← Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt
How 3 Seconds of Courage can Change Your Life with Riley Kehoe
01:06:09
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- [00:00]
A
A lot of times we think courage has to do with us. It has to do with, are we strong enough? Can we muster it up?
- [00:06]
B
Courage is not the absence of fear. It's the assessment that something is greater. The thing that is greater is our trust and our faith in God despite the fear. The more you face your fears, the less power fear has over you.
- [00:18]
A
Am I going to choose to look at my circumstances, or am I going to choose to trust in the One who made me, who sustains me, and who says that he will never leave me or forsake me? I've had moments of being afraid. I've had moments of being like, can I do this?
- [00:33]
B
Even if God does not bring about that miracle or answer that prayer in the way that you want, will we have faith in Him? As Christians, we are not called to live a life where fear is in the driver's seat of our life.
- [00:44]
A
How am I going to respond? And am I going to crumble? Am I going to believe what's being said? Am I going to fight back in an ungodly way? What's up, guys? Welcome back to another episode of Stay True podcast. I'm your host, Madison Pruitt Trout, here in my home with my bestie, Riley. And we're both pregnant. If you can't tell.
- [01:13]
B
Yeah, you can tell right here.
- [01:16]
A
Got bowling balls. And if either of us go into labor during this, there's literally odds that that could happen. How insane would that be?
- [01:25]
B
That would be if one of us.
- [01:26]
A
Went into labor and we captured it on came camera. No, we're two weeks apart, you guys. It has been. I mean, we just got to get them into this for a second because. So Riley, where. Okay, tell them a little bit about you and that you were in like, Uganda when you found out that you were pregnant.
- [01:43]
B
Yeah. So my husband and I, like, last year, we sold everything and we packed our bags and then traveled as missionaries for 10 months. And then we were in East Africa, in Uganda, and we surprised found out we were pregnant. And so I'm like, maddie, we need to FaceTime. Like, I want to catch up with you and I got something to share, you guys.
- [02:06]
A
But I already knew because God gave me a dream. I have this dream. It's crazy. And I. I honestly pray that I get more dreams from the Lord because I love that. But I don't have these often. So like, when you hear me saying this, I'm not like getting these all the time. So I get this dream that I'm talking with Riley and she's telling Me. She's pregnant. And I'm like, so am I. And then she texts me and she goes, we need a FaceTime. And I'm like, I wonder what she needs to FaceTime me about. And I get on the FaceTime with her. You tell me you're pregnant. And I'm like, I know. And I am, too, because your response.
- [02:45]
B
You were so chilled. And I was like, I feel like she knows. How does she know?
- [02:50]
A
God told me. No, literally, I. I just had such a strong feeling she was pregnant. And it's been such an answered prayer because, I mean, going through pregnancy with one of your best friends is just, like, such a gift. But then you told me that you were moving to Nashville and that I wasn't expecting. God didn't tell me about that one. I didn't know about that. So we both live in Nashville.
- [03:15]
B
No, but it's been so nice because you're two weeks ahead of me, so, like, you let me know what symptoms are coming so Jack, my husband, can, like, prepare ahead of time for what is to come.
- [03:27]
A
Literally, I'm like, hey, hormones are going to be raging this week.
- [03:30]
B
And then they were.
- [03:32]
A
She's like, thanks for letting me know. But it really has been seriously such a gift, such a blessing. And this girl, like, she fears the Lord. She loves Jesus so much. And, like, I am so excited that you're on this podcast, because I just. She is constantly. We were praying right before this, and I prayed this. Oh. Like, over her and over us before this episode. And I was just saying how she's such an encourager, and part of what encourage means is to, like, impart courage in someone. And she's literally known as, like. I mean, her Instagram handle is Riley with Courage. And everyone in my life calls her Riley with, like, my mom, for the longest time, my mom was like, I'm like, yeah, I'm going to go see Riley. And she's like, riley with Courage had Jack's name in his phone, her husband Jack's name in his phone as Jack with Courage. Like, man, her branding's really great. So she is. She's full of courage, but she's just been such a friend to me that has continued to impart courage into me in moments where I've believed lies and I've felt so much fear or just have felt so much uncertainty about, you know, where I'm at or what's to come. And I'm so grateful for your friendship, and I'm so grateful that you're on this podcast, because she also Is so she's a speaker and she's an author. She is a new book that is. I think by the time this episode's out, the book will be out.
- [04:56]
B
Yeah. Y.
- [04:57]
A
And so it's Three Seconds of Courage. Three Seconds of Courage. Wait. Show them. I think you're out.
- [05:02]
B
Yeah. Yeah.
- [05:03]
A
It's the coolest thing. It's like the coolest cover. Hopefully you guys can see it. For those who are watching, but I am so excited to talk about this book and to talk all about. Our conversation today on this podcast is going to be all about overcoming fear and walking in courage and choosing courage. Because it's not always a feeling. Mm. It's usually actually never a feeling. You just have to walk in it and choose it.
- [05:28]
B
It's really a choice.
- [05:29]
A
I'm so pumped to jump in. And first I'd love for you to just, like, tell them a little bit about your story and about the book and what led you to. Because her story, you guys, you're gonna be like, your mouth's gonna be on the floor when you hear her story and why she wrote this book. Yeah.
- [05:46]
B
So a little bit of my story is so. I was born in England, if you.
- [05:52]
A
Can hear the accent.
- [05:53]
B
I grew up in New.
- [05:54]
A
That's. That's it.
- [05:55]
B
And yeah, we grew up on this, like, self sustainable farm in New Zealand. I had such a fun childhood, like, just run around on the farm, like. And I have had the gift of, like, loving Jesus since I was really young. When I was five years old, I gave my life to Jesus four Sundays in a row. And I would just rush to the front every single time they had the altar call to, like, give your life to Jesus. And on the fourth Sunday, because the kids pastor told my mom, your daughter keeps giving her life to Jesus. Like, what's happening here? And so my mom is like, riley, like, why do you keep giving your life to Jesus? And I turned to her, put my hands on my hips as this like, little girl with curly hair, five year old, five years old. And I'm like, that's because I want Jesus to know I'm serious. Like, I keep giving my life to him because I want him to know I'm in it. And. And then when I was like a few. Few years later when I was seven, I used to preach to my dolls.
- [06:51]
A
And I love that. Like, I was giving my baby doll spankings. Riley was sharing the gospel with them.
- [06:58]
B
Literally.
- [06:59]
A
I'm not even kidding.
- [07:00]
B
And I'm like, here's your salvation. And then I would like Go along and like, raise all their hands up. And so I'd get 100 conversion rate. And I'd be like, I'm the best preacher in the world. Like, this is amazing.
- [07:12]
A
That's amazing.
- [07:14]
B
But then when I was 10 years old, I experienced something that just changed my life. We were. Our family is really big. Growing up was really big on doing missions work. And so we went to Thailand to go do some missions where we're working at orphanage that rescued children from sex trade. And my grandfather also lived in Thailand. And so then after like a few weeks of volunteering, we went to this go just like take a holiday to this island off the coast of Thailand. And Thailand is beautiful, has like hundreds of these, like beautiful little islands. And we pull up and it said we spend Christmas day there. I remember, like eating too much chocolate and like running around my red candy cane PJs. And then the next day, day after Christmas, I was like sleeping. It's really early in the morning and I wake up and my whole bed is shaking. And it's a 9.3 magnitude earthquake. And. But I was so little. I was 10 years old. I didn't understand what's going on. So run down to the room where my parents are and I'm like, mom, dad, like, what's going on? And my mom is like, it's earthquake. Don't worry, honey. The moment she said that, like, the earthquake stopped. And we called the reception, like, figure out what was going on. And they're like, it was just this one off earthquake. They didn't really know too much why it had happened or what had caused it. So we continue on with our day. And it's crazy to look back at my life and see God's hand in so many ways. Like, there was just all these coincidences that I just think are just small miracles that God chooses to remain anonymous. Like one, we had booked beachfront bungalows. And when we'd gotten there a few days earlier, they'd given us like middle of the island, like apartment that was like on the top floor, like concrete buildings. And so anyway, this, this earthquake happens. Then we go to visit this island that's called Egg island, which was just like a pile of sand in the middle of the ocean.
- [09:03]
A
I was like, I know.
- [09:05]
B
There was no eggs.
- [09:06]
A
No eggs.
- [09:07]
B
I don't know. It's just like a shape of egg. And then around midday, we come back and my sisters and I are playing sand castles and my dad comes to get us. My mom's on the phone and they're at the reception, and my dad's walking us back to our rooms in the middle of the island. The island's tiny and it's, like, flat in the middle with palm trees everywhere and two big cliffs on either side. And then all of a sudden, as we're walking back one, I noticed all the animals went quiet. Like, there was always, like, wildlife everywhere, like monkeys and birds and dogs. And all of a sudden, like, dogs are howling and running into the bushes. Birds are flying up. Monkeys are, like, sending it up a little up the mountains. And I'm like, this just feels so. Like the animals were. Something was going on. And. And then two minutes later, almost at our apartment, I all of a sudden hear screaming. Like, people screaming at the top of my. At the top of their lungs, like something off a movie. And I look back, and where we are, you can see the beach. And there on the beach, all the water had left, and it had left so fast that there's fish flopping around everywhere. And all you see in the horizon is this thin white line. And it was this, like, over, like, 25ft tsunami coming at our island at a rapid speed.
- [10:24]
A
Wow.
- [10:25]
B
And. And so our family and I look at my dad, I'm like, where's mom? And my mom, because she was like. Had been on the phone at the reception, ran to where we were, had been building sandcastles. People, like, hundreds of people are just running, banging into each other. It's chaos. She prays and she hears the Lord say, flee. And so she just, like, leaves the place where the sandcastle was and starts running back to the room. And I remember seeing my mom, like, running towards me with just fear in her eyes. And I. We ran to the other side of the island, and I remember watching this man just get absolutely. Just crushed and swallowed by the wave on a boat. And it was like that moment I knew, like, our lives are hanging on by a thread. And so, long story short, my family ran up a path that we had found the day before because we'd gotten lost at one of the hills on either side of the island. Another coincidence. And the got to the point where the tsunami was as close as, like, the camera is to me right now, like, a car's distance away.
- [11:24]
A
It's crazy.
- [11:25]
B
And that's how close death was to us. Because if we had been caught by the tsunami, we surely wouldn't have survived. And I, in the midst of all of this, we run to the top of the hill and I fall down to my knees. We're high enough. The Tsunami can't reach us. I fall down to knees and have like one of the most, to this day, most radical encounters with God.
- [11:43]
A
Wow.
- [11:44]
B
And it's like in the midst of death and destruction and here God is, I'm this 10 year old little girl on my knees shouting out to God because I knew in hardships, like he's who you call on. And I felt the peace and presence of God all around me. And it's such a good reminder, like no matter what we're going through, when we call on his name, there is a peace that transcends all understanding, meaning it goes beyond all of our understanding, that blesses our mind and our bodies and our and our hearts. And that's what I experienced as, as I'm living through this horrific event. There was three tsunami waves struck that day. Our family was like stranded on this island with very limited food and water. For the next week, I saw sights and signs. Sounds like no one should ever see. 230, 100,000 people died because of this tsunami. 2004, Boxing Day tsunami in Southeast Asia. And that day, that and that week, it's just, it's caused me to just like one, realize how precious life is. Like every day is such a gift. And two, having lived through that, experienced so much fear and like, understandably so there's like ptsd. I would get nightmares. Like I was terrified of the ocean. But then my parents, six months after surviving the tsunami, enrolled my sisters and I in beach lifeguard training. And if you guys can imagine that you have just lived through something where you are now terrified of the ocean. Like, I would not even want to go anywhere close to a beach. And yet my parents were trying to teach me that the more you face your fears, the less power fear has over you. And they saw this fear within us and they were like, the Lord does not. As Christians, we are not cold to live a life where fear is in the driver's seat of our life. Like, fear does not make our decisions for us. That's not a life that God has called us to. And so on the first day of training, my dad comes up to me and he like gets down on his knees and I've just like nervous peed like 20 times. Just had a nightmare. My hair is a mess. I'm like, I do not want to go do this. Like, why are you asking me to do this? And my dad gets down his knees, he looks me in the eye and he's like, Riley, you are fighting a battle between courage and fear. And all you need is a little more courage. And it was just one of those moments that it's just caused a ripple effect on my life of and. And has been like, what God has. Has allowed me to encourage other people in and allowed me to like, fight the battle of. Of just like showing up to training and choosing to put my feet in the water and face my fear over and over again until that fear is no longer taking control of my life.
- [14:19]
A
Man, that's so. It's so crazy that you lived out. I remember watching the movie. I don't know if you guys saw the movie the Impossible. Impossible.
- [14:27]
B
Yeah.
- [14:28]
A
And I watched the movie the Impossible about literally that tsunami.
- [14:33]
B
It's wild.
- [14:34]
A
And I was like, I mean, like, I'm hooked the whole time. I'm like, how? And it. I was like, based on true story. I cannot believe people went through this. And then when I met Riley, I was like, you were there? Like, you went through this. That's crazy. Oh my gosh. And just your testimony and what you've taken from it and I mean, just. And even as like a 10 year old, being able to have such courage and like such faith and just like rejoicing to the Lord in that moment as you're like on the mountain, but also like having to overcome that trauma and fear that came with that, because I can only imagine how like, traumatic that was. And for a lot of people listening, maybe it hasn't been like a tsunami, but there's been lots of traumatic events that have triggered this, like, fear. And, you know, even something like Grant and I have talked about on the podcast multiple times, like, he. He really struggles with anxiety. And once like, that gets triggered or once he has like a traumatic experience, then anytime it gets triggered again, it's so hard to not let fear, like, overtake you. And I think it's so beautiful that your parents were like, okay, we see that this could be something that would continue through your life. So we're gonna make you face your fear now and so that it will not define you and it will not control your future. And I just love that. I think that's so beautiful. And I love that you now get to travel and speak about this and you now get to help other people face their fear and impart courage into them. And that's what you're doing with your book. And so tell me a little bit about your book and just what you're excited to share with people and how the book writing process has been and all that.
- [16:19]
B
Oh, yeah, well, the book writing process was really fun. And I. I love that the Lord often, he takes us to. He. He will take people, leaders to the wilderness before he, like, unleashes them in their cooling. And he did exactly that with this book. And for a whole year, I would get up every Single morning at 5:30am to write this book. And I just did it in this, like, hidden place. And it was like I was also just building the craft of writing and even just. Yeah, I just, like. I just want to encourage you. Like, if there's a dream that you have on your heart, like, take it to the wilderness with the Lord and like, work on it. And it's so helpful to get to the place where we do things where we're not doing it for the appraise of other people, but we're doing it for, like, just out of the wilderness. The purpose of the wilderness in the Bible, like Jesus in the wilderness, John the Baptist in the wilderness, Elijah in the wilderness, is that it is, one, creates, like, our dependence on the Lord, and two, it builds our character. And so that's exactly what this book did to me. Like, it, It. I just saw, like, how much the Lord changed me through writing this book. But the book itself, it's called Three Seconds of Courage because it was this tool that I started to use. And the first time I ever used it, and the tool being, like, counting to three and choosing to have courage and choosing the courageous thing, no matter how much fear I felt. And it was. It was like. It was like it would force me to do. I'd be like, 1, 2, 3. Now just step out. And it came because I'm. It was a. A decade after it survived the tsunami. So I'm like 8, around 18 years old. My. I'd gone to my family's beach house, and I was in the middle of. It was like the stormy day. And I decided, even though it was stormy, I decided to go swim in the ocean. And when I'm out there, I'm like, hey, there's crazy rip tides. Like, this is. What am I doing? But I had been a lifeguard now for years, so I felt so confident swimming in the ocean. But I come back in and I'm like, okay, I shouldn't be here right now. And all of a sudden I hear this man shouting, help, Help. At the top of his lungs. And this is. This is in New Zealand, a tiny beach town in a storm. When I got on the beach, I looked down the beach. I didn't see another person, but there was two people there. So this one guy's yelling, help, and he's pointing out to somebody further out in the ocean, and there's a man that's drowning. And so the whole, like, circumstance was just reminding me of the day of the tsunami. And I remember running to, like, just instantly grab my flippers and my fins, and I'm about to run out to go help, like, attempt to rescue this man, even though I know there's huge riptides, there's massive waves. Like, it's. It's a stormy day, it's moody, it's dark. And I remember standing at the sand right before I'm about to put my foot in the ocean and kind of just not wanting to do it, like, not wanting to. And I counted to three, and that was the first time I had ever used this tool of just, like, very simply just being like, I'm gonna do it. And this man, he. I swam out to him. He had actually drowned, and I performed CPR on him in the middle of the ocean, and he came back to life. And it's just like one of those stories where it's just, like, the power and the grace of the Lord was so over. It brought him back to the sand. There happened to be another crazy coincidence. The local doctor walking down the beach and how you called the ambulance, and then they, like, brought this. Like, the ambulance showed up 10 minutes later. And this. This story is in the book. But it was kind of like, why this book is called Three Seconds of Courage. And so for those that are listening to this right now, I just want to encourage you. Like, the Lord wants you to live courageous. He wants you to live a life without fear. But the best purpose, like, the best motivation for us to live that life is others. Like, I didn't step into that ocean because of me. I stepped into that ocean because of somebody else. And when you're sitting at home and you're dealing with social anxiety and you don't want to go out for the day, or if you're, like, really struggling with, like, you know, really struggling with fear of speaking class or whatever it may be, like, think of your fear right now. I want to encourage you, like, on the other side of you, facing your fears is the gift of being able to help someone. And, like, the most meaningful life is a life lived for others. And so this book, like, teaches you, like, practical tools, like, how to figure out if this is a helping or hindering fear, because there's some fear that's just, like, healthy fear. Like, there's a fear of God or there's like a fear, that's a safeguard, but it teaches you how to, like, live this life where you're motivated to, like, help others, which helps us step beyond our fear and into a life of courage.
- [21:02]
A
I love that. I love that you're. You're even differentiating the difference between like, a healthy fear and an unhealthy fear. Because I do think that there is something to be said about when you have the right fear, it will help you not fear the wrong thing. Like when you fear God and you have the fear of God in you, which is not. When people say fear God, I want to be clear. Like, the fear of God is not something that leads you away from God, it's something that leads you towards God. And so fearing God is not being afraid of God where you want to run from Him.
- [21:38]
B
Him.
- [21:39]
A
Fearing God is understanding his full power and sovereignty. And so you are in just this, like, trembling and awe and wonder and just amazement at how big your God is. So when we have the right fear and we fear God, it keeps us from fearing the wrong things, like fearing man or fearing, you know, circumstances going wrong, the unknown, failure, whatever it may be. I'd love to ask you, like, some practical things that you have throughout your book. Like, what would be some practical ways that we can overcome fear and walk in true godly courage?
- [22:21]
B
Yeah, there's a. I think, well, one, using the tool of just like counting to three and then just choosing to do it. I love that is exactly what we're talking about is like just figuring out if this is a helping or hindering fear. And you're going to figure out if it's like a hindering fear, if it's like costing you too much. Like, I remember in my economics class in high school, we learned about this idea of opportunity cost. And it pretty much is like, when you make a decision, it's the second best alternative. So it's a Friday night and your friend invites you out, but then you decide to stay home. You stay home, the opportunity cost is, is having gone out. And, and the same thing is with our fears. Like, when we choose something, when we choose to let fear take over, there's an opportunity cost of what God wishes he could have done in our lives and wants to show how he wants to show up in our lives. And so, like, the hindering fear is those things that like, cost us. They cost us our calling. They cost us, like, loving people. Well, they cost us obedience to the Lord. Like, truly God's love language is obedience. And like, when we're obedient to him. We're showing him that we love him. Um, and then I also talk about finding, like, courage cheerleaders. And I think it's just, like, it's just so helpful for you to know, like, you can. You have people that are in your corner cheering you on. And there was. There's this psychologist named Viktor Frankl, and he studies this idea about, like, post traumatic stress versus post traumatic growth. And just as Maddie was saying earlier, like, we've all lived through something that's like a tsunami, something hard and unexpected. And so he talks about. This man talks about how you can live through something incredibly traumatic. And yet he was studying how people, some people were able to, like, grow and have positive effects after something hard. And he was trying to figure out why. And what he figured out is that these people would have one person in their life that did not, like, belittle their. Their, like, emotions, but, like, empowered them to live, like, beyond it and like, to go and face their fears. And so, like, courage cheerleaders. Like, I've just had so many of them in my life. Like, I remember I did, like, six months of therapy when I just first moved to America. And I just, like, man, the Lord just needs to heal and address so much in my life. And I had this friend that would just show up that every time after I had therapy with, like, a box of chocolates, I'll just sit there and just hang out with me and just, like, be there for me. But yeah, there's just like, there's so many different tools, but it's just like a lot of it is just me sharing my own life and stories and, yeah, just encouraging people.
- [24:52]
A
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- [26:33]
B
I have a question for you because, like, like, ever since I've known you, you've live a life of courage. Like, you have had to be someone that has just had to stand for truth, stand for God, no matter what people are saying, had to overcome, like, the fear of God is. I have many questions, but, like, what do you think has helped you do that? Like, helped you, like, stand against prosecution and stand for God's way and be courageous? And then two, like, what would you even say as you read the Bible? Like, you're someone that's like, in the Word every day, and there's so much about courage in the Bible. What would you say, like, the Bible is saying about courage?
- [27:12]
A
Well, I love, this is why I love Riley, because she comes on my podcast, interviews me.
- [27:22]
B
Well, you just have so much to say about this.
- [27:25]
A
No, you're the courage girl. You're the courage courage expert. But I mean, it is. And what is true about all believers is that there will come moments, multiple moments, continuous moments where you're faced with choosing fear, choosing courage. Like choosing fear, choosing faith. And you have to, you have to ask yourself, like, am I going to choose to look at my circumstances or am I going to choose to trust in the one who. Who made me, who sustains me, and who says that he will never leave me or forsake me. And there's been many moments, like a story that comes to my. In the Bible is the story of, of Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on the water. And I think that's Matthew, chapter 14. And in this moment, you know, Jesus is saying, like, take courage. It is I. And I'm like, I would be freaking out, too, because they're in this. The middle of this crazy storm, and it looks like they're not gonna survive. And there's this man walking on water that they've never seen anyone walk on water before. I mean, think about if you were literally on the ocean and you just saw someone walking on water in the middle of a storm. I mean, it would be a crazy moment and experience. But what I love about this story, even though Peter was not perfect in this story, he steps out of the boat and he starts walking towards Jesus. And when his eyes were on Jesus, he had courage, he had faith. But as soon as his eyes went off of Jesus and he began to look at the storm and the winds and the circumstances around him, he began to sink. And Jesus, you know, pulls him out of the water and says, like, why did you doubt? You know, why. Why were you so afraid? Why did you doubt? And, you know, they get back in the boat, and I imagine that moment, like, in multiple different takeaways, what I've felt and how I feel so related to Peter in that. And in a way, I feel like we all can relate to Peter in that is. It's so much easier, I think, to focus on our circumstances than it is to focus on the one who has all of the answers and solutions and the power to help us overcome our circumstances. And for me, that's something I've had to continue to remind myself is keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. When there's been moments where people have made really hurtful comments to me, when there's been moments where I've had to step out and do something I've never done before. You know, I mean, from exciting things to hard things. From moments of my first speaking events and, you know, like, releasing my first book to, you know, other moments that were really, really scary, that I didn't know how I was going to get through it. Yeah, the way I did was like, I just got to keep my eyes on Jesus and continue to remember that he is the one that has the answers. He is the one who is going to keep me steady and strong and secure amidst the winds and the waves, because the winds and the waves are going to come. Like we've talked about, you know, you were like, you. I don't know what your tsunami story is, but it's like, the reality is we all are gonna have our own version of winds and waves and storms. Like, that's not something we can escape. Like, he, Jesus, has said like, in this world, you will have trouble. He. He promised that. He didn't promise a life of. When you follow him, everything gets perfect and easy. He said, no, in this world you will have trouble. But take heart. I have overcome the world. And so the way that we take heart is by keeping our eyes on him and remembering that, you know, heaven is our home, he is our, our fortress. He is our strong tower. He is our answer. He is the way. He is the truth. And that has been honestly, like, I mean, that's not necessarily the most practical thing in the entire world, but just like, in a very deeply spiritual way, like keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus and not on what other people are saying or on my circumstances and what's happening around me. I mean, even when I get into pregnancy, it's like, yeah, I'm about to birth this baby. And I'm like, the amount of times that I'm like, like, this has to come. This child has to come out of me.
- [31:21]
B
Yeah, no, I know. And you can't stop it. It's like every day passing, we're getting closer.
- [31:25]
A
I'm like, you literally are about to come out of me. And like, that's. That's kind of scary, you know, Like, I'm like, that's kind of scary. And you don't know what your labor experience is going to be like. You know, everyone's is so different. And honestly, like, truly, I've had to confess to Riley and to other friends of, like, I've had moments of being afraid. I've had moments of being like, can I do this? I'm honestly scared not only for labor and birth, but also for this new season of motherhood. And so I've had to, in those moments, like, take captive those fearful thoughts. I've had to remind myself of the truth. I've had to confess the, like, fears that I was feeling. And then I've had to just like, fix my eyes on Jesus again. It's like, okay, all right, I'm really scared. But, like, you got me. God. And there's some moments where I don't, like, come to that truth because I'm just like, so caught up in my fears where, like, you're talking about these courage cheerleaders that I think is such an important thing to have in life. It, like, they get me through it. Like, you've helped me. Grant's helped me. Like, moments where I've come out in tears, out of the shower, and I'm.
- [32:35]
B
Like, I'm just really scared.
- [32:37]
A
And he's like, God's got you. Like, God made and designed your body to do this. And I'm like, like, oh, yeah. Okay.
- [32:46]
B
Thank.
- [32:46]
A
Good.
- [32:46]
B
Thank you. Jesus for our husband.
- [32:48]
A
Jesus for a godly husband. They help you in times of fear.
- [32:53]
B
What you're saying is so important because, like, really, when you look at the Bible, I feel like the Bible is not. Because it's. You know, it's. Do not fear is repeated hundreds of times. But when I read that, I feel like it's not like the Lord's saying, like, live a completely fearless life. Like, I feel like I don't know how that's possible. But what he's saying is, like, courage is not the absence of fear. It's the, like, assessment that something is greater. And the thing that is greater is our trust and our. And our faith in God despite the fear. And in the Bible, there's so many stories of. Just, like, even before this, we're talking about Mary, and an angel shows up to him, and. And Mary's like. And the angel's like, you're gonna have a child. And she's like, okay. And she just responds. Even though. Even though she knows, like, back in those days, she could have been stoned because she wasn't married. And, like, she was what she was about to be. But, like, the. She knew all that could have happened to her, and yet she said, God, I am your servant. And. And so, like. Or even think about me. Sheikh. What am I trying to say, Abednego?
- [34:00]
A
Our pregnant brain is so real. I'm not even kidding. I'll be talking in words.
- [34:04]
B
Won't make sense.
- [34:05]
A
And I'm like, it's okay.
- [34:06]
B
We'll.
- [34:06]
A
We'll figure it out.
- [34:07]
B
I'm like, okay. Thank you, Lord.
- [34:08]
A
Okay. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
- [34:10]
B
Yes. How? They're in the fur. They're. They are about to be thrown into the fiery furnace. And they say to the king, like, even if God does not show up, like, we will still not, like, declare your. Like, declare your God. We will still believe in. In our God, in. In Jesus. And I love that. Like, even if he does not. And I want to. And sometimes I don't feel like I have that faith. Like, I want to be like God. Even as you were saying, like, it's not about our circumstances, about looking at the face of God. It's not about looking at fear. It's looking at the Father.
- [34:41]
A
Yeah.
- [34:42]
B
And it's like. Like, even if God does not bring about that miracle or answer that prayer in the way that you want or give you that job or provide a husband in the next two months. Like, even if he does not, will, we have faith in him. And that's. That's biblical courage. It's like choosing to commit to him no matter what you face.
- [35:03]
A
That's so true and so good. It's not the absence of fear. I think so often we're like, lord, just take the fear away. Yeah. And I think more than anything, he wants to teach us to. To have faith and courage in the midst of when fear comes knocking. Because, like you said, I mean, the world we live in. And then also you add on to that an enemy who hates us so much, who wants, you know, to. To put on us, like, this spirit of fear. We're told in second Timothy 1:7 that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. And so we know, therefore, that fear is not from God, it is not of God. And so we don't have to be. We don't have to come into agreement with it or even, like, accept it, but when we feel it, because we will, it's inevitable. In this world that we live in, we can choose to override that with trust and faith in something. I love what you said. I don't even remember the exact thing that you said, but in something greater. Like a greater.
- [36:03]
B
And the assessment that something is greater.
- [36:04]
A
Yeah, I think that's so. That's so good. So what would you say to the person who's listening right now? And they have, like, they're really, really dealing with fear. How can they keep their eyes on Jesus? And how can they keep their eyes on. On someone greater when their circumstances feel so hopeless or they feel so afraid?
- [36:26]
B
Yeah, I just. It gets me emotional. I just think, like, I think of the person who, as Maddie asked that question. You're like, that's me. And I just want to encourage you. Like, the Lord has so much empathy on what you're going through. And it is. He is close to the brokenhearted. And one of my favorite stories in the Bible is, like, the way that Jesus interacted with Lazarus. And Lazarus, like, dies, and Jesus weeps. Like, he cries out over his friend dying. And then the next day, he acts to redeem him. The next day he raises him to life, back to life. And that is the God we serve. Like, he will join you in your pain. He will join you in your suffering. He is the most empathetic person you're ever going to meet. He's the divine therapist. And yet he loves you too much to leave you where you are. And I think about like the persistent widow in the Bible. And it's a story of this lady that like keeps going up to the judge to ask her him to like bring about justice in her life. And she just kept asking and asking and asking. The judge is just like kind of get like annoyed by her. So he brings about justice. And then the Lord Jesus is sharing the story and he says like, oh like I'm looking upon the earth to find somebody like her. And, and so I just want to encourage you be like her. Like the Lord really does not want us to lose hope and to lose trust and to grow weary hearted and in our prayers. And like he's with you even if you're like at in your bedroom and you feel like that anxiety attack coming on. Like I want to encourage you, like call out to the name of the Lord and like something that's helped me is like when I used to have my really horrible like nightmares, I used to, my mom would like rush into my room and repeat like the peace of God that transcends all understanding. Guard your heart and mind. And so pick a verse and just repeat it over and over yourself. And when you feel that like overwhelming feeling in your body, just like start repeating that word, that word, those words of life over you and just know like the Lord like, let pray in the name of Jesus that there is continuous light at the end of the tunnel like that. And if you're getting to that point of just like so much despair, bring other people into it. Like we as Christians are cool to like rejoice when others rejoice and weep when they weep. And in the book of Job, it here's a man who goes through everything like horrible that was possible and yet like he loses everything from like family members to his wife to like possessions. And yet he continuously like has his trust in the Lord. But one of the people in the, in the story that really inspires me is Job's friends because it shares about how Job's friends come to his house and they like to sit with him. And it says that for they sit with him until Job speaks. But Job doesn't say anything until seven days later. And so imagine just sitting in the house with your friends for seven days, not saying anything, but you're just like waiting. They just like, I call this in my book, like the Ministry of Presence. Like just it's being with your, joining your friends when they're going through something hard. But if that's you Going through something hard, let other people join you in it. And like, Maddie, you've done such a great job. Like, you've inspired me so much more. You'll, like, really let me know how you're going.
- [39:50]
A
And it's like, you're like, hey, wait, join me.
- [39:54]
B
This is where I'm at. And so, like, people would be honored to join you in the storm so that they can one day see the rainbows. Like, let people, like, see your pre courage, pre overcoming self. Like, let them have a front seat of that so that when, like, God does come to redeem you, as he did in Lazarus life, he. That you have people around you that got to witness the absolute glory and goodness of God.
- [40:24]
A
That's so good, because I think it can be so easy that we just like to just want to portray strength all the time, that we afraid to show weakness. And that's. I'll listen, I'll confess on my own podcast. I. I fall into that category, and it's something I've had to learn. My husband is so good at it. He's so good at confessing. Any moment of, like, fear, insecurity, anxiety, worry, any sin, any lie, he's believing anything. And he's like the most amazing confessor. And I'm like, I need to be a better confessor because he just lives so free. He lives so in the light, and he has his people around him that are constantly, you know, holding up his arms when he's weary and when he's tired. And I've just learned that's. That's how we were made to go through life. We weren't made to go through life pretending like everything's okay, pretending that we have it all together, because we don't. No one does.
- [41:17]
B
Us.
- [41:17]
A
None of us have it all together. I don't care if you have a podcast. I don't care if you have followers. I don't care if you've written books. I don't care if you speak. I don't care who you are, if you own your own business, if you have. If you grew up in this amazing fit. Like, we all have struggles, every single one of us. We all face fears. We've all believed lies. And not only should we be, you know, the ones who are confessing those lies and bringing other people into, you know, when we have those moments of fear and. And confessing and asking for their prayers, but we should also be the friends who come around, our friends and say, hey, I got your back. Like, I'm gonna hold you up when you're tired and when you're weary, and so be that friend. But also, don't be afraid to be the one who says, like, hey, I feel pretty scared right now. Hey, I feel pretty broken right now. And that can be really hard to do in the moment. Here's what. Here was what I did. I waited till, like, three weeks, and I was like, hey, three weeks ago, I was really struggling, and then I was like, Janine would call me out on that so much. So Janine's also, like, besties with Riley, and Janine would call me out on that so much. She. I would be like, yeah, I cried myself to sleep, like, a couple weeks ago. And she said, yeah, you didn't want to tell me? Like, you're supposed to come in my room and tell me. And I've just. I've grown from that a lot because I've learned, like, bringing people into those moments of, like, pain and hardship is inviting other people to come alongside of you and pray for you and to not walk through it alone, but also to bring it into the light so that. That we can be healed, so that the Lord can come in and. And heal that fear or that pain or whatever it may be.
- [42:47]
B
That's so good.
- [42:48]
A
Yeah.
- [42:49]
B
And, Matt, as you're sharing this, I just, like, really, really feel it on my heart is just that the. The Lord is so, like, shame and love cannot coexist. And. And like, God, like, if you have. As we're sharing this, if you think of, like, not just like you're talking about, like, hey, I cried myself to sleep, but. But you're thinking about, like, hey, I did this last night and I would never tell anyone. I just want to encourage you. Like, the Lord loves you. And, like, something that has helped me is, like, after, like, I had sinned, saying something like, God has never loved me more than this moment, and. But even more so, like, not only accepting the love of God, but also bringing it to him. Like, if you think about, like, if you go to somebody's house and you go into their house and you just start, like, destroying their home, that's kind of like what happens when we, like, harm somebody else. Like, we are in the house of the Lord, and, like, he, God feels it when we harm someone else, when we harm ourselves. And that's what sin does. Like, sin is. Is. Is harmful. And I just, like, I was just thinking about how many years ago there was, like, a friend that had. Long story short, had thought, like. Like, I had thought something about me, and I never Corrected him about it. And I ended up just like. It was like this lie, this moment. And I, I didn't correct him about it because I wanted him to, like, really like me. And I was like, the fear of man was greater than the fear of God. And anyway, so this, this, like, lie grew and grew and grew. And then I was walking into. I had. I went to Fuller Seminary Seminary and was during my master's in Global leadership there. One of the classes I was taking was pastoral Care and Addictions. And we had to go to, like, a 12 step program, which is like, they have, like 12 step programs to help people overcome addiction. So we sat in the back as part of our assignment for the class and just, like, observed people and like, learn their stories and, and, and heard them. And I walked into this class one time, this 12 step program was Alcohol Anonymous. And I heard this lady share about how step nine, there's like 12 steps to help you overcome your addictions. And step nine was to make amends with people you had hurt before. And I just thought about this, this friend and how I had lied to him. And I, like, got out of the. I left the classroom and called him and was just like, hey, I'm so sorry. And I share all that with you because I want you to live in freedom. And I want you, even right now, as you're thinking of something, as you're thinking, like, oh, I could never, one, confess that to God or never, two, confess that to a friend. I want you to do that. And I want to encourage you to, like, even after this podcast, go and find someone to confess it to, because there is peace on the other side of that decision. There's freedom on the other side of that decision. And you're gonna realize you are so not alone in, like, our fight against sin. Like, everyone is dealing with it. It might not, your friend, not. Might not relate to you. They might not be like, like, hey, I'm addicted to pornography too, or I struggle with, like, pride too, or whatever it may be. It may not be the same sin, but we're on. We are in the same battle. And so go and find someone. Go confess to someone and allow the Lord to like. Confession is always the first step to healing.
- [46:17]
A
So good. And James 5:16 tells us that you know when you confess to your brother and sister and they pray for you, you will be healed. You will experience healing. And I say it all, I say it often, but healing requires revealing. You have to reveal it in order to get healed. You have to confess it and bring it into the light in order for God to shine his light on it and for you to experience that freedom that you're longing for. Because the enemy wants so badly to keep us in our secrets and to keep us in darkness, because that's where shame and sin thrives. That's where it grows. It multiplies there. And for the longest time, I mean, that was a part of my story. I've opened up on here a lot about that, of just, like, in moments when I struggled with pornography and masturbation and all of that, it was. Most of it was because I, like. Even though I kept confessing to God and being like, I hate that I do this. I don't want to do this. I wasn't confessing to other people, and I didn't have other people that were brought into that that could hold me accountable and that could help pull me out of that. And so we need friends in our lives that. That we can confess to, that can hold us accountable. That can also hold up our arms when we're tired and weary. And I think about that when you're talking about your. Your courage cheerleaders. And so find your people. Like, find, like she's saying, right when this podcast ends, find someone to confess to and also find someone that will hold you accountable and find someone that you can continue to bring into. When you're faced with lies or faced with fear and you're fighting it alone, you're not made to fight it alone. You're not. You need. You need your bestie that you can text and. And send a voice memo to. I tell Riley, I'm like, I'm gonna make this one quick. It's like seven minutes.
- [48:01]
B
She goes, I'm listening to my podcast, today's podcast. I'm, like, writing notes.
- [48:07]
A
She's, like, trying to remember what all I said because it's so long. But you need those people that you can confess to. Even the things that feel small, you know, even the things that you're like, oh, this was just a silly lie that I'm believing. A lot of times, if we don't confess that silly, small lie, it turns into an even bigger lie. And then it even turns into, like, a belief system. It turns into something that we start believing about ourselves or we start believing about a relationship. You know, it's like the enemy could plant a lie in my mind about my spouse and about something that, you know, maybe he, like, made a comment, and then it. It spiraled into a lie, and then I started believing that lie, and then it turned into a belief system, and now I've built up this whole entire thing.
- [48:51]
B
Yeah.
- [48:52]
A
That now, like, when I share it with him, it's like, oh, then it's like a whole scenario, and he's like, that was. That was never true. Like, that. That's not true at all.
- [49:01]
B
Relatable.
- [49:01]
A
But it's like, you can do that in life about yourself, about other people with you, you know, about someone, you know, your spouse. I would love to spend a second talking about. Because I think a lot of times when we think about courage, we're thinking about these, like, really big moments, which are true. Like, there's going to be moments where. Yeah, like, for me, when I was on reality TV and I had this moment on live television and someone was spewing some hurtful things, and we'll leave it at that. And. And I had to decide in that moment, like, how am I gonna respond? And am I gonna cr. Going to believe what's being said? Am I going to fight back in an ungodly way? And so that was a moment of, like, big courage for me. And I've had a lot of those big courage moments. But I also think that the reality is, is that the way that we're built for those big moments of courage is what's happening in the moments when no one's around.
- [50:02]
B
Totally.
- [50:02]
A
And it's the small moments of courage, and it's the small things that we do every day that leads us to be able to have kind of like those bigger moments. And so I'd love for you to share what it's looked like for you, and just how can those listening walk in those small moments of courage every day? Like, what are just like some little things and practical yeses or little things that they can do every day that'll build that courage muscle so that when a big moment comes where they have to stand firm in courage, they're ready.
- [50:37]
B
Yeah, that's really good. I. As you're talking, I think about my friend Sydney, who is like a complete track star, and she keeps breaking her own world records for, like, you know, hurtles really good.
- [50:47]
A
When you break your own record, I'm.
- [50:49]
B
Like, you go queen. But, like, with her, she's like one of the best athletes in the world. And. And she shows up to training every single day. And what she's doing is she's trying to break. She's trying to push past her breaking point. And that's what. What. Like, Maddie is like. Like you're what you. Is like that there's like these micro moments of courage that we get presented every day. I really feel like every day we get tests of courage that the Lord's putting presenting in front of us. And we have to get to, we get to this point where it's like our breaking point. And that meaning, meaning like this is where our capacity usually like, ends and we get to choose are we going to push this a little bit more? And so I call this like your courage breaking points. And so I think like the, the best way that you can use courage in your everyday life is just the courage to care for others. Like, if you think about the life of Jesus, like he comes down to earth and he gets, like, he really, he didn't even really need to come and yet he chose to get involved in our mess. He chose to die for our sins. He chose to come and love people. And it's really interesting who he spent most of his time with. He spent most of his time with the, the margins of society, the outcast, the lonely, the heartbroken, the people who were demonized. Like, like, I think about the story of Jesus in the Bible, how he like goes, spends half a day on a boat to go to travel to a man who's in a cave and is like been demonized for years and years and he heals that man only to go back on the boat and then go to a crowd of thousands of people. And it's like, that wasn't effective or efficient. Like, if he was trying to like, like reach the most people and like hustle and like reach the thousands, why didn't he stay with the crowd that was already there? But no, he like, like went for hours just to find this one man. And so I just want to encourage you, like, find the one. Every single day it's been like this, this post it note that I've had on my front door for years and years. It's just like, find the one. Like, find somebody whose life that you can love and impact. Especially someone who is, who is hard to like or who is forgotten. And like, sometimes that requires us to have planning. Like my parents always growing up would say, like, planning precedes blessing. Like when we plan ahead of ourselves, we're setting ourselves up to be blessed. And so for you, you know, it might be like packing like a bag of food and always having in your car so that when you see someone that's experiencing homelessness, you can give it to them. Or it's, you know, thinking of a friend who's going through something difficult and on your drive Home, stopping by their house, and this just like, it. It just helps set you up so much better. Because really, what the. The enemy would love, he wants us to like, make a lot of decisions based off our ego and how good it feels and how like, much it like, pumps up our pride. But instead, like, the way of a Christian life is lower. It's more humble. And that happens when we put our attention on other people and we do courageous things for, for other people. And so like, there's a lot of ways that you can be courageous. Like, you can, you know, say no to somebody or you can like, sign up to like, a program that you've always wanted to do. And there's like, all these other practical ways. But I think the most, like, the most important type of courage is the courage to care for others. And that happens in these micro moments when we choose to like, let our. Our flesh die and we choose to put somebody else above ourselves.
- [54:21]
A
So true. Jesus modeled that. You see it all throughout Scripture. You see it even in. One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Esther. And I actually wrote my first book on that story. And it was something that the Lord really spoke to me. But what I love so much about her is again, that she was preparing in advance before that moment of big courage that she's known for, that she's remembered for. There was prayer and fasting and so many of these, These hidden moments, and I'm sure moments of caring for those around her that enabled her to be able to go before the king unsummoned. That was typically. Would have cost her her life. Like, literally her life was on the line. And everyone was probably telling her, like, if you go before the king unsummoned, you're going to die. And she's faced with a situation of, well, I'd. I'd rather go before the king and try than sit back in fear and not try at all because my people are under persecution. Like, my people are going to die. And so because she cared for others, like, because she cared for the salvation of her people, like, she went before the king. And that was. That took so much courage, but it wasn't. I'm gonna take this courage for myself because then people are gonna remember me. It's like she literally thought she was gonna die. Homegirl didn't know she was gonna make it out of it, but she. She took that step of faith and she took that step of courage because she knew it was worth it for the salvation and the saving of many people. And so I love that you're highlighting this idea of the greatest steps of courage are caring for people. It's. It's all about people. It's all about others. And so keeping that in mind, that that is what true God, honor, and courage looks like. That's what Jesus modeled for us. That's what so many people that we see all throughout scripture models again and again and again that the best leaders, those who choose courage, they're not doing it because fear doesn't come knocking. And they're not doing it for their own glory. They're doing it in the face of fear and choosing courage anyways. And they're doing it for the salvation and the betterment of people, for the glory of God. And that is what it looks like for us to walk in godly courage. You guys, is. Is not like, fear is gonna come. And so I don't want anyone listening to this podcast to be like, well, you two girls, like, you know, you've got it figured out. Like, you probably never get scared. I'm like, listen, I could tell you so many stories. I could tell you so many moments of, like, being scared and being afraid of, like, silly things. Like, I hear a noise outside, and I'm like, grant, someone's outside and they're going to burn our house down. Literally. To, like, being afraid of. Of birth or being afraid of speaking in front of people or being afraid of being rejected by someone or being afraid, like, whatever it may be, fearing man, I've had those struggles. And so it's not like Riley said at the beginning, the absence of fear. It's what you do in the face of fear where. Where true courage shows up. It's like, okay, in the face of fear, I'm gonna choose to let my faith be greater. I'm gonna choose to trust in God more. I'm gonna choose to fix my eyes on him, and I'm gonna choose to serve people. I'm gonna choose to serve other people. And so I think that is truly, like, what it looks like to be. Oh, a woman, a person. I don't know if guys are listening to this. A person of courage. I'd love to just, like, wrap up with. You know, is there anything else, like, just, like, from your book or on your heart that you would love to encourage my. My Stay True crew out there with about overcoming fear and walking in courage?
- [57:55]
B
Yeah. I think two things is. One, as you're talking, I was thinking about one of the most, like, like, everyday choices that we can make that leads to a life of Courage is forgiving and just for I've just seen in my own heart, like forgiveness has just poisoned me. Unforgiveness has just poisoned me. And like unforgiveness is now classified as a disease because of how much it impacts us. It like makes people's immune system go down. It causes anxiety. Like our body literally carries it when we choose to not forgive somebody. And so I just like whoever you thinking of right now, if it's, it's like your mom or your friend or something, like you like unforgiveness. For me it felt like I had been like chained to the ground and I was trying to run forward but I couldn't. But the moment I forgived somebody, like forgave the person, whoever was like on my mind. It was like, it was like that chain broke off. But un, like forgiveness is, is not just a one time thing, it's a journey. And so it's choosing every day. And like even the step above forgiveness is blessing. And so like even go to the extent of like thinking of that person and forgiving them, like literally saying out loud like, I forgive them. And the reason we forgive them is because of how much the Lord has already forgiven us. Like we, it's in, it's in the like comfort of our own salvation that we can then go out and forgive other people. But then go the step further and not only say to yourself, like, I forgive this person but, but go and be like lord, bless them. Like, bless them. And that's hard. Like literally saying that out loud, being like, I bless their, you know, finances, I bless their family and like just pray a blessing over them. And then the other thing that I want to end with is just like my family growing up would have this saying and it was be a secret ninja for Jesus. And my like parents would like give us like we were out, in, out in public and they'd give us a credit card and we'd go and pay for somebody's, somebody's food and, and like we'd make sure they didn't know like that we had paid for them or. And then like I remember when I was in seminary, the Lord asked me to take a certain amount of money out of my bank account. And at the time it was majority of my money. And I was like, this is crazy. Why would I do this? And he put, he asked me to put it in an envelope and then put it outside a random person's apartment. And I hit around the corner and watched this person like open the door and just wept and this person doesn't know who had given them the money. But, like, just, like, go and do things that are just, like, wildly courageous and wildly generous, but don't undo it without getting affirmation. Like, because that's how you build up the eternal things is you do it for. Just to, like, let the only audience be one and that being God, like, do it for the applause of heaven. And that's just gonna, like. It's gonna just, like, set your heart up to grow in a way that is the. The same way that Jesus wants your heart to grow. So those are just, like, two thoughts I had as we end.
- [61:02]
A
So good. So good. I am. Have been very encouraged by this episode, and I believe that those listening and watching have also been so encouraged and just. Yeah. Reminding you guys that we're not perfect. We're on this journey to fight for courage and choose courage. Like Riley saying, it's. It's not a feeling. You choose it every day, you choose it. And it honestly has less to do with you and more to do with the God who created you and serving those around you. And I think a lot of times we think courage has to do with us. It has to do with, are we strong enough? Can we muster it up? And I think about David on the way to fight Goliath, and I think about Psalm 23. I don't know if that's the exact psalm he was saying on the way to go fight Goliath, but I picture that in my mind, so don't take that verbatim, but, like, I just picture him saying, like, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. My cup overflow. Like, he's. He's just, like, saying this again and again. Like, I will fear no evil. Even though I'm walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. And so I just speak that over you guys. If you feel like you're walking through the valley of the shadow of death, if you feel fear caving in on you on every side, just continue to speak what David did. Like, I will fear no evil because you are with me. God, not. I will fear no evil because I'm strong enough to handle it. That's what the world says. It says in the word of God, I will fear no evil because you, Lord, are with me. And so even when you feel surrounded by fear, know that Your God surrounds your fears and surrounds your enemy, and he is greater, he is stronger, he is better. And I'm so grateful for the life that you've lived and how you encourage me to walk in faith and to. And to overcome fear and to not let fear rob me of what God has for me. And you've just been such an amazing pillar of strength, grace, and courage, and I'm so grateful for that. And you guys need to go and read her book. I'm gonna include the link in the show notes so that you guys can go and check it out. It's so good. I've read it. I endorsed it. I put it.
- [63:10]
B
Yes, she did.
- [63:11]
A
I said, this is so good. Everyone needs to read it. And like she said, it's. It's her story, but it's also how you can apply the same things that she's walked through to your life and how you can take and walk in those. Those three seconds of courage. You. You count to three. But also, like, there's the practical steps of how can you implement moments of courage all throughout your day, every day. And yeah, I'm just so grateful. This was so good.
- [63:36]
B
Thanks for coming on.
- [63:37]
A
Stay true.
- [63:38]
B
Thanks for having me, man.
- [63:39]
A
I'd love for you to pray over them.
- [63:41]
B
Yeah.
- [63:41]
A
And just like wrap it up and you just pray some. Some prayer of courage.
- [63:46]
B
Yeah, over. I'd love to, Jesus. I just thank you for every person that is listening to this podcast right now. Lord, I pray for the spirit of courage to full on them, Lord. I pray that courage would rise within them, Lord. I just pray for the Holy Spirit to guide their everyday life, Lord. I pray that they would live a life of radical obedience to you, Jesus. I pray that, God, just as Maddie had just said, Lord, that even though they walk through the darkest valleys, in those moments, they will fear no evil because you are with them. I pray the presence of God to wrap around every person right now, Lord. I pray for them to like, even, like, feel it. Like, feel like warmth in their bodies and like they feel your love flowing through them, God. And I just pray, Lord, for whatever that they are going through, whatever tsunamis that they are encountering, Lord, whatever fear that they are facing, Jesus, I thank you that. That you are greater than all of it. And so, Lord, would you just show your goodness in their lives? I pray for miracles to happen in their lives, Lord. I just pray. Pray that even over this next week, God, that you would just show them how much you radically love them, Lord. And Jesus, I just pray practically like in. In in. In an action, Lord, that. That every person would just take some sort of step of action after this podcast, Lord, whether that is like confessing to a friend or just getting down on their knees and crying out to you or writing in the journal that they forgive somebody, Lord, I just pray that they would take action just to be a little bit more like you today. God, we. You are who we want to be. You are our inspiration and you are our biggest role model, Jesus, and we want our lives to be like you. And so, God, just show us the pathway forward. That is a path of courage as a path of humility. Lord, just show us every single day what obedience looks like to you, Jesus. We love you, God. We love you so, so much. I thank you for this podcast. I thank you for how you bless people through. I thank you for Maddie and her voice and her authenticity and her the way she stands for truth. God, would you just continue to bless this podcast in your mighty name? Amen.
- [65:44]
A
Amen. So good. I love you. We love you guys as always. Be sure to stay you stay true. We love you. Bye.