Ali Yost (1:28)

NMLS 696891 hello, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Christ with Coffee on Ice. I am your host, Ali Yost. It is a joy and honor to be here with you guys today. How many are actually here right now? I don't actually know if anyone's listening to the podcast today. You guys are probably in a food coma. You probably are sleeping in. You're probably in your pajamas. Honestly, you're probably having a really good day. But if you're still listening to the podcast today, you're committed to. You're committed to Jesus. You're committed to the routine. I love it. I'm. I'm honored if you're here. But if you're not listening for, you know, another week from now, once the holidays are over, I'm not offended. I am so excited to Be here with you guys today. I'm really excited for today's episode. First and foremost, we do have our Christ. We have our Christ. We have our Bible. Thank you, Jesus, for the word of God. For anybody who is curious about the Bible that I read, I do read the NLT translation. I've gotten my Bible from Hosanna Revival. I've mentioned them plenty of times. They are incredible people. I will never stop bragging about how kind and amazing the people are behind Hosanna Revival. They just have such good hearts, and I love them. So that's where I got my Bible from. If you're ever curious or want to shop their site, they did give me a code for you guys, which is so sweet. It's just alios my first and last name. They have the sweetest Bibles. Like, I have my little compact Bible. I have this one. I have a few Bibles from them. I have a lot of journals from them. Just, like, very aesthetic and cute. So if you're looking for a refresh, you know, to the beginning of your year with studying your Bible, maybe you want a new Bible. I don't. You're welcome to shop their site and use my code. And then secondly, we have our coffee on ice. We have our plastic tumbler today, and we've got the crunchy ice again, the runchy ice, the, like, chick fil A ice. I used a different creamer. Wait, can I. Okay, can I tell you guys a little story time real quick? So I. And you know this because I've said it on the podcast. I love oat milk. Okay? I am an oat milk fanatic. I just love it. I just love the texture. I love the way it tastes. I love the way it is in my coffee. I just love it. Okay, sue me. Well, I've been using oat milk in my coffees, and I. I am a. I get, like, the sweetest, probably most syrupy, sugary lattes on top of that. That's just, like, my thing. Like, if I'm gonna get a coffee, it's gonna be a vanilla latte, and it's gonna have an extra pump of vanilla, probably, and it's gonna have oat milk in it. Or I'm gonna get some type of, like, salted caramel. Like, sweet. Like, my coffee in the morning is kind of my sweet treat. Okay? I have been struggling with my skin, and I've been covering it well. You guys might be like, ali, what I have, my skin has been going through it, and I. Honestly, it's new for Me, I don't know where it's come from. I don't know why it's happening, but it's been happening the last few months. And I was talking to my friend Ange. You guys know Ange. Love Ange. And she's like, ally, like, how much sugar are you having? Because, you know, like, you can break out. I'm like. I'm like, honestly, not that much of a sweet treat type of gal. Like, I don't. I don't crave sugar at the end of my days. I don't crave, like, ice cream and stuff. Like, if I'm gonna have a little sweet treat, it's like a piece of chocolate. And then I'm, like, satisfied. You know what I mean? Like, after my dinner, I might want to have, like, a piece of dark chocolate. And then I'm like, perfect. Like, I don't really crave sweets like that. Anyway, she's like, what about your coffees? And I'm like, wait a minute. I do have a very intense sweet treat every day. It's at the beginning of my. I didn't even think. I didn't even think about, like, I was thinking more, like, sugary foods. I didn't even think about, like, the liquids that I'm putting in my body. And also, I Googled that, like, oat milk. It isn't that good for you. It can actually break you out. Something about it being. Something about sugar with oat milk, too. Anyway, I was like, oh, my gosh. Maybe that's what it is. I have not been having my sugary lattes for, like, a week now. I haven't been putting oat milk in my coffee. I've been honestly just having, like, black coffee and. Or I. I just got this. This was my first time trying it. That's why I was like, ooh, this is almond milk, and it's, like, naturally sweetened. It's. There's no processed sugar, additives to it. Completely organic. And my skin is, like, thriving again. So I think we've cracked the code. I don't know why I wanted to share that with you guys, but that's just the. Hello. That's my life update. So I don't know if you're mysteriously breaking out. Look at your coffees. Unfortunate but true. So I'm going to have to find other ways to enjoy my coffee without putting the most sugar in it and without using oat milk. It's. I know it's a sad day, but it's a good day, actually. I would rather Obviously, I mean, it's crazy, but, like, your skin really is a reflection of the health of your body. Like, if your skin is kind of acting out like that, it's probably because your body's like, hey, something's not right. So I think that's what was happening. Anyway, I'm over it. Let's talk about Jesus now, shall we? Let's talk about our Lord and Savior. First off, can we pray, guys? I'd love to pray. Oh, okay. Let's pray. Lord God, thank you for being here right now. Jesus, thank you for being in this room. Holy Spirit, I actually just invite you right now to come into this podcast episode. Lord, I pray that you receive all the glory right now. God, I pray that you. Our eyes are fixed on you and you alone. Lord, we thank you for this holiday season where we get to surround ourselves with the people that we love and we get to celebrate one another, and we even get to celebrate you, actually, first and foremost, God. But, Lord, I. I pray that if. If we have been in the busyness and the craziness of the holidays and we have forgotten to look at you and be in awe of who you are. I pray that that's what this episode is for. God, I pray that this episode is used for focusing on you, yielding to your spirit, being in awe of your glory, and soaking up your presence, God. And so I invite your present, Lord. Lord, I ask for your presence to be in every room, whoever's listening to this podcast. God, I pray that you flood the space that they're in. I pray that your love falls on them. I pray that your peace that surpasses all understanding falls on them right now. God, from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet. Father, I pray for the peace of the Lord to fall over them. Jesus, I pray that this is a holy, holy time together. God, I pray against any distractions. In the mighty name of Jesus, I proclaim the good news of the God gospel over this space. God, I pray for joy, and I pray against anything that could come against this time to try to take that away from us. God, we need you, Lord. We love you. We honor you. We want to see more of your face. We want to understand more of who you are today. God, how can we honor you in this next hour? God, in these next 40 minutes, how can we honor you so? Lord, show us how to do that. We love you, God. We give you this time. It is all yours. And I say this all in the mighty name of Jesus. I seal it by the blood of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Okay, we're untouchable. For the next hour. It is all about Jesus and nothing else. If you know that there's going to be an opportunity for you to be distracted, put it away, because the Lord is here and he's ready to speak. And I am excited for this. I'm excited for this episode. Lord, use me as a vessel. This is not about me. It is about you and you alone, God. And I also repent if in. In any way I've ever, ever made anything about myself on this podcast. God, pray that we always continue to point things to you. This is all for your glory and all for you. Amen. Okay, guys, I want to talk about something that might feel simple as Christians, but very important, and it is something that we all fall short of. It is something that I have fallen short of. I always want to make it clear to you guys that as much as I appreciate how much you guys are like, Ali, what you do does this in my life. Thank you for doing this. The things that you preach about, the things that you talk about on your podcast, like, you, like, thank you for doing this. I, first off, like, I'm so honored in that, but at the same time, like, it truly is all Jesus through me. And when I tell you that I am so broken. I need Jesus just as much as the next person. I sit here on this couch, and there are things that come out of my mouth that I quite literally am just preaching to myself about. So I'm prepared for whatever comes out of my mouth. Today, too, is also something that I need to hear. I am not off limits to any of this. There is no condemnation ever. You guys know that in this space. I mean, I am. I am right there on the boat with you guys. We are all in this together. But what I want to talk about today is why it is so important for us to go to God first, period. That's the end of the sentence, I guess. But, like, why it is so important us for us to rely on God before anything else. And. And that can be something that comes out of our mouths all the time as Christians, where we're like, yeah, I mean, I trust God. I go to God. But in reality, if we are being honest with ourselves, there are probably a lot of ways that we don't go to God first. And it could be in the most subtle ways. It could be in ways that feel so normalized in our lives and in our everyday routine. But what are. What are ways that we are actually truly not relying on God first, Like what are we running to before we run to God? And it doesn't always have to be the like really dramatic stuff like addiction or alcohol or a porn addiction or you know, like substance abuse. Like, it doesn't always have to be stuff like that. It can be really sneaky things. And I'm excited to dive more into that with you guys today and talk more about what that could look like and what that means. Do thoughts like did I really mean that prayer? Or what if God is disappointed in me? Replay over and over again in your head? Or do you keep worrying that you're not believing hard enough that every unwanted thought might be blasphemy, or that you've somehow lost your salvation and no matter how many times you pray, read or repent, you just can't shake the anxiety? Experiences like that can be signs of religious ocd. Real OCD is nothing like the stereotypes of just wanting everything to be organized all the time. It's a serious and highly misunderstood understood condition where unwanted and distressing thoughts get stuck on repeat in your mind and you feel compelled to engage in certain behaviors to try to make them stop. People with OCD often feel driven to do certain mental or physical behaviors like constantly seeking reassurance over analyzing every thought to try to figure out if it was sinful or repeating prayers until they are quote, perfect to try to cope with the anxiety that's caused by their thoughts. And when OCD goes after your beliefs, it can leave you guilty, scared or disconnected from God. But there is hope. OCD is highly treatable with the right kind of specialized therapy. ERP therapy or exposure and response prevention is what works for ocd and it's not your standard like talking therapy which can make things worse. NOCD is the world's leading provider for OCD treatment. All of their licensed therapists truly understand OCD and specialize in ERP therapy. Therapy with no CD is 100% virtual, covered by insurance for over 155 million Americans and includes support between sessions so you're never facing OCD alone. To learn more about starting OCD therapy with no CD, go to nocd.com and book a free call to learn more about how they can help you. That's nocd.com Everyone deserves to be connected.

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Ali Yost (14:29)

So the big question before going into this episode is what is the importance of all only relying on God rather than on other things? Like, why can't we just run to other things to comfort us, to give us wisdom, etc. Before God? There's a deep spiritual reason. Scripture warns us about relying on anything before God for comfort, identity, or wisdom. It's not because those things are always bad. It's because they can never do what only God can do. What we rely on becomes our source. So whatever it is that we are running to first actually becomes our source of blank identity, our source of life, our source of stability, our source of foundation, our source of comfort, our source of wisdom, right? But that is like, what that thing is, is the very source of our life. Whatever you run to first becomes your functional God, the thing you trust to steady your heart, guide you and define you. The Bible calls this idolatry, not because we're bowing to statues, but because we're giving created things the role that only the Creator can fulfill. People can always listen to you, like if we're using people as an example, right? But they can't always give you peace. That surpasses all understanding. And that is Scripture. That is something only the Lord can do. And so something that I've found myself doing and have done in my life is I like to process with other people and I may go to them first. It's believers, it's people within the church, right? Where I am now finding or hoping to find comfort in whatever these people could say to me. You know, like, whatever they could prophesy, whatever they could get from God. Like, I'm like, what are you feeling in the spirit right now? What would you say, like, if you were me, what? And there is something really great about that. I think that it's not that that is wrong, but if that becomes the thing that I'm doing more than, like, going to God, like, I was praying with a friend the other day and they were like, lord, forgive us for. For being quicker to process with one another than to just pray to you. And like, that is actually so the truth and convicted me right on the spot when I heard that, I was like, oh, Lord, I have actually been quicker to pick up my phone and call a friend and process with them about what it is I'm supposed to do or how I'm supposed to get peace in this area of my life, or why do I feel so anxious or so stressed or whatever. I'm quicker to pick up my phone and process with a Christian than to pray and talk to you about it. And that is a real thing. So yes, people can listen, they can give advice, they could even get a word from the Lord. And I think it also comes down to like how frequent we're doing it, where it's like, okay, this is actually becoming an idol in my life because I no longer feel that it is necessary for me to pray first and go to God first. Like my instinct is actually to go to a person, which isn't good. So a habit can distract us, but it can't actually heal us. So again, like you can make a habit of going to something first before God and it can bring that temporary comfort, it can bring you that temporary whatever that you're trying to feel in that moment, but it won't give you a peace that surpasses all understanding, a lasting peace. And it can't actually heal whatever you need healing in. God is the only one who sees the beginning and the end at the same time. So relying on him first protects your life from being led by things that are limited, flawed or temporary. The other reality about like other things outside of God that could bring us comfort is that that kind of comfort really only numbs us. Like it will only give us that temporary comfort and satisfaction and just like numbs you for a little bit. But God is actually the only one that can restore. When we run to entertainment, relationships, food, work, self help, or even our own reasoning, those things can temporari, soothe or distract us, but they can't touch the root of the issue. God doesn't just relieve symptoms, he heals the cause. He doesn't just calm your emotions, he transforms your heart. He doesn't just get you through it, he grows you through it. So I think that's another thing worth recognizing. Like when we are going to other things is like and, and really be honest. Like when you are running to entertainment, if you're running to other relationships, friendships, romantic relationships, whatever that looks like. When you're running to food, when you're running to working self help or even like your own reasoning, like trying to like understand things in your own mind, like leaning on our own understanding. I think it's important for us to stop and be honest with ourselves of where our heart is at, what our heart posture looks like. Like, why am I doing this? Like if I'M being honest with myself. Am I running away from my problems? Am I to seek comfort in something that's honestly only going to give me a temporary comfort? Now? I think there's a difference between wanting to watch your favorite show at the end of your day to just, like, reward yourself and, you know, have a sweet moment of just relax. If that's like, what relaxes you and helps you unwind at the end of the day, that's different. I mean, I think something helpful that you could do is, like, pray to God and be like, okay, Lord, how can I decipher? Like, can you help me really compartmentalize what it means to run entertainment or these other things or food or relationships or whatever, when I actually am trying to fulfill something in my heart? Like, I'm trying to restore something. I'm trying to help with some kind of pain and. Or I'm just simply enjoying these things and they give me joy, and it's like, it's for fun, you know, I think that, again, it's not that these things are wrong, but it really comes down to heart posture. And what is the motive? Like, what is the thing that is driving us to this very thing. I'm gonna be honest. I'll be vulnerable right now. I've been honest about my journey with alcohol. I haven't been, like, wildly outspoken about it, but it. It shouldn't be a total mystery as I bring this up, that there was a point in my life before I met Jesus that alcohol was becoming a little bit too much of a scary thing for me. Meaning I was going to alcohol to feel better, to numb the uncomfortable things of life. The uncomfortable things of life, like anxiety, boredom, fear, loneliness, identity. Like, I really. I liked who I was better. Like, I thought I liked who I was better when I was a little tipsy or a little drunk. So alcohol was literally an idol in my life. It was the thing that I was going to. To help fill this void. And essentially, I was looking for healing. But you can't get healing from anything other than the Lord himself. He's the only one that can actually mend the wounds in our hearts and to help us in moments of being uncomfortable and. Or needing comfort. You know, it's the opposite of uncomfortable comfort. So I'm looking for comfort in something like alcohol wasn't getting. Was just numbing those things for me and honestly making it worse. So that was my relationship with alcohol. Like, right before I met Jesus is where it was starting to get a little scary. And so I stopped drinking alcohol I know that I said that it doesn't always have to be a dramatic thing, like substance, but like, this is just my, this will make sense. This is just a recent thing that happened. So then I stopped drinking alcohol. All in all, then I felt the Lord tell me that it's not something to be afraid of anymore. It's not going to take over my life anymore. I just felt him giving me the green light of like, this is something that you don't need to be scared of anymore. Because that was the truth. It's like after I saw the way that I was going to alcohol before and like the trail that it was leading me down, I was really freaked out by alcohol and I didn't trust myself and I was like, am I gonna become a full blown alcoholic? Like I borderline almost was like, I don't like it was getting scared. It was, I was going down that route. So I was just like, anything, anything about alcohol was like, yeah, I'm good. So he showed me that I didn't need to be afraid of it anymore and that it could be something that I could still enjoy from time to time if it was celebratory or if it was my birthday or if, you know, it was an anniversary of some sort. Like, it's okay to like have a glass of wine every so often. I still don't know how I feel about hard liquors. I'm gonna be honest, I don't really dabble in that stuff. I really like, if I'm going to do it any, it's okay, you get it. And so the other night I was feeling uncomfortable and I was with a friend and I was like, okay, I'm gonna be honest. I like really want to have a glass of wine right now. And she was like, okay, okay. And I was like, But I was like, I have a feeling that the only reason I want to have a glass of wine right now is because I just want to be comforted. Like, I was feeling uncomfortable about a situation in my life and I was like, I just think it'd be really nice to just like give myself a little self care evening, do some skin care, do a little red light therapy mask that I have, watch a show, get in my favorite pajamas, like, have a cup of tea and like have a glass of wine. Like, that sounded so nice to me. But at the same time, like, if I was being honest about where my heart was at, is I was really hoping that the wine, even though it was just one glass, I was really hoping that the wine was Going to, like, help relieve some of the discomfort. And honestly, like, a little bit of anxiety that I had about this, like, area in my life and this thing that was kind of stressing me out at the time. And I was honest with my friend. I was like, if I'm gonna be honest, though, like, technically, one glass of wine isn't gonna kill me. It doesn't dishonor God. I'm not getting drunk, and I don't have intentions to do those things. But I do have a theory that the only reason I'm craving it right now is because I'm uncomfortable and I'm anxious about this part of my life, and I want relief. And so that's what I'm talking about when we say, like, heart posture. Because it's not the glass of wine that's necessarily the sin. It's not the glass of wine that's the problem. It's like, why am I going to it, though? Like, am I really. Am I hoping that this glass of wine is going to do something to me that, honestly, I should be going to Jesus for. For first, like, if I was feeling anxious about that thing in my life in that moment, what I should have wanted, what my reaction and instinct should have been, is I'm gonna go to Jesus, I'm gonna pray about this, and I'm gonna surrender all of my worries to him, because I don't want to feel like this anymore. And I believe and I know that he is the healer, that his blood is the one that covers all things, and he is the only one that will give me true and actual relief. This glass of wine might give me relief for. But then I'm gonna go right back to the way I was feeling before, if not probably a little bit worse, because alcohol typically leaves me a little bit more anxious than I was to begin with. So if I'm going to that to relieve myself of anxiety, it's not gonna do it. It's just going to numb that feeling and it's going to come back 10 times worse. So, I mean, I did know better because I was recognizing it. Like, I'm like, I've done this before. I know how this goes. I know what this path looks like. And I fear there's an old habit bubbling up out of me right now where I honestly, even if it is just one glass of wine, I want it to make me feel better. And it's just like, that is just setting ourselves up to be even more discouraged, even more uncomfortable, rather than to go straight to our life source who Is Jesus.

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Ali Yost (27:06)

Santa. Santa. Santa, did you get my letter?

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I'm not.

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Right, Santa, you know my elf, Drew Ski here. He handles the nice list.

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Ali Yost (27:37)

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Ali Yost (28:14)

Sofluza.Com God doesn't just relieve symptoms, he heals the cause. And can I be honest? I think a lot of times we just want relief of the symptoms without the actual healing part. Because, okay, why was my first instinct, like, if I'm being honest, I'm just gonna use myself as an example right now with the wine situation. Why did I rather go to a glass of wine than to Jesus? Okay. Truth is, is that I wanted relief of my symptoms. That was priority to me, is I just, like, didn't want to feel the way I was feeling anymore. So I clearly wanted relief of the very thing that I was feeling. But a lot of times I think this is just in our nature, is that we just want that instant relief without actually having to do a lot. Which is crazy because I've learned over and over and over again in my journey that, like, it actually doesn't take that much effort to just get to the feet of Jesus. But in my mind at that time, it was like, that's too much effort. That's gonna take too long. And also, you kind of anticipate the pain of healing as well. The pain of surrendering the very thing that you're anxious about. There is pain in that. Like, the pain of repenting and being like, okay, God, I am trusting my feelings way too much right now. I am so sorry for leaning on my own understanding. I don't want to feel this anymore, God. I am surrendering all of it to your feet. God, please take it from me, because I can't carry these burdens anymore. I receive your yoke that is easy and light. And your burdens, they are light. Like, that is what I come into agreement with. I receive that. And, like, just facing the music and being honest with yourself and with God of what you are seeking comfort for and being like, I'm okay, fine. I think half the time is like, I don't even want to acknowledge that it's there. Because if I acknowledge it to God, it makes it, like, ten times more real, I guess. Like, I don't know what that feeling is, but sometimes in me, I'm like, but if I say it to God, it's, like, really real. And if I surrender it to God, like, there's a real chance that it could, like, go so bad. What does that even mean? Like, that's not possible. Like, there is a fear that comes with surrender of, like, but am I ever. Like, we just want it to be our way, you know? And so I think in. Even in surrender, where you're, like, surrendering the very thing that you're anxious about, it's being like, okay, God, I trust you in the outcome of this. Even though it could potentially end up being the very way that I don't want it to be. And sometimes knowing that keeps you from going to his feet. So there's that part, too. But my brain was like, that's too much work. And I just wanted relief of the symptoms without the healing part, because that can sometimes be painful. Yeah. So I think that that's, like, a real fight of, like, dying to ourselves, killing our flesh, that is so lazy. Like, our flesh just wants to cut corners. It doesn't want to feel any pain. It wants, like, the easy, cheap, just, like, relief, like, popping in Advil. It just wants that quick fix. And it doesn't actually want to do the work honestly. It's just the efforts of getting in the presence of God. It's God who Does all the work. Like, there is an effort, there is a work, like picking yourself up, going to the feet of Jesus, repenting or confessing, being honest with him, surrendering. Right, whatever that looks. Just having a conversation with him, like, just being like, all right, Jesus, I need you as a friend right now. I need you to comfort me because I am losing my mind about this thing in my life. I am losing my mind about what's going to happen. I've been running down every rabbit hole of every scenario of what could happen in this area of my life, and I am losing my mind. And so I'm just gonna say that. And I also surrender what the outcome is. I have. I can't. I am only driving myself crazy. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. And so you are going in your head over and over again, obsessing about this thing, allowing yourself to be anxious about it. You're coping with other things. You're not going straight to God. You are doing the same thing over and over. You might be using a different. You might be using a different source to relieve you and make you feel comfortable or, you know, provide that wisdom or identity or whatever it is, right? It varies with all of us, but you could be using a different thing each time, but you're still doing the same thing, which is literally the definition of insanity. So regain your sanity, go back to the feet of Jesus and make a habit of that being the very first thing that you do. Because I'm sure all of us listening right now can admit and say that any other strategy doesn't work the same, and it's not long lasting, and it doesn't give you the relief, the healing, the comfort that Jesus can. So all of these things can give us temporary reliefs. It can numb the pain, but it can't actually heal us. And that is when we have to be like, all right, flesh, time to die. It's time to die. And it's time to face the music and, like, be uncomfortable and be in the pain of the healing process, Right? Because we've said that before. Like, it's like Jesus comes in and there's this wound in us, this void, this insecurity, this thing that we need relief from. And he pours rubbing alcohol on it and it hurts. But the purpose of the rubbing alcohol is to clean it out, like, get the gunk and actually heal it. It's not just a band aid. It's not just like a little Neosporin and a band. And we're just like, okay, feel better. Okay, good. It's like, no, we're gonna get in there and it's gonna suck. It's gonna hurt, but then it's gonna heal. And you're gonna actually have, like, like relief that lasts. And the wound will then be gone. That void in you, that relief that you're. It will be gone because you finally let Jesus fulfill that very thing and fill that space that needed to be filled. And again, y', all, none of us are off limits to that. Doesn't matter how long you've been walking with Christ. Like, I think, honestly is just in our nature. And it's wild because it doesn't even matter how much we know the truth of the gospel or we know the truth of, like, who Jesus says that he is. That will always be a tempting thing for us to do, is to, like, go to all these other things before we actually go to Jesus. It will be a daily death to ourselves. It will be something that hopefully gets easier for us as we practice it and we make a new habit of going to Jesus first. But it will always be a temptation. Like, there will always be temptations to try to numb things over here and mask things over here and be comforted by this thing over here. I mean, that's just the reality of the world that we live in. And I think that's the reality of the nature of who we are.

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Ali Yost (35:51)

This is really cool. So we could hear that statement of like, it's in our very nature to like, rebel and do these things against God, which we're just prideful. But a lot of us can have a question of, like, okay, if it's in our nature, then like, and God created us, like, why would he do that? And something for me that proves that God exists. One of the things I should say that proves to me that God exists and that we were made for God and by God is the nature of us being worshipers by design. And I know that because all of us do it, whether we acknowledge God or not. Like you could be an atheist walking this earth, being like, there is no God. But you are worshiping something whether you want to admit that he's real or not. Like, that is the nature of what you've been created for. You can't fight it, you can't resist it. Like, we all do it. Whether we're worshiping other things, whether we're worshiping lifestyles, we're worshiping people, we're worshiping celebrities, we're worshiping ourselves, we're worshiping food, feelings like work, whatever that may be. It doesn't matter if you're not worshiping God, you're worshiping something which still points to the fact that there is a God because that's what you were made for. It was what we were designed for. If you're worshiping something, which you are, because it was all. What we have all been made to do is worship by design. We will anchor our security, identity and comfort in something. And whatever that something is ends up ruling us. If we run to people, we become dependent on their approval. If we run to work, we become slaves to performance. If we run to substances or food, we become numbed but never actually healed. If we run to self, we become prideful or crushed by our own limits. God is the only one worthy of carrying that role. Everything else cracks under the weight. So that's the other thing. It's like you don't want to worship God, cool. You want to worship other things, cool. Wait until that all crumbles from beneath your feet. And that's what happened to me. Like, there were so many idols in my life. And because God wasn't the very thing that I was worshiping, it wasn't the very thing that I relied on. The thing is, is like worshiping God doesn't mean that you are a slave to God. I actually think you are a slave to anything else if you're worshiping that. But we aren't slaves to God. If anything, there is freedom that comes with worshiping the very person who has created us. Because that's what we were made for. And he is the life source. Everything that we are craving, everything that we are looking for, he has. And he has the best of. Everything else is like a dupe. Everything else is a wannabe. Everything else is like a. Like a temporary fix. Because everything else gives temporary relief. God gives transformation. When we run to earthly comforts first, they usually distract us, soothe us, temporarily numb us, or give partial wisdom. But they don't actually heal the root. God is the only one who can touch the actual wound, not just the symptoms. Another reason why running to God first, above all else, is so important is because it also is an act of trust, which will just build not only your character, like he'll build your character in that, but it'll build your intimacy and your relationship with Jesus, even when it's like super uncomfortable and you don't want to do it. Running to God first is an act of trust because it's saying, God, you are my source, not these other things. Seeking God first isn't just a rule. It positions our heart in the right order. From that place, God often does use people, counsel, resources, community, or practical means. But they're secondary, not primary. And because idols always take, God always gives. Worshiping God doesn't mean that you are a slave to him. It actually does the opposite of what people would think. Because he doesn't demand you of your peace, your identity, your time, your attention. Like that is all what idols do. But what God does is he actually restores the very things that you feel drained of. Like, he replenishes you. It says in scripture that Jesus is the one who refreshes our souls. So it's wild. Actually, anything outside of Jesus actually only drains you. And it demands so much of you. Idols demand so much of you. Everything that we run to besides God becomes bondage. What comforts you eventually controls you, unless it's God. If you run to success, you become addicted to achievements. If you run to relationships, you fear being alone. If you run to enter entertainment, you avoid your own soul. If you run to self help, you stay stuck in self reliance. If you run to distractions, you never grow. God is the only refuge that frees instead of enslaves. Isn't that crazy? He is the only refuge that frees instead of enslaves. And above all else, we will kind of close with this, is that running to God first honors the relationship. So not only is it good for our souls, it replenishes us. God is our life source. He gives us everything that we need. He refills us when we are like, drained, empty. It's an act of trust, right? It can strengthen your relationship with Jesus, but it also honors him and it honors your relationship with him. Imagine having somebody you love deeply, but they go to everyone else before coming to you. That's how God feels when we turn to substitutes. He doesn't want to be your last resort. He wants to be your first love. And what's really cool though, is that God obviously wouldn't want that. Not because, like, he can't live without us going to him first. But it's because he knows that we can't live without going to him first. And so he has so much grace and compassion. Like, I treated God as my last resort before he saved me. Like, I tried everything else before. I really gave him a fair chance, a fair shot. So it's not that he would turn his back from us when we mess up and we do treat him as our last resort, but I think his desire for us, because he knows the way that we've been designed, because he knows that he is the way truth in life. He is the answer to all the things that we need. It's more about us. Like, he's like, I know what you need. This isn't about me. I will survive without being. I. I wouldn't. I mean, I love you and I want a relationship with you. And of course it makes my heart explode. Want to be connected to my children. And I want to be your. Like, yes, as a father. He's a dad. So like, obviously as a father, if you're a parent, you know the feeling. It's like, yes, I want that, but also like, I want that because I know that that's actually the only way that you will get through this. That is the only way that you're going to receive relief and healing and restoration. And so he does have grace for us when we don't always do that. Like, I didn't do that and he still gave me a chance and he saved me and he ripped me out of my pit of despair and dysfunction and turmoil that I made for my life. But wouldn't it be great if we didn't treat him as our last resort, though? Wouldn't it be great if we just started practicing treating him as I, our first love and the are just our first. Our first. Before anything else, that is what I have to say about going to God above all all other things, that he is our life source. He is the thing we need to be running to first before anything else. Yeah. And I really love this episode. I pray that it honored him. And I'm so proud of you guys, like, truly, like, for whatever you took from this episode, whatever notes you took, whether this is already something that you've been doing and you've. You've slam dunked it and you're like, no, I'm good at this. Like, I am proud of you wherever you fall on that spectrum. And I know that the Lord is even more proud of you and he's obsessed with you and he adores you and he just wants to be. Be with you and to help you and to be your cheerleader and to champion you and strengthen you. And he just wants to be your life. He is a loving father. And his love is so relentless. And it doesn't end, and it doesn't stop, and it doesn't have an expiration date, and it doesn't have a limit of how many times we mess up. And when his love ends, it's. It's not a thing. So thank you, Jesus, that your mercies are new every day and your love is. Is just everlasting and it doesn't ever end for any of us. So that is the truth of the gospel. For you, for all of us. For me. Thank you, God. Hey, guys, before we go, though, can we do something cool today? Can we show somebody how cool Jesus is? Can we walk more like him, talk more like him, be more like Jesus today? I love you guys. Thank you for being here. It is truly an honor to do what I do, and I am so humbled by it every day. And I just. I thank Jesus for all of you. So have a beautiful weekend. Have a great rest of your week. I hope you had the sweetest Christmas ever. And I will see you guys next Friday. Bye. Are some of y' all still listening? Okay, if you're still here, that means you're a real one, which is why I'm about to share this with you. If you've already caught up on all the episodes so far and you don't want to wait until next Friday for a new one, I have really good news for you. Subscribe to our Patreon to get early access to the episodes every week, early access to merch launches or any other exciting news, and receive personalized encouraging messages or Bible verses from us. Subscribe to our patreon@www.patreon.com backslash C. Backslash CWCOI. I do also want to mention that there is a way to give to the podcast. So if you ever feel led to donate, it blesses me so much and it helps allow the podcast to keep running. You can donate to our PayPal at www. PayPal Me Backslash cwcoi. We appreciate y' all and we love you so, so much.

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