
Sometime, we keep it at adistance right, fill in our
(28:26):
blanks, we memorize it, we quoteit chapter and verse.
But the litmus test about mindrenewal is if we are transformed
.
God says he will transform us.
Yes, it's not more of the samestuff that we've been doing all
along, but different.
Yes, it's not more of the samestuff that we've been doing all
(28:49):
along, but different.
So mind renewal tools is whatwe've come up with to help us do
that, yeah, and it's not rocketscience, they're simple,
they're actually fun.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I mean, every time I think both of us, heidi every
time that we coach someone,whether it's in a group or
one-on-one, we do mind renewaltogether and it is so uplifting.
It's like, oh, can we just domore of that?
I know I want to do it thewhole time.
It feels so good because we'refilling our minds with God's
truth and it's like itrejuvenates our souls and we can
(29:22):
grasp moments throughout theday to do this.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
I mean driving, running errands.
I can do it when I'm on thephone, I can.
I mean really, especially ifI'm on hold, if I'm standing in
line at the grocery store.
You've heard us say all thesedifferent little examples of
grabbing those moments foreternity.
Really, I want to grab thosemoments and tell myself what are
God's thoughts right now?
His thoughts are going to beglorious and good and
(29:47):
life-giving.
So I want to practice thinkingthat way, so that when I'm
pushed up against the wall andthings are tough, that is the
kind of thinking that comes out,the mind of Christ type
thinking instead of my ownfleshly thoughts.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
So let's do it.
Let's start by teaching y'all,if you haven't done it before.
One of our tools.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
So one of our tools and I know that Heidi and I both
this is in our top five forsure, and we have, you know, a
lot, a lot of tools now, andthis one is called what is true.
And so the first thing andwe've kind of talked about this
a little bit already, but let'sgo through it step by step it's
so simple and profound at thesame time.
(30:31):
Profound at the same time youcan sit down with a journal and
really get into this, or you cando it at a stoplight when
you're in your car, in theshower or on a podcast, when
you're in your car, in theshower or on a podcast.
Anyway, okay, what is true?
So step one is to identify thelie.
(30:51):
And I mean this might, you know, be a little tricky at first.
It's like I'm not believinglies.
Why would I believe lies?
Just ask God.
He'll tell you yes, yes.
So this is kind of the way Ithink of it in my own life.
If I'm seeing a pattern ofbehavior in my own life that is
taking me down for whateverreason, whatever it is, I know
(31:14):
I'm drained, I know that it'snot good for me, it's not
helping me, it's not bringinglife to my life.
It's not what God wants for me.
Then I take that and bring itto the Lord and ask him what am
I believing about this?
What am I believing about you,about me, about whatever I'm
doing that is causing me tocontinue this behavior?
(31:38):
Without even thinking, I justgo back to it again and again.
What is that lie?
Yeah, okay.
So here's an example, and Iknow that you know so many of us
struggle with this because lifeis exhausting, and many of us
also struggle with physicalissues as well.
So here's the lie I need thisto feel better.
(32:03):
I need to feel better.
It's kind of both.
It could be either one.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
What is the this?
I need this food, I need thisdrug.
I need this glass of wine.
That's the fifth glass of wine.
Yeah, I need-.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
I'm being a new model now, yeah, you don't feel like
you might need it, like it's astrong urge.
You feel like, in order tosurvive, in order to get through
the next half hour, in order toget through moving in my life,
I need this.
Yeah, I need it, and that's alie.
(32:39):
That's a lie.
It feels so true in the momentit does.
It feels very true.
We understand that.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
And it's kind of related to another lie that
might be paired with it, andthat is I can't do my life.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
Yes, I can't do my life, I can't do this.
You know, whatever is going onin the moment that lie comes up
that's been a big one for me foryears is I can't do this, I
can't do this.
So that's a huge, huge lie thatwe want to look at with the
Lord.
Okay, step two.
Step two is it's gets better,it gets much better.
(33:15):
Step one is like ah, oh, yeah,heaviness and oh, but step two
is to replace the lie with God'struth.
Wow, okay.
Well, how do I know what God'struth is?
Well, we know because he gaveus the whole book, the whole
Bible.
We also know because the HolySpirit speaks to us.
(33:39):
And we also know because wehear God's truth, all of it,
that lines up with his word.
We hear it at church and wehear it on podcasts and we hear
it in devotions and we hear itin videos and everywhere.
There's so many resources, butof course, it all has to line up
with God's truth in his word.
(34:01):
An example of truth to replacethis lie, remember, the lie is I
need this or I need to do thisto feel better, and we can
replace it with Psalm 46.1.
God is my refuge and strength.
And if you look up the wordrefuge, if you look up the word
strength in the Bible, if youlook up the word provision or
(34:25):
comfort or whatever you need,there are so many verses there
that you can grab a hold of.
And then, of course, we like topersonalize verses to really
bring them home to our hearts.
So, for example, god isChristina's refuge and strength.
God is Heidi's refuge andstrength.
(34:48):
You know, that's one way to putyour name in.
And so then we get to stepthree, because now we have the
truth.
What are we going to do with it?
Speaker 1 (34:56):
We're going to repeat it a million times.
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Yes, because if I don't, I mean I'm going to
forget this in a minute.
You know, I go to church and Ihear like the best sermon I've
heard in my life.
And I walk out the door andtalk to three people and I'm
like what was the sermon about,right?
I mean, we all do that.
We can't hold so much in ourbrains.
And so step three is tomeditate on that truth, to
(35:21):
really say it out loud, engagewith it.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
I think pray through it, sing it If you have to put
it on a note card journal aboutit, if you can I mean you don't?
Have to do all of those and youdon't have to do any of them.
But saying it out loud, likewhile I'm driving, is when I
like to kind of speak the truthout loud.
I do.
I really I need that.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
I need it too, you know, for example, maybe I'm on
my way to a difficult meeting atwork.
When I was teaching, there weretimes when I thought I'm going
to have to have this verydifficult meeting with a
coworker or with a parent who's,you know, nervous about her
child or whatever.
On the way there I can takethis very verse God is
(36:08):
Christina's refuge and strength.
God is for me.
God is with me right now.
It actually helps me to jumpoff into more mind renewal and
truth when I read one of hisverses.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
That's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
It changes my experience, it calms me down and
it helps me to be prepared forwhatever is to come, because he
really is my refuge and strength.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
He's the strength in me.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
We would love to encourage you to think about
what's going on in your thoughts.
Is there a lie that you'rebelieving, and what does God's
word say that counters it?
And then speak that truth aloudagain and again, and again this
week and see if it doesn't makea difference.
Yeah, give this a try.
(36:55):
Invite God in to help you withwhatever it is that is drawing
you into that counterfeitcomfort.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
And when you speak God's word, his truth, about
that lie you've believed.
We're not just talking aboutquoting it chapter and verse,
but personalizing it to that lie, because the enemy loves it
when we.
He targets the lies he puts infront of us, and so we really
want to target the truth, todeal with the lie in a targeted
(37:24):
way.
All right, so we're going to bemoving from counterfeit
comforts, from the lies thatfeed them, into Christ centered
confidence.
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Great, that sounds so good, let's go there.
Speaker 1 (37:38):
Let's go there, okay well, first corinthians 2 16, of
course, says that we have themind of christ and I, as I say a
lot of the time, I want tothink with that mind, not my
fleshly short-sighted,self-centered mind.
I don't want to go there.
I want to think with the mindof christ, and romans 8 9 also
says his spirit lives in me onceI'm in Christ, so I can allow
(38:03):
and welcome and invite hisspirit to show me what the
thoughts of God are.
And so, thinking with the mindof Christ, his thoughts about
people, about God, about myself,about food, about tennis, about
the little yellow fuzzy ball,yes, thinking God's thoughts
about scrolling and whateverelse.
(38:25):
I want to practice thinking histhoughts with his mind as much
as possible early and often,early and often.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
Early and often.
Speaker 1 (38:36):
Yes, and the more I do that, the more likely I am
I'm training myself to thinkwith the mind of Christ the more
likely I am then to think histhoughts with a renewed mind
when things get challenging,when a trial hits, when I get
news that is difficult toswallow, and a real quick
example when things did gosideways with my first husband,
(38:59):
I wrote a list of things I wasgrateful for for the previous 25
years that he had done veryspecifically, instead of
focusing on the ways I wasdisappointed right now with what
was happening in his life andin mind.
I took time every morning to goover that list, and it was a
long list.
I mean from changing the baby'sdiapers to giving them baths,
(39:19):
to burping them in the middle ofthe night, and the list goes on
and on and on, and so that madea huge difference in how I
thought about him as he wasgoing through that difficult
time, and instead of thinkingwith my fleshly self-centered
mind, I could think morefrequently with the mind of
Christ.
So, christina, what does itlook like for you to have
(39:42):
Christ-centered confidence?
You know we're not just talkingabout bolstering your own
self-esteem, or whatever whatdoes it look like for you to
have that confidence.
That is because of his truth,his promises, his work in you.
Speaker 2 (39:57):
Boy, that's a really good question.
I've been thinking about this,and what does it look like?
One of my favorite things aboutthis is kind of what you just
said.
It's not about me, I don't haveto figure it out, it's about
God in me.
So there's a few things that Ithought.
(40:18):
Well, I'll just share these fewthat I use a lot, so that maybe
that will be helpful forsomeone to be able to take with
them right after the podcast.
Yeah, a big one that I havestruggled with for years is my
identity, and for many years Ithought my identity is being a
mom, my identity is being ateacher.
(40:40):
Oh, dear, my identity is being awife.
Those were the big three.
I get it.
I totally get it, yes.
So when things go sideways,when you have a big fight, you
know, with your husband, orthings don't go well with one of
your kids, or, for me, I had tostop teaching because of my
(41:03):
health Well, what happens to myidentity?
My identity crashes and burnsand again it's all about me,
it's all about my performance.
Okay, so if that's somethingthat resonates with you, this is
what I do, and I know Heididoes as well.
We go to the word and ask Godwho am I in Christ?
(41:28):
Not who am I on this earth?
Who am I, according to the hatsthat I have on my hat rack, of
all the roles that I'm playingright now?
Who am I in Christ?
Because that's the identitythat never changes, never, ever
changes.
And there is so much peace inthat, there is such relief in
(41:51):
that, no matter what happens,you know I was a caregiver for
my parents.
Well, they died, they went toheaven, and it's like what
happens to my identity then.
But if my identity is rooted inwho I am in Christ, how God
sees me, then I'm good.
(42:12):
I'm good, so that's a big one.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Yeah, it is a big one , and so we have a resource.
If you want it and don't haveit yet, go to teamlifeisgoodcom.
That's all one word.
Teamlifeisgoodcom.
Forward slash identity and youcan download a list from the
Bible of all kinds of.
Who am I in Christ?
Speaker 2 (42:37):
Oh my gosh, that is one of my favorite go-tos.
I read through it Maybe I onlychoose three and they all have
scripture references and itreminds me I'm God's girl.
No matter what happens in thisworld, no matter what goes wrong
sideways, upside downimpossible, I'm God's girl, I
belong to him, my identity inChrist is rock solid, it's
(43:01):
secure and, wow, that'sChrist-centered confidence.
Oh, that feels so good.
Another one that is just againsomething that really I use
every day, especially when Iseem to be really fixated on
myself, on my own thoughts, onmy own failures, when I'm really
(43:23):
stuck there especially, butreally anytime I need to be
turning my heart toward the Lordand looking at who he is rather
than who I am, because he'senough for me.
His strength is in me, it's hisconfidence that I'm looking for
, and so I go to him and it'slike okay, lord, who are you?
(43:45):
So one of my favorite tools isyou are the God who.
I love this tool.
I love it because, again, myheart turns.
The minute I start doing this,my heart turns and not only does
it turn, but it softens andthat huge weight comes off of me
(44:06):
.
Well, christina, you're the onethat has to be all for
everybody.
You got to do it all.
You got to figure this out.
No, I'm looking to the Lord forwho he is.
So you are the God who makesthe sun rise.
You are the God who created thesquirrels that run around the
tree in my front yard.
You are the God that createdgiggly teenage girls that are
(44:29):
upstairs in my house.
You are the God that gives mestrength for my hardest days.
You are the God who is faithfuland steadfast, no matter what.
You are the God that movesmountains and keeps every
promise.
You are the God that loves me,no matter what I do.
I could go on and on and on.
(44:50):
I love this tool so much, sothat's definitely one that you
could take with you today fromthe podcast.
The first one was who am I inChrist?
And the second one who is God?
You are the God who.
Speaker 1 (45:07):
Right.
Thank you, Christina.
I love that and I love just howit flows right off your lips.
You can tell you'rewell-practiced.
Speaker 2 (45:17):
Oh, that's one of my go-tos, for sure.
Speaker 1 (45:27):
So, summarizing, we want to encourage all the
listeners and live this wayourselves to move from that
place of grasping forcounterfeit comforts or false
refuges to a place of Christcentered confidence.
And so there are just a fewways that we suggested we do
this kind of step.
Identify your counterfeitcomforts.
See what?
What do I tend to go towardswhen I'm feeling desperate about
(45:51):
something, or sad, or likeangry even.
It could be any number ofemotions, but what do I grab to
numb out, to veg?
We use all kinds of words forit.
Identify what that is and theninvite God to show you.
Is there a lie that's at theheart of it that keeps me going
(46:12):
to this counterfeit?
Speaker 2 (46:13):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (46:14):
Then you want to replace the lie that's there
with truth from his word that'spersonalized and targeted, not
just quoting chapter and verse,but bringing it in close and
then try one of these tools thatChristina has shared with us
and see what happens.
I mean, really, it could bethat this time next week you'll
(46:35):
see a huge shift in the way youthink.
Speaker 2 (46:37):
I love that, yeah, Okay.
So this week, choose onecounterfeit comfort to surrender
to Christ.
You know there's going to beone that jumps out at you right
now.
I think when we say, when weask you to do this, you're going
to say, oh, I know which one itis.
Ask God to fill that space.
(46:58):
That kind of that void thatyou're trying to is.
Ask God to fill that space,that kind of that void that
you're trying to fill.
Ask him to fill that with histruth and his peace.
Ask him to show you the liethat fuels returning again and
again to this counterfeit, tothis false refuge.
And ask him for the truth thatyou can repeat to yourself and
begin to train yourself to thinkdifferently.
(47:20):
Thoughts fuel beliefs, Beliefsfuel actions.
So if we want different actionsin our lives, we have to start
with what we think.
Speaker 1 (47:30):
That's so true, we really do.
And if you want support in yourjourney doing this, join us at
RevWithinteam.
We would just love for you toexperience having your best year
ever with us.
And in January we have a weeklytruth practice challenge that
(47:51):
we're doing.
We're going to be focusing onone tool each week, starting
with this one.
Speaker 2 (47:56):
I love it too.
I love it.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
And we support one another, and if you need any
support in how to apply or makethis relevant to a particular
stronghold, we can help withthat.
Too Many in our community camebecause they wanted to put food
and eating in their proper place, where God wanted them to, so
we have a lot of experience withthat, but it doesn't have to be
(48:20):
the one that you're strugglingwith.
Right, you can have the bestyear ever.
Christine and I both hope we'llsee you in the community.
You can just visit one of twoURLs for that revwithinteam,
t-e-a-m or revelationwithinorgand you can learn all about it
and just join us a month free tosee if we're a good fit.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
We would love to have you.
We would.
We would love to have you.
Heidi and I are in there everysingle day and our community is
amazing it is it really, is we?
Love our community.
We'd love to have you join us.
Yes.
It really is.
We love our community.
We'd love to have you join us,yes, and we'd also love to have
you join us for our next podcastepisode on Revelation Within,
(49:08):
on the phone.
Speaker 1 (49:13):
Oh, we'll see you next time.
Thanks for joining us.
Bye for now.
Hi and welcome to our podcast Revelation Within On
the Go.
I'm Heidi Bilesma-Epperson, oneof your hosts and the owner and
lead coach of theRevelationWithinorg ministry.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
And I'm Christina Motley, your other host, also a
Revelation Within coach andHeidi's partner in all things
Revelation Within, and we're sohappy to invite you to join us
for this episode of RevelationWithin on the phone.
Oh yay, that was so much fun.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Welcome to 2025.
2025 is here and in ourrevelation within community, we
are celebrating the theme thatthis can be your best year ever.
It can be your best year ever,Christina.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
My best year ever.
Oh, I love that idea.
That's so fun and hopeful.
My best year ever too.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Yes, and it can be our listeners' best year ever as
well.
So today we're kind of divingin to how can we break free from
counterfeit comforts andembrace Christ-centered
confidence.
That's kind of what we are allabout.
So we thought let's start thepodcast this year.
(01:25):
Actually, we started with JoyLynn's last week, which was
awesome, awesome.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
If you haven't heard it, go back and listen.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Yes, it was so good, but today we're going to talk
about a little bit aboutbreaking free from counterfeit
comforts and embracingChrist-centered confidence.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I love that, I love that.
I love breaking free fromcounterfeit comforts and
embracing Christ-centeredconfidence.
Wow.
Speaker 1 (01:53):
So tell us, what counterfeit comforts even are.
What does that mean?
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Well, of course, a counterfeit is a fake.
It's something that beckons usand we think, oh, this is it,
this is going to be great, thisis what I need.
But it's a fake, it's acounterfeit.
It's something that we go tothat doesn't help.
In fact, a lot of times it doesthe opposite it destroys, it
drains, it, brings us down, ittakes us to a place we don't
(02:20):
want to be.
It causes more problems,actually.
But it always promises asolution, as though it's the be
all, end all, and it isn't Rightexactly and in the moment it
feels like this is it If I couldjust work more?
If I could just work more, if Icould just eat this or eat that
(02:43):
, if I could just have thisdrink, if I could just get on my
phone and scroll through allthe videos and reels for an hour
or two or five, if I could justrelax, I could just have that
body.
Yeah, if I could just have thatbody, if I could just go on
vacation every other day thatsounds lovely.
(03:04):
It does sound lovely, butthere's so many, and many of
them are great.
I was talking with someone theother day who's in like six
Bible studies.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
I've been there.
I've been there.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Yes, it's like Bible study is fantastic, that is
wonderful, but she's drained,she's exhausted and she's full
of shame because she can't keepup and she's not ready for any
of the studies and she wants tojust quit them all and run away.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
Well, and sometimes counterfeit comforts, of course,
can be things that we knowaren't best for us.
Right, bible study is trickybecause we know that's a good
thing, but maybe the counterfeitcomfort is something we know we
shouldn't be involved with atall.
It's off God's path for us, andyet we go to it anyway to numb
out, shut down, forget, escape.
(04:00):
Sometimes sneaking adds to itthe thrill and the dopamine hit,
and so it feels really good todo things that we're not
supposed to do.
Other counterfeits are like theBible study it's good things
that we take to excess.
Right there you go.
I have a bazillion examples ofboth kinds.
(04:21):
But in 2012, my first husbandwent into a pretty deep
depression and he would stillleave home every day for work,
and that was something I wasthankful to God for.
I was so grateful, in fact andI found myself, triggered by his
depression, into my own kind ofdepression.
(04:42):
It was deep sadness.
Watching the man that I hadknown for 25 years, who had been
such a rock, changed sodrastically, and so I got
involved in something that hadbeen a love of mine earlier in
my life, and a little bit as anadult I got involved in tennis
again, and I don't just meantennis, I mean competitive
(05:04):
tennis, and I tend to be prettycompetitive, and I mean that in
attitude.
Speaker 2 (05:10):
I'm going to say yes, I have experienced that with
you, heidi.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
At first it was just one tennis team and then it was
a you know a tournament here orthere.
At the time I was seeing atherapist who was really
celebrating that I was gettinginvolved in something and not
letting my husband's depressionbe all that I was about.
She loved that I was returningto my love for tennis.
But over time I figured.
(05:37):
If some is good, more is evenbetter and more than that is
excellent.
So I began to play more andmore, until one point I was
involved at one time in eighttennis teams.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Woo.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
All weekend, every weekend.
So I had turned a healthy thinginto a counterfeit comfort.
I could stay away from my houseand not have to deal with the
sadness at all, as long as I hadthat fuzzy yellow ball.
To focus on the fuzzy yellowball and beating the tar out of
(06:12):
it if necessary, and I rememberwhen my therapist expressed a
concern that something that hadbecoming part of a bigger
problem.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
I had no idea how far that excess would pull me from
the peace that I truly longedfor, because the reality of it
is.
I had to come home again.
I had to come back to what wasgoing on at home and each day
face the same truth what wasgoing on at home and each day
face the same truth.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
That was tough, so hard, so hard.
Okay, so I'm going to share onethat I didn't even know I was
going to share.
Fun, I love those.
Yeah, I had something else inmind, but while you were talking
, this came up and I feel likeGod wants me to share this.
Okay, so several.
(07:05):
Well, for many years really.
When I look back, I think whatwas my counterfeit?
I mean, I had several, I hadseveral.
I've talked about food andeating before.
That was definitely front andcenter, but there's another one
that I want to share today andit's kind of, you know, a little
bit embarrassing to share.
I think I can fix everything.
(07:28):
I am going to be the one I'mgoing to fix everything.
If somebody said we don't haveenough people on the team, I
said I'm on the team.
If someone said I need someoneto lead this.
I would say I can be thatperson.
If there was something wrong,if there was something that
needed to be done, I'll go do it.
(07:49):
I thought that that was my wayto get to a place of peace.
It was just like being thebe-all for everybody and
sometimes it felt really good.
Somebody would give me a bighug and say, oh Christina,
you're amazing, amazing, oryou're a lifesaver.
(08:13):
What would I have done withoutyou?
I just can't believe that youstepped in with all that you're
dealing with and your capeflying in the wind.
Yes, the cape is flying, butwhat happened was, if you've
seen the Incredibles, you knowthat capes are not helpful.
(08:34):
Anyway, my cape got stuck inthis counterfeit comfort because
I was getting drained andoverwhelmed.
I remember thinking I just wantto get sick so I can stay home
by myself.
I was a teacher, my kids wereat school, you know, and I was
(08:57):
this end all be all person.
It's like I can't, I can't.
This is before I got sick withLyme disease.
Obviously, this is before I metyou, heidi, because when you
and I started coaching, youcalled me on it.
I kind of did.
I remember that you did, and Imean, I had lists and lists of
responsibilities and I thought Iwas called to all of them and I
(09:23):
thought God had given me thiscape and I thought this is what
I'm supposed to do.
Then why am I feeling so badall the time?
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Yeah, exactly, exactly.
Well does the word of Godaddress counterfeit comforts?
And the answer is I bet you areexcited to hear yes, yes.
The answer is, I bet you areexcited to hear yes, yes.
In Isaiah 55, verses two andthree, god says why, why,
christina, do you keep flyingover buildings?
No, I'm kidding.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
I'm trying, I'm trying, there she goes.
Oh, she hit that one.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Oh, she's going down, oh but seriously, the word of
God doesn't say that.
It says why spend money on whatis not bread and your labor on
what does not satisfy?
Yes, listen, listen to me Godsays and eat what is good and
you will delight in the richestaffair.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Oh, does it really say that in Isaiah?
Speaker 1 (10:21):
That's amazing it is.
It is, isn't it?
There's a lot of gems in theOld Testament.
When God says listen, listen tome and he says twice yeah,
listen, listen to me I'm like,oh man, he's really serious
about this one.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
He really wants us to hear this one.
Yes, yes.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
And basically, he tells us that these comforts,
these are counterfeit comforts.
They promise relief but theyfail to truly satisfy.
Now, if others who arelistening are like Christina and
I've been this way too, wherewe want to help people, you want
to please people, that is areally tricky one because it
(10:59):
looks so good yes, there are somany aspects of it that are
really good but boy, it getsmurky.
I think the enemy loves it whenwe are constantly trying to
please.
And you know what?
Once upon a time I had thisconviction that God I am sure it
was at the heart of he saidwhat you're trying to do, when
you're pleasing everybody,everybody, everybody is control
(11:22):
them to guarantee that they willbe happy and content, so that
you can feel at peace.
That was the way it wasconnected for me.
Yeah, but whether it's peoplepleasing or overeating or
something else.
We so often spin our wheels andspend our time on things that
(11:43):
don't really satisfy on thingsthat don't really satisfy on
things that don't give us whatwe need.
They promise relief but fail todeliver really, and sometimes
this is what it reminds me ofit's like being thirsty but
drinking salt water.
It only makes that problemworse.
I mean if you've ever been atthe ocean and saltwater got into
(12:04):
whatever beverage you knowwhether it's water or soda or
whatever it's like nasty andthat's kind of the way it feels
when I am going after acounterfeit comfort.
It's like it makes the problemworse.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Oh yeah, that's so true, and I just I mean I can't
tell you how many people havesaid to me lately something
about social media and scrolling, Like it has become this huge
thing, much more than even lastyear, five years ago.
Yeah, yeah, I know it's likechanged.
(12:41):
It's become this thing andeverywhere you go you're sitting
on a bus everybody's on theirphone and phones are amazing
Smartphones.
I mean I do banking on my phone.
I do so much.
I love how we can communicatewith each other and all of those
things.
But, wow, getting on your phone, I mean so many people I know
(13:04):
and myself and you, Heidi, we'reall talking about this how
we're getting stuck on something.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
And suddenly every one of the videos we're watching
is about that, and we're stuckand we're stuck on videos and
being silly.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Or this morning it was cats attacking babies.
Oh my God, I mean jumping outand startling babies.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
You know.
I mean I've talked about howthe wedding bloopers just draw
me in and also severe weatherdraws me in like tornadoes.
I'm I'm fascinated by and hugewaves in the ocean and stuff
like that.
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
And before we know it , two hours has gone by and we
haven't come up for air yet.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
Well, and here's what's really creepy about it is
that somehow that whatever'shappening behind the scenes,
which I don't understand at all,has figured me out.
And there are things popping upthat I'm like what is this?
Why does it know that I'm drawnto this, you know, like issues
(14:18):
stuff with food and eating,stuff, with body image, and it
pops up and I'm like, oh man,this is just freaking me out.
But it is such a prevalentcounterfeit comfort right now to
be on our iPad or our phone orour computers watching reels and
(14:38):
videos and then comparingourselves with everybody out
there.
Oh, I know.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
Oh it's so draining.
It's so draining.
Definitely not the comfort Godhas in mind if we turn to him.
He doesn't just want us to benumb.
No, that's not his version ofcomfort.
His version of comfort is inthe context of our life.
Whatever we're facing, he willsupply comfort.
He's called the God of allcomfort, the father of all
(15:04):
compassion, and there's a reasonfor that.
It doesn't matter what we'refacing, we don't need to escape
it, we don't need to numb out toit.
We can be present to the Lordin it and experience what he
offers.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Well, and I'm just imagining somebody out there
saying but Heidi, you don't knowwhat I'm going through, I don't
want to feel this.
I don't want to feel this, Idon't want to feel anything, I'm
not going to survive if I don'tnumb out.
Anyway, we understand, we getyou out there, we get you, we
understand.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
And then you know, of course, Heidi and I have talked
so many times about food andeating and how we have gone to
food and drinks.
You know um fancy coffees or aglass of wine or soda, diet soda
.
I love bubbles, effervescence,it's awesome.
Speaker 2 (15:55):
We, they make you happy.
Oh no, here we go.
Chocolate chips, ah, oh my gosh.
So we, we understand, weunderstand, they are frauds.
Yeah, frauds, that's a goodword.
Yeah, that's a good word.
It really is False refuge.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
That's what we heard in our Zoom call yesterday.
That was so good.
False refuge, that's what it is.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Yeah Cause there is no rest there, not really no
there's no rest For me when Ihave gone to a counterfeit or a
false refuge, as one of ourparticipants described it.
It means I'm shut down, I'mnumbed out, I'm not present to
life, and that's not really arefuge.
A refuge is a place ofrefreshment, a place of
(16:44):
encouragement, of hope, and Ican't experience that with a
counterfeit or a false refuge.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Yeah, it's so, so true.
Just one more little storyabout that, because I'm feeling
so convicted, but it's a good.
It's a good conviction.
You know, conviction is fromGod, it's loving, but it's good
to see these things.
I want to see what I'm doing.
So last night for whateverreason there were several
(17:12):
reasons everyone in the housewas gone for like 20 minutes,
which is huge because we have abusy house right now and I'm not
often alone, and so I had this20 minutes and my first thought
was to go to the Lord anddebrief about the day, and that
thought went whoosh out thewindow.
(17:33):
That's so cool.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Let's stop for a moment and have a moment of
silence, of praise and thanksthat God put that in your heart
first it was.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
It was there and I thought, oh, this will be so
good I'll have.
And then it was just gone.
And then what I think happenedwas I picked up my phone to
answer a text and all of asudden, I was looking at reels.
I don't even know how ithappened, I wasn't even
cognizant of it and I found thisperson on I think it was
(18:08):
Instagram, who has a chronicillness like, you know,
something similar to me, and shewas talking to the world about
what it's like and I got sostuck in there.
And not that it was bad, andnot that what she was sharing
was bad, but I just thought, andbefore I knew it, 20 minutes
(18:28):
was gone and then what happened?
The front door opened.
I'm just being so honest today.
Yeah, thank you.
The front door opened and Igrabbed my phone and my reading
glasses because that's how old Iam and I shoved them under the
pillow on the couch.
That's how old I am, and Ishoved them under the pillow on
the couch.
You were sneaking.
I was ashamed, I was sneaking.
(18:49):
I didn't want them to walk inand see me looking at reels on
my phone.
Okay, can anyone out thererelate to that?
Right, it's awful.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
It doesn't feel good and shame is a terrible place to
land, especially if you don'tdo something with bringing it to
the Lord and experiencingfreedom from it, because shame
is a liar.
Shame is from the enemy.
It is, it is, and if we don'tprocess it, it's like a monkey
on our back it rides with useverywhere, into the next hour,
into the next day.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Oh, that's so true.
It's so true, so I feel so muchbetter having shared that.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Well, let's give the listener a chance to think about
this for a minute.
What about you, listener?
Is there a counterfeit comfortthat you've turned to recently,
or a false refuge recently, or afalse refuge, and how did it
leave you feeling?
Did you feel shame?
Did it satisfy, or was it likewhat Isaiah describes is
(19:53):
spending on something that isn'tsatisfying, on laboring over
what?
Speaker 2 (20:08):
does not satisfy.
We want to listen to what Godhas for us, and that's the
really, really good news.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
He invites us to something far, far better.
He does, yes, and it's not justbolstering your self-confidence
, it's a confidence rooted inhim, his truth, his promises,
who he is in your life, who hesays you are.
That is what we want.
We want that comfort that comesfrom knowing I know who I have
followed and who I'm followingnow, and he is able to do
(20:33):
whatever it takes to bring me toa place of being like
Philippians 1, 6 says he's goingto accomplish that which he has
started, and so that's what wewant.
We want that confidence rootedin his truth and his promises.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Well, and Heidi, you and I have experienced that
hundreds of times.
We love the way that feels, welove the way it feels to go to
God, but we still trip and westill stumble, and that's what
it's like to live in this world,and so it's okay to trip and
stumble, but it's also feelsreally good just to share it and
(21:08):
say you know what?
Let's go to where the life is.
Let's go to what feels good inour hearts and souls and stays
with us.
Speaker 1 (21:17):
It sticks to your ribs it sticks to your ribs
Counterfeit comfort.
Speaker 2 (21:23):
You know they're often tied to lies that we
believe about ourselves or aboutGod, like I'm not enough or
I'll never change, or he'sholding out on me.
Yeah, I mean, I just gave thatexample of trying to be
everything for everyone.
(21:43):
That came very much out of I'mnot enough.
I'm not enough just as I am.
I'm not enough just getting thedishes done.
That's not enough.
I got to run out there and savethe world.
You know I'm not enough.
And so I think that that issomething to look at.
To ask God, it takes somecourage to go there, right, but
(22:07):
to just say, lord, I'm believingsome kind of a lie about this
counterfeit comfort, Otherwise Iwouldn't keep going back to it.
Will you help me to see whatthe lie is?
What am I believing?
What am I thinking about?
What's going on in my thoughts?
Speaker 1 (22:24):
Yeah, we love Romans.
12, 1 and 2 here at RevelationOf course, I want to just read
it and then we're going tolaunch into what is God's
solution and how do we dive intothat.
Romans 12, 1 and 2 says Iappeal to you, therefore,
brothers, and I love thisbecause Paul says at the outset
I'm not just asking you to thinkabout this, I'm appealing to
(22:44):
you, therefore, brothers, and Ilove this because Paul says at
the outset I'm not just askingyou to think about this, I'm
appealing to you, I entreat you.
There's all kinds of words usedin different translations for
this, but basically it meansplease do this, please do this.
He's pleading, and so, and whatis it?
He's pleading with us to dothat by the mercies of God.
And what is it he's pleadingwith us to do that by the
mercies of God?
(23:05):
Think on those.
Think on the mercies that Godhas poured on your life.
His mercies are new eachmorning, and I think they're new
each minute too, and so God hastold us in his word he wants us
to think on his mercies, and indoing so, then he commissions
us present your bodies as aliving sacrifice, holy and
(23:27):
acceptable to God, which is yourspiritual worship.
You're not supposed to do thisjust in a vacuum.
Okay, be a living sacrifice,Stay there on the altar, don't
move.
It's fine, you're going to lovethis, trust me.
God is not saying that.
He's saying look at what I havedone, what I am doing, what I
(23:47):
will do, and as you ponder themercies of God, that is what
will motivate you to be thatliving sacrifice, holy and
acceptable.
And then it goes on in versetwo.
So that's the context for versetwo Do not be conformed to this
world.
And why?
Because this world is filledwith counterfeit comforts, false
(24:10):
refuges.
Yes, I mean, it's just, it'sall a pipe dream, it's nothing
compared to the substance ofgoing to God.
So do not be conformed to thisworld.
But here's the contrast.
I love this.
I love when God does a contrastof some kind, or or when he
shows up like it says and thenGod, what?
(24:32):
I love that.
So, instead of being conformedto this world and what they tell
us is the answer to ourproblems, especially this time
of year, we're being pushed into.
I feel like, almost like abunch of cattle being funneled
into a shoot, what they call iton farms and stuff, where they
then load the cattle into trucksfor slaughter.
(24:52):
That's a pleasant analogy.
Like, really conforming to theworld is like that.
They're telling us.
We need to have resolutions, weneed to go to the gym, we need
to fix this, we need to fix that, not asking God, the one who
made us.
God made us and he knows.
And so it goes on to say do notbe conformed to this world.
(25:22):
But here's that contrast betransformed how.
By pulling yourself up by yourbootstraps?
No, by buying a 12-month planat the gym or whatever.
No, no, no, no, no.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
Saving everybody Putting on a cape.
Speaker 1 (25:33):
That's how you're transformed.
Super girl, get that cape onagain.
No, we are transformed by therenewal of our minds.
So, being transformed by therenewing of your mind, and we're
going to be talking about thata little bit more next week as
well.
But what does this even looklike?
What does it mean?
It's not more Bible study, it'snot more praying, it's not more
(25:57):
memorization of scripture.
I think it's safe to say thatthe only way it's more of those
is if you're not doing any, andthen what you want to do is be
able to reel in God's truth inorder for it to truly be mind
renewal.
We can quote verses all the time, but it doesn't affect us where
we live unless we apply it.
(26:19):
So I can do all things throughChrist who strengthens me is
great, but I need to apply it tothose strongholds I need.
You know I can not scrollbecause of the strength of
Christ that lives in me.
I can do all things, includingnot go back to the kitchen again
.
Through Christ who strengthensme.
I cannot say that snarky word.
(26:39):
Through Christ who strengthensme, I really can.
Can, yes, and so beingtransformed by the renewing of
my mind.
I love this because it doesn'tend there.
It says this is the resultbasically, by testing, you may
discern what is the will of God,what is good, what is
acceptable and perfect.
(27:00):
I love that.
That sounds amazing.
That's what god desires for usis to, yes, experience
transformation, but it's not aprogram for this or a structured
plan for that.
It really isn't.
It's his will, his way, andhe's going to do the
transformation.
We want to renew our minds.
So what are ways we can renewour minds practically?
(27:23):
And we, of course, christinaand I and we at Revelation
Weekend we love to equip thoseof us who love Jesus that's
probably you if you're listeningto this podcast, if you
struggle with experiencingvictory in your walk with him.
We want to equip you to movefrom grasping for counterfeit
(27:44):
comfort to really experiencingthat Christ-centered confidence
by renewing your mind.
We want to show you how to doit.
We get to participate in theprocess with God.
He wants to do thetransformation and, of course,
like we said, reading the Bibleis helpful.
Praying is helpful.
Memorizing scripture is helpful.
(28:04):
Like we said, reading the Bibleis helpful, praying is helpful.
Memorizing scripture is helpful.
If, over the years that youhave done that, you are seeing
no transformation, then thatmight be a clue that what you're
doing isn't actually mindrenewal.
I know it seems counterintuitive.
Yeah, we just don't take thetruth of God's word far enough.
Sometime, we keep it at adistance right, fill in our
(28:26):
blanks, we memorize it, we quoteit chapter and verse.
But the litmus test about mindrenewal is if we are transformed
.
God says he will transform us.
Yes, it's not more of the samestuff that we've been doing all
along, but different.
Yes, it's not more of the samestuff that we've been doing all
(28:49):
along, but different.
So mind renewal tools is whatwe've come up with to help us do
that, yeah, and it's not rocketscience, they're simple,
they're actually fun.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I mean, every time I think both of us, heidi every
time that we coach someone,whether it's in a group or
one-on-one, we do mind renewaltogether and it is so uplifting.
It's like, oh, can we just domore of that?
I know I want to do it thewhole time.
It feels so good because we'refilling our minds with God's
truth and it's like itrejuvenates our souls and we can
(29:22):
grasp moments throughout theday to do this.
Speaker 1 (29:24):
I mean driving, running errands.
I can do it when I'm on thephone, I can.
I mean really, especially ifI'm on hold, if I'm standing in
line at the grocery store.
You've heard us say all thesedifferent little examples of
grabbing those moments foreternity.
Really, I want to grab thosemoments and tell myself what are
God's thoughts right now?
His thoughts are going to beglorious and good and
(29:47):
life-giving.
So I want to practice thinkingthat way, so that when I'm
pushed up against the wall andthings are tough, that is the
kind of thinking that comes out,the mind of Christ type
thinking instead of my ownfleshly thoughts.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (30:02):
So let's do it.
Let's start by teaching y'all,if you haven't done it before.
One of our tools.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
So one of our tools and I know that Heidi and I both
this is in our top five forsure, and we have, you know, a
lot, a lot of tools now, andthis one is called what is true.
And so the first thing andwe've kind of talked about this
a little bit already, but let'sgo through it step by step it's
so simple and profound at thesame time.
(30:31):
Profound at the same time youcan sit down with a journal and
really get into this, or you cando it at a stoplight when
you're in your car, in theshower or on a podcast, when
you're in your car, in theshower or on a podcast.
Anyway, okay, what is true?
So step one is to identify thelie.
(30:51):
And I mean this might, you know, be a little tricky at first.
It's like I'm not believinglies.
Why would I believe lies?
Just ask God.
He'll tell you yes, yes.
So this is kind of the way Ithink of it in my own life.
If I'm seeing a pattern ofbehavior in my own life that is
taking me down for whateverreason, whatever it is, I know
(31:14):
I'm drained, I know that it'snot good for me, it's not
helping me, it's not bringinglife to my life.
It's not what God wants for me.
Then I take that and bring itto the Lord and ask him what am
I believing about this?
What am I believing about you,about me, about whatever I'm
doing that is causing me tocontinue this behavior?
(31:38):
Without even thinking, I justgo back to it again and again.
What is that lie?
Yeah, okay.
So here's an example, and Iknow that you know so many of us
struggle with this because lifeis exhausting, and many of us
also struggle with physicalissues as well.
So here's the lie I need thisto feel better.
(32:03):
I need to feel better.
It's kind of both.
It could be either one.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
What is the this?
I need this food, I need thisdrug.
I need this glass of wine.
That's the fifth glass of wine.
Yeah, I need-.
Speaker 2 (32:18):
I'm being a new model now, yeah, you don't feel like
you might need it, like it's astrong urge.
You feel like, in order tosurvive, in order to get through
the next half hour, in order toget through moving in my life,
I need this.
Yeah, I need it, and that's alie.
(32:39):
That's a lie.
It feels so true in the momentit does.
It feels very true.
We understand that.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
And it's kind of related to another lie that
might be paired with it, andthat is I can't do my life.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
Yes, I can't do my life, I can't do this.
You know, whatever is going onin the moment that lie comes up
that's been a big one for me foryears is I can't do this, I
can't do this.
So that's a huge, huge lie thatwe want to look at with the
Lord.
Okay, step two.
Step two is it's gets better,it gets much better.
(33:15):
Step one is like ah, oh, yeah,heaviness and oh, but step two
is to replace the lie with God'struth.
Wow, okay.
Well, how do I know what God'struth is?
Well, we know because he gaveus the whole book, the whole
Bible.
We also know because the HolySpirit speaks to us.
(33:39):
And we also know because wehear God's truth, all of it,
that lines up with his word.
We hear it at church and wehear it on podcasts and we hear
it in devotions and we hear itin videos and everywhere.
There's so many resources, butof course, it all has to line up
with God's truth in his word.
(34:01):
An example of truth to replacethis lie, remember, the lie is I
need this or I need to do thisto feel better, and we can
replace it with Psalm 46.1.
God is my refuge and strength.
And if you look up the wordrefuge, if you look up the word
strength in the Bible, if youlook up the word provision or
(34:25):
comfort or whatever you need,there are so many verses there
that you can grab a hold of.
And then, of course, we like topersonalize verses to really
bring them home to our hearts.
So, for example, god isChristina's refuge and strength.
God is Heidi's refuge andstrength.
(34:48):
You know, that's one way to putyour name in.
And so then we get to stepthree, because now we have the
truth.
What are we going to do with it?
Speaker 1 (34:56):
We're going to repeat it a million times.
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Yes, because if I don't, I mean I'm going to
forget this in a minute.
You know, I go to church and Ihear like the best sermon I've
heard in my life.
And I walk out the door andtalk to three people and I'm
like what was the sermon about,right?
I mean, we all do that.
We can't hold so much in ourbrains.
And so step three is tomeditate on that truth, to
(35:21):
really say it out loud, engagewith it.
Speaker 1 (35:25):
I think pray through it, sing it If you have to put
it on a note card journal aboutit, if you can I mean you don't?
Have to do all of those and youdon't have to do any of them.
But saying it out loud, likewhile I'm driving, is when I
like to kind of speak the truthout loud.
I do.
I really I need that.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
I need it too, you know, for example, maybe I'm on
my way to a difficult meeting atwork.
When I was teaching, there weretimes when I thought I'm going
to have to have this verydifficult meeting with a
coworker or with a parent who's,you know, nervous about her
child or whatever.
On the way there I can takethis very verse God is
(36:08):
Christina's refuge and strength.
God is for me.
God is with me right now.
It actually helps me to jumpoff into more mind renewal and
truth when I read one of hisverses.
Speaker 1 (36:21):
That's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
It changes my experience, it calms me down and
it helps me to be prepared forwhatever is to come, because he
really is my refuge and strength.
Speaker 1 (36:32):
He's the strength in me.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
We would love to encourage you to think about
what's going on in your thoughts.
Is there a lie that you'rebelieving, and what does God's
word say that counters it?
And then speak that truth aloudagain and again, and again this
week and see if it doesn't makea difference.
Yeah, give this a try.
(36:55):
Invite God in to help you withwhatever it is that is drawing
you into that counterfeitcomfort.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
And when you speak God's word, his truth, about
that lie you've believed.
We're not just talking aboutquoting it chapter and verse,
but personalizing it to that lie, because the enemy loves it
when we.
He targets the lies he puts infront of us, and so we really
want to target the truth, todeal with the lie in a targeted
(37:24):
way.
All right, so we're going to bemoving from counterfeit
comforts, from the lies thatfeed them, into Christ centered
confidence.
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Great, that sounds so good, let's go there.
Speaker 1 (37:38):
Let's go there, okay well, first corinthians 2 16, of
course, says that we have themind of christ and I, as I say a
lot of the time, I want tothink with that mind, not my
fleshly short-sighted,self-centered mind.
I don't want to go there.
I want to think with the mindof christ, and romans 8 9 also
says his spirit lives in me onceI'm in Christ, so I can allow
(38:03):
and welcome and invite hisspirit to show me what the
thoughts of God are.
And so, thinking with the mindof Christ, his thoughts about
people, about God, about myself,about food, about tennis, about
the little yellow fuzzy ball,yes, thinking God's thoughts
about scrolling and whateverelse.
(38:25):
I want to practice thinking histhoughts with his mind as much
as possible early and often,early and often.
Speaker 2 (38:35):
Early and often.
Speaker 1 (38:36):
Yes, and the more I do that, the more likely I am
I'm training myself to thinkwith the mind of Christ the more
likely I am then to think histhoughts with a renewed mind
when things get challenging,when a trial hits, when I get
news that is difficult toswallow, and a real quick
example when things did gosideways with my first husband,
(38:59):
I wrote a list of things I wasgrateful for for the previous 25
years that he had done veryspecifically, instead of
focusing on the ways I wasdisappointed right now with what
was happening in his life andin mind.
I took time every morning to goover that list, and it was a
long list.
I mean from changing the baby'sdiapers to giving them baths,
(39:19):
to burping them in the middle ofthe night, and the list goes on
and on and on, and so that madea huge difference in how I
thought about him as he wasgoing through that difficult
time, and instead of thinkingwith my fleshly self-centered
mind, I could think morefrequently with the mind of
Christ.
So, christina, what does itlook like for you to have
(39:42):
Christ-centered confidence?
You know we're not just talkingabout bolstering your own
self-esteem, or whatever whatdoes it look like for you to
have that confidence.
That is because of his truth,his promises, his work in you.
Speaker 2 (39:57):
Boy, that's a really good question.
I've been thinking about this,and what does it look like?
One of my favorite things aboutthis is kind of what you just
said.
It's not about me, I don't haveto figure it out, it's about
God in me.
So there's a few things that Ithought.
(40:18):
Well, I'll just share these fewthat I use a lot, so that maybe
that will be helpful forsomeone to be able to take with
them right after the podcast.
Yeah, a big one that I havestruggled with for years is my
identity, and for many years Ithought my identity is being a
mom, my identity is being ateacher.
(40:40):
Oh, dear, my identity is being awife.
Those were the big three.
I get it.
I totally get it, yes.
So when things go sideways,when you have a big fight, you
know, with your husband, orthings don't go well with one of
your kids, or, for me, I had tostop teaching because of my
(41:03):
health Well, what happens to myidentity?
My identity crashes and burnsand again it's all about me,
it's all about my performance.
Okay, so if that's somethingthat resonates with you, this is
what I do, and I know Heididoes as well.
We go to the word and ask Godwho am I in Christ?
(41:28):
Not who am I on this earth?
Who am I, according to the hatsthat I have on my hat rack, of
all the roles that I'm playingright now?
Who am I in Christ?
Because that's the identitythat never changes, never, ever
changes.
And there is so much peace inthat, there is such relief in
(41:51):
that, no matter what happens,you know I was a caregiver for
my parents.
Well, they died, they went toheaven, and it's like what
happens to my identity then.
But if my identity is rooted inwho I am in Christ, how God
sees me, then I'm good.
(42:12):
I'm good, so that's a big one.
Speaker 1 (42:15):
Yeah, it is a big one , and so we have a resource.
If you want it and don't haveit yet, go to teamlifeisgoodcom.
That's all one word.
Teamlifeisgoodcom.
Forward slash identity and youcan download a list from the
Bible of all kinds of.
Who am I in Christ?
Speaker 2 (42:37):
Oh my gosh, that is one of my favorite go-tos.
I read through it Maybe I onlychoose three and they all have
scripture references and itreminds me I'm God's girl.
No matter what happens in thisworld, no matter what goes wrong
sideways, upside downimpossible, I'm God's girl, I
belong to him, my identity inChrist is rock solid, it's
(43:01):
secure and, wow, that'sChrist-centered confidence.
Oh, that feels so good.
Another one that is just againsomething that really I use
every day, especially when Iseem to be really fixated on
myself, on my own thoughts, onmy own failures, when I'm really
(43:23):
stuck there especially, butreally anytime I need to be
turning my heart toward the Lordand looking at who he is rather
than who I am, because he'senough for me.
His strength is in me, it's hisconfidence that I'm looking for
, and so I go to him and it'slike okay, lord, who are you?
(43:45):
So one of my favorite tools isyou are the God who.
I love this tool.
I love it because, again, myheart turns.
The minute I start doing this,my heart turns and not only does
it turn, but it softens andthat huge weight comes off of me
(44:06):
.
Well, christina, you're the onethat has to be all for
everybody.
You got to do it all.
You got to figure this out.
No, I'm looking to the Lord forwho he is.
So you are the God who makesthe sun rise.
You are the God who created thesquirrels that run around the
tree in my front yard.
You are the God that createdgiggly teenage girls that are
(44:29):
upstairs in my house.
You are the God that gives mestrength for my hardest days.
You are the God who is faithfuland steadfast, no matter what.
You are the God that movesmountains and keeps every
promise.
You are the God that loves me,no matter what I do.
I could go on and on and on.
(44:50):
I love this tool so much, sothat's definitely one that you
could take with you today fromthe podcast.
The first one was who am I inChrist?
And the second one who is God?
You are the God who.
Speaker 1 (45:07):
Right.
Thank you, Christina.
I love that and I love just howit flows right off your lips.
You can tell you'rewell-practiced.
Speaker 2 (45:17):
Oh, that's one of my go-tos, for sure.
Speaker 1 (45:27):
So, summarizing, we want to encourage all the
listeners and live this wayourselves to move from that
place of grasping forcounterfeit comforts or false
refuges to a place of Christcentered confidence.
And so there are just a fewways that we suggested we do
this kind of step.
Identify your counterfeitcomforts.
See what?
What do I tend to go towardswhen I'm feeling desperate about
(45:51):
something, or sad, or likeangry even.
It could be any number ofemotions, but what do I grab to
numb out, to veg?
We use all kinds of words forit.
Identify what that is and theninvite God to show you.
Is there a lie that's at theheart of it that keeps me going
(46:12):
to this counterfeit?
Speaker 2 (46:13):
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (46:14):
Then you want to replace the lie that's there
with truth from his word that'spersonalized and targeted, not
just quoting chapter and verse,but bringing it in close and
then try one of these tools thatChristina has shared with us
and see what happens.
I mean, really, it could bethat this time next week you'll
(46:35):
see a huge shift in the way youthink.
Speaker 2 (46:37):
I love that, yeah, Okay.
So this week, choose onecounterfeit comfort to surrender
to Christ.
You know there's going to beone that jumps out at you right
now.
I think when we say, when weask you to do this, you're going
to say, oh, I know which one itis.
Ask God to fill that space.
(46:58):
That kind of that void thatyou're trying to is.
Ask God to fill that space,that kind of that void that
you're trying to fill.
Ask him to fill that with histruth and his peace.
Ask him to show you the liethat fuels returning again and
again to this counterfeit, tothis false refuge.
And ask him for the truth thatyou can repeat to yourself and
begin to train yourself to thinkdifferently.
(47:20):
Thoughts fuel beliefs, Beliefsfuel actions.
So if we want different actionsin our lives, we have to start
with what we think.
Speaker 1 (47:30):
That's so true, we really do.
And if you want support in yourjourney doing this, join us at
RevWithinteam.
We would just love for you toexperience having your best year
ever with us.
And in January we have a weeklytruth practice challenge that
(47:51):
we're doing.
We're going to be focusing onone tool each week, starting
with this one.
Speaker 2 (47:56):
I love it too.
I love it.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
And we support one another, and if you need any
support in how to apply or makethis relevant to a particular
stronghold, we can help withthat.
Too Many in our community camebecause they wanted to put food
and eating in their proper place, where God wanted them to, so
we have a lot of experience withthat, but it doesn't have to be
(48:20):
the one that you're strugglingwith.
Right, you can have the bestyear ever.
Christine and I both hope we'llsee you in the community.
You can just visit one of twoURLs for that revwithinteam,
t-e-a-m or revelationwithinorgand you can learn all about it
and just join us a month free tosee if we're a good fit.
Speaker 2 (48:46):
We would love to have you.
We would.
We would love to have you.
Heidi and I are in there everysingle day and our community is
amazing it is it really, is we?
Love our community.
We'd love to have you join us.
Yes.
It really is.
We love our community.
We'd love to have you join us,yes, and we'd also love to have
you join us for our next podcastepisode on Revelation Within,
(49:08):
on the phone.
Speaker 1 (49:13):
Oh, we'll see you next time.
Thanks for joining us.
Bye for now.
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