An Encounter With Jesus

“I was first introduced to Triumph of Hope when I was invited by a friend to the “Renewing the Mind” training. She knew what mental battles I had been facing in the past year and she kindly encouraged me to attend this training with her. As soon as I saw the name of the event, I gave her my yes and said I would love to attend. I had no expectations on the day of the event, but I knew that it was something I needed to prioritize. As soon as we arrived, I was met with the friendliest faces and knew I was in a place where the presence of the Lord dwelt among these ladies.

When the Triumph of Hope teacher began speaking, I was captivated by every word she said. I resonated with the examples of anxiety and restlessness she was giving and clung to every verse and piece of encouragement she offered. I found myself wanting to write down every word she was saying just to live the way she was. I was fixated on the right things to do to “fix” my anxiety and to rid myself of any fear I had for my life. As she continued to talk, she opened the invitation to living a life of peace. I was willing to do whatever it took to achieve that. But she gently reminded us, it is not through achieving that it is found, but instead through surrender and having a mind of the Spirit. I began to cry at the thought of this as my entire life until this point had been achieving for the rewards I had experienced. Subconsciously, I was trying to do the same with the battle I faced with anxiety and panic attacks. I was so desperate for peace in my mind, I spent all of my time and energy on research, supplements, breathing practices, etc. I strived to achieve the perfect formula for peace. I kept mentally picturing myself renewing my mind through dunking my head underwater to rid my mind from any striving, achieving or fearful thoughts. It was a picture of baptism that kept being brought to mind. After the Triumph of Hope teacher was done speaking, she began to wander around the room as the intercessors prayed over us. Her hands met my shoulders, and I began to weep as her prayer was everything I had been convicted of while she was speaking. The Holy Spirit met me in that moment, in my tears, my exhaustion, and my surrender of striving for something only He brings.

It led me to realize how much I had been living in a mind of fear and anxiety simply from how much I wanted to control my life, my body, my circumstances, and my mind. As I wiped my tears and began to head out the door, she announced someone was getting baptized, and if we would like to stay and watch, we could. She also mentioned that the Lord put on her heart that this one woman would not be the only one to get baptized today. I immediately fell into tears as I felt the Lord’s voice tell me it was me. The invitation was there for me to experience the picture he had given me an hour earlier.

10-15 women gathered around a bathtub speaking life and truth over me and 3 other women. I watched as each one was set free from a variety of different lies they had been captive to and proclaimed freedom, stepping into a mind made anew. As I got in the tub, I confessed that I was leaving anxiety, fear, and control over my body and mind in the water. And through the power of the Lord and the Holy Spirit, I was brought out of that water with the joy of the Lord shining on my face and a thousand pounds lighter mentally. It’s a day I often reflect on whenever I continue to face the battles of my mind. I am able to close my eyes and find my rest and true peace, knowing my striving was laid down in the waters of that tub that day, and I can rest knowing who goes before me, behind me, beside me, and all around me. He has continued to give me a mind of His spirit in the days to follow and has provided me with people and friends to point me back to the truth I was taught that day when I began to forget.

I still battle anxiety, but I don’t battle it out of fear anymore. I face it head-on on being equipped with the Holy Spirit who has given me a mind of peace, just as he has promised. When I don’t find that to be true, I go to my secret place to abide in Him through the word, prayer, and praise to heal my mind. I am so thankful for the Renewing of the Mind training to teach me these practices and I can confidently say it changed my life to live with a spirit of peace instead of a spirit of fear.

‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago’ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬.”

Jody P.