Finding Security in God: Deep Dive with Dan & Sheila #186

Hey everybody and welcome to this deep dive on finding security in God . We're Dan and Sheila Pastor Young's AI co-hosts .

It's great to be here .

And we are super excited to be kind of like looking at and unpacking some really interesting insights from his latest material .

Yeah , this deep dive is going to be focusing on Pastor Young's most recent podcast episode .

Right .

And also a guided meditation script that he shared . Yes , pastor Young's podcast , Not Your Parent's Religion has taken like a really interesting turn as he explores Christian meditation . Yeah , and it's this really unique blend of , like you know , traditional faith and these contemporary practices .

Yeah , I love how he doesn't just talk about it , he actually kind of like walks you through it .

Exactly .

This meditation script is a great example . You've got confession , breath work , muscle relaxation . It's also structured and it all leads up to this like beautiful reflection on Psalm 37 , one through four .

Yeah , it's that structured approach is key . Yeah , it's like he's recognizing that to truly like find peace , you need to prepare your entire being , your mind , your body and your spirit . Yeah , and speaking of preparation , you know you mentioned the breath work right . He guides the listener through a very specific breathing pattern .

Yeah .

A seven second inhale . Okay , a five second hold and then a seven second exhale .

Wow .

Have you ever noticed how just intentionally focusing on your breath can like actually change your state of mind ?

Oh , absolutely .

Yeah .

It's like hitting the reset button for your nervous system . Exactly but is there something specific about that rhythm , those specific counts ?

Well , what's really interesting is that this breathing pattern isn't just , like some you know , random sequence of numbers . It's actually a technique that has roots in ancient practices .

Oh , wow .

It can reduce those stress hormones and it promotes this sense of calm . Yeah , so it's like a secret weapon against anxiety , and Pastor Young has just woven it right into this meditation .

I love that , and you know , what else really stuck out to me was the emphasis on visualization .

Oh yeah .

Not just in the meditation script itself , but also in his podcast episode . Visualization in Meditations a Biblical and Scientific Perspective .

Yeah .

He seems to connect visualization with faith in a way that I just found really intriguing .

Yeah , you've touched on a really powerful point there .

Okay .

Visualization isn't just some like new agey concept . It's actually all throughout the Bible . You think about Jacob's ladder , that vivid imagery of angels going up and down . It's this powerful visualization that connects heaven and earth . And even in modern psychology they use visualization techniques to help people overcome fears , to achieve goals , even manage pain .

That's amazing . So what you're saying is what Pastor Yen is doing with these meditations is he's tapping into something that's really ancient and super powerful .

Exactly , he's drawing on this really rich tapestry of like spiritual practices and modern understandings to guide us towards a deeper connection with ourselves and with God . And you know , I think for our listener it's important to understand that this is all about like finding that secure foundation within .

Yeah , and that idea of security really seems to be at the heart of both the psalm and the meditation .

Absolutely .

Like it's about not letting anxieties and worries consume us yeah but instead finding our peace and strength in God .

Exactly Psalm 37 , 1 through 4 , which is the passage that Pastor Young is focusing on yeah . It offers us this really powerful antidote to like those feelings of insecurity that I think we all face . Instead of worrying about , you know , the people who seem to prosper through evil means .

It's like he's saying look , life is going to throw you curveballs . There are going to be things that are outside of your control , yes , but instead of getting caught up in the chaos , find your anchor in something bigger , something unchanging , something absolutely reliable , and that's your faith in God . Beautifully put Thank you .

And that shift in perspective is where true contentment starts to grow . You know , it's not about pretending everything is perfect .

Right .

It's about finding that unshakable peace within , even in the midst of like the storms . And you know , Pastor Young doesn't just leave us with these amazing ideas , he actually gives us tools to use them in our lives .

Like the two reflection questions he poses in the script . Am I truly trusting in God's plan for my life or am I trying to control the outcomes on my own ? God's plan for my life or am I trying to control the outcomes on my own , and in what areas of my life do I need to surrender my heart's desires to God and trust ?

him more fully . Those are so powerful .

I know those stop me in my tracks .

Right . They're challenging us to be really honest with ourselves .

Yeah .

About where we're holding on too tight and where we need to let go and let God work . And , for our listener , think about this what is one area of your life that's really stressful right now ? Is it something that you're trying to force into a specific outcome ?

I know it is .

But I love how Pastor Young frames it as surrender rather than giving up .

Oh yeah .

There's a real sense of empowerment in that word surrender .

Yes .

Like we are actively choosing to trust in something greater than ourselves .

That was such a perceptive observation . Oh thanks , and it makes me think of the affirmation that he gives in the meditation .

Oh yeah .

He says it's not about chasing happiness or success . It's about aligning our actions with love , with our faith Right , allowing contentment to flow from that connection .

Yeah .

There is so much here . We've got breathwork to calm the body . Yeah , we've got surrendering control to find peace of mind .

Yeah .

And then we've got acting out of love to experience genuine contentment .

Exactly .

Feels like all these pieces fit together to build this really like foundational , deep and lasting security .

It really does . It's like building a beautiful mosaic . Yes , each element contributes to the strength and beauty of the entire piece .

Right .

And to like really cement this picture in our minds , Pastor Young takes us through a final visualization .

Yes , he asks us to picture ourselves walking with Jesus even in the midst of our challenges , and experiencing that deep sense of peace and fulfillment .

Yeah .

He told me more about this visualization . It just feels so powerful .

Yeah . So just imagine this You're walking alongside Jesus and you're surrounded by this landscape that reflects all of the anxieties and challenges you're facing Right , but even amidst , you know , the storm , clouds and the rocky terrain , feel this profound sense of peace .

Right .

Because you know that you're not alone . Jesus is right there with you , and his presence just radiates security and strength .

Yeah .

And you , dear listener , are invited to step into this visualization to experience that peace that comes from knowing that , no matter what life throws your way , you are held and guided by a love that is bigger than anything else .

Wow , that imagery is incredible .

It is .

It really brings that message of finding security in God to life . It's like having this unshakable faith that even in the stormiest seas you've got a solid anchor holding you steady . And for those listeners who want to explore this even more , pastor Young offers a 30-day meditation journal that you can find by clicking the links in the description box below .

It's an amazing resource to help you dive deeper into these practices and to cultivate that peace and security in your own life .

We'll be back to explore more of this in part two .

Yes , we will , and what's really beautiful about that visualization is that it's not like pretending the difficulties in life aren't there , right ? It acknowledges the fact that there will be storms .

But it invites us to find our peace not in the absence of storms , but in the presence of a God who can calm them .

You know it's like he's saying you don't have to pretend like everything is okay , Right , you can acknowledge all of the challenges and the fears and the anxieties .

Yeah .

And still find that well of peace within because you're not facing it alone , and that's really empowering .

Absolutely . It's about recognizing that true strength isn't about never feeling weak or afraid .

Right .

It's about knowing where to turn for support when you are feeling those things .

Yes , and that reminds me of another really important aspect of this whole finding security in God

Okay .

And that is the role of community . Oh the community , which is something that Pastor Young has emphasized throughout his ministry .

Yes , his whole career has been about building and nurturing faith communities .

Yeah .

First through church planting and then through mentoring and training leaders .

Exactly . He understands that , while your personal faith is super important , we're not meant to walk this path alone .

We're called to be part of a community of believers who can support each other and encourage each other , offer guidance when we stumble and celebrate our victories with us .

And that is so important .

It's like having a spiritual safety net .

It is .

Knowing that you're not alone and navigating all the ups and downs of life .

Yeah , and for a listener , think about the people in your life who share your faith . Yeah , how can you maybe lean on them more Right , or how can you offer support to them in return ? Yeah , building these connections can make a huge difference .

Absolutely , and I think this speaks to how universal this message really is .

It really is .

This idea of finding security in God , yeah , it's not limited to any one specific denomination or religious tradition .

Right . It's like this basic human need to find something Bigger than ourselves to believe in , to give us a sense of meaning and purpose in a world that can often feel very chaotic and uncertain .

And I think that's why Pastor Young's podcast resonates with so many different people . I agree , he's not preaching from a place of judgment . No , he's coming from a place of love and understanding . He is , he recognizes that we're all on this journey together .

We are .

And that we need a little help along the way .

Yeah , and his willingness to embrace new approaches like bringing Christian meditation into his ministry really shows a deep commitment to meeting people where they are .

Right .

And helping them connect with their faith in ways that are meaningful to them .

Exactly . It's not about like clinging to these rigid traditions . It's about finding new ways to make faith relevant and accessible in the world today . Yeah , and you said it earlier , it's like and you've hit on something really important Finding security in God is not a passive activity .

It's not .

It's not just believing and then hoping for the best Right . It's about making that relationship stronger Through things like prayer and meditation yes , acts of service and connecting with other believers .

Exactly . It's a conscious choice to place your trust in something larger than yourself and to let that trust shape how you think and what you do .

And how we interact with the world around us . Yeah , exactly .

It's like a muscle you have to exercise . The more you work it , the stronger it gets .

I love that analogy .

Yeah .

More secure and peaceful , you feel .

Exactly and just like any muscle , it takes time and effort to develop , but the rewards are definitely worth it . Oh , they absolutely are . And what I love about Pastor Young's approach is that he gives us those tools , practical techniques to strengthen that connection .

Yeah .

He's giving us this roadmap to navigate this journey and to find our own path to peace and security .

And it's a journey that's best done with a supportive community by our side .

It really is .

To share our struggles , to celebrate our wins and to learn from each other .

Exactly because we're all in this together , and together we can find the strength and support and the security we need to deal with life's challenges and to really enjoy its joys .

You know , as we keep digging deeper into these ideas . I keep thinking about how this affects our own lives , like how can we , as individuals , use these principles of finding security in God in our everyday life ?

That's the big question isn't it , it is . I think it's something we all struggle with .

Yeah .

It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life .

Right .

And to lose sight of what really matters .

Yeah .

But you know , if we can take just a few minutes every day to connect with our faith , to practice mindfulness , to reach out to our communities , I think we'll start to notice a change in our perspective , this sense of calm amongst all the chaos .

You know , I think what's really sticking out to me is that this isn't about being some kind of spiritual superhero who's immune to the challenges in life .

No .

It's about recognizing that we're human yes , we are that we're going to face difficulties .

We are .

But we don't have to go through them alone .

We don't , and that's a really important point . It's not about denying that we're human Right , but it's about finding the strength to deal with it with grace and resilience .

Yes , and I think that's where faith really comes in . It's a source of comfort and guidance and just unwavering support .

It's like a secret weapon , this well of faith that we can draw from when we need it most .

Yeah .

And it doesn't require any special knowledge . It's just about opening our hearts and minds to the possibility that there's something greater out there .

Than ourselves .

Yeah .

And to be willing to actually step out in faith .

Yeah .

And trust that , even when we can't see the path Right , we're not alone .

That's it .

What would it look like for you listener to lean into that trust a little bit more today ? What's one small step you could take to make that connection with God stronger and to let that security flow into your life ?

That's a great question .

You know , I am so thankful for these conversations .

Me too .

They always leave me feeling inspired and empowered .

Yeah .

Like I have this new sense of purpose and direction .

I agree with you . They really do , and that's what's so great about these deep dives they give us this opportunity to really look at these complex ideas , to challenge what we think we know and to come away with a better understanding of ourselves and the world .

It's like peeling back the layers of an onion it is . We're just uncovering all these new insights with each conversation .

And who knows what else we'll find .

Well , can't wait to find out . We'll be back to wrap up this deep dive in part three .

We will see you there .

Okay , so as we wrap up this deep dive into finding security in God , yeah . I think the big takeaway is that it's not about running from challenges .

It's not .

It's about facing them head on , but with this peace and confidence . Yes , that comes from knowing you've got backup .

Exactly .

You're not alone in this .

True security isn't about what's happening around you , right . It's about your connection with God .

Yeah .

Who loves you no matter what and has a plan . Mm-hmm , even when we can't see it , even when you can't see it .

Powerful stuff and a good reminder for all of us .

Oh yeah .

Especially when things feel kind of crazy .

Absolutely , and just remember this journey of finding that security in God . It's not like a one-time thing , you know .

Right , it's not a destination .

Yeah , it's something you work on every day , right Through prayer and meditation .

Yeah .

Through helping , through helping others and connecting with people who get it .

Yes , it's about making that choice to trust in something bigger .

That's it .

And letting that trust kind of lead the way .

Yeah , so for you listening .

Yeah .

If you're looking for that security , that peace that's deeper than you can imagine , check out the stuff we've talked about today .

Yes , go listen to Pastor Young's podcast . Try his guided meditation .

Yeah .

And you know , see if those breathing exercises work for you .

And don't forget those affirmations

Yes , and remember you don't have to go it alone . You don't Talk to your friends who share your faith . Yeah , find your people . Find your people and support each other , because we're all in this together .

That's right . We're all walking this path trying to find that security .

That only comes from knowing and trusting God .

Exactly . And as you keep going on your journey , here's one last thought to chew on . If you really believe that trusting in God brings you contentment , how does that change how you deal with tough stuff ?

Yeah , how does it change your whole outlook ?

Exactly . Does it change your heart ? Does it make you more hopeful ? Think about that this week .

Yeah .

And until next time .

Yes .

May you find peace and security in your journey .

And with that we'll wrap up this deep dive . Thanks for joining us .

It's been great .