Mark DeJesus's Blog, page 126

#029: Lack of Nurture and Why We “Check Out” in Life [Podcast] with Show Notes

In today’s episode, we continue to discuss nurture and the lack thereof, with a focus on why people fall into a habit of checking out in life. What is causing so many people to fall into what we call “checking out.”

Do you check out in life? Is it starting to become a problem? In this episode we address this problem head on and what we can do to be more present and engaged in life.

Jesus said in John 10 that he came to give us life and life more abundantly . . . life to the fullest. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. He is a thief of the life of God from flowing inside of you.

The enemy can use negative experiences in our life and train us to fall into a “checking out” pattern, in order to avoid the pain. The problem is that we not only avoid the pain, we also do not get to engage the good in life, because our hearts have become shut down in the process. God wants to walk with you to process through the good and the bad that we face in life. He is our ultimate source for healing and fulfillment in our hearts.

Listen to this episode today and take your freedom back.

Symptoms of “Checking Out”: (with God, your key relationships, life)

always have habits to look forward to so you don’t have to think . . .
cant pray / cant focus on the Bible
isolate a lot from people – especially those who care
when problems arise, you tend to look for a way to not deal . . .
you are very easily distracted, in relationships, conversations, classes, etc. 
you are in fantasy land . . . not dealing with reality
you are very forgetful, especially about important things
you spend little time thinking about how you can help someone else
you are super busy and struggle to stop and engage with the heart
you don’t engage anything of value passionately
you are very passive

Why We “Check Out”:

The pain is to much. 
We lose the value of staying engaged.
Fear facing the issue, so we become passive and numb.
We have no nurture skills to deal with hard issues.

What We Do To “Check Out” in Life:

Entertainment/Amusement
Hobby
Addictions
Work
Emotionally disconnect
Change relationships.

What To Do: 

Recognize this problem and renounce it.
Get your heart connected.
Become accountable to stay engaged.
Face the pain.
Get an overcomers heart.
Commit to staying engaged.

Send us your questions that arise in listening to this episode. 

Comments: #029: Lack of Nurture and Why We “Check Out” in Life [Podcast] with Show Notes.

Comments policy

Understanding Your Temptations (Audio Teaching)

In this audio teaching, I want to take some time to help you understand the temptations that come your way. Everyone faces temptation on a daily basis, but most don’t know what temptation is, where it comes from and how to get free from giving into it.

Most people see temptation as just addictive habits, but we do not see the thoughts that coarse through our minds of fear, anger, jealousy, discouragement and others as temptations.

Get free from your temptations and realize you do not have to become one with the thoughts that tempt you.

In this message, I address the following:

Understand what God wants to do in your life when the enemy works to sift you.
What temptation is?
What does temptation do?
Where does temptation come from?
What is God’s heart for you in the midst of your temptations and struggles in thought?

Get some freedom today from those ways of thinking and behaving that seek to bind you, limit you and keep your addicted.

 

Comments: Understanding Your Temptations (Audio Teaching).

Comments policy

#028: Lack of Nurture and Addictions with Q&A on Fear and Relational Interactions [Podcast] Show Notes

In this week’s episode, we want to discuss nurture and the battle of addictions that arises from a lack of nurture in your life. We will also be covering a question in our Q&A segment about fear and relationship interactions.

Q&A: Fear and Relational Interactions

How do I get over the fear of interacting with people who are different than me? Which is, in my case, 90% of the population.

Feature Presentation: Lack of Nurture and Addictions

Addictions have become an epidemic in culture today, covering a variety of struggles and battles. See in this episode what drives addictions and keeps them in place. Learn how a lack of nurture can magnify the addiction battle further. 

We address the value of the following nurture points:

Mouth (sucking as a baby, kissing, eating, drinking)
Hug and embrace
Soothing words

We cover a wide variety of addiction battles, including:

Drugs, Legal & Illegal
Food Addictions
Alcohol
Sex, Pornography
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
Relationship Addictions
Codependency

Send us your questions that come out of listening to this episode. 

 

Comments: #028: Lack of Nurture and Addictions with Q&A on Fear and Relational Interactions [Podcast] Show Notes.

Comments policy

Getting to the Root Issue of All Addictions (Audio Teaching)

Listen to this insightful teaching as I delve into the world of addictions and expose the deep rooted issue that drives all addictions, addict thinking and addict behavior.

We must understand the missing component in everyone who has an addiction battleground. If we do not address this key root issue, we will always struggle to gain permanent freedom.

 

 

Comments: Getting to the Root Issue of All Addictions (Audio Teaching).

Comments policy

#027: Lack of Nurture and the Rise of Mental Illness with Q&A on Fear of Death [Podcast] Show Notes

In this episode, Mark and Melissa uncover lack of nurture and the effect it has on the rise of mental illness. The subjects of bipolar, anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder are covered. Practical steps are given as well as a special Q&A on overcoming fear of death.

We also address a question from Adam in Rocky Hill, CT on overcoming the fear of death.

Scriptures Used:

Hebrews 2:14-15

2 Timothy 1:7

Revelation 12:11

Psalm 107: 27-43

Feel free to send us your questions that come up after listening to this episode!

Comments: #027: Lack of Nurture and the Rise of Mental Illness with Q&A on Fear of Death [Podcast] Show Notes.

Comments policy

What You Need to Understand Before Addressing Addictions [Audio Teaching]

In this insightful teaching, Mark lays down a foundational understanding when dealing with addictions and bondage of any kind.

Using the scene of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery in John 8, Mark outlines the importance the of having a “no-condemnation” and “no-accusation” lens when dealing with the subject.

No matter what kind of addiction involved; be it drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, obsessive thinking, codependency, romance novels, food, workaholic tendencies, we all need to be more free of addiction strongholds in our journey.

Learn how to see yourself through a lens of freedom and also carry a grace and love-filled heart for those battling with bondage and addictions.

 

Comments: What You Need to Understand Before Addressing Addictions [Audio Teaching].

Comments policy

What You Need to Understand Before Addressing Addictions

In this insightful teaching, Mark lays down a foundational understanding when dealing with addictions and bondage of any kind.

Using the scene of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery in John 8, Mark outlines the importance the of having a “no-condemnation” and “no-accusation” lens when dealing with the subject.

No matter what kind of addiction involved; be it drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, obsessive thinking, codependency, romance novels, food, workaholic tendencies, we all need to be more free of addiction strongholds in our journey.

Learn how to see yourself through a lens of freedom and also carry a grace and love-filled heart for those battling with bondage and addictions.

 

Comments: What You Need to Understand Before Addressing Addictions.

Comments policy

#026: Lack of Nurture and Emotional Struggles [Podcast] Show Notes

In today’s episode, Melissa and I continue to speak on the subject of nurture and what happens when we lack it in our lives.

Specifically, we want to talk about how emotional struggles in life can come out of our lack of accessing nurture with God.

Included in our discussion is the subjects that come out of emotional struggles and lack of nurture:

Emotional spirals
Hopelessness
Intense discouragement
The constant temptation to quit.
Depression
Self-pity and self-loathing
Victim thinking

If you face any of these (and really who hasn’t) then tune in!

Question: What are questions that you may have on the subject of nurture? Leave your comments below. 

 

Comments: #026: Lack of Nurture and Emotional Struggles [Podcast] Show Notes.

Comments policy

Fear Likes to Keep You Driven

I find that God’s faith has a unique way of leading us, not driving us. God does not drive us and force us, but He guides us sovereignly to paths of righteousness and to destinations of supernatural greatness. Yet fear has a way of driving you, pushing you, and relentlessly hurrying you to do all you can to survive, strive and escape. But if we look back at Hebrews 4, we see that there is a process of patience, waiting, and letting go that needs to take place.

Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

In order to receive freedom from fear, we have to repent of and let go of drivenness and striving; of constantly being hurried and carrying burdens we ought to not carry. God has not called us to be false-burden bearers, nor has He called us to strive to earn Kingdom results. He has called us to enter into rest while casting all our cares upon Him, because He cares for us.

It is time that we cease from our own works: the works that we have jumped into; the works that we have attributed to God that He never told us to do; the works that do nothing but add more stress, anxiety and frustration. It is time that we run into His rest and let His Holy Spirit gently guide and direct our steps. I have found that when I have done this, God’s hands brought exponential results more than I ever could have mustered up in ten lifetimes.

When I served on a church staff, I had all sorts of projects that I strived through. Many times I justified that drivenness and gave credit to God for all of it. Now I certainly do not take away from the wonderful ways that God used me during those seasons. There were certainly some awesome things He did through me. Yet in retrospect, He just wanted me to rest in Him more; not add more meetings and perform more tasks. He wanted my extra time to be filled with rest, enjoyment, and fellowship with His presence and His people. He wanted me to lovingly share the gospel with all who would hear and receive. He desired for me to lay down all my dead works and let His Spirit lead the way to bring about supernatural increase.

I wanted to please Him with my efforts, yet He was already pleased with me. He just wanted me to rest in Him. I am not teaching against working hard or being diligent. Discipline and hard work is wonderful, but let us go to God’s higher level of surrender, where we can work hard, yet be at rest inside. It is what makes room for God to accomplish supernatural things in our lives. Striving and drivenness are based on fear. Faith is based on rest and hope found in Christ Jesus.

Question: In what ways does a driven lifestyle sneak into people’s lives?

Get your copy today!

Comments: Fear Likes to Keep You Driven.

Comments policy

The Solution to the “What If?” Torment of Fear

The secret weapon of fear often begins with the thought that begins with “what if.”

“What about this?” and “What if” are the favorite phrases of fear. Each time such words invade the mind, there is a specific intent to bring a mental projection of doom, gloom and failure. “What if I get a disease?” or “What about your low bank account?” and “What if you can’t pay your bills this month?” are examples of this kind of talk. Even when a person attempts to be at peace, fear will slide in with its torment to remind them that things are not as well as they hoped.

Any room of insecurity is used as a window to incite questions of doubt and uncertainty, thus making a positive outlook nearly impossible. The “what if’s” all point to a scenario that can seem realistic to the individual. Yet as folks begin to get victory over fear, they will recognize that the weapons of fear are all simply a spectacle of fireworks, smoke and illusions. There is nothing realistic about fear’s torment. It is only realistic if we give it that validation. We are only the victims of that which we fear anyway. If fear is allowed in, it will have an increasing punishing effect as the slippery slope of growing anxious thoughts and worries do their job—torment.

The “What If” Solution

Jesus made it very clear when He said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Yet fear broadcasts its propaganda, driving us to worry and fret about the cares of this world. But Jesus promised us a divine peace as we release ourselves into the Father’s care and simply focus on the work of today.

In addition we hear the instruction of the Apostle Peter saying, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). His love and care is the antidote to the torment that anxiety, worry and stress all try to bring into our lives. Notice how both Scriptural passages mentioned here deal with the everyday process of overcoming fear? Jesus commands us each day not to worry about tomorrow and Peter reminds us to continually cast the cares that daily rise up upon Him. The word cast in this passage does not speak of one action, but a continual practice of daily casting our cares upon God. Just as a fly fisherman repeatedly throws his line out into the water, we as God’s children have the privilege of continually casting our concerns and worries into the refreshing waters of His love.

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)

Question: What ways have you found to help overthrow the “what if” torment that fear brings? 

Get Your Copy Today!

Comments: The Solution to the “What If?” Torment of Fear.

Comments policy