Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, Chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, fellas, spiritual kickoff time, let's get into it. New week, let's go. All right, so the scripture this week is in the book of 2 Corinthians, the 10th chapter, the fifth verse, says we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ. That take every caught thought captive. That's a very crucial part. Salient, it's big. We're going to kind of dig into that today, okay? So this is what it's all about. If you're new to the Lion Within Us, the spiritual kickoff episodes, what we do, we try to take God's word, simplify, and apply it to our life as Christian men. It's that simple. And if you enjoy the spiritual kickoff episodes every week, we do this Monday through Friday within our Lion Within Us community. So Monday through Friday, you get a little bit of a spiritual boost every day. Cool part is we even give this away for free. So this is something we just try to give guys to just be an encouragement to them. 8 15 Eastern every morning, I go live, I do this uh uh reflection for the guys. If they miss it, no harm no harm, no foul. You're able to see the recordings. We post those and we don't post them anywhere else. So this is exclusive behind the scenes content, guys. So if you enjoyed the Lion Within Us podcast, if you enjoyed The Lion Within Us on UVersion, if you're wherever you're connecting with us at, head over to the LionWithin.us. Start your free daily spiritual kickoff experience today, or consider joining our community, and that comes with a daily spiritual kickoff too, so you get it all, okay? All right, so now as we dive dive into this, we need to first understand where is the book of 2 Corinthians, okay? That's dead joke with right after 1 Corinthians, okay? Is it this is New Testament, all right? It's just New Testament. This is not Chronicles, this is a Corinthians, okay? So we need to make sure we understand that. And this gets before you get to the epistles, so before you get to Galatians, you get to 2 Corinthians, okay? So that kind of gives you a framework of where you can expect to find it in your Bible, okay? This week we're gonna really dive into the topic of anxiety, and that's really what we're gonna be unpacking and trying to encourage you guys with. And we know it's uh it's an anxious world out there, it's a stressful world out there. There's so many ways that the evil one is trying to take us out. And uh anxiety has been something that personally has been a battle for me for quite a long time. I it it comes, it goes, but it's always has a uh it raises its head, it's always there at some point, right? So maybe you struggle with that too. So verses like this are really important. And when I started thinking about this particular topic, and by the way, this is on the UVersion Bible app as well. So if you want, if you're really wrestling with this and you want to work through a uh anxiety study, go check out that that's that study on the Bible app. But uh I worked in the public sector for a long time. I did when I was really from the time I was 14 to probably 20, uh, I really worked in the public sector. And I'm gonna tell you what, that that time of my life shaped me the way no classroom ever could. Like it, I mean, nothing against my high school. It was fine. You know, we learned the stuff we needed to learn. But I there was nothing I learned quite as much as working with the public, man. I'm telling you. And at this teenager, I landed a just a golden job. It was at a service station. It was called Little Buffalo. And uh, you may not even know what a service station is, you lost you listeners out there, because so basically what a service station was was it was a place where you would pull up to the gas pump. And when you did, uh uh you would run over this little hose. And when you would run over the hose, a bell would ring, and there would be guys that come out to pump your gas. There would be guys that came out to uh, I would wash your windshield, check your oil. You want me to check the air and your tires, like all that stuff, right? We also would, you know, we would clean the windows and they just have small talk. There's just uh many times just talking, just having a conversation. I even had some customers where I would bring them, you know, uh snacks and stuff like that. If they if I knew they wanted a coke and some peanuts or something, I could do that. It was really cool. And uh, we would do like mechanic work and tires and stuff like that as well. But it was just a uh it was a great experience for the most part. But it didn't take me long to understand which customers that I enjoyed seeing the most. And then it didn't take me long either to make me know which customers made me cringe the moment that I saw them roll onto the site, right? And um and some customers were very encouraging, and I mean extremely encouraging. They would bring me presents and just conversations, they'd sit down there and shoot the breeze forever, you know, and other customers not so much. And I have story after story of people taking advantage of my kindness or simply just criticizing my work when they had really no idea what they were talking about. And what really surprised me as I started reflecting on and thinking about it was not just how they treated me. Uh it was how those interactions and engagements with those people affected my thoughts. I'm telling you, buddy, this is real. Around difficult customers, my mind would absolutely be filled with irritation and anger. You know, I start thinking about stuff. I've I start I start thinking about stuff that I shouldn't be thinking about, you know, about where I'd like to take them, stuff I like to do to them. Uh, you know, what would happen if we were in a dark alley by ourselves? I mean, it was bad stuff, right? Then I start thinking about what happened to one of the customers that I do like. You know, well, for them, it was the opposite. I would, I would think about, okay, what else can I do? What else can I do for them to make them have a better day, to serve them better, just to just to be a uh a light to them. I mean, I it it was really uh interesting how there were some customers I could absolutely just throttle, and then some customers that I would do anything in the world for. I'd give the shirt off my back. I mean, I I had stories after stories and where we're where it in the same day I would experience that. I would experience a customer who he shows up. I remember this guy, he showed up on right when we opened, he was a dump truck driver, and he only wanted me to work on his truck. Period. He wouldn't let anyone I'm a 16, 17-year-old kid. This is a 40, 50, something year old man, and I've developed developed that level of trust in him that he didn't want anyone else to touch his truck except me. You know, kind of like a not sure if it was the best thing because that was some hard work on that truck. But then I had guys who who literally would come down there and they would see that I was working, and they would ask me when I would be off so that they could come back when I wasn't there to do something as simple as oil change or something. I mean, as a 17-year-old kid, that that hit you hard. That really hits you hard. And I started thinking about that thing, and there was an old story I heard one time so far as those thoughts. And uh it's a it's an Indian wise tale, and it and it's basically about two wolves, okay? And it says the wise chief was talking to a young man, and he said, you know what, inside every guy, there's a battle between two wolves happening at all times. One is good and one is evil. And about that time, the young guy said, Well, all right, chief, well, which one of the wolves wins? And he simply just sat back and said, You know what? The one that you feed. And that hit me hard. Because too often I feed the wrong wolf. Let's just be real. I start letting, particularly back then, when I was a 17-year-old punk, I was letting external external circumstances dictate my internal dialogue. And that's dangerous, bro. That's very dangerous. And scripture is telling us right here in this verse that Potter growing in Christ is that we have to take those thoughts, particularly the negative ones, captive. And for me, I was like, all right, I started thinking about that verse. How in the heck do you do that? Well, two simple things. First one is just out the gate. We got to start recognizing that we are actually in a battle, okay? Not every thought is from God, okay? The enemy is very subtle. And he likes to plant these little lies, these little doubts, or or destruction. Where and when we least expect it. And you can bet your bottom line, buddy, when you're tired, when you wore out, when when you've had a long day, he's gonna hit you the hardest end. Because you're you're at you're the weakest, you're the most vulnerable. When you're prayed up, well rested, fed, bro, you're ready to battle then. But when you're tired, be careful. And then the second thing I had to really start wrestling with is discerning the source. Okay. So if that thought that's coming to mind brings life or hope or conviction, or if that thought glorifies God, well, that thing is worth exploring and keeping. But if it brings shame or fear or condemnation or selflishness type of thinking, that's from the evil one. Okay. And when we start trying to just wrestle between those two, what makes really this difficult is our ability to justify our behavior through that internal dialogue, right? We start talking to ourselves and rationalizing it to ourselves. And this is why we have to start creating a space, bro. We got to start creating a space to reflect and to pray. And this is hard because we're so stinking busy. And we need that time to reflect and to pray and to kind of step away from a situation so that we can determine what is from God and what is an attack from the evil one, right? And what is what do we need to be focusing on that aligns to him the most? And I'm gonna tell you what, buddy, the evil one is a stinking master liar. He absolutely is. And he's not gonna come out here with the with the red flag saying, hey, here I am. I'm trying to trick you, trip you up and lie to you. I want you to fall in this trap. No, that ain't what he does. What does he do? He whispers. He whispers with that sound just enough, close enough to the truth to let it in. And he'll start distorting stuff and taking stuff out of context. And I'm telling you, or adding to scripture or taking away from scripture. I'm telling you, bro, that's why we have to, as Christian men, be committed to memorizing scripture, be committed to praying, being committed to having accountability partners that actually are going to check us and not just pat us on our back and tell us it's okay, you'll get them next time. But no, we need some guys that are gonna check us, okay? And we have that. That is how we start training our mind to filter out what's real and reject what's destructive. And I'm gonna tell you, buddy, you can't control every thought. You can't control every thought that enters your mind. But you doggone sure can control the thoughts that stay. You have the ability to do that. Now, is it easy? Heck no, it's not easy. We're not called easy. This is a war that we're in. And if you have an anxious mind, the way I my mind often works, I get it, man. It's like, what is it ever gonna stop? My only encouragement to you is the more the host, the harder you lean into God, the sharper your sword is gonna be so that you can go on the offensive when those evil thoughts do come in. And I'm telling you, if you so if you guys are working in the public now, you know what I'm talking about. Like, it's a crazy world right that we live in. I mean, I had public people come in as a 16, 17, 18-year-old kid completely just trying to take advantage of me, stealing from me, uh, degrading me. But those instances still I got to see more times and opportunities for God to really shine through and for me to see how how He how He is in every situation. Whether it's helping that farmer who's who's who's you know uh got a flat tire to to a a young kid who's finally got a new car and he gets a new set of tires. I mean, I just I got to see all those different types of moments. And it's really cool when I reflect on it and think about, you know what, that's that's something that uh that everybody gets a chance to do. I do think everyone personally needs an opportunity to work with the public at some at some type of uh point in their life. It definitely I I I wouldn't want to go back, to be honest, but it was something that shaped me greatly. And it's maybe if you had a a job like that or experience like that, you can reflect and you can remember about it as well. So uh anyway, it it has a chance to impact our thoughts, and that's what we're gonna be talking about this week. Okay, so the thing the question we want to think about for the entire week for us is what kind of thoughts are you feeling the most right now? So are they thoughts of of uh shame and condemnation and and fear, or are they thoughts of of strength and power and glory for from God? And and look, you're gonna have both of them happening throughout the day at you know different times. You wake up and you're all prayed up, you're ready to rock and roll, and then something you get a gut punch. Next thing you know, you know, nothing but fear and condemnation starts coming in. And it's in those moments where we have to have those it is riddles to combat the lies of that stinking evil one because he is not gonna stop, guys. He is relentless, he is a punk, and he's gonna do all he can to throw you off. Like right now, as I'm recording this, I'm recording this two days before my surgery for my ankle. And my legs propped up here, it hurts, I'm in pain. I'm uh there's lots of fear and anxiety over the doggone surgery itself. Like, how's it gonna work? Is it gonna do well? Like, you know, even that the little stupidest lies, like you're not gonna make it through surgery. Like, I did it's just ridiculous the type of stuff that the evil one will plant in your mind when you're going through a trial. But I know at some point this is gonna be stronger. I'm gonna be back. And what I'm trying to figure out really is how can I honor and glorify God through this situation? It's been unfortunate, it has not been fun, but how can I honor and glorify God through this situation? And that's what I'm gonna focus on. And that redirect has been helpful. And maybe that redirect is gonna be helpful for you right now if you are in that trial, okay? So, look, if you listen to the show long enough, you know every spiritual kickoff episode, we want to take the opportunity to just share the good news of Jesus with each and every listener out there because we know not every single one of you are are believers in Christ. Like I like the hope that most of you are, and probably statistically speaking, most of you probably are. But 100%, no way. There's no way. So if you're listening to the lion, and somebody maybe just shared this podcast with you, you don't even know why you're listening to the lion. All of a sudden, you just this has just popped up in your feed as suggested or whatever. Thank you, all right, for taking the time. And you're here for a reason. I just want you to maybe you're just listening because you're an anxious person. Hey, I get it, bro. I get it. That anxiousness that you're feeling when you look in the mirror, God sees perfection. Because you are created in the image of God. And the Bible tells us that directly. Scripture shows us you're not a mistake. The things that you think are flaws, God sees as his perfect design. All the way back to Adam, when God first made creation, like he spoke everything into existence until it came down to Adam, and he actually formed him with his hands and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. And that's how the first man was created. And when Adam sat up, he was face to face with his creator, and it was awesome, bro. It was it was incredible. It went great in the Bible for like two ages, and then sin entered the world. All sin is something that separates us from God. That's an easy way to remember it. And it fractured that relationship. So you go from in the garden of God to you're separated now. And now we have this gap, this chasm between us and a holy and righteous God. And the problem is most guys think that what they need to do to actually close this gap is just do stuff themselves, right? This is where, you know, quite frankly, some of some other religions get into trouble because they really focus more on the works. You know, we start, well, I just need to pray this prayer, or I just need to read this verse, or I just need to help this person, or give to this charity, or do this thing, or do that, or do this. I'm telling you, that's a dangerous path. Because at that point, you're trying to earn your salvation. You see how silly that sounds? Like there's nothing you can do to earn it. Why? Because the penalty for sin is death. You can't earn this yourself. Because how good is good enough? Like, I talked to so many guys. Well, I think I just need to be good to get to heaven. All right, buttercup. Well, how good is good? Like, what's the line? Like, that sounds very subjective versus concrete. Okay, this is what the true path. And that's where most guys get tripped up. Well, I don't know. I'm just hoping I'm just hoping that enough so I'll be good enough, and it's just gonna count. I'm just here to tell you, hell is full of good people. It just is. No one wants to ever sit there and tell you the truth, but you're listening to the line. I'm gonna actually just be honest with you, hell is full of good people. So it's not about our our deeds trying to earn our salvation, and it doesn't work that way. What we need is someone to come in and do for us what we can't do for ourselves. We need a savior, okay? So that's what we're that's the that's the need that we have. We have to first recognize that need. So, okay, the second question is okay, who is the savior? Great question. Jesus. Jesus is that savior. The Bible tells us he left heaven on a rescue mission for us and was born of the virgin, fulfilled all the prophecies, did all the teachings, had the miracles, all the things that Christ did when he was with us, showed us the the new way, this new covenant with him. And then he did something that you know, outside of all the miracles and stuff, that stuff is amazing. But he willingly went to the cross to pay the penalty for the sin of the world. Jesus did that. He didn't get forced into it, he willingly gave himself up and was crucified on a cross and died. Didn't fall asleep, he didn't faint or pass out, he died on the cross. And they took him off that cross and they laid him in a tomb. They wrapped him up, you know, laid him in a tomb, rolled the stone in front of the tomb. That's where he was. But for Jesus, this was like an Airbnb. He just needed it for three days because on that Sunday morning, that first Easter morning, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. Because he overcame death. You see, Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. Yes, he he he he paid the penalty of death, but then he overcame it because he is God. And at this point, he is the way, the truth to life. No one comes to the Father except through him, and it's Jesus. There's no one, no, no other name. No other name. He is the only name, the name above all names, guys. And that's what we celebrate. That's why we're not wearing, like when we go to church on Sundays, like we're going to a funeral wearing a bunch of black. No, we're excited. We're going to celebrate the living Savior, the Messiah. That's worth getting pumped up about. Like that should really stir some emotions inside of you. So now we recognize that Jesus is the Savior, the Son of God, and that we are sinners in need of a Savior. So what do we do? Well, there has to be a moment of surrender. Okay, and it first starts with just admitting first and foremost that you are a sinner in need of a savior. And that is the hardest part, quite frankly, for so many people. We have people out there who struggle with stuff, right? I just got this going on and that going on. Very rarely do we have people who are actually authentic enough to say, you know what? No, uh, this ain't a struggle, this is a sin. I am not doing what God wants me to do, and I know it. So that admitting is hard. Then you have to believe that Jesus is the son of God. He's it. There's no other ways. Oprah's wrong. There's not multiple paths to heaven. Jesus is the only way. So once you admit, then you believe that he's the son of God, you got to confess him as Lord and Savior of your life. You actually have to do something. Like you can't get into heaven on your mom or your grandma or your dad or your or your cousin or your brother. You can't get on their faith. You can't get to get to that heaven line and say, Oh, I'm with him. It don't work that way. The only way that works is when if it's Jesus. Oh, I'm with him. I put my faith in that guy. At that point, that's when you're you're fully uh uh are saved and that salvation uh is provided for you. But it takes action. It takes this is a personal relationship. God just wants He has a little relationship with others, He wants relationships with you directly. So look, if you've never had that moment where you fully surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and you're listening to the line within us right now, and you feel like something is stirring and like God's working on you, what are you waiting on, man? Like, let's go. Let's pray together right now. You may be like, well, Chris, I'm I'm not even in a church right now. I'm not somewhere, I can't just do this, just listen to a podcast. I may be walking down the road or or driving or or or uh doing a workout in the gym. Like, there's no way I can do that. Yeah, why not? You're putting God in a box, bro. Stop. Stop putting God in a box. He can absolutely, absolutely do anything he wants, wherever he wants, whenever he wants, however he wants, because he is God. So if you feel like right now is the time to surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ, let's just pray together, invite him in, and then you can experience a peace that passes all learn all understanding. Because if you're experiencing anxiety the way most people are, the only peace that I can offer you comes through that relationship with Jesus. So, Father, that one listener who's ready right now to confess you as Lord and Savior, we just lay them at your feet. We pray that you hear their prayer. We are so thankful that you do. We know you do. We recognize that you do. It's amazing that you do. And we thank you, Lord, for loving us the way you love us, for loving us right here where we are. I just pray, Lord, for that one listener once now that they've surrendered their life to you, that you just put people on their path that's going to help guide direct and walk with them on their new journey towards you. It's in your name. We pray. Amen. All right. So look, if you just surrender your life to Christ, I touch down. Let's go. I want to hear from you, okay? Shoot me an email, Chris at theliamwithin.us. That's my personal email. Send that email over. I'm gonna hook you up. We got several uh free downloads I want to send over to you to get you started with verses you need to that you should consider uh memorizing, just some resources to help you get going. And then I just want to jump on a call and just give you a virtual high five and a fist bump and just pray with you. Pray uh blessing over you. If you need help finding a church, we can help you get directed in that as well. But just I really just want to be an encouragement to you. That's it. So again, send me an email. We'll love to hear from you, okay? So this week we're gonna be talking a lot about anxiety. I'll unpack that devotion that's on the Bible app around anxiety on how uh so many guys out there are really struggling with this. This is something that uh we can't just ignore uh any longer, okay, guys. So, anyway, guys, hope you have a great day. I really appreciate you taking the time to listen, uh, to lean in, share this out with others, give us a rating and review. Everything we do, guys, can be found at thelionwithin.us. That's the easiest way to get connected to us with all the stuff that we're doing on the lion within us. We have lots of fun ways from our community to all the different resources that we have available. Okay. All right, guys. So get after it. Have a good one. Thank you so much for listening. And remember just to keep unleashing the lion within. He's a stronghold. And you don't have to fight alone. To get started, visit thelionwithin.us. We'd love to welcome you in. That's thelionwithin.us. I'll see you inside.