No More Shackles with Erica Campbell | Joyce Meyer’s Talk It Out Podcast | Episode 75

Ever heard the song “Shackles” by Mary, Mary? It’s been an anchor to people all over the world for over two decades, so if you haven’t, look it up and enjoy the throwback to 2000!

ERICA: WRITING THAT SONG,
I DID NOT KNOW THAT I WOULD

HAVE TO LIVE OUT THAT SONG,
YOU KNOW.

“IN THE CORNERS OF MY MIND,
I JUST CAN’T SEEM TO FIND

A REASON TO BELIEVE
THAT I CAN BREAK FREE.

I’VE BEEN DOWN FOR SO LONG,
FEEL LIKE ALL HOPE IS GONE.

BUT AS I LIFT MY HANDS,
I UNDERSTAND THAT I SHOULD

PRAISE HIM THROUGH
MY CIRCUMSTANCE.”

[MUSIC]

GINGER: HI EVERYONE.

WELCOME.

COME ON IN HERE.

THIS IS JOYCE MEYER’S
TALK IT OUT PODCAST,

WHERE JOYCE TEACHES
THE WORD OF GOD,

IN HER PRACTICAL,
NO-NONSENSE WAY.

AND MY FRIENDS AND I,
TALK THE REAL STUFF

OF LIVING IT.

I’M GINGER STACHE,
WITH MY FRIENDS,

JAI, AND ERIN CLULEY.

AND WHEN WE NEED A LITTLE
EXTRA HELP, WE ASK MS. JOYCE

AND SHE IS ALWAYS
READY TO JUMP RIGHT IN,

BECAUSE SOMETIMES,
YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT

LIFE WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS.

SO, CONSIDER YOURSELF ONE OF US,
AND COME ON IN HERE

BECAUSE WE HAVE A NEW
FRIEND WITH US, TODAY.

AND WE ARE SO EXCITED.

SO, THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS
THAT YOU KNOW THIS AMAZINGLY,

TALENTED WOMAN.

SHE IS A MULTI-PLATINUM,
GOSPEL ARTIST.

SHE’S WON EVERY
AWARD OUT THERE,

AND MULTIPLE–MULTIPLES OF THEM,
GRAMMYS, STELLAR AWARDS,

ALL OF THEM.

SHE HAS HER OWN SYNDICATED,
RADIO TALK SHOW.

SHE’S AN AUTHOR, A WIFE,
A MOTHER OF THREE:

ERICA CAMPBELL.

ERICA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ERICA: MY PLEASURE!

GINGER: WE’RE SO HAPPY
TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

ERIN: YOU’RE AMAZING!

ERICA: THANK YOU.

I’M HAPPY TO BE HERE.

GINGER: PEOPLE KNOW HER
FROM MARY MARY, OF COURSE.

AND SO MUCH GREAT MUSIC
THAT WE’VE ALL APPRECIATED

AND ENJOYED OVER THE YEARS.

ERICA: WELL, PRAISE GOD.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

JAI: WELL, I’M PARTICULARLY,
HAPPY TO HAVE HER HERE

BECAUSE I’VE KNOWN ERICA
FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

FIRST TIME, I HEARD THEM SING
“SHACKLES,” I WAS JUST LIKE,

“HOW–HOW DO PEOPLE DO THAT?”
“HOW DO PEOPLE–”

AND I WAS JUST LIKE,
SO AMAZED AT THE GIFTING

AND TALENTS THAT THEY WERE.

AND I WAS LIKE,
“I WONDER IF I COULD EVER

DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?”
BUT THEN, FAST FORWARD YEARS,

YEARS, YEARS DOWN THE ROAD,
LIKE, A GUY NAMED, ASAPH WARD,

ENDED UP CONNECTING ME WITH
THE MARY’S, AND I GOT TO CONNECT

WITH THEM AND SING WITH THEM
FOR A LITTLE BIT.

ERICA: AND SHE TRAVELLED
AND SANG BACKGROUND.

JAI: YEAH, I GOT TO SING WITH
THEM AND BE AROUND THEM,

AND GET TO BE MENTORED
BY BOTH OF THEM.

BUT I–LIKE, ERICA HAS BEEN
A GREAT ROLE MODEL

AND A GREAT PERSON THAT–
NOW, SHE’S A PASTOR’S

WIFE AS WELL.

ERICA: I’M ALL THE THINGS.

JAI: ALL THE THINGS.

SO, I JUST HAVE LOOKED
UP TO YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

ERICA: MY PLEASURE.

OH, MY GOSH, JAI, WOW!

JAI: LOVE YOU.

GINGER: WE WERE JUST
GETTING READY AND GOING

THROUGH A LOT TO DO THIS,
AND I DO ALREADY FEEL LIKE

WE’RE FAST FRIENDS BECAUSE
WE LEARNED SO MUCH THAT

WE HAVE IN COMMON.

WE BOTH GET ENTIRELY CAUGHT
UP IN INSTAGRAM ADS AND HAVE

BOUGHT SOME OF THE SAME THINGS.

ERICA: AND THEY
DON’T WORK, BUT WE, THEN,

KEEP BUYING THINGS.

GINGER: EXACTLY!

ERICA: WE’VE BOUGHT
SOME OF THE SAME THINGS.

ERIN: BECAUSE THEY MIGHT
WORK OUT THAT NEXT TIME.

ERICA: THEY MIGHT.

ERIN: YOU JUST MIGHT
FIND THAT ONE GEM.

GINGER: WE WALK IN FAITH.

ERICA: ABSOLUTELY.

ERIN: IT’S A SPIRITUAL
PRACTICE.

I SEE, I WILL TRY TONIGHT.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

JAI: LITERALLY WALKING
BY FAITH.

GINGER: WELL, TODAY,
WE WANNA TALK ABOUT A TOPIC

THAT I THINK WILL RESONATE
WITH SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND MARY MARY HAS SO MANY
WONDERFUL SONGS, BUT “SHACKLED”

IS ONE OF THOSE SONGS THAT
JUST STICKS IN PEOPLE’S MINDS.

IT’S BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART
OF A LOT OF PEOPLE’S LIVES

FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

SO, WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THOSE THINGS THAT SHACKLE US,

AND HOW TO GET FREE FROM THEM,
THROUGH PRAISE.

AND THAT MAY SOUND LIGHT,
THE PRAISE PART OF IT.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE
THE POWER OF PRAISE.

ERICA: ABSOLUTELY.

WRITING THAT SONG,
I DID NOT KNOW THAT I WOULD HAVE

TO LIVE OUT THAT SONG, YOU KNOW.

“IN THE CORNERS OF MY MIND,
I JUST CAN’T SEEM TO FIND

A REASON TO BELIEVE THAT
I CAN BREAK FREE.

I’VE BEEN DOWN FOR SO LONG,
FEEL LIKE ALL HOPE IS GONE.

BUT AS I LIFT MY HANDS,
I UNDERSTAND THAT

I SHOULD PRAISE HIM
THROUGH MY CIRCUMSTANCE.”

AND THAT TAKES US RIGHT
TO SCRIPTURE.

IF YOU THINK OF PAUL AND SILAS,
THAT’S WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

THEY’RE LITERALLY IN PRISON,
LITERALLY BOUND AND PRAISING

GOD TO GET FREE.

GOD OPENS THE DOORS.

AND I BELIEVE THAT’S
WHAT HAPPENS.

AND DID I KNOW THAT WHEN
WE WERE WRITING THE SONG?

NOT REALLY.

YOU KNOW, I WAS MAYBE, 27.

TWENTY-SIX, TWENTY-SEVEN,
I’M 49, THAT’S A LONG WAY,

AND THAT MESSAGE HAS
BEEN CONSISTENT.

MANY TIMES THE SECOND
VERSE RANG, TRUE.

“EVERYTHING THAT COULD GO WRONG,
ALL WENT WRONG AT ONE TIME,”

YOU KNOW.

BUT GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL,
AND AS I TRUST HIM,

I’M ABLE TO GET THROUGH.

DOESN’T MEAN, IT DOESN’T HURT,
DOESN’T MEAN IT’S NOT DIFFICULT.

BUT TRUSTING GOD IS HOW I HAVE
GOTTEN THROUGH SO MANY

DIFFERENT THINGS IN MY LIFE.

GINGER: ♪ TAKE THE SHACKLES
OFF MY FEET SO I CAN DANCE ♪

JAI: SING G.

GINGER: NO, I THINK
SOMEONE REALLY…

[LADIES LAUGHING]

GINGER: DON’T LEAVE
IT WITH ME.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

GINGER: NO, BUT THOSE ARE
SUCH TRUE, BEAUTIFUL WORDS.

SO, WHAT YOU WERE SAYING,
YOU DIDN’T KNOW HOW YOU

WOULD HAVE TO LIVE THEM,
HOW HAVE YOU HAD TO LIVE THEM?

ERICA: WHEW.

ME AND MY SISTER DID
A REALITY SHOW.

AND DURING THAT REALITY SHOW,
MY FATHER PASSED.

AND THAT VERY SAME WEEK,
I HAD TO GO SING.

WE HAD A CONCERT, AN OBLIGATION
THAT WE COULD NOT–

WE COULDN’T NOT DO IT.

AND SO, I BROUGHT MY ENTIRE
FAMILY WITH ME, AND WE WERE

ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH.

BUT WE WERE FILMING
ALL OF THIS, SO I DIDN’T HAVE

THE OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK.

I DIDN’T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GO AND BALL UP AND SIT

IN THE CORNER.

WHICH I WISH I COULD, YOU KNOW.

STARTING A CHURCH,
WHEN I DIDN’T REALLY WANT TO.

SORRY, I KNOW THIS DOESN’T
SOUND VERY CHRISTIAN OF ME.

GINGER: NO, THAT’S ALL
RIGHT TO SAY.

ERICA: THANK YOU ALL.

YOU GUYS ARE MY KIND.

WHEN MY HUSBAND TOLD ME
HE WAS GONNA START A CHURCH,

I WAS GOING, “HELLO?

WE’RE IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

WHAT ARE WE–WHAT ARE
YOU DOING?”

FIRST IT STARTED
WITH BIBLE STUDY.

THEN HE WENT TO SEMINARY.

THEN HE STARTED HANGING
WITH ALL THESE BISHOPS

AND PREACHERS.

I’M GOING, “LORD,
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.”
AND IT WAS ROUGH BECAUSE

I DIDN’T GIVE MY “YES.”
AND I REALIZE THAT I WAS

WATCHING HIM DO SOMETHING,
WHILE HE WAS DEALING WITH

HIS WIFE, WHO WAS LIKE, “UGH…”
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, LITERALLY,

TUGGED ON MY HEART,
AND HE WAS SAYING,

“THE WEIGHT THAT HE FEELS,
IS BECAUSE YOU WON’T SAY, ‘YES.’

AND YOU’RE NOT SAYING, ‘YES,’
TO HIM, YOU’RE SAYING, ‘YES,’

TO ME.”
AND SO, IT WAS A SUNDAY MORNING,

AND HE WAS UP PREACHING,
AND I COULD FEEL HIS WEIGHT

‘CAUSE I’M IN THE FRONT ROW.

JAI: CUTE, REAL CUTE.

ERICA: CUTE LITTLE CHURCH,
GREAT.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: AND AFTER SERVICE,
I WENT AND GAVE HIM A HUG,

AND I SAID, “I’M WITH YOU,
AND I’M WITH YOU 100%.

AND I’M WITH THIS CHURCH.

AND I’M WITH WHATEVER GOD
SAYS HE WANTS US TO DO.”

AND I FELT HIS RELEASE.

AND I JUST–I BEGAN TO REALLY
REPENT IN MY HEART, ‘CUZ I WAS

LIKE, “MAN, I WONDER HOW TOUGH
IT WAS FOR YOUR VERY WIFE

TO BE LIKE, ‘EH, I DON’T WANT
TO DO THIS AT ALL.'”

YOU KNOW, ‘CUZ WE’RE A TEAM.

THERE’S JUST BEEN
SO MANY THINGS.

EVEN WHEN I STARTED MY SOLO
CAREER, MY SISTER WAS GOING

THROUGH SOME THINGS IN HER
MARRIAGE, AND SHE’S LIKE,

“I JUST CAN’T DO IT RIGHT NOW,”
BUT THE LORD CLEARLY

TOLD ME TO GO.

SO, I RELEASED THIS SONG CALLED,
“A LITTLE MORE JESUS.”

AND I PUT THE SONG OUT
AND I’M REALLY EXCITED.

AND SO, THE DAY THE SONG
COMES OUT, I GO TO ITUNES

TO CHECK THE REVIEWS,
TO SEE, “WILL THEY LIKE ME,

LIKE THEY LIKE MARY MARY?”
AND THE FIRST COMMENT

I SAW WAS, “OH, NO, HONEY.

YOU DON’T NEED A LITTLE MORE
JESUS, YOU NEED A LITTLE

MORE TINA, ‘CUZ YOU’RE JUST
THE PRETTY ONE, YOU CAN’T SING.”

ERIN: OHH…

ERICA: AND I JUST HAD
TO KEEP GOING, YOU KNOW.

I GREW UP KIND OF TOUGH.

YOU KNOW, MY FATHER WAS
REALLY SARCASTIC.

MY FAMILY IS KINDA TOUGH.

SO, I’VE HEARD PEOPLE GO,
“OH, THAT’S HORRIBLE.”

SO, IT DIDN’T BREAK ME,
BUT IT HURT ME, YOU KNOW.

‘CAUSE I WAS LIKE, “LORD,
IF YOU TOLD ME TO DO IT,

COULD YOU TELL THEM,
SO THEY COULD BE NICE.”

GINGER: YEAH.

ERICA: BUT THEY’RE NOT
ALWAYS GOING TO BE NICE.

AND SOMETIMES, IT MAKES YOU
A LITTLE MORE RESILIENT,

A LITTLE MORE TOUGH, YOU KNOW.

SOMETIMES, IT’S KINDA
THE TRAINING THAT YOU

HAVE TO GO THROUGH
TO GET TO WHERE GOD–

WHEN GOD IS GOING TO TAKE
YOU SOMEWHERE HIGH,

IN LIFE, WHEN HE’S GOING
TO EXPAND AND ENLARGE YOU,

THAT MEANS YOU’RE GOING
TO HAVE TO FACE SOMETHING,

AND YOU CANNOT GIVE UP.

YOU HAVE TO TRUST THAT
GOD IS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT,

THAT THIS IS BUILDING A STORY.

THINK ABOUT IT.

IF YOU SEE, ONCE UPON A TIME,
AND HAPPILY EVER AFTER,

AND EVERYTHING IN THE MIDDLE
IS A FLUFF, YOU’RE LIKE,

“THIS STORY’S NOT INTERESTING.”
THERE HAS TO BE HILLS

AND VALLEYS.

THERE HAS TO BE HEARTACHE
AND HEARTBREAK.

AND SOMETIMES, THAT’S HOW GOD
GETS YOU TO THE SWEET SPOT,

YOU KNOW.

SO, THERE’S BEEN SOME THINGS,
LOTS MORE THAN THAT.

THAT’S JUST THE THREE
I PICKED FIRST.

GINGER: WELL, WE’RE GONNA
TALK ABOUT ALL OF THEM.

SO, LET’S JUMP IN, RIGHT NOW,
AND FIND OUT WHAT JOYCE

HAS TO SAY, REALLY DIG INTO
THE WORD ABOUT WHAT

IT’S LIKE WHEN TIMES GET HARD,
AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

JOYCE: WE HAVE WEAPONS,
THERE’S WAYS THAT WE CAN FIGHT

THE ENEMY, BUT THEY’RE NOT WHAT
YOU WOULD THINK.

BECAUSE HE’S A SPIRIT, SO YOU
GOTTA FIGHT HIM IN THE SPIRIT.

AND THE WAY YOU FIGHT HIM
IS TOTALLY OPPOSITE

OF WHAT YOU WOULD THINK.

YOU OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

YOU GOT TO GET THIS TODAY.

COME ON, THIS IS A BIG SECRET.

YOU GOT TO KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMY
IS, AND YOU GOT TO KNOW HOW TO

FIGHT HIM.

SATAN IS YOUR ENEMY, AND YOU
DON’T FIGHT HIM THE WAY THAT YOU

WOULD THINK.

IT’S EXACT OPPOSITE.

WHEN HE–WHEN HE’S MEAN TO YOU,
YOU BE GOOD TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

THAT’S HOW YOU FIGHT THE DEVIL.

WHEN SOMEBODY HURTS YOU,
YOU PRAY FOR THEM.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

JOYCE: OH, THIS IS SO GOOD
IF YOU CAN GET THIS TODAY.

LORD HAVE MERCY.

NOW, PRAISE AND WORSHIP ARE BOTH
WEAPONS OF WARFARE.

KEEP SINGING.

AND IF YOU DON’T SING, WELL,
THEN HUM.

[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]

JOYCE: COME ON.

YOU KNOW WHAT PRAISE IS?

PRAISE, I MEAN, IT’S PROBABLY
A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS,

BUT I LOVE WHAT THE GREEK
SAYS ABOUT PRAISE.

IT’S A TALE, OR A NARRATIVE,
OR A STORY THAT YOU TELL ABOUT

THE GOODNESS OF GOD.

SO, PRAISE IS NOT JUST WHEN WE
COME TOGETHER LIKE THIS AND WE

SING SONGS.

PRAISE IS YOU HAVING LUNCH WITH
SOMEBODY, AND INSTEAD OF TALKING

ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM AGAIN, COME
ON, INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT

YOUR PROBLEM AGAIN THAT THEY’RE
ALREADY REALLY TIRED OF HEARING,

TRY TO FIND SOMETHING THAT GOD
HAS DONE FOR YOU AT SOME TIME IN

YOUR LIFE, AND TELL A GOOD TALE
ON GOD.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

JOYCE: SEE, THE MORE–THAT’S
WHAT THE ENEMY WANTS US TO DO.

HE WANTS TO GIVE US PROBLEMS,
AND HE WANTS US TO REHEARSE THEM

OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

I DON’T MEAN TO BE RUDE WHEN
I SAY THIS, BUT JUST–I JUST

GOTTA DO IT.

JUST SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR
PROBLEMS.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

JOYCE: I MEAN, YEAH,
SOMETIMES WE NEED TO VENT

AND TALK TO SOMEBODY.

WELL, DO IT AND THEN GET
OVER IT.

EVERYBODY’S GOT PROBLEMS.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

JOYCE: AND IT DOESN’T HELP.

THE MORE WE FOCUS ON OUR
PROBLEMS, THE BIGGER THEY GET.

WE’VE GOT OTHER THINGS THAT WE
CAN TALK ABOUT.

AND I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU,
BUT I AM SO TIRED OF TALKING

ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT’S WRONG
IN THE WORLD.

LORD, HAVE MERCY.

I HATE THE NEWS.

IT’S JUST LIKE…UGH!

I MEAN, IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHO
YOU ARE IN CHRIST, YOU CAN JUST

LOOK AT THE HEADLINES AND GET
DEPRESSED.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS
AND WE CAN’T IGNORE THEM, BUT

LET’S ALSO TALK ABOUT SOME OF
THE GOOD THINGS THAT GOD IS

DOING IN THE EARTH, AMEN?

WE NEED TO DO THAT.

GINGER: SUCH GREAT ADVICE,
AND IT REALLY ALL

IS SO SCRIPTURAL.

“I DON’T WANNA BE RUDE,
BUT I JUST HAVE TO STAY THIS,

JUST SHUT UP.”
ERIN: I’M GONNA SAY THAT SOME

TIME BUT DON’T BE OFFENDED
BECAUSE JOYCE TOLD US.

ERICA: JOYCE SAID IT,
TO SAY, “SHUT UP,” YEAH.

GINGER: WHAT DO YOU THINK
ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS,

THAT REALLY, ARE RIGHT
FROM SCRIPTURE?

YOU KNOW, JESUS:
“TURN THE OTHER CHEEK,”

PRAYING FOR THAT PERSON
WHO’S HURT YOU.

DOING THE OPPOSITE
OF WHAT IT FEELS LIKE YOU

SHOULD DO TO FIGHT BACK.

AND YET, WHEN YOU
DO THE OPPOSITE,

YOU’RE FIGHTING
IN A POWERFUL WAY.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE,
IN THOSE AREAS.

JAI: WHAT I’VE BEEN GOING
THROUGH, OVER THE PAST

COUPLE YEARS, IN MY,
MY FAILED MARRIAGE, NOW.

I’M USED TO SAYING,
“MY MARRIAGE,” BUT YOU KNOW,

GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS
OF DIVORCE.

REALLY PRAYING FOR
MY EX HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.

BUT I DO IT.

IT HURTS.

IT HURTS TO DO.

IT HURTS TO DO.

BUT I AM WILLING MYSELF
‘CUZ AS I CONTINUE–

ERICA: ‘CAUSE SEEMS UNFAIR.

JAI: IT FEELS UNFAIR.

IT FEELS LIKE–IT FEELS
LIKE–LIKE, YOU’RE A LOSER.

IT FEELS LIKE YOU’RE
LOSING MORE.

LIKE IT–AS IF–
AND THERE’S A PART OF YOU–

AND THAT’S ONE REASON WHY–
YOU KNOW, GOING THROUGH THIS–

THIS–THIS GRIEVING PROCESS
OF MY–OF MY FAMILY NOT BEING

AT ALL WHAT I THOUGHT
IT WOULD BE, IT GIVES ME MORE

EMPATHY TO UNDERSTAND
WHEN PEOPLE GO THROUGH

GRIEVING PROCESSES,
AND LOSE THINGS,

AND LOSE PEOPLE,
AND FAILED RELATIONSHIPS.

IT JUST GIVES ME SO MUCH
MORE EMPATHY AND SYMPATHY

TO UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE
DO TALK A LOT ABOUT IT.

BECAUSE TALKING ABOUT IT,
FOR ME, HAS–

AND THAT’S WHY I’VE BEEN
GRATEFUL FOR THIS PLATFORM,

TO EVEN BE ABLE TO SHARE
MY PROCESS, AND NOT NECESSARILY,

GRIPE ABOUT IT, BUT JUST
BE HONEST ABOUT IT.

IT DOES–THE MORE I TALK
ABOUT IT, IN CERTAIN WAYS,

TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, IT DOES
TAKE THE POWER AWAY FROM IT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS
I’VE LEARNED HOW

TO UNSHACKLE MYSELF FROM IT.

BECAUSE IF YOU KEEP
YOURSELF MUZZLED–

AND THAT’S WHY I BELIEVE
IN COUNSELING SO MUCH.

I BELIEVE IN GOING TO PEOPLE
THAT ARE QUALIFIED TO HELP YOU,

TO GIVE YOU TOOLS,
FIND A GOOD PASTOR,

A GOOD PERSON, A GOOD,
YOU KNOW, ACCOUNTABILITY.

BUT ALSO, COUNSELING
TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH IT.

BECAUSE IT DOES HELP
TO TALK ABOUT IT,

BUT NOT WHINE ABOUT IT.

THERE’S A DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN COMMUNICATING WHAT

YOU’RE THROUGH TO RELIEVE–
‘CUZ WHAT IT DOES–

WHEN I TALK ABOUT IT, IT JUST,
SSSS…

ERICA: IT TAKES THE AIR OUT.

JAI: IT TAKES SOME
OF THAT PRESSURE.

‘CUZ LIKE, IT’S AN ISOLATING
PLACE TO BE WHEN YOU’RE

GOING THROUGH SOMETHING,
IN THE MOMENT.

AND I’VE JUST BEEN ONE
OF THOSE CHRISTIANS,

THAT WAS JUST LIKE–
AS I GO THROUGH SOMETHING

THAT’S REALLY, REALLY HARD,
I DON’T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL

I’VE GOTTEN TO THE OTHER SIDE.

GINGER: RIGHT.

PEOPLE NEED TO SEE THE PATHWAY.

JAI: EXACTLY, YOU KNOW,
AND IT’S OKAY.

IT’S OKAY.

ERICA: A LOT OF PEOPLE
HAVE SPOKEN CHRISTIANESE

THROUGH THEIR PROBLEMS
AND THEY’RE NEVER HONEST.

AND I’VE SEEN PEOPLE LIKE THAT,
TOTALLY LEAVE FAITH,

BECAUSE YOU NEED TO RELEASE,
SOMETIMES.

YOU NEED TO BE HONEST.

AND–BUT WHEN YOU LEARN
TO KEEP GOD IN THE CENTER OF IT,

IT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

I WAS GOING THROUGH
A TOUGH TIME,

AND I WAS IN CHURCH,
AND WORSHIP WAS GOING.

AND I HAD MY HANDS UP,
AND THEY’RE SINGING,

AND THE SONG’S GREAT.

AND I’M GOING, “LORD,
THIS IS NOT FAIR, BUT I’M HERE.

‘CUZ I’M NOT GOING
ANYWHERE ELSE.

AND I DON’T WANT
TO SERVE THE DEVIL,

I ONLY WANNA SERVE YOU,
BUT I’M NOT HAPPY,”

AND MY HANDS ARE UP.

AND I GO, “COULD YOU JUST
LET ME FEEL YOUR PRESENCE,”

AND I FELT THE POWER
OF GOD WASH OVER ME,

FROM THE CROWN OF MY HEAD
TO THE SOLE OF MY FEET.

AND I KNEW, IN THAT MOMENT,
THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.

I KNEW THE SITUATION DIDN’T
CHANGE, BUT HE WAS CHANGING ME,

IN THE SITUATION.

AND HE CAN’T CHANGE YOU,
IF YOU’RE NOT IN THE SITUATION.

GINGER: BUT YOU HAD TO ASK
THAT IN THAT MOMENT.

ERICA: I HAD TO ASK FOR IT.

GINGER: AND DO THAT
SACRIFICE OF PRAISE.

THAT’S WHAT THE BIBLE TALKS
ABOUT, THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE.

IT IS HARD TO PRAISE WHEN
YOU’RE IN THAT PLACE.

ERICA: ABSOLUTELY,
JESUS WAS ON THE CROSS,

PRAYING FOR THEM.

“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM.

THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.”
YOU DON’T KNOW, I’M ANOINTED.

YOU DON’T KNOW I’M BLESSED.

YOU DON’T KNOW THAT THERE’S
PURPOSE ON MY LIFE.

SO, WHEN YOU INFLICT,
WHATEVER YOU INFLICT,

OR SAY WHATEVER YOU SAY,
YOU DON’T REALIZE WHO I AM.

BUT IF I KNOW WHO I AM,
I KNOW THAT’S A DART FROM

THE ENEMY TRYING TO STOP ME.

I GREW UP IN A SMALL,
COGIC CHURCH, EVANGELISTIC

CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.

AND YOU KNOW, MY PASTOR
WASN’T HIGHLY EDUCATED

BUT HE WAS HIGHLY ANOINTED.

AND HE WAS SAYING,
“IF THE DEVIL’S NOT CHASING YOU,

YOU MIGHT BE RUNNING WITH HIM.”

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: I SAID, “IF YOU
NEVER FACE ANY ADVERSITY,

AND EVERYTHING IS FINE,
YOU MIGHT NEED TO LOOK

TO YOUR RIGHT, YOUR LEFT,
AND SEE IF YOU GOT A FEW

DEMONS FOLLOWING YOU.”
HE SAID, “BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE

TEARING DOWN THE ENEMY’S
KINGDOM BECAUSE

YOU’RE PRAISING GOD,
YOU’RE LIVING RIGHT,

YOU’RE BEING AN EXAMPLE,
YOU’RE BEING A WITNESS,

THE ENEMY’S MAD AT YOU.”
HE IS UPSET.

SO, YOU’RE GOING
TO HAVE TO FIGHT.

NOW, YOU’VE GOT HEAVEN
ON YOUR SIDE.

YOU’VE GOT SUPERNATURAL
REINFORCEMENTS TO HELP

YOU THROUGH THESE THINGS,
BUT YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA

GO THROUGH SOME STUFF.

IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A MUSCLE–
MY TRAINER SAYS, “YOU HAVE

TO TEAR IT DOWN FIRST.”
I HAVE TO LIFT HEAVY WEIGHT

IN ORDER TO BURN THE FAT,
YOU KNOW.

I’VE GOTTA RUN.

I’VE GOTTA DO THESE THINGS.

THE WEIGHT DOESN’T COME OFF.

EVERYTHING THAT IS ON HERE
IS BECAUSE I ATE IT ON, RIGHT?

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: AND SO, IF I WANT
IT OFF, I GOTTA WORK IT OFF.

IT DOESN’T JUST–
AND SO, SOMETIMES,

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE
TO WORK OUR WAY, PRAISE OUR WAY.

SOMETIMES, TALK OUR WAY.

WE GOTTA TALK IT OUT, YOU KNOW,
JUST TO KIND OF GET

TO A PLACE OF HEALING.

AND WHEN JESUS IS IN THE CENTER
OF THAT, YOU CAN HEAL,

AND THEN, BE ABLE TO SHARE
IT WITH SOMEBODY.

AND IT’S NOT JUST A TEST,
BUT A TESTIMONY.

IT’S NOT A MESS,
NOW, IT’S A MESSAGE

BECAUSE YOU ALLOWED GOD
IN THE CENTER OF THE SITUATION.

GINGER: HOW DO WE FIND
THAT BALANCE BETWEEN

TALKING IT OUT AND TALKING
ABOUT IT TO THE NTH DEGREE?

I LIKE WHAT YOU SAID
THAT YOU HAD TO FIND

THAT PLACE OF WHAT TO SAY,
AND STILL BE PRAYING,

AND STILL BE DOING THOSE THINGS
THAT GOD WAS ASKING YOU TO DO.

SO, HOW YOU FIND THAT BALANCE
IN ALL OF IT?

‘CUZ, REALLY, WE JUST WANT OTHER
PEOPLE TO FEEL OUR HURT.

THAT’S SO OFTEN, WHY WE TALK.

ERIN: I THINK, FOR ME,
I HAVE TO CHECK MY HEART,

A LOT BEFORE I OPEN
MY MOUTH BECAUSE I KNOW–

I KNOW IF MY MOTIVE
IS NOT RIGHT.

I KNOW WHEN I JUST WANT
YOU TO TELL ME, “I’M SO SORRY.

THEY ARE WRONG, AND IMMA’
MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER ABOUT IT.”

I KNOW WHEN THAT’S
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR.

I ALSO, KNOW WHO I’M TALKING TO.

SO, FOR ME, I HAVE
TO THINK THROUGH LIKE,

WHAT IS THE GOAL HERE?

AND WHO ARE YOU TALKING WITH?

BECAUSE IF I TELL YOU GUYS,
I KNOW I’M GOING TO GET

GODLY WISDOM.

YOU’LL BE ON MY SIDE.

JAI: WE’LL SAY THEY’RE
WRONG THOUGH.

ERIN: BECAUSE THEY ARE.

JAI: BUT THEN WE’LL GIVE
YOU SOMETHING.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERIN: I WILL GET
BOTH FROM YOU.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

JAI: IT’S BALANCE.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERIN: BUT I KNOW,
AT THE END OF IT,

YOU’RE GONNA PUSH ME TO DO THIS.

I THINK, AS CHRISTIANS,
IF WE ARE QUICK TO SAY,

“NO, GOD’S GOT YOU.

IT’S GONNA BE FINE.”
THEN IT MAKES ME FEEL

LIKE I’M A CRAZY PERSON,
OR I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH.

GINGER: YEAH, “YOU SHOULDN’T
FEEL SAD, YOU SHOULDN’T…

IT’S GONNA BE FINE.”
JAI: I CAN’T STAND

SPIRITUAL BYPASSING.

M-MM!

I CAN’T!

LIKE, OR YOU ZOOM RIGHT
BACK–PAST THINGS THAT EITHER–

ARE EVEN HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW, YOU SPEED
PASS IT WITH SCRIPTURE.

AND IT’S LIKE, “WAIT, WE ALSO
HAVE TO–WE’RE HUMAN.

SO, LET’S IDENTIFY WHAT
THE ISSUE IS BUT STILL–”

ERICA: IT DEPENDS
ON THEIR EXPERIENCE.

IT DEPENDS ON WHERE THEY ARE.

SO, MY MOM GREW UP REALLY
OLD SCHOOL.

SHE GREW UP HEARING,
“IF YOU MAKE YOUR BED HARD,

YOU LAY IN IT.”
THEY DIDN’T SAY,

“GO TO THERAPY,”
BACK IN THE DAY.

SO, THIS CONVERSATION IS KINDA
KNEW FOR SOME, YOU KNOW,

BELIEVERS WHO’VE BEEN
IN FAITH FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT I’VE FOUND THAT YOU CAN’T
PRAISE A GOD YOU DON’T TRUST.

AND THERE’S A LOT
OF PEOPLE WHO SERVE GOD,

BUT THEY DON’T REALLY TRUST HIM,
“BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED,

AND THAT HAPPENED,
AND THAT HAPPENED.

AND YOU KNOW, THE DEVIL’S
NOT AN OPTION.

SO, I’LL STAY HERE IN CHURCH,
BUT I WON’T EVER GET

TO THE FULLNESS OF WHAT
GOD HAS FOR ME, ‘CUZ I’M NOT

STANDING ON THE PROMISE.

I’M STANDING ON MY PAIN,”
YOU KNOW.

AND SO, “I’LL SING THIS SONG,
BUT I REMEMBER, GOD,

THAT YOU DIDN’T BRING
ME THROUGH THIS,” RIGHT?

WE KNOW THAT SONG FOR HA–
THERE’S A LINE THAT SAYS,

♪ GOD WILL DO,
WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

HE WILL STAND BY HIS WORD;
HE WILL COME THROUGH.

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST
ME SHALL PROSPER.

IT WON’T WORK ♪
WHAT I REALIZED

ABOUT THAT SONG IS,
IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT HE SAID,

YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT HE’LL DO.

IF YOU’RE NOT IN HIS WORD,
THEN YOU DON’T KNOW

THE SCRIPTURE SAYS,
“THANKS BE UNTO GOD

WHO CAUSES US TO TRIUMPH.”
IF YOU’RE NOT IN HIS WORD,

YOU DON’T KNOW THAT HE SEES
THE TEARS THAT WOMEN CRY.

IF YOU’RE NOT IN HIS WORD,
YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND

THE PROMISES THAT HE HAS FOR US,
THAT WITH EVERY TRIAL,

HE’S GONNA BRING YOU OUT,
YOU KNOW.

GINGER: THAT’S SO GOOD.

ERICA: AND SO, YOU’VE
GOTTA KNOW WHAT THE WORD

SAYS ABOUT YOUR SITUATION.

AND A LOT OF TIMES,
WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH,

I’LL START GOOGLING,
“WHAT DOES THE BIBLE

SAY ABOUT THIS?”
YOU KNOW, I’D LOVE TO SAY THAT

I KNOW ALL THE SCRIPTURES,
AND WHERE THEY’RE ALL FOUND,

AND WHAT THEY ALL MEAN.

I DON’T.

SO, SOMETIMES,
GOOGLE WILL HELP ME.

GINGER: GOOGLE’S A WONDERFUL
THING FOR THAT.

ERICA: AND A SCRIPTURE
WILL COME, AND I’LL GO,

“GOSH, THAT’S WHAT I NEEDED.

GOD, I THANK YOU.”
SO, NOW, I’LL SAY THIS OVER

MY LIFE.

I WON’T DECLARE THAT THEY
WERE MEAN, OR I GOT FIRED,

OR I DIDN’T GET THE DEAL,
OR SOMEONE SAID, ‘NO,’

OR SOMEONE STOLE MONEY,
OR HAD TO CHANGE AN EMPLOY–

I WON’T DECLARE–
I’LL DECLARE THAT GOD

IS GOING TO PROVIDE FOR ME.

I’LL DECLARE THAT HE’S MY
COMFORTER, THAT HE’S MY JOY,

HE’S MY STRENGTH, YOU KNOW.

JAI: WELL, WHAT DO–I HAVE
A QUESTION FOR EVERYBODY, THEN.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU DO,
WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE–

I’M JUST GONNA BE REAL.

THAT IT FEELS LIKE THE WEAPON
FORMED AGAINST YOU DID PROSPER.

GINGER: THAT, SEE–
JAI: WHEN IT FEELS LIKE

IT’S WINNING.

YOU KNOW, HOW DOES IT–YOU–
ERICA: BUT DO WE,

AS BELIEVERS, THINK WE’RE NOT
SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH.

THE BIBLE IS FULL OF EVERYBODY
GOING THROUGH, AND GOD

BRINGING THEM OUT.

SO, I THINK, SOMETIMES,
ESPECIALLY, GROWING UP

COGIC, YOUR TAUGHT,
“IF I’M A GOOD GIRL,

IF I DO EVERYTHING,
NOTHING BAD WILL EVER HAPPEN.

IF SOMETHING HAPPEN…”
GINGER: WE’VE HEARD JAI

SAY THAT SO MANY TIMES.

ERICA: IT’S MY FAULT.”
JOB, YOU KNOW, HIS FRIENDS

WERE LIKE, “EH, JOB,
YOU SURE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING?

THERE’S NO WAY YOU’D
BE GOING THROUGH THIS BAD,

IF YOU DIDN’T DO ANYTHING.”
AND THAT WASN’T THE CASE.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW,
I–AND I’VE SAID THAT TO GOD,

“GOD, I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING.”
BUT WHEN YOU REALLY TRUST GOD,

IN THE PROCESS, THEN WHEN
YOU’RE IN THE THROWS,

AND THEY’RE SAYING THINGS,
AND THINGS HURT, YOU CAN GO,

“GOD, BUT I KNOW YOU’RE
GONNA BRING ME OUT.

I WON’T STAY HERE FOREVER.”
AND THAT’S SOMETHING

WE CAN HOLD ONTO.

GINGER: YEAH.

WELL, WE’RE GONNA CHECK BACK IN.

LET’S LET JOYCE SHARE A LITTLE
BIT MORE ABOUT EXACTLY

WHAT YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT,
WHAT DO YOU DO, WHEN YOU

DON’T FEEL THAT GOD IS DOING
WHAT HE SAYS HE’S GONNA DO.

JOYCE: GOD IS WORKING
IN YOUR LIFE.

EVERY, SINGLE ONE OF YOU,
GOD IS WORKING IN YOUR LIFE,

RIGHT NOW, IN WAYS THAT
YOU CANNOT FEEL, DON’T SEE,

AND DON’T UNDERSTAND.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

JOYCE: AND JUST BECAUSE
WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE,

RIGHT NOW, DOESN’T FEEL GOOD,
DOESN’T MEAN GOD’S NOT WORKING.

AND EVERYTHING THAT
WE GO THROUGH, WE NEED

TO LIFT UP OUR VOICE AND SAY,
“GOD, I BELIEVE YOU’RE

WORKING IN MY LIFE, RIGHT NOW.

I’M EXPECTING SOMETHING GOOD.”
DON’T LET THE DEVIL DRAG YOU

INTO THAT WORRY, AND FEAR,
AND MENTAL TORMENT,

THAT’S GONNA STEAL EVERY
DAY THAT YOU HAVE.

EXODUS 3, 9-14: “‘NOW, BEHOLD
THE CRY OF THE ISRAELITES HAS

COME TO ME AND I’VE ALSO SEEN
HOW THE EGYPTIANS OPPRESS THEM.

COME NOW, THEREFORE–‘”
HE’S TALKING TO MOSES.

“‘AND I WILL SEND YOU TO PHARAOH
THAT YOU MAY BRING FORTH

MY PEOPLE, THE ISRAELITES,
OUT OF EGYPT.’

AND MOSES SAID TO GOD,
‘WHO AM I, THAT I SHOULD

GO TO PHARAOH AND BRING
THE ISRAELITES OUT OF EGYPT?’

AND GOD SAID,
‘I WILL SURELY BE WITH YOU.

AND THIS IS THE SIGN TO YOU
THAT I HAVE SENT YOU.'”

THE SIGN THAT GOD HAS SENT US,
IS WHEN HE’S WITH US.

I KNOW THAT GOD IS WITH
ME WHEN I PREACH THE GOSPEL.

I KNOW THAT.

I DON’T SEE HIM.

I DON’T, MAYBE, FEEL HIM
IN THE WAY THAT WE MIGHT

THINK ABOUT FEELING.

BUT I DO FEEL HIM, IN THAT,
I KNOW THAT THERE’S NO WAY

THAT I COULD DO THIS,
IF IT WASN’T GOD.

AND GOD IS WITH YOU,
IN YOUR SITUATION.

SOME OF YOU ARE IN VERY
DIFFICULT SITUATIONS,

AND YET, IN THE MIDST OF THAT,
YOU HAVE JOY, AND PEACE,

AND YOU HAVE HOPE,
AND ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US THAT.

GOD IS WITH YOU.

JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE
A PROBLEM THAT DOES NOT

MEAN THAT GOD HAS ABANDONED,
YOU GOD IS WITH YOU.

“‘WHEN YOU HAVE BROUGHT
THIS PEOPLE OUT OF EGYPT,

YOU SHALL SERVE GOD, ON THIS
MOUNTAIN,'” OF HAREH SINAI

AND MOSES CONTINUED.

AND HE SAID, TO GOD, “‘BEHOLD,
WHEN I COME TO THE ISRAELITES,

AND I SAY TO THEM,
“THE GOD, OF YOUR FATHERS,

HAS SENT ME TO YOU,”
AND THEY SAY TO ME, “WELL, THEN,

WHAT’S HIS NAME?”
WHAT SHALL I SAY TO THEM?'”

AND I LOVE THE WAY GOD
EXPLAINS HIMSELF.

HE DOESN’T GIVE YOU A WHOLE
LOT OF INFORMATION.

AND GOD SAID TO MOSES,
“‘I AM WHO I AM.

AND WHAT I AM.

AND I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.’
AND HE SAID, ‘YOU SHALL SAY THIS

TO THE ISRAELITES, “I AM.”‘”
I AM, HERE, RIGHT NOW.

THE GREAT I AM,
WHO’S EVERYWHERE,

ALL THE TIME WATCHING
OVER EVERY PERSON,

INVOLVED IN EVERY PERSON’S LIFE.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

JOYCE: EVEN, RIGHT NOW,
CHASING THOSE PEOPLE THAT

ARE LIVING IN SIN AND TRYING
TO WOO THEM INTO A RELATIONSHIP.

GINGER: SO, LET’S TALK ABOUT
THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING

THAT, THAT, “I AM,”
THAT GOD IS THERE.

HE IS WHO HE IS.

HE IS WORKING.

AND ERICA, I LOVE WHAT
YOU SAID ABOUT NEEDING

TO UNDERSTAND WHO HE IS,
IN ORDER, TO STAND

ON THOSE PROMISES.

BUT WE’VE ALL HAD THOSE TIMES,
IN LIFE, AT LEAST I HAVE,

WHERE I’VE SAID, “GOD, ARE YOU?”
YOU KNOW, “I KNOW YOU SAY

YOU ARE, BUT I’M NOT–
I’M NOT FEELING IT.

I’M NOT SEEING IT.

THERE’S NO EVIDENCE, RIGHT NOW.”
AND THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TWO

CHOICES: YOU STAND IN FAITH,
OR YOU KEEP CRYING,

AND WHINING, AND BEING UNHAPPY.

AND I’VE DONE BOTH REALLY,
REALLY WELL, YOU KNOW,

I DONE–
ERICA: SAME.

GINGER: I’VE DONE SO MUCH.

BUT THAT WHOLE THING ABOUT
PRAISING HIM THROUGH

OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, WHEN
EVERYTHING GOES WRONG, ALL AT

THE SAME TIME, HOW DO YOU
HOLD ON TO THAT, “I AM”?

ERICA: FOR ME, I DIDN’T
WANT TO LET GOD DOWN.

BUT THEN, AGAIN,
I’M NOT HOLDING HIM UP.

SO, HOW COULD I LET HIM DOWN,
RIGHT?

BUT I DIDN’T–
I KNOW WHEN PEOPLE COME

AND THEY’RE READY TO RECEIVE,
I REALLY, KIND OF THINK

ABOUT OTHERS.

AND I TRULY, TRULY, TRULY
BELIEVE THAT GOD’S GONNA

TAKE CARE OF ME.

I JUST–WITH TEARS IN MY EYES,
I BELIEVE.

IN A HOSPITAL BED, I BELIEVE.

IN DIVORCE COURT ROOM,
I BELIEVE.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT GOD
IS GONNA TAKE CARE OF ME.

I ALWAYS SAY,
“IT WON’T BE THE DAY I WANT,

OR THE WAY I WANT.”
BUT I BELIEVE FROM MY NOSE,

TO MY TOES, THAT GOD IS GONNA
TAKE CARE OF ME.

SO, EVEN, WHEN I DON’T
SEE THE ANSWER,

I DON’T FEEL THE ANSWER,
IT FEELS UNFAIR, YOU KNOW,

I’M IN THE TREN–
AND I STILL HAVE TO WORK,

AND, YOU KNOW, I CAN BE LIKE,
DEAD DOG TIRED, AND THEN,

THERE’S A LINE OF PEOPLE
AND HAVE TO SHAKE

THEIR HANDS AND SAY, “HELLO.”
AND I’M GOING, “GOD,

THIS JUST DOESN’T FEEL FAIR.”
BUT THEN, THAT PEACE THAT

PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING,
KINDA JUST–KIND OF CARRIES

ME A LITTLE BIT AND ALLOWS
ME TO DO IT.

AND THOSE ARE THE TIMES,
WHERE I KNOW HE’S REAL,

HE’S NOT GONNA LEAVE ME,
HE’LL NEVER LEAVE ME,

NOR FORSAKE ME BECAUSE
I’VE EXPERIENCED IT.

SO, WITH EVERY TEST
AND EVERY TRIAL,

YOU BELIEVE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

LIKE, I WENT TOTALLY CRAZY
ON THAT TRIAL, THIS ONE,

I ONLY WENT A LITTLE CRAZY,
MAYBE, THE NEXT TRIAL

I WON’T GO CRAZY AT ALL.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

JAI: THERE’S HOPE
FOR THE FUTURE.

ERICA: EVERY EXPERIENCE,
YOU LEARN, AND YOU GROW

IN FAITH, A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I THINK, THAT’S WHY,
WHEN YOU SEE LIKE THOSE

SEASONED, OLD SAINTS,
THEY CAN HAVE ALL KIND

OF BAD NEWS, THEY’LL JUST SAY,
“WELL, PRAISE THE LORD, BABY.

IT’S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.”
AND IF YOU’RE IN YOUR TWENTIES,

YOU GO, “HOW DO YOU KNOW
IT’S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT?!”

YOU KNOW, YOU’RE LOSING IT.

BUT, WITH EACH EXPERIENCE
WITH GOD, MY FAITH HAS GROWN,

YOU KNOW.

MY CAPACITY TO DEAL
WITH MORE STUFF,

YOU KNOW, HAS EXPANDED.

AND I’M JUST–
I JUST TRUST GOD.

I JUST LOVE GOD.

I REALLY DO.

AND EVEN, WHEN I’M FRUSTRATED
OR IRRITATED, DOWN

IN MY SOUL, I’M GOING,
“BUT YOU KNOW JESUS

IS GONNA COME THROUGH.”
YOU KNOW IT.

BUT YOU’VE GOTTA–
IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE THAT,

THEN MAYBE, YOU NEVER GET
TO THAT VICTORY, ‘CUZ YOU’RE

ALLOWING THE LIES OF THE ENEMY,
YOU KNOW, “OH, GOD’S FORGOTTEN

ABOUT YOU.

OH, HE’S WAY TOO BUSY
TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR STUFF.

OH, THERE’S STARVING KIDS
IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, HE’S TAKEN

CARE OF SOMETHING ELSE.”
YOU KNOW, “AMERICA’S IN TURMOIL,

HE’LL GET TO YOU, LATER.”
YOU KNOW, HE’S ALWAYS

WHISPERING IN YOUR EAR.

AND YOU’VE GOTTA LEARN
TO JUST TELL THE DEVIL,

“JUST, SHUT UP.”
Y’ALL, DON’T THINK I’M CRAZY,

OKAY?

BUT SOMETIMES, IN MY CAR,
I ROLL THOSE WINDOWS DOWN.

I GO, “I’M NOT TALKING
TO YOU, TODAY.

GET OUT OF MY CAR.”

[LADIES LAUGHING]

GINGER: I LOVE THAT.

ERICA: “GET OUT.

GET OUT.

I’M SICK OF THIS.

NO, I DON’T WANT TO THINK
ABOUT IT ANYMORE.”

GINGER: YOUR KIDS AREN’T
AROUND RIGHT?

ERICA: OH, SOMETIMES,
I DO IT IN FRONT OF THE KIDS.

GINGER: I DON’T WANT
THEM JUMPING OUT.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: NO, BUT I’M TEACHING
THEM HOW TO DO IT, TOO.

THAT’S WARFARE.

GINGER: ABSOLUTELY, YES.

ERICA: I’M TEACHING
THEM, TOO.

SOMETIMES, I’M WALKING THROUGH
MY HOUSE, I’M GOING, “NO,

PEACE LIVES HERE.”
GINGER: YEAH.

ERICA: I’M ALL ABOUT
BEATING UP THE DEVIL.

I WANT TO BEAT HIM DOWN.

AND I CAN BEAT HIM DOWN WITH
MY PRAISE, WITH MY KINDNESS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I’M FORGIVING.

THE ENEMY’S LIKE, “UGH!

WE COULDN’T GET HER.”
HAPPENS ALL THE TIME,

RIGHT BEFORE I’M GOING ON STAGE.

IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING,
PROMOTER DOESN’T HAVE

THE MONEY, ALL THE FLIGHTS
GOT CANCELLED, THE GUITAR

PLAYER DIDN’T MAKE IT, LIKE,
IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING,

AND YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP GOING,
AND TRUST GOD, YOU KNOW.

GINGER: YEAH, YEAH,
I’VE HAD SOME MAJOR THINGS

LIKE THAT AS WELL.

LIKE, RIGHT BEFORE A MAJOR
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE THAT WE’D

BEEN WORKING ON FOR MONTHS,
I WOULD GET A CALL THAT

YOUR DAD HAS CANCER.

I WOULD GET A CALL,
THAT THE BABY THAT YOUR

DAUGHTER IS CARRYING,
HAS A HEART ISSUE.

AND THERE’S NOTHING
YOU COULD DO AT THAT POINT,

EXCEPT FOR, FIRST CRY,
AND CRY OUT TO GOD.

AND THEN, IT’S JUST LIKE,
YOU’RE SAYING, IT’S,

“HOW AM I GOING TO RESPOND?

HOW AM I GONNA FIGHT BACK?”
‘CUZ, I’M A FIGHTER,

AND I’LL FIGHT ONE WAY
OR THE OTHER.

I’LL FIGHT BY GETTING REALLY
UPSET AND ACTING PRETTY

RIDICULOUS, OR I’LL FIGHT BACK
BY DOING THIS AMAZING

THING THAT GOD’S GIVEN
ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO.

I THINK ABOUT WHAT I OWE HIM.

HE OWES ME, NOTHING.

HE OWES ME, NOTHING.

SO, THE FACT THAT I’M GOING
THROUGH THESE HARD THINGS,

I DON’T LIKE IT,
BUT IT SHOULDN’T BE A SURPRISE,

BECAUSE WE ALL DO, AND THAT’S
THIS LIFE THAT WE’RE IN.

GOD DOESN’T OWE
ME AN ANSWER TO MY, “WHYS,”

‘CUZ I ASK A LOT OF WHYS.

BUT HE’S GIVING ME THESE AMAZING
OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE

IN FRONT OF PEOPLE,
TO PRAISE WITH THOSE PEOPLE,

TO PRAY FOR THEM,
TO HAVE A PLATFORM

THAT I’M SO GRATEFUL FOR.

AND SO, I THINK THAT’S WHERE,
“OKAY, I’M GONNA FIGHT BACK,

BECAUSE THE MAIN
THING THAT THE DEVIL WANTS,

IS TO KEEP ME FROM DOING
THIS THING THAT GOD HAS GIVEN

ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO.”
AND IF INSTEAD–

IT’S THAT OPPOSITE THING,
THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

INSTEAD, OF DOING,
WHAT I FEEL LIKE DOING,

DOING THE OPPOSITE.

GO OUT THERE, TELLING PEOPLE–
BEING REAL, TELLING PEOPLE

WHAT’S GOING ON.

‘CUZ I’VE DONE THAT.

“THIS IS WHAT’S HAPPENING
IN MY LIFE, BUT WE’RE GONNA

PRAISE GOD TOGETHER,
‘CUZ I TRUST HIM, AND HE’S

GOING TO DO SOMETHING
IN THIS SITUATION.”

AND WHEN WE CAN DO THAT,
PEOPLE SEE IT, AND IT’S

IMPORTANT IN THEIR LIFE, TOO.

SO, IT NOT ONLY ACTIVATES
THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING

IN OUR LIFE, BUT IT INSPIRES
OTHER PEOPLE FOR HIM

TO WORK IN THEIRS.

LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT SOME
OF THOSE SHACKLES ARE.

BECAUSE, FOR ME, THAT CAN BE
ONE OF THE SHACKLES,

FOR ME, IT COULD BE ANGER.

THE SHACKLE CAN BE ANGER.

I CAN GET REALLY MAD.

I CAN GET MAD
AT THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

I CAN GET MAD AT GOD FOR NOT
DOING WHAT I WANTED HIM TO DO.

AND IF I DON’T PRAISE THROUGH
THOSE SHACKLES, THEN I WON’T

BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT GOD REALLY
DOES WANT TO BRING FORTH.

SO, THERE–THERE ARE SO MANY
DIFFERENT SHACKLES IN OUR LIVES,

AND A LOT OF MINE, ARE MYSELF,
SELF-IMPOSED SHACKLES.

YOU KNOW, THEY’RE NOT ALWAYS.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS
THAT HAPPEN, IN OUR LIFE,

THAT CAN SNATCH OUR FREEDOM.

BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT
GOD WANTS FOR US.

SO, WHAT ARE SOME
OF THE SHACKLES THAT WE’VE

ALL HAD TO PRAISE THROUGH?

JAI: I’VE HAD TO PRAISE
THROUGH DISAPPOINTMENT.

ERIN: THAT’S A GOOD ONE.

JAI: YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT’S
DISAPPOINTMENT IN PEOPLE.

DISAPPOINTMENT IN–
MOSTLY PEOPLE.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

GINGER: “AND THEN THERE’S
DISAPPOINTMENT IN PEOPLE.”

JAI: THERE’S DISAPPOINTMENT
IN PEOPLE, CHURCH PEOPLE,

AND THEN, WORK PEOPLE,
AND THEN FAMILY PEOPLE…YEAH.

ERICA: YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS
SAY PEOPLE ARE VERY PEOPLE-Y.

JAI: YEAH, THEY ARE VERY
PEOPLE-Y, YEAH.

SO, DISAPPOINTMENT IN THAT
AND ALSO DISAPPOINTMENT IN–

BECAUSE I’M–LIKE,
I’M A PLANNER, I LOVE STRATEGY.

I LOVE LIKE, GETTING THINGS
IN A CERTAIN ORDER,

IN A CERTAIN WAY.

WHEN THOSE PLANS–
‘CUZ I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A PERSON,

THAT SAID LIKE,
IF I MAKE A PLAN,

I’M GOING TO SUBMIT TO GOD.

YOU KNOW,
WRITE THE VISION, MAKE IT PLAIN,

THEN SUBMIT IT TO GOD.

BUT WHEN ALL THE PLAN–
IT JUST LIKE–

EVERY PLAN–I’M TIRED
OF PLANNING THEN, ‘CUZ IT’S JUST

DOESN’T SEEM LIKE I HAVE
ANY CONTROL OVER IT.

SO, JUST DISAPPOINTMENT IN,
EVEN, LIKE, THINGS JUST

COMPLETELY PIVOTING
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, SO.

ERIN: NO, YOU BREATHED FIRST.

ERICA: WE BOTH TOOK A DEEP
BREATH TOGETHER.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERIN: FOR ME, A LOT OF IT,
IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS,

HAS BEEN MY DESIRE
TO CONTROL A SITUATION.

SO, WHAT YOU SAID,
REMINDS ME OF THAT.

SOMETIMES, IT COMES OUT
IN THE FORM OF ANXIETY,

OR FEAR, OR JUST ANGER
THAT I CAN CONTROL.

AND SO, I FIND THOSE TIMES–
I’VE SHARED WITH YOU GUYS,

IN THE PAST, IN THE SHOWER,
OR THE KITCHEN SINK, IS WHERE

THE LORD AND I HAVE SO MANY
TALKS ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

AND SO, PRAISE AND WORSHIP
HAS BECOME WHAT I GO TO.

AND SO, I’LL SING SO LOUD
IN MY HOUSE, MY POOR CHILDREN.

BUT–I THINK THAT–
I CAN FEEL THAT WARFARE

OF TAKING OFF THOSE SHACKLES
WHEN YOU ARE–

WHEN I’M DEALING WITH
THOSE SAD–THOSE THINGS.

ERICA: YOU KNOW,
I’VE LEARNED–

‘CUZ I HAVE A BIG CIRCLE.

I HAVE SEVEN SISTERS,
I HAVE A BUNCH OF GIRLFRIENDS

AND CHURCH, FIRST LADY FRIENDS,
AND I’VE REALIZED THAT

THE ENEMY USES THINGS THAT
APPEAR TO BE A CHRIST-LIKE

CHARACTER TRAITS.

LIKE BEING QUIET,
WHEN YOU SPEAK UP,

BUT USING THAT AGAINST YOU.

THE ENEMY WILL USE BEING
TIRED AGAINST YOU.

WHEN WE FEEL LIKE IT’S MORE
CHRISTIAN-LIKE TO WORK

OURSELVES TO THE BONE,
AND THEN, BY THE TIME YOU

GET SOMEWHERE TO MINISTER,
YOU’RE TIRED AND DRAINED,

AND HAVE LOW TOLERANCE.

AND SO, I’VE LEARNED TO NOT LET
MY OWN DESIRE TO BE CHRIST-LIKE,

GOOD GIRL SYNDROME,
BE NICE, AND BE KIND,

AND BE THERE, AND BE PRESENT,
WHEN SOMETIMES, THE SPIRIT–

THE MOST SPIRITUAL THING
YOU CAN DO IS TAKE A NAP

AND GET REST, SO I CAN
BE FULLY PREPARED.

AND SO, I DON’T–
I TRY NOT TO LET MY OWN

DRIVE SHACKLE ME.

YOU KNOW, LIKE–
IT’S WEIRD BECAUSE IT’S LIKE,

“BUT YOU’RE WORKING FOR JESUS.”
BUT SOMETIMES, TAKE A NAP,

OR GO ON VACATION WITH
YOUR KIDS, YOU KNOW.

DOING THOSE THINGS,
SO SOMETIMES OUR DESIRE,

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT
THE ENEMY KNOWS THAT

I’M NEVER GONNA LEAVE JESUS.

SO, HE’LL TRY TO USE ME–
HE’LL TRY TO MANIPULATE

MY DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD
AGAINST ME, YOU KNOW,

BY NOT TAKING GOOD
CARE OF MY BODY.

AND IF THIS IS THE TEMPLE,
IF THIS IS MY TEMPLE, I’VE GOTTA

TAKE GOOD CARE OF THIS,
SO I CAN WORK FOR GOD.

I’VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT
I’M IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND.

THAT I–THAT I’VE GOT MY PEACE,
YOU KNOW, THAT I AM SETTLED,

THAT I’M EATING RIGHT.

SOME OF THE NATURAL THINGS
THAT WE KIND OF DON’T PAY

ATTENTION TO, I THINK THAT’S
HOW WE HONOR GOD AS WELL,

WHEN WE MAKE SURE THAT
WE’RE TAKING GOOD CARE

OF OURSELVES, WE DON’T ALLOW–
GINGER: THAT’S REALLY

GREAT ADVICE.

ERICA: SERVING IN THE CHURCH,
YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE HAVE

SERVED IN THE CHURCH SO MUCH
THEIR FAMILIES FELL APART.

YOU KNOW, THEY WERE SO BUSY
SERVING JESUS, THEY FORGOT

THAT THEY HAD TO BE HUMAN,
YOU KNOW.

IF HE’S GIVEN US EVERYTHING
PERTAINING TO LIFE,

AND GODLINESS,
THEN YOU CAN’T JUST LEAN

ON GODLINESS, AND FORGET
ABOUT YOUR LIFE, YOU KNOW.

MY FIRST, FEW YEARS, I–
ME AND MY HUSBAND DIDN’T

CELEBRATE OUR WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY, PROBABLY

FOR THE FIRST FIVE YEARS,
‘CUZ WE WERE “WORKING.”

I WAS OUT SINGING “SHACKLES,”
AND ALL THE OTHER SONGS,

YOU KNOW, I WAS OUT WORKING
FOR JESUS.

AND THEN, PROBABLY,
ABOUT NINE YEARS IN, HE’S GOING,

“I REALLY MISS MY WIFE,”
AND I SAID, “AND I REALLY

MISS MY HUSBAND.”
AND SO, I HAD TO CHANGE

SOME THINGS.

I HAD TO START SAYING, “NO.”
I HAD TO START PRIORITIZING

THIS FAMILY THAT, I BELIEVE,
GOD GAVE TO ME.

SO THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE.

AND SO, THOSE ARE
THE THINGS THAT I PROBABLY,

STRUGGLE WITH MOST.

I COULD PROBABLY
BE A WORKAHOLIC,

BUT I TRY MY BEST NOT TO BE.

GINGER: YEAH, NO, I THINK
ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT

ARE CONNECTING TO THAT
AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS

THAT CAN SHACKLE US: INSECURITY,
DOUBT IN OUR OWN LIVES.

SO MANY THINGS THAT THE POWER
OF PRAISE CAN BREAK THROUGH.

ERICA: ABSOLUTELY.

GINGER: WELL,
THERE’S ANOTHER ONE,

AND THIS IS A BIG ONE FOR ME.

I MENTIONED IT, BRIEFLY,
BUT IT’S THAT “WHY” QUESTION.

ASKING GOD,
“WHY THIS IS HAPPENING?

WHY THIS IS NOT HAPPENING?

WHY HE’S NOT DOING WHAT I WANT?”
SO, WE’RE GONNA CHECK IN,

ONE LAST TIME WITH JOYCE,
AS SHE TALKS A LITTLE

BIT ABOUT THAT.

JOYCE: “WHY, GOD, WHY?”
THE QUESTION THAT NEVER

GOES AWAY, “WHY?”
AND YOU CAN ASK IT ALL YOU

WANT TO BUT IT’S THE QUESTION
THAT RARELY GETS AN ANSWER.

EVEN JESUS SAID, “MY GOD, MY
GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

HE DIDN’T GET AN ANSWER.

THE BIBLE DOESN’T SAY THAT GOD
SAID ANYTHING BACK TO HIM.

SO, THE NEXT THING JESUS
SAID WAS, “INTO YOUR HANDS

I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.”
I LOVE THAT.

I MEAN, ALL OF OUR PAIN
TOGETHER WOULD NEVER EQUAL

WHAT JESUS WENT THROUGH
ON THE CROSS FOR US.

WE DON’T EVEN BEGIN TO FATHOM.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW HOW
HEAVY, AND ICKY, AND AWFUL

IT MAKES YOU FEEL WHEN YOU
DO SOMETHING LIKE, YOU MESS

UP REALLY BAD?

I MEAN, NOT LIKE ONE OF THESE
LITTLE SINS, I MEAN, YOU

REALLY JUST–

[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]

JOYCE: OKAY, NOW JUST
IMAGINE HAVING EVERY SIN

OF EVERY HUMAN THAT EVER LIVED
PUT ON YOU ALL AT ONE TIME

AND TRYING TO BEAR THAT.

I CAN’T EVEN FATHOM THE PAIN.

AND, HE SAID, “WHY HAVE
YOU FORSAKEN ME?”

WE OFTEN FEEL, IN OUR PAIN,
THAT WE’VE BEEN FORSAKEN

BUT WE NEVER ARE BECAUSE
HE’S EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US,

ALWAYS WITH US.

IN US, UNDER US, AROUND US,
NEVER LEAVES US NOR FORSAKES US.

AND, I JUST FEEL VERY STRONGLY
TONIGHT THAT I’M SUPPOSED

TO IMPRESS ON YOU THAT NO
MATTER WHAT YOU’RE GOING

THROUGH GOD IS WITH YOU
AND HE WILL REDEEM IT.

HE’LL MAKE SOMETHING
BEAUTIFUL OUT OF IT.

NOW, THIS DOESN’T ALL JUST
HAPPEN MAGICALLY.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU
WILL NEED TO DO TO COOPERATE

WITH GOD.

I’M NOT GONNA GIVE YOU
A LIST OF, DO THESE FIVE THINGS

AND YOUR PROBLEMS WILL BE OVER.

THERE IS NO SUCH LIST.

I’M JUST GONNA TELL YOU
TO FOLLOW GOD.

FOLLOW GOD.

WHATEVER HE SHOWS YOU TO DO,
DO IT.

AND, IF THERE’S NOTHING FOR
YOU TO DO THEN STAND FIRM

AND WAIT ON HIM.

SOMETIMES, HE TAKES A LOT
LONGER THAN WE’D LIKE,

BUT HE KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING.

THE ONLY TIME YOU REALIZE THAT
IS AFTER YOU’VE GONE THROUGH

IT AND YOU LOOK BACK AND SEE
THE GOOD THINGS THAT CAME OUT

OF WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH.

HOW MANY OF YOU CAN SAY THAT
YOU WOULD NOT BE THE PERSON

YOU ARE TODAY IF YOU HAD NOT
GONE THROUGH SOME OF THE

THINGS THAT YOU WENT THROUGH?

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

JOYCE: SO, THE QUESTION
THAT NEVER GOES AWAY IS, “WHY?”

BUT YET, PROVERBS 3:5-7 SAYS,
“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL

YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN
TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.

IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE
HIM, AND HE WILL DIRECT

YOUR PATH.

BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES.”
I LOVE THAT.

IT’S ALMOST LIKE SAYING,
“DON’T EVEN THINK THAT

YOU’RE SMART ENOUGH TO SOLVE
YOUR OWN PROBLEMS.”

IF I COULD JUST DO A JOYCE MEYER
TRANSLATION ON THAT,

THAT’S WHAT I WOULD SAY.

[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]

JOYCE: DON’T EVEN THINK
THAT YOU’RE SMART ENOUGH

TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU
SHOULD DO IN THIS SITUATION.

AND I LOVE THIS, “IT WILL BE
HEALING TO YOUR FLESH AND

REFRESHMENT TO YOUR BONES.”
GINGER: THAT’S HARD STUFF.

JAI: VERY HARD.

GINGER: IT IS.

IT’S HARD STUFF BUT IT–
IF YOU’VE LIVED IT,

IF YOU’VE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE
OF IT, AND TRIED IT BOTH WAYS:

IF YOU HAVE AN, A AND A B,
TO CHOOSE, I THINK YOU

LEARN A LOT ABOUT WHO
GOD IS THROUGH THAT.

IT’S LIKE THAT VERSE IN,
IS IT HABAKKUK?

OR [VARIOUS PRONUNCIATIONS]
KAKAKICK.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERIN: I’VE NEVER HEARD
IT LIKE THAT.

GINGER: ANYWAY,
“THOUGH THE FIG TREE

DOES NOT BLOOM,”
THOUGH EVERYTHING GOES WRONG,

ESSENTIALLY, “I WILL STILL
PRAISE YOU.”

AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT
IT HAS TO COME BACK TO.

BECAUSE WHEN WE MAKE
THAT CONSCIOUS CHOICE,

WHEN WE MAKE THAT DECISION,
IT CHANGES WHAT’S HAPPENING

IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM
AROUND US.

GOD HONORS THAT CHOICE
THAT WE MAKE.

ERICA: AND EVERYBODY’S PRAISE
LOOKS DIFFERENT, YOU KNOW.

SOME PEOPLE, YOU KNOW,
LOVE TO DANCE AROUND THEIR

HOUSE TO WORSHIP MUSIC.

YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE,
YOU KNOW, LOVE TO GO TO CHURCH.

SOME PEOPLE WILL TURN ON,
YOU KNOW, JOYCE ON YOUTUBE.

THAT’S MY MOM’S FAVORITE THING.

SHE’S ALWAYS WATCHING
HER ON YOUTUBE.

YOU KNOW, WHATEVER YOU
DO TO GET CONNECTED.

JUST GET CONNECTED,
TO GET OUT OF THAT–THAT MODE,

THAT MINDSET, THAT DOUBT,
THAT FEARFUL PLACE,

YOU KNOW, WHERE THE ENEMY
IS WHISPERING.

I ALWAYS TELL MY KIDS,
I WAS LIKE, “YOU KNOW,

THE CARTOONS THAT YOU SEE
WITH AN ANGEL ON ONE

SHOULDER AND THE DEVIL’S LIKE?

THAT’S REAL.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS
RESPOND TO THE ANGEL,

AND NOT THE DEVIL.”
YOU KNOW, WHAT I MEAN.

‘CUZ HE’S ALWAYS TRYING
TO GET AT YOU.

BUT WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT GOD
IS FAITHFUL, WHEN YOU REALIZE

THAT HE WILL BRING YOU OUT,
THEN EVEN IN YOUR SAD TIMES,

YOU CAN GO, “THOUGH HE SLAY ME,
YET, WILL I TRUST HIM.”

GINGER: AND IT’S SO
IMPORTANT, IN ALL OF US SAYING

THAT, TO SAY THAT WE REALIZE
THAT IT’S REALLY HARD TO DO.

ERICA: YEAH!

GINGER: WE’RE NOT JUST
SAYING, “JUST DO THIS

AND IT’LL ALL BE GREAT.”
JAI: I’M GOING THROUGH,

RIGHT, IN THIS VERY MOMENT,
YOU KNOW, AND WHAT

I’VE REALIZED IS THAT PRAISING
GOD IS, A LOT OF TIMES,

DOING EXACTLY WHAT
HE’S CALLED YOU TO BE, AND DO.

WHATEVER, THAT THING IS,
YOU KNOW.

‘CUZ THAT’S WHAT SATAN
WANTS TO STOP.

HE WANTS TO STOP PURPOSE.

HE WANTS TO STOP GOD’S
PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.

AND I JUST WANNA ENCOURAGE
ANYBODY THAT’S LISTENING.

IT’S LIKE, I KNOW FOR ME,
MY VOICE, WHETHER IT BE SINGING,

TALKING, WHATEVER,
HE WANTS TO MUZZLE ME.

I KNOW THAT.

AND I’M SERVING HIM NOTICE,
RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE IT’S NOT

GONNA WORK, IT’S NOT.

I’M NOT GONNA STOP SINGING.

I’M NOT GONNA STOP TALKING.

I’M NOT GONNA STOP USING
THE WORDS THAT GOD’S GIVEN ME.

SPEAKING THE WORD
OF GOD OVER MY LIFE.

I’M NOT GONNA STOP, SO.

HE CAN CUT THAT–STOP.

HE CAN CUT IT.

BUT IT COMES FROM ME ACTUALLY,
TAKING AUTHORITY AND SAYING,

OUT LOUD, WHAT HE’S NOT
GONNA DO.

AND SO, ANYBODY THAT’S WATCHING,
JUST PLEASE, WHATEVER

THAT THING IS, TO SPEAK
IT OUT LOUD, AND SAY, LIKE,

“SATAN, YOU WILL NOT WIN.

LIKE, YOU’RE NOT GONNA STOP
THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN MY LIFE.”

AND LIKE, ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT–IT WAS LIKE A VISUAL

THAT CAME TO ME, WHILE WE
WERE TALKING, IT WAS LIKE,

GOD IS TRYING TO BIRTH
SOMETHING–AND THIS IS ME,

FOR ME, PERSONALLY.

HE GAVE IT TO ME, AND I’M GONNA
SHARE IT WITH YOU GUYS.

LIKE A WOMAN HAVING A BABY,
LIKE, HE’S BIRTHING

SOMETHING INSIDE OF ME.

AND I REMEMBER,
WHEN I WAS HAVING MY DAUGHTER,

THERE WERE CERTAIN POINTS
WHEN I WOULD PUSH,

BUT I WOULDN’T SAY ANYTHING,
‘CUZ I JUST FELT MUZZLED,

LIKE A PAIN WAS SO HARD.

LIKE, I’M GETTING–
LIKE, IT WAS SO DIFFICULT,

THAT I JUST–I WAS JUST LIKE…

AND THEN, THE DOCTOR
WOULD LIKE, SAY, “BREATHE!”

ERICA: YEAH, YEAH!

YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO–
JAI: YOU HAVE TO BREATHE,

AND I DIDN’T WANT TO BREATHE
BECAUSE I FELT LIKE,

IF I WOULD MAKE NOISE,
IT WOULD HURT WORSE.

BUT, HONESTLY,
WHEN I WOULD JUST BEAR DOWN,

AND BREATHE, AND, “AHH!”
SCREAM AND LET IT OUT, LIKE,

THE PAIN WOULD–
IT WOULD STILL BE THERE,

BUT IT WOULD BE LESS.

SO, I JUST ENCOURAGE,
WHATEVER THAT PRAISE

LOOKS LIKE–
GINGER: IT IS MORE EFFECTIVE.

JAI: IT IS MORE EFFECTIVE.

LIKE, DON’T STAY SILENT.

ERICA: DON’T UNDERESTIMATE
A GOOD OLE HOLLER.

JAI: A GOOD OLE HOLLER.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: LISTEN, IF YOU
NEED TO TAKE A DRIVE,

MAYBE YOU LIVE IN AN APARTMENT,
I DON’T KNOW,

OR IF YOU’RE IN THE COUNTRY,
SOMEWHERE, GO OUT IN THE GRASS

AND JUST…[GROWL].

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES, YOU JUST
GOTTA GET IT OUT, YOU KNOW,

BECAUSE YOU KNOW,
YOU’RE IN THE FIGHT.

“I’M NOT GETTING OUT
OF THIS FIGHT.

I GOTTA GET MY–I GOTTA
GET THROUGH THIS, RIGHT,

BUT I NEED SOME EXTRA STRENGTH.

[GROWL] “GOD, GIVE ME A LITTLE
BIT MORE. [GROWL]”

YOU KNOW, YOU JUST KINDA
HAVE TO BEAR DOWN.

GINGER: A LITTLE GROWL.

ERICA: A LITTLE GROWL,
A LITTLE BIT–THINK ABOUT

THE LIONESS.

THINK ABOUT THE LION KINGDOM.

THE LION GOES OUT TO–
THE LIONESS AND GOES

OUT TO GET THE FOOD.

I’M SURE SHE HAS
TO GROWL AND FIGHT,

FIGHT WITH OTHER ANIMALS.

AND SOMETIMES,
THAT’S–IT’S THAT WAY IN LIFE.

WE’RE FIGHTING, WE GOTTA GET–
WE GOT TO GET THAT GLORY

AND THAT GRIT.

YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO BE GRACEFUL
AND GRITTY SOMETIMES.

AND WHEN YOU LEARN,
YOU CAN GO THROUGH,

WITH AUTHORITY, AND KNOW,
“I’M NOT STAYING IN THIS

PLACE FOREVER.

I’M COMING THROUGH THIS,
AND I’M COMING THROUGH

IT WITH VICTORY.

‘CUZ I’M HOLDING ON TO JESUS.

AND HE’S GIVEN ME,
EVERYTHING I NEED,

TO BE EVERYTHING, I NEED.”
TO SAY THAT TO MYSELF,

“ERICA, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING
YOU NEED TO BE EVERYTHING

YOU NEED.

HE’S ALREADY EQUIPPED YOU.

HE’S ALREADY PREPARED YOU.

HE’S ALREADY MADE THE WAY.

THE FINISH LINE ISN’T MOVING.

SO, IF YOU STOP, THAT JUST
MEANS YOU WON’T GET THERE.

SO, YOU GOTTA KEEP GOING.

GO SLOW, BUT KEEP GOING,”
YOU KNOW.

BROKEN LEG, KEEP GOING.

LIMPING, KEEP GOING,
GET TO THE FINISH LINE.

GINGER: AND IT FEELS LIKE,
SOMETIMES, THAT WE’RE LAYING

DOWN AND ROLLING OVER, RIGHT.

IF I PRAY FOR MY ENEMY,
IS THAT LAYING DOWN

AND ROLLING OVER AND LETTING
THEM DO WHAT THEY WANNA DO?

AND YET THERE’S SO MUCH
STRENGTH IN THAT.

THERE’S STRENGTH IN SAYING
GOD’S WORD, INSTEAD OF SAYING

THE VILE THINGS WE WANT
DESPERATELY TO SAY.

ERICA: BLESS THOSE
WHO CURSE YOU.

GINGER: EXACTLY.

IT’S NOT LAYING DOWN.

IT’S FIGHTING HARD,
BEING THAT LIONESS,

AND THAT NEEDS TO GROWL,
AND BE WHO GOD SAYS SHE CAN BE.

ERICA: PRAYING FOR YOUR KIDS.

DECLARING THAT HE WON’T
STEAL YOUR CHILDREN’S MIND,

ALL THAT THEY WATCH
AND ALL THAT THEY SEE.

YOU KNOW, DECLARING THAT THEY
WILL BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT,

THAT THEY WILL LOVE, YOU KNOW,
WHAT THEIR MOM DOES.

YOU KNOW, I WOULD HATE
TO SERVE GOD, AND MY KIDS

ARE AT CHURCH LIKE, “OH, I CAN’T
WAIT TO GET OUT OF HERE.”

I WANT THEM TO LOVE
THE SAME GOD.

SO, I KNOW THE ENEMY
IS FIGHTING ‘EM.

SO, I HAVE TO FIGHT
WITH MY PRAISE.

I HAVE TO FIGHT IN MY HOUSE
ABOUT TURNING ON WORSHIP

MUSIC, YOU KNOW.

AND THEN, I GO THROUGH THEIR
LITTLE FEED ON THEIR PHONE

AND GO, “NOT INTERESTED.

UNFOLLOW.

NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THAT.”

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: “DON’T WANT YOU
WATCHING THAT,” YOU KNOW.

AND THEN,
WHAT I’LL DO, IS I’LL GO,

AND I’LL CLICK ON JOYCE,
AND I’LL CLICK ON JOEL OSTEEN,

AND I’LL CLICK ON MARY MARY,
AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU–

THAT THERE’S SOME GOSPEL STUFF,
SOME JESUS IS GONNA COME

UP IN YOUR FEED, YOU KNOW.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: TO MAKE SURE THAT
MY KIDS LOVE THE LORD,

I’VE GOT TO–I KNOW GOD’S
GOT THEM, BUT I’VE GOT

TO DO MY PART.

AND IT’S–I WON’T JUST
LET THEM GO.

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE,
“WELL, YOUR KIDS, THEY WANNA DO,

WHAT THEY WANNA DO, AND THEY
HAVE THEIR OWN OPINION.”

THE ENEMY IS NOT SAYING THAT.

THE ENEMY IS LIKE,
“I WANT THEM TO WATCH MY STUFF,

SING MY STUFF.

I WANT THEM TO PAY ATTENTION.

I WANNA KINDA JUST PULL
THEM SLOWLY, BUILD UP THAT

REBELLION IN THEIR HEART.”
LIKE, WE GOTTA GO TO WORK,

AS PRAYING WOMEN.

WARRING, IN THE SPIRIT,
OVER OUR FAMILIES,

OUR LIVES, OUR MINISTRIES.

ERIN: ONE OF MY FAVORITE,
WARRING POSTURES IS IN–

I WOULD STAND IN PRAISE
AND WORSHIP ALL DAY LONG.

I CANNOT SING LIKE ANY OF YOU,
IN THIS ROOM, BUT I DON’T CARE.

AS LONG AS I CAN BE–
JAI: YOU LOOK SO HAPPY

WHEN YOU DO IT.

ERIN: I LOVE IT MORE
THAN ANYTHING.

AND MY FAVORITE THING
TO DO IS MY HANDS STRAIGHT UP.

AND I CANNOT–LIKE,
I CAN RECALL,

SO MANY TIMES, WHERE I HAVE
BEEN IN SUCH PAIN AND TURMOIL,

BUT WHEN YOU GO TO THAT PLACE–
AND HOWEVER, YOU WANNA WORSHIP,

THAT’S BETWEEN YOU AND JESUS,
BUT TO SURRENDER,

WHATEVER IT IS,
AND TO–CRYING, JUST TEARS

STREAMING DOWN MY FACE.

BUT LIKE, THE PHYSICAL
RELEASE YOU GET,

WHEN YOU WORSHIP,
AND SAYING, NOTHING’S CHANGE–”

MY CIRCUMSTANCE, WHEN I LEAVE
THIS PLACE, IS GONNA

BE THE SAME, BUT I WILL
GIVE YOU EVERYTHING I HAVE.”

JAI: “I’LL BE DIFFERENT.”
ERIN: YES.

SO, I LEAVE THAT ROOM, LIKE,
I CAN FIGHT AGAIN.

LIKE THAT GRIT HAS COME BACK.

I AM EMPTY.

I HAVE LEFT ALL MY TEARS
ON THE FLOOR.

I’M SORRY FOR THE KLEENEX.

BUT I WILL LEAVE WITH SUCH
STRENGTH BECAUSE OF WHAT

I LEFT ON THAT MAT, YOU KNOW.

ERICA: ABSOLUTELY.

GINGER: THAT’S GOOD.

I THINK THIS HAS BEEN
SO PRACTICAL AND SO ENCOURAGING

FOR PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE
THOSE SHACKLES ARE SO TIGHT.

AND NONE ARE SO TIGHT THAT GOD
CAN’T HELP BREAK THEM OPEN.

SO, HAVING THESE REALLY
IDENTIFIABLE STEPS,

HOW TO FIGHT BACK.

YOU ARE STRONG BECAUSE
HE IS STRONG.

SO, WE JUST PRAY FOR YOU, TODAY,
THAT YOU’RE ENCOURAGED

THAT GOD BREAKS THOSE
SHACKLES RIGHT OFF OF YOU,

SO THAT YOU CAN DANCE,
AND PRAISE, AND THAT YOU’LL

REALLY SEE HIM MOVING
IN YOUR LIFE, EVEN WHEN

YOU DON’T REALIZE IT.

EVEN WHEN YOU’RE ASKING
THE WHY QUESTIONS,

AND NOT GETTING THE ANSWERS
TRUST IN HIM, DON’T GIVE UP,

STAND ON HIS WORD.

WE HAVE A FREE RESOURCE
FOR YOU, TODAY,

THAT WILL HELP A LOT.

IT’S CALLED,
“UNSHAKEABLE TRUST.”

AND IT IS A FREE AUDIO DOWNLOAD.

YOU CAN GET IT, AS WE SAID,
IT’S ABSOLUTELY FREE.

YOU GOT NOTHING TO LOSE.

SO, GO CHECK THIS OUT.

IT’S AT
JOYCEMEYER.ORG/TALKITOUT.

OF COURSE, THERE,
YOU CAN FIND OUT ABOUT

OUR OTHER PROGRAMS,
CATCH UP ON ALL THE PODCASTS.

DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR BEING ONE OF US,

AND SITTING HERE WITH US,
AND TALKING IT OUT TOGETHER.

AND ERICA, YOU HAVE BEEN
SUCH FUN, AND SUCH A BLESSING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ERICA: THANK YOU.

ABSOLUTELY.

MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

ERIN: WE LOVE YOU.

ERICA: I LOVE YA’LL, TOO.

GINGER: YOU’RE ONE OF OUR
FRIENDS NOW, SO YOU’RE

STUCK WITH US.

[LADIES LAUGHING]

ERICA: ABSOLUTELY, FOR SURE.

GINGER: WE WILL SEE YOU
ALL NEXT TIME.

LOVE YOU.

[MUSIC]