Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne
Episode 049 | The Praise Cure
Release Date: September 8, 2022

Introduction to the Praise Cure

In Episode 049, titled "The Praise Cure," hosted by Nancy Dufresne of Dufresne Ministries, the discussion centers around the transformative power of praise in overcoming worry, depression, and various life challenges. Nancy emphasizes the significance of maintaining a sound mind through faith, guided by biblical teachings.

Understanding a Sound Mind

Nancy begins by highlighting the importance of a sound mind, referencing 2 Timothy 1:7 as the foundational scripture:

“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a power, authority, anointing. He has given us love, the God kind of love. And not only that, he's given us a sound mind.”
(00:45)

She explains that a sound mind is characterized by being calm, well-balanced, disciplined, and controlled. Nancy stresses the necessity of feeding the mind with positive thoughts and aligning one's thinking with God's Word:

“Every thought that comes to you did not come from you. You have to resist and answer wrong thoughts with the Word of God.”
(02:15)

The Sin of Worry and Its Consequences

Nancy delves into the topic of worry, describing it as a sin rooted in disobedience to God's commandments. She references 1 Peter 5:7 to illustrate how worry allows the enemy to gain a foothold:

“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and watchfully.”
(04:10)

She explains that keeping worries leads to negative outcomes and distances individuals from God's power:

“When we get into worry, we close the door to the power of God flowing. That is a critical mistake.”
(05:30)

Biblical Guidance from Philippians 4:6-9

Nancy explores Philippians 4:6-9, offering a comprehensive guide on managing worries and maintaining a positive mindset:

• Verse 6: “Be careful for nothing, or don’t worry about anything.”
  (07:00)
  Encourages listeners to refuse worry and trust in God's ability to restore and fix their problems.

• Verses 7-9:
  Nancy emphasizes the importance of prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving as tools to combat worry. She highlights:

  “Thanksgiving is the voice of faith. When we thank God, we engage our faith and invite His peace.”
  (09:20)

She underscores the directive to focus the mind on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report:

“Your mind is safe thinking about these virtuous things, protecting your sound mind.”
(11:45)

Personal Testimonies and Practical Applications

Nancy shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the effectiveness of the Praise Cure. She recounts a tragic incident where a woman lost her life in a car wreck while driving to care for a family member. Faced with grief, Nancy learned to shift her focus from sorrow to thanksgiving:

“Could you not be thankful that she did not go to hell?”
(18:30)

This shift in perspective lifted her grief, demonstrating how praising God can move individuals out of depression and sorrow by focusing on His promises and the reality of heaven.

The Praise Cure Explained

Central to the episode is the concept of the Praise Cure—a method of overcoming difficulties through persistent praise. Nancy defines the Praise Cure as:

“Praising God even before you know the answer, trusting that victory is already yours.”
(22:10)

She shares a powerful testimony of a minister who applied the Praise Cure to heal a terminally ill wife. By switching from making requests to continuously praising God, the minister witnessed a miraculous healing:

“They applied the praise cure... and she was completely healed.”
(25:45)

Nancy emphasizes that praise shifts attention from problems to God, thereby activating His power to deliver and heal:

“Praise gets your attention off the problem and on Him who is the deliverer.”
(30:00)

Overcoming Mental Entrapment Through Praise

Nancy discusses the challenge of being entrenched in a "mental arena" where negative thoughts and feelings dominate. She advises:

“Keep praising even when it feels dry. Persistence will eventually connect your heart to your spirit, unleashing God's power.”
(34:20)

Through continued praise, individuals can move from a place of despair to one of spiritual connection and divine intervention. Nancy shares her personal journey of overcoming depression-like feelings through steadfast praise:

“The praise cure moved me to my spirit and out of the mental arena.”
(42:15)

Living a Lifestyle of Praise

Nancy concludes by reinforcing that the Praise Cure is not just for moments of crisis but should be a daily spiritual habit. Maintaining continuous praise helps keep negative thoughts at bay and fosters a life dominated by faith and divine favor:

“Make praise a habit. When you praise continuously, you hold back negative forces consistently.”
(48:00)

She encourages listeners to integrate praise into their daily lives, ensuring they remain grounded in faith and shielded from life's challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Sound Mind Through Faith: Emphasize a disciplined and positive mindset rooted in God's Word.
• Combat Worry as a Sin: Recognize worry as disobedience and actively cast cares on the Lord.
• Philippians 4:6-9: Utilize prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving to maintain peace and focus.
• Praise Cure: Persistently praise God to shift focus from problems to divine solutions, unlocking His healing power.
• Lifestyle of Praise: Integrate praise into daily routines to continuously guard against negative thoughts and maintain spiritual strength.

Notable Quotes

• “Every thought that comes to you did not come from you. You have to resist and answer wrong thoughts with the Word of God.”
  (02:15)

• “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and watchfully.”
  (04:10)

• “Thanksgiving is the voice of faith. When we thank God, we engage our faith and invite His peace.”
  (09:20)

• “Could you not be thankful that she did not go to hell?”
  (18:30)

• “Praising God even before you know the answer, trusting that victory is already yours.”
  (22:10)

• “Praise gets your attention off the problem and on Him who is the deliverer.”
  (30:00)

• “The praise cure moved me to my spirit and out of the mental arena.”
  (42:15)

• “Make praise a habit. When you praise continuously, you hold back negative forces consistently.”
  (48:00)

Conclusion

Episode 049, "The Praise Cure," serves as a profound exploration of how persistent praise can transform one's mental and spiritual state. Through biblical teachings, personal testimonies, and practical advice, Nancy Dufresne equips listeners with the tools to overcome worry, depression, and life's myriad challenges by harnessing the power of praise and maintaining a sound mind rooted in faith.

For more insights and teachings from Nancy Dufresne, visit dufresneministries.org.