Podcast Summary: The BIG Move: Take Flight – Dr. Anita Phillips

Podcast: ONE | A Potter’s House Church
Date: February 16, 2026
Speaker: Dr. Anita Phillips
Theme: How to align your mind and spirit for “the big move” God is calling you to make—contrasting raven (fearful, survival-focused) thinking with dove (faithful, purposeful) thinking.

Overview

Dr. Anita Phillips brings a deeply insightful and practical teaching on the spiritual and psychological dynamics of making significant, God-led changes—"big moves"—in life. Drawing from Genesis, neurobiology, and her own journey, she explores how our thoughts (symbolized by birds from creation narratives) influence our destiny. Dr. Phillips uses the biblical story of Noah and the sending out of the raven and the dove as an analogy for two types of mindset: one hindered by fear and self-protection (raven), the other guided by faith and openness (dove). This teaching is an exhortation to do the kind of soul and mindset work that enables us to step into abundance and newness, supported by God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scriptural Foundations on Creation, Water, and Birds

• Genesis 1:20–23: The only day of creation described as “abundant” is when God created fish and birds. The water symbolizes the eternal soul, while birds represent the mind.

  • [02:00] Dr. Phillips: “This is the only day of creation where abundance was used as a descriptor. And it’s significant that it’s the day that the water brought forth life, because water represents our eternal soul.”

• The Tree of Life and Our Biology: The vagus nerve in the body is likened to the tree of life; the brain (the "fruit on top") is where birds—our thoughts—reside.

  • [07:25] Dr. Phillips: “Brains are the fruit of your decisions, your experiences, your behaviors… So while we have made our brains, our minds, king… they are products.”

2. Birds as Symbols for Thoughts and Mindsets

• Birds in scripture—e.g., Psalm 104:12; Daniel 4; Matthew 13:31-32—illustrate that our mind is the place where thoughts take root and “sing among the branches.”
  • [09:40] Dr. Phillips: “Birds teach us about the thoughts and the mindsets that we have. And so it’s very important as we get ready to make a big move, that we get our minds right.”

3. Noah’s Raven and Dove: Two Approaches to Opportunity & Change

The Raven Mindset: Survival, Caution, and Obsession with the Past

• The raven “went to and fro” and didn’t return—links to Satan “roaming to and fro” in Job 1:7.
  • [17:10] Dr. Phillips: “Ravens are not good ways to assess. They are a negative thinking pattern that is survival focused.”
  • Ravens feast on “dead things”; this symbolizes thinking rooted in fear, loss, or past failures.
  • Common raven questions: “What might go wrong?”, “How do I protect my reputation?” “What’s the minimum I can do?”

The Dove Mindset: Openness, Faith, Willingness to Return & Wait

• The dove returns to the ark until there is true life (the olive leaf), symbolizing staying aligned with God’s word and guidance, not settling on “dead things.”

  • [27:35] Dr. Phillips: “Doves are open. They’re vulnerable, they’re needy. They have to trust God.”
  • Dove thinking asks: “Is there solid ground here?” “Is this aligned with who God called me to be?” “Will this multiply something good?” “Where is the evidence of life?”

• Notable Analogy: The dove only settles where there is real life; believers must be willing to wait until God’s way is clear and to return to the “ark” (God’s presence, the Word) as often as needed.

4. Personal Example: Dr. Phillips’ “Big Move” and Vulnerability

• She shares her struggle with restarting her podcast after a personal, painful chapter, and how God called her to a much bigger move—a conference, not just a podcast relaunch.

  • [32:07] Dr. Phillips: “What’s the minimum I can do to test this? And when I read that … I had this flashback… God said, do the Faith and Mental Health Conference in 2026. I’m scared to death, but here we go. That’s my big move. What’s your big move?”

• She emphasizes that real “big moves” challenge comfort and push into faith, not just what’s safe or familiar.

• Memorable Moment: Dr. Phillips gently “confesses” her own raven mindset and models how to submit even big dreams to God’s clarity and direction.

5. Raven vs. Dove: Mindset Application & Self-Examination

• Raven Thinking: Survival, comparison, protecting self, focusing on the minimum.

• Dove Thinking: Trust, obedience, risk-taking for God, seeking evidence of life and growth.

  • [45:10] Dr. Phillips: “Am I building on debris or soil? … Sometimes we do, we recover all. But we have to make sure we’re not crawling back, following ravens to see what I can get back that’s dead… What needs to be surrendered for this to flourish?”

• Key “dove questions” to ask about your big move:

  • Is it sustainable?
  • Who can I return to when I need to be recalibrated?
  • What small step proves the ground is drying?
  • What would fruitfulness look like in year one? In ten years?
  • Am I building on debris or soil?
  • What do I need to surrender?

6. Abundance and Long-Term Vision

• Think beyond the 12-month cycle. Make vision boards for 10 years ahead (e.g., 2036 instead of 2026), building legacy and thinking with the dove’s faith, not the raven’s short-sighted fear.
  • [48:22] Dr. Phillips: "A year is a very short cycle… What I want to do this year should be linked to where it’s getting me 10 years from now. Think bigger."

7. Divine Guidance and Practical Discernment

• God is not hiding His will from you, but sometimes we use “raven” caution even with spiritual discernment, turning decision-making into a scavenger hunt when the Lord wants us to move in faith.
  • [51:11] Dr. Phillips: “God is not putting you on a scavenger hunt for his will… If he’s got something to tell you, get to you, it’s going to get to you.”

Dominion (Genesis 1:28):

• We are given dominion over fish (heart/motives) and birds (thoughts/reasoning). Use your dominion—move forward rather than waiting for endless clarity.

8. Vulnerability and God’s Protection

• Psalm 91: God covers us with His feathers. The enemy seeks to “catch the birds” (our thoughts). Take thoughts captive—don’t let ravens (fearful, obsessive thoughts) lead.
  • [53:50] Dr. Phillips: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… Surely he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler. Why would I need to be delivered from a bird catcher? Because the enemy wants to steal the thoughts of what God has given me.”

9. Action Challenge: Make Your Big Move

• Identify your “big move” and ensure it’s dove-led—aligned with God’s will, not survival instincts.
• Use the upcoming 40 days to pray for boldness and clarity.
• Connect with the faith community for encouragement, accountability, and resources divided by need (e.g., overcoming fear, financial barriers, consistency).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:00] “This is the only day of creation where abundance was used as a descriptor… water represents our eternal soul.” – Dr. Anita Phillips
• [17:10] “Ravens are not good ways to assess. They are a negative thinking pattern that is survival focused.”
• [32:07] "God said, do the Faith and Mental Health Conference in 2026. I'm scared to death, but here we go. That's my big move."
• [53:50] "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… Surely he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler."
• [48:22] "A year is a very short cycle… What I want to do this year should be linked to where it’s getting me 10 years from now. Think bigger."
• [51:11] "God is not putting you on a scavenger hunt for his will."

Important Timestamps

• [00:54]–[09:00] Creation narrative, abundance, water, and birds as spiritual metaphors
• [09:00]–[18:00] Birds as thoughts, biblical foundations, mind vs. heart
• [18:00]–[32:00] Noah’s raven and dove, the difference between survival/faith mindsets
• [32:00]–[38:00] Dr. Phillips’ personal “big move” story and vulnerability
• [38:00]–[48:00] Mindset comparisons, practical questions for discernment
• [48:00]–[53:00] Vision, planning for the next ten years, not just the year
• [53:00]–end God’s protection, spiritual call to big moves, community support

Conclusion & Call to Action

Dr. Philips calls the community to examine whether their mindset is dominated by “raven” or “dove” thinking as they approach significant transitions. She urges everyone to make their “big move” with faith and, above all, be willing to be vulnerable, trusting God to cover and guide the process. She closes with a prayer for boldness, fruitfulness, and abiding under God’s shadow as the community prepares for transformative action.

For Listeners

If you haven’t made your “big move”—or if you struggle with fear, procrastination, or practical barriers—join the #OneExperience in prayer and community. Connect for encouragement, practical seminars, and support, and step boldly into what God is calling you to launch, create, or pursue next.

"Let the doves fly—capture the ravens—take flight with faith this year."

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