Promise Hill S1 Ep. 8 Feeling Overwhelmed? Faith-Filled Ways to Stay Grounded (the Letter)

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Welcome back to Promise Hill! The first one of it’s kind story based soul care podcast! I’m Kimberlee Herman, your host.
Thank you.

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I am so happy you're on this journey with me.

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If you're enjoying this podcast,

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would you do me a favor and give it a four or five star rating?

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Apparently,

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this is how other people can find this podcast more easily.

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I thank you so much and it would bless me tremendously.

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All right,

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let's recap real quick from our last episode.

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Mira took a walk and ended up learning some wisdom from Nathaniel Embers,

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the owner of Ember and Oak.

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And then she met Gideon Thorne,

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the blacksmith,

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who also had some interesting things to say.

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Then Mira got a phone call from her mom with a mysterious information and a plea to come over that same day.

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Oh.

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And did you like the song Reach for the Light I played for you at the end of last episode?

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I hope so.

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I have another song in the pipeline,

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so stay tuned.

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That's probably coming out in a few episodes.

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All right.

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So today in episode eight,

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The Letter,

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Mira's mysterious story continues to unfold as we watch her put into practice some of the tools she's learning along the way.

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I'll meet you on the other side of the story with reflections.

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Live it out action steps and prayer.

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Let's listen in.

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Mira walked home quickly from the bakery to get her car to drive to her mom,

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Ruth,

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in Whispering Pines.

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But before she jumped in her car,

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she sat on her couch inside her home and took a few slow breaths.

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I need to calm down.

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Whatever mama tells me,

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I need to remember to keep calm for her.

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Universe,

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God,

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or whoever is out there.

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Please help me.

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I feel like I'm drowning and I'm so scared.

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You see,

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there's a lot I'm carrying right now.

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Dealing with my divorce,

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the flashbacks with the black book,

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my mom's dementia,

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losing my job,

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and now these texts.

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I'm overwhelmed and feel like I'm going to lose it.

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Just then.

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She began to remember tidbits Charity and Grandma Eden had told her over the past month to help her.

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She took a deep breath to calm herself.

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Her brain started to relax and became calm and ordered.

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I'm choosing to do things differently,

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so I'm not overwhelmed.

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First things first.

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I need to see my mom and hear what she has to say and figure out who this Eleanor is.

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That seems to be the most pressing.

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Mira drove in silence,

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with knots forming in her stomach.

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But a thought inside her suggested she look at the pine trees that lined the road and smell the scent of fresh air as she took slower and longer breaths.

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She practiced being in the moment like Charity taught her,

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rather than thinking of all the what-ifs.

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When she arrived...

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Each step to the assisted living facility felt like walking in molasses,

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slow and heavy.

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But at the same time,

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she had a sense of peace around her.

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Hi,

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Mama.

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Ruth sat hunched in her chair,

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looking out the window.

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The manila envelope from the box Mira found in the secret room in the attic was clutched tightly in her trembling hands.

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Her eyes were red,

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her cheeks wet.

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Oh,

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Mira,

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I'm so sorry.

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Mira's chest tightened.

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Mama,

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what are you sorry for?

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Ruth shook her head,

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her grip tightening around the envelope.

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I wanted to tell you.

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I did.

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My intentions,

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they were good.

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I thought I was keeping you safe.

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There just,

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there never seemed to be a right time.

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And then,

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it just never happened.

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She held the envelope out toward Mira with shaking hands.

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It's all in here.

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Mira hesitated before taking it,

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her fingers brushing against Ruth's.

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The paper felt heavier than it should.

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Ruth continued,

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her voice drifting between clarity and confusion.

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You were three.

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Such a beautiful little thing.

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It was so sad,

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but there was so much love.

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So much love,

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Mira.

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This was so easy for your dad and I,

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but so incredibly painful to Eleanor.

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Your story is so sad before we got to you.

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We felt like we rescued you out of a tragic situation.

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Please don't be angry with me,

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Mira.

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Ruth's eyes began to unfocus as she stared past Mira toward the other window.

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Have you seen my bluebird?

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I really need my bluebird.

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Mira blinked,

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startled,

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and looked around.

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There,

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sitting quietly among scattered papers on her mother's desk,

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was the small carved wooden bluebird her father bought Ruth all those years ago that they rediscovered from the box in the secret attic.

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She picked it up gently and placed it into Ruth's hands.

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A part of Mira wanted to throw the bird against the wall and ask her mom a million questions,

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but she remembered what the nurses have taught her.

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She needed to keep calm to keep her mom calm.

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The timing of this news was so unfair.

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Oh,

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there you are.

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Ruth's face softened instantly as her fingers curled around the wooden object,

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as if it was something sacred.

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Her breathing slowed.

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A moment passed,

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and then Ruth looked up at Mira again,

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calm now,

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but distant.

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It's time for you to go.

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This stunned Mira.

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Her mom's dementia was unpredictable.

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She didn't remember walking out.

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She didn't remember closing the door.

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She only remembered the envelope in her hands and the rising wave of nausea threatening to overtake her.

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By the time she reached her car,

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she collapsed into the driver's seat,

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the envelope resting in her lap like something alive.

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Was I adopted?

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Then,

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thoughts began to surface.

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I've never seen a photo of mama pregnant with me.

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She always changed the subject when I asked.

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She even lied one time and told me the photos burned in a fire.

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And I really don't look like either of my parents.

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Why didn't I see it?

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The drive home passed in a blur.

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When she stepped inside her home,

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her house greeted her with its usual stillness.

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She set the envelope down on the table next to the glowing in the dark soul care guide.

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For a moment,

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she just stood there,

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staring at it.

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Then it seemed like her mother's Bible was calling out for her,

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the one that looks like Grandma Eden's.

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She reached for it.

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The worn leather felt comfortable in her hands.

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She flipped through the pages,

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her fingers brushing past underlined verses and handwritten notes,

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until a highlighted passage caught her eye.

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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

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that whoever believes in him shall not perish,

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but have eternal life.

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Hmm,

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I don't understand it.

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Mira read it again,

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and then again.

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Something stirred inside her,

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a warmth,

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subtle but undeniable.

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The same feeling she had when Charity prayed for her earlier today.

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She swallowed hard,

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then desperation took over,

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and she called out,

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God or Jesus,

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if you're real,

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show me.

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The room remained still,

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but the warmth lingered.

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Slowly,

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she closed the Bible and set it aside.

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Then she reached for the envelope.

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Her hands trembled as she opened it.

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Papers spilled out across the table.

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Documents,

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records,

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fragments of a life she didn't recognize.

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On top sat a single note.

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She unfolded it carefully and read it out loud.

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Ruth,

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here are all of Amira's records.

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Her mother's Bible and the photo album I put together for her.

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Please remember to keep these safe and give them to her when she's older.

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Her dad is so dangerous and resourceful.

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He will try to find her.

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She's not safe.

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That's why I agreed to this adoption with you and not into foster care.

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Please tell her about her mother and me when she's old enough to understand.

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and give her the attached letter I've written to her.

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It contains my contact information.

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Her vision blurred.

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I'm so thankful to you and Robert for taking her into your home and into your arms,

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but know that my heart breaks.

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Please honor our agreement and allow me to be in Amira's life when she's older.

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But in the meantime,

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don't send me anything through the mail because her dad will find out.

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Love,

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Eleanor.

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The letter ended there.

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Mira lowered the page slowly.

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Eleanor?

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Amira?

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The room felt like it was spinning.

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She glanced at the rest of the papers,

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but there was another envelope inside.

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It was the letter from Eleanor to Mira.

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Mira stared at it,

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but her hand wouldn't move.

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Not tonight.

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It's too much.

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Everything was too much.

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But then she remembered Grandma Eden once told her to slow things down and think about why she was so upset.

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Okay,

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why am I freaking out?

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I love the concept of adoption.

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I feel it's selfless and beautiful for so much love to be given to a child in a good situation.

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I'm so hurt and angry that my mother lied to me.

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She kept me away from a grandmother who was hurting.

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This is why I'm so mad.

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I feel betrayed.

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She pushed the papers away,

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stood,

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and poured herself a glass of red wine with unsteady hands.

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The first sip burned.

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The second softened the edges.

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By the time she set the glass down,

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exhaustion had overtaken her.

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She didn't even remember lying down.

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Morning came quietly.

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It was still dark outside.

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And the birds were still sleeping.

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Her thoughts were already spinning.

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Who could that possibly be at this hour?

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And just when Mira thinks she can't carry one more thing,

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her story begins to open.

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A hidden past.

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A different name.

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A letter she can't bring herself to read.

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But she's also carrying the truth of how to maintain through the wisdom of Charity and Grandma Eden.

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She has supports that are growing around her.

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And the light from the big black book is making its way into her heart.

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Stay with us for episode 9,

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where the past continues to unfold on the other side of the door.

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Take it away,

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Kimberlee.

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Oh boy,

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Mira is going through so much.

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Can you relate?

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I sure can.

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There have been seasons in my life that I literally would sit by myself and stare at a wall for hours.

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I felt like I was having a nervous breakdown,

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and I probably was.

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During those times,

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00:12:08.212 --> 00:12:10.514
I had no tools and little support.

270
00:12:11.495 --> 00:12:13.737
My body needed to feel safe and calm.

271
00:12:14.438 --> 00:12:16.680
During those darker times earlier in my life,

272
00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:18.201
I was not following Jesus.

273
00:12:19.562 --> 00:12:20.863
I would look to astrology,

274
00:12:21.064 --> 00:12:21.584
psychics,

275
00:12:21.624 --> 00:12:23.286
and other occult practices to help me.

276
00:12:23.686 --> 00:12:24.407
That was many,

277
00:12:24.767 --> 00:12:25.528
many years ago,

278
00:12:25.668 --> 00:12:28.370
and since then I have been delivered from all of that stuff.

279
00:12:29.935 --> 00:12:31.316
And if you don't know what delivered means,

280
00:12:31.336 --> 00:12:31.856
that's okay.

281
00:12:31.916 --> 00:12:32.816
It just means that

282
00:12:33.457 --> 00:12:42.801
I have repented and broken off all of those occult practices off of me through prayer and feel released from all that stuff.

283
00:12:44.462 --> 00:12:45.302
But then Jesus,

284
00:12:45.382 --> 00:12:46.763
about 23 years ago,

285
00:12:47.043 --> 00:12:50.504
I made the choice to step back into relationship with him.

286
00:12:51.425 --> 00:12:54.466
And I'm so grateful because when hard seasons come,

287
00:12:54.986 --> 00:12:55.827
and they have come,

288
00:12:57.051 --> 00:13:10.760
I'm able to go to him and I'm able to do prayer work and scripture reading and all the wonderful things to connect me to him to help me get to the other side.

289
00:13:10.800 --> 00:13:13.002
So this is what that podcast is.

290
00:13:13.242 --> 00:13:20.827
This podcast is about is teaching you tools on how to connect to the Lord and scripture to help guide the way.

291
00:13:21.635 --> 00:13:21.835
Now,

292
00:13:22.316 --> 00:13:28.601
I wish I could tell you that it's all peaceful and hunky-dory when I turn to Jesus going through hard times,

293
00:13:29.302 --> 00:13:31.083
but sometimes life is really unfair.

294
00:13:31.323 --> 00:13:32.264
It really is.

295
00:13:32.764 --> 00:13:34.626
And I let Jesus know how I feel about it.

296
00:13:35.126 --> 00:13:39.310
I rant and I rave and I just let it out.

297
00:13:40.151 --> 00:13:40.491
But

298
00:13:40.951 --> 00:13:47.136
I do feel that Jesus hears me and is still so full of grace and he has so much compassion.

299
00:13:48.097 --> 00:13:49.418
And oftentimes in my spirit,

300
00:13:49.458 --> 00:13:50.039
I'll hear him

301
00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.720
say something that calms me.

302
00:13:53.141 --> 00:13:57.644
That verse that says that he'll give us peace that surpasses all understanding,

303
00:13:57.684 --> 00:13:59.486
that has happened to me several times.

304
00:14:00.566 --> 00:14:04.689
His peace in these dark times doesn't make sense,

305
00:14:04.749 --> 00:14:05.650
but I do feel it.

306
00:14:06.431 --> 00:14:06.591
Now,

307
00:14:07.351 --> 00:14:08.352
I don't feel it all the time.

308
00:14:08.432 --> 00:14:10.894
Sometimes I get really angry and I don't want to hear him.

309
00:14:10.914 --> 00:14:12.075
I just want to sit in my anger.

310
00:14:12.195 --> 00:14:14.076
Isn't that so immature?

311
00:14:14.797 --> 00:14:15.717
But you know what?

312
00:14:15.757 --> 00:14:17.739
I know I'm not the only one out there that does that.

313
00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:17.939
So.

314
00:14:18.411 --> 00:14:19.492
It doesn't happen often,

315
00:14:19.532 --> 00:14:20.973
but sometimes it just does.

316
00:14:21.133 --> 00:14:22.474
I just want to simmer in my anger.

317
00:14:23.034 --> 00:14:27.077
But then that simmers down and I'm able to then go to the Lord and say,

318
00:14:27.078 --> 00:14:31.120
I'm sorry and hear him with whatever he has for me.

319
00:14:31.140 --> 00:14:32.921
All right,

320
00:14:33.001 --> 00:14:38.184
so let's go grab some coffee at the Daily Bread Bakery and review the reflections together.

321
00:14:38.365 --> 00:14:38.725
Here we go.

322
00:14:38.925 --> 00:14:39.365
Number one,

323
00:14:40.566 --> 00:14:43.348
Mira was starting to spin out as she drove to her mom Ruth's,

324
00:14:43.448 --> 00:14:47.491
but she chose to be in the moment by focusing on the things around her.

325
00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:50.061
like the pine trees and the fresh air.

326
00:14:51.343 --> 00:14:52.104
Hear it and hold it.

327
00:14:52.184 --> 00:14:54.026
Philippians 4 verse 8 says,

328
00:14:54.446 --> 00:14:54.826
Finally,

329
00:14:54.947 --> 00:14:55.908
brothers and sisters,

330
00:14:55.948 --> 00:14:56.989
whatever is true,

331
00:14:57.369 --> 00:14:58.230
whatever is noble,

332
00:14:58.350 --> 00:14:59.071
whatever is right,

333
00:14:59.111 --> 00:14:59.912
whatever is pure,

334
00:15:00.332 --> 00:15:01.193
whatever is lovely,

335
00:15:01.413 --> 00:15:02.595
whatever is admirable,

336
00:15:02.715 --> 00:15:05.037
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,

337
00:15:05.578 --> 00:15:06.579
think about it.

338
00:15:06.751 --> 00:15:07.812
Such things.

339
00:15:09.213 --> 00:15:09.473
All right,

340
00:15:09.493 --> 00:15:09.733
friends,

341
00:15:09.753 --> 00:15:10.894
let's practice this together.

342
00:15:11.955 --> 00:15:13.676
Take a look outside if you can.

343
00:15:14.696 --> 00:15:15.777
What nature do you see?

344
00:15:17.078 --> 00:15:17.758
Describe it.

345
00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.260
What color is it?

346
00:15:21.941 --> 00:15:22.982
If you're outside,

347
00:15:24.003 --> 00:15:25.103
what does it feel like?

348
00:15:26.584 --> 00:15:27.465
Does it have a scent?

349
00:15:30.107 --> 00:15:31.948
When you're focused on lovely things,

350
00:15:32.488 --> 00:15:35.651
anxiety cannot stay in your brain at the same time.

351
00:15:36.811 --> 00:15:36.971
Now,

352
00:15:37.151 --> 00:15:40.673
there will be time to deal with anxiety and the stress and work through all of that.

353
00:15:41.074 --> 00:15:48.218
But you need to give your mind and your body a rest of all the stress by thinking of admirable things.

354
00:15:49.119 --> 00:15:49.979
So give that a try.

355
00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.061
Number two,

356
00:15:52.921 --> 00:15:53.541
when angry,

357
00:15:53.842 --> 00:15:56.924
pause and think about what you're really angry about.

358
00:15:57.704 --> 00:15:58.184
For Mira,

359
00:15:58.324 --> 00:15:59.785
it wasn't about the adoption.

360
00:15:59.865 --> 00:16:01.747
It was about the secrecy and lies.

361
00:16:02.527 --> 00:16:04.248
that her mom withheld from her,

362
00:16:05.168 --> 00:16:06.268
the betrayal of that.

363
00:16:07.689 --> 00:16:09.069
So as a personal example,

364
00:16:09.809 --> 00:16:12.150
I'm just going to give a very minor example.

365
00:16:13.150 --> 00:16:14.851
When someone cuts me off in traffic,

366
00:16:14.971 --> 00:16:15.791
oh my goodness,

367
00:16:16.011 --> 00:16:18.272
I get really angry at this.

368
00:16:18.992 --> 00:16:20.352
But if I think about it,

369
00:16:20.472 --> 00:16:25.754
I'm not really angry at the other person because sometimes they just they don't want to get in a car accident either.

370
00:16:25.854 --> 00:16:27.334
So I know they're not doing it on purpose.

371
00:16:27.874 --> 00:16:29.755
But it's a fear that I could be hurt.

372
00:16:30.851 --> 00:16:34.572
It's that fear that is underneath the anger.

373
00:16:36.253 --> 00:16:36.913
Hear it and hold it.

374
00:16:36.973 --> 00:16:39.234
James 1 verses 19 through 21.

375
00:16:39.574 --> 00:16:40.934
My dear brothers and sisters,

376
00:16:41.014 --> 00:16:42.255
take note of this.

377
00:16:43.035 --> 00:16:44.736
Everyone should be quick to listen,

378
00:16:45.876 --> 00:16:46.996
slow to speak,

379
00:16:48.117 --> 00:16:49.837
and slow to become angry,

380
00:16:50.437 --> 00:16:54.439
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

381
00:16:55.503 --> 00:16:56.923
If we dig into this scripture,

382
00:16:56.963 --> 00:17:01.625
this is telling us that we need not jump to assumptions.

383
00:17:02.505 --> 00:17:05.166
Listen to what the other person is saying.

384
00:17:05.586 --> 00:17:08.107
Don't interrupt and don't jump into anger.

385
00:17:08.827 --> 00:17:09.007
Now,

386
00:17:09.107 --> 00:17:12.748
I know people over the years that when they're arguing with their partner,

387
00:17:12.868 --> 00:17:13.948
instead of listening,

388
00:17:14.648 --> 00:17:18.009
they would be thinking of what they would say next.

389
00:17:18.389 --> 00:17:20.470
And I know this is very common for a lot of people.

390
00:17:21.130 --> 00:17:21.850
But hear this.

391
00:17:21.991 --> 00:17:23.391
This is not only unfair.

392
00:17:23.983 --> 00:17:29.805
Because you're not really hearing what the other person is trying to communicate and often jumping to conclusions,

393
00:17:30.325 --> 00:17:31.465
which leads right to anger.

394
00:17:32.366 --> 00:17:35.287
So we need to practice listening.

395
00:17:36.267 --> 00:17:36.987
Don't interrupt.

396
00:17:38.248 --> 00:17:39.988
And don't jump to conclusions.

397
00:17:40.048 --> 00:17:47.251
Get more information so you can talk to the other person and work whatever this is out.

398
00:17:48.311 --> 00:17:48.491
Okay,

399
00:17:48.571 --> 00:17:48.991
number three.

400
00:17:49.592 --> 00:17:51.513
Once Mira returned home from Ruth's,

401
00:17:51.533 --> 00:17:51.893
her mom,

402
00:17:53.254 --> 00:17:56.315
and when things were getting too big with reading through Eleanor's letter,

403
00:17:56.996 --> 00:18:00.718
she paused and realized feelings of overwhelm were piling up,

404
00:18:00.818 --> 00:18:01.718
so she stepped away.

405
00:18:02.439 --> 00:18:02.819
Super,

406
00:18:03.219 --> 00:18:04.340
super wise.

407
00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.581
Here and hold it.

408
00:18:05.781 --> 00:18:07.362
Matthew 11 verse 28.

409
00:18:07.782 --> 00:18:08.362
Come to me,

410
00:18:08.662 --> 00:18:10.583
all you who are weary and burdened,

411
00:18:10.663 --> 00:18:12.164
and I will give you rest.

412
00:18:13.365 --> 00:18:15.886
So let's all follow Mira's lead on this.

413
00:18:15.966 --> 00:18:17.207
When feeling overwhelmed,

414
00:18:17.683 --> 00:18:19.244
Step away if you're able.

415
00:18:20.305 --> 00:18:23.826
And then we want to step into Matthew 11,

416
00:18:23.866 --> 00:18:24.587
verse 28,

417
00:18:24.927 --> 00:18:26.228
and turn towards Jesus.

418
00:18:26.868 --> 00:18:28.269
Ask him to hold your pain,

419
00:18:28.329 --> 00:18:28.609
stress,

420
00:18:28.689 --> 00:18:28.989
worry,

421
00:18:29.610 --> 00:18:33.352
and then ask him to turn it into peace or something that's more manageable,

422
00:18:33.532 --> 00:18:39.155
or just take it away and give you some wisdom on knowing how to work through it.

423
00:18:41.576 --> 00:18:43.817
This invites us to come rest with Jesus,

424
00:18:43.917 --> 00:18:46.559
like when a child is so tired.

425
00:18:47.483 --> 00:18:49.624
We can just flop into Jesus's arms,

426
00:18:49.764 --> 00:18:50.145
of course,

427
00:18:50.146 --> 00:18:52.626
in our minds and know that he's got this.

428
00:18:55.388 --> 00:18:57.769
Let's walk into our action steps.

429
00:18:57.909 --> 00:18:58.529
As always,

430
00:18:58.750 --> 00:18:59.890
use what you want.

431
00:19:00.110 --> 00:19:00.591
Number one,

432
00:19:01.671 --> 00:19:02.812
when feeling overwhelmed,

433
00:19:02.972 --> 00:19:06.634
try being in the moment like we just practiced with focusing on nature.

434
00:19:07.254 --> 00:19:08.555
Smell the flowers,

435
00:19:08.655 --> 00:19:09.776
touch the leaves,

436
00:19:10.176 --> 00:19:11.137
caress the bark,

437
00:19:11.297 --> 00:19:13.458
immerse yourself in God's creation.

438
00:19:13.918 --> 00:19:15.139
Now here's what's wild.

439
00:19:15.767 --> 00:19:20.011
Once you do that and you're pretty intentional about the connection between you and nature,

440
00:19:20.851 --> 00:19:22.973
let's say you're in your office and you have no windows.

441
00:19:23.013 --> 00:19:26.776
Like I'm in an office right now and there's no windows to the outside,

442
00:19:26.836 --> 00:19:27.257
I should say.

443
00:19:27.357 --> 00:19:29.599
There's windows so I can see,

444
00:19:29.739 --> 00:19:29.979
you know,

445
00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.259
out.

446
00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:35.824
But if I just imagine myself smelling the flowers,

447
00:19:35.904 --> 00:19:37.846
looking at the color and,

448
00:19:38.586 --> 00:19:38.826
you know,

449
00:19:38.866 --> 00:19:40.067
all of that from memory,

450
00:19:41.068 --> 00:19:44.191
those feelings of calm start to usher in.

451
00:19:44.775 --> 00:19:45.696
So that's pretty cool.

452
00:19:45.736 --> 00:19:47.157
Even if you can't be in nature,

453
00:19:47.237 --> 00:19:51.960
just thinking about it can bring some calm to your nervous system.

454
00:19:53.081 --> 00:19:53.521
Number two,

455
00:19:54.342 --> 00:19:55.403
next time you get upset,

456
00:19:56.223 --> 00:19:57.805
pause and ask yourself,

457
00:19:58.145 --> 00:19:59.226
what's really upsetting you?

458
00:20:00.066 --> 00:20:01.007
Oftentimes,

459
00:20:01.107 --> 00:20:02.128
it's not what you think.

460
00:20:03.609 --> 00:20:04.249
Number three,

461
00:20:05.270 --> 00:20:05.790
when upset,

462
00:20:05.930 --> 00:20:06.491
pause,

463
00:20:06.531 --> 00:20:06.671
take

464
00:20:06.699 --> 00:20:11.081
A few slow and deep breaths and focus on telling Jesus what is bothering you.

465
00:20:11.901 --> 00:20:15.463
Ask him for advice and see if anything pops up in your head.

466
00:20:16.143 --> 00:20:16.263
So

467
00:20:17.523 --> 00:20:21.725
I'm guessing that a lot of you who are listening don't know how to hear

468
00:20:22.285 --> 00:20:22.926
God's voice.

469
00:20:23.586 --> 00:20:27.247
And I say that because I've been a Christian counselor for 22 years,

470
00:20:27.407 --> 00:20:28.148
over 22 years.

471
00:20:28.908 --> 00:20:35.131
And a lot of my clients come in and they've been a Christian their whole lives and don't know how to hear God's voice.

472
00:20:35.171 --> 00:20:35.991
So it is not.

473
00:20:36.675 --> 00:20:37.175
abnormal.

474
00:20:37.576 --> 00:20:38.416
It's not unusual.

475
00:20:38.797 --> 00:20:40.338
Most churches don't teach it.

476
00:20:41.439 --> 00:20:46.602
But even the ones that teach it don't teach that sometimes it's not God's voice you're hearing.

477
00:20:46.742 --> 00:20:48.484
Sometimes it's your own.

478
00:20:48.624 --> 00:20:49.705
Sometimes it's the enemy.

479
00:20:50.845 --> 00:20:56.990
So you want to be discerning when you're hearing those thoughts in your mind.

480
00:20:57.530 --> 00:21:02.594
So one of the things that I teach my clients is when I hear from the Lord,

481
00:21:02.694 --> 00:21:03.875
I know it's from him.

482
00:21:04.327 --> 00:21:07.328
When I get that thought and I have immediate peace with it,

483
00:21:09.008 --> 00:21:11.289
that's a sign that it's probably from the Lord.

484
00:21:11.629 --> 00:21:11.749
Now,

485
00:21:11.769 --> 00:21:13.830
I also want to make sure it lines up with scripture.

486
00:21:14.110 --> 00:21:17.391
If I hear something that is a little off of scripture,

487
00:21:18.311 --> 00:21:18.991
that's not the Lord.

488
00:21:19.031 --> 00:21:21.332
That's the enemy trying to pretend he's God.

489
00:21:23.112 --> 00:21:23.412
All right.

490
00:21:23.772 --> 00:21:25.933
So let's recap that.

491
00:21:26.193 --> 00:21:26.933
You get upset,

492
00:21:28.213 --> 00:21:28.774
pause,

493
00:21:28.854 --> 00:21:29.494
walk away,

494
00:21:31.374 --> 00:21:31.894
figure out,

495
00:21:31.914 --> 00:21:32.114
okay,

496
00:21:32.174 --> 00:21:33.355
what's really upsetting me here?

497
00:21:34.371 --> 00:21:36.972
Like my example with getting hurt in a car accident,

498
00:21:36.973 --> 00:21:37.332
if someone,

499
00:21:38.153 --> 00:21:39.993
my fear of getting hurt in a car accident,

500
00:21:39.994 --> 00:21:40.834
if someone cuts me off,

501
00:21:41.814 --> 00:21:43.215
then I want to turn that over to the Lord.

502
00:21:43.355 --> 00:21:43.475
Oh,

503
00:21:43.575 --> 00:21:44.856
I want to forgive that person.

504
00:21:45.116 --> 00:21:51.438
Forgiveness is a whole thing that I need to dedicate like at least several episodes to.

505
00:21:51.558 --> 00:21:52.219
It's really big.

506
00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:54.300
Forgive the person for cutting me off.

507
00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:55.600
And Jesus,

508
00:21:55.780 --> 00:21:57.201
how do you,

509
00:21:57.961 --> 00:21:58.942
what do you want me to do with this?

510
00:21:59.002 --> 00:22:01.142
And can you just bring me peace for this?

511
00:22:01.163 --> 00:22:02.023
I give you my fear.

512
00:22:03.631 --> 00:22:04.792
And I accept your peace.

513
00:22:06.013 --> 00:22:06.953
That's kind of how it looks.

514
00:22:07.974 --> 00:22:08.354
All right,

515
00:22:08.494 --> 00:22:09.415
let me pray for you,

516
00:22:09.455 --> 00:22:09.995
my friend.

517
00:22:10.856 --> 00:22:11.637
Father in heaven,

518
00:22:11.817 --> 00:22:13.598
you are so merciful and thoughtful.

519
00:22:14.178 --> 00:22:17.440
You have given us the gift of nature and all the varieties in it.

520
00:22:18.081 --> 00:22:19.742
It exists in part to calm us.

521
00:22:20.743 --> 00:22:22.344
I lift this listener up to you.

522
00:22:22.904 --> 00:22:23.665
Any heartaches,

523
00:22:23.805 --> 00:22:24.565
areas of stress,

524
00:22:24.665 --> 00:22:25.866
broken relationships,

525
00:22:26.307 --> 00:22:28.608
wounded hearts need your tender grace.

526
00:22:29.249 --> 00:22:32.571
Lead them to your beautiful mercies and healing their hearts.

527
00:22:33.595 --> 00:22:35.496
Bless them with your love and your care.

528
00:22:35.656 --> 00:22:37.797
Help them see you even when things feel dark.

529
00:22:38.258 --> 00:22:40.419
In Jesus's holy and beautiful name.

530
00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.500
Amen.

531
00:22:42.800 --> 00:22:43.121
Remember,

532
00:22:43.161 --> 00:22:43.401
friend,

533
00:22:43.421 --> 00:22:46.683
if this episode was something that you enjoyed,

534
00:22:46.843 --> 00:22:50.085
I would ask you to please give it a four or five star rating.

535
00:22:50.086 --> 00:22:51.465
It would truly bless me.

536
00:22:52.226 --> 00:22:53.046
Until next time,

537
00:22:53.086 --> 00:22:53.446
friends,

538
00:22:53.486 --> 00:22:56.828
may you find peace in the presence and hope on the hilltop.

539
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This is Kimberlee Herman cheering you on from Promise Hill.