If I Were the Devil: The War On Love Podcast

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Journal Prompt Questions for Going Deeper:1. Recognizing the Enemy's Strategies "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." – Ephesians 6:12Which of the 10 enemy distortion strategies resonated most deeply with you? Write about specific ways you've experienced this strategy in your life. How has it kept you from experiencing God's love and freedom?2. What I Did vs. Who I Am "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." – 2 Corinthians 5:17Reflect on the distinction between "what I did" versus "who I am." Where have you allowed your past failures or sins to define your identity? What would it look like to separate your behavior from your belovedness in Christ?3. Moving from Hiding to Being Known "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me... Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" – Psalm 139:1, 7I mentioned that "our true self cannot develop in isolation." What fears keep you hiding your real self from God and safe community? What might change if you stepped into vulnerability with people further along in the healing journey?4. Breaking Free from Performance "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." – Matthew 11:28-29Where are you exhausted from performing, striving, or trying to earn love? What would it look like to rest in being a "human being" rather than a "human doing"? How might God be inviting you to receive His grace instead of working for it?www.daniellenicolecoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Trauma Informed Relationship Coaching. Soul Care Retreatswww.trinitywellnessgroup.com for Holistic Trauma Therapy in the State of PA Virtual & In-Person- 1-3 Day Intensives DISCLAIMER NOTICE For Counseling Referrals that integrate Biblical Worldview with therapy: 1-800-New Life1-855-771-HELPhttps://christiancareconnect.com/

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Deeper Reflection Prompts:Here are 3 powerful journal prompts based on God's "I AM" declarations:1. The God Who Simply IS Exodus 3:14 reveals that God is self-existent, eternal, and unchanging - He doesn't depend on anything or anyone else to exist. Reflect on areas where you've been seeking identity, worth, or stability from things that change (relationships, achievements, appearance, others' opinions). How might connecting with the "I AM" - the One who never changes - bring you the security you've been seeking elsewhere?Scripture to sit with: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)2. Before Your Story Began In John 8:58, Jesus said "Before Abraham was, I AM" - existing outside of time, present before your family patterns began, before your trauma happened, before the lies took root. What would it mean for you to invite the eternal "I AM" into the timeline of your story? What might He want to speak over the moments that shaped the beliefs you carry about yourself?Scripture to sit with: "Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58), "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5)3. Who Jesus Says "I AM" vs. Who You Believe You Are Jesus makes seven "I AM" declarations in John's Gospel about His identity and what He provides. What "I am" statements have you been believing about yourself (I am unworthy, I am too much, I am not enough, I am damaged, I am alone)? Write them down, then beside each one, write which of Jesus' "I AM" statements directly counters that lie.Scripture to sit with: John 6:35, 8:12, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1www.daniellenicolecoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Trauma Informed Relationship Coaching. Soul Care Retreatswww.trinitywellnessgroup.com for Holistic Trauma Therapy in the State of PA Virtual & In-Person- 1-3 Day Intensives DISCLAIMER NOTICE For Counseling Referrals that integrate Biblical Worldview with therapy: 1-800-New Life1-855-771-HELPhttps://christiancareconnect.com/

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Here is some journal questions if you'd like to take a deeper dive:1. Redefining Love Through ScriptureRead 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 slowly. As you read each characteristic of love (patient, kind, not self-seeking, etc.), reflect: What messages about love did I learn in childhood that contradict God's definition? Write about one specific "love lesson" from your family of origin and how it has shaped your relationships. How is God inviting you to unlearn this pattern and embrace His superior way of love?2. From Shame to Identity in ChristThe transcript speaks of shame as "turning on ourselves" and fearing exposure. Read Romans 8:1 ("There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"). Journal about a specific area where you still carry shame—where you feel "not good enough" or like a fraud. What would it look like to bring this into God's perfect love that "casts out fear" (1 John 4:18)? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about who He says you are in this area.3. Identifying Your "Egypt"In Luke 9:23, Jesus calls us to "deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him." The transcript explains this means denying our "shame-filled, self-seeking wounded selves" that seek love in counterfeit ways. What is your "Egypt"—the familiar but unhealthy pattern or coping mechanism you keep returning to when uncomfortable emotions arise? What comfort or false sense of control does it provide? What might God be inviting you to trust Him with instead as He leads you toward the "Promised Land" of freedom?www.daniellenicolecoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Trauma Informed Relationship Coaching. Soul Care Retreatswww.trinitywellnessgroup.com for Holistic Trauma Therapy in the State of PA Virtual & In-Person- 1-3 Day Intensives DISCLAIMER NOTICE For Counseling Referrals that integrate Biblical Worldview with therapy: 1-800-New Life1-855-771-HELPhttps://christiancareconnect.com/

JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR DEEPER REFLECTION:1. Identifying Your Nervous System PatternsScripture: Psalm 139:23-24 - "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."The transcript mentions eight telltale signs of a heightened nervous system: overreacting to minor stressors, difficulty relaxing, hypervigilance, quick anger, difficulty trusting, physical symptoms, or shutting down when overwhelmed. Ask God to search your heart and reveal which of these patterns He sees in you. Write about a recent situation where you noticed this pattern showing up. What was your nervous system trying to protect you from? What does God want to show you about this pattern?2. The War Between Your Spirit-Led Self and Your "Trauma Self"Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."Think about a recurring conflict in an important relationship. Describe what your "trauma self" looks like in that conflict versus what your "spirit-led self" would look like walking in the fruits of the Spirit. Which fruit is hardest for you to access when you're triggered? 3.Dying to the False Self, Putting on the New SelfScripture: Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."What "coverings" or false identities have you hidden behind to survive and find acceptance? (Examples: achievement, control, people-pleasing, perfectionism, humor, toughness, staying invisible, busyness). These are your "old self"—the trauma-based adaptations you created outside of God's covering. Write about the false self you've presented to the world versus the true self God formed in your mother's womb (Psalm 139:13-16). What would it look like to "die to self"—not in shame or self-deprecation, but by surrendering your self-protective mechanisms and trusting God's covering? Ask God: Who did You create me to be before trauma told me who I needed to become?www.daniellenicolecoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Trauma Informed Relationship Coaching. Soul Care Retreatswww.trinitywellnessgroup.com for Holistic Trauma Therapy in the State of PA Virtual & In-Person- 1-3 Day Intensives DISCLAIMER NOTICE For Counseling Referrals that integrate Biblical Worldview with therapy: 1-800-New Life1-855-771-HELPhttps://christiancareconnect.com/

Journal Prompts: What Is the Self Biblically?1. Exploring the Image of God in You"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:27Reflect on what it means that you bear God's image—that your worth is ontological (based on your being) rather than functional (based on your doing):What aspects of God's character do you see reflected in how He uniquely created you? (Consider your creativity, capacity for love, ability to make choices, unique gifts, personality traits, etc.)How does believing you bear God's image change the way you speak to yourself? What would shift if you truly believed your worth exists independent of your performance, others' opinions, or your circumstances?Where have you been treating yourself with contempt or neglect—and how might that contradict God's heart toward His image-bearer (you)? What would it look like to honor the image of God in you through how you care for yourself today?2. Holding the Tension: Beloved AND Broken"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17The biblical self is both fallen (affected by sin) and beloved (cherished by God). Sit with this paradox:What happens inside you when you focus only on your sinfulness and brokenness? How does that affect your relationship with God, yourself, and others?What happens when you focus only on being God's beloved without acknowledging your need for transformation and healing? Where might that lead to spiritual bypassing or avoiding necessary growth work?How can you hold both truths simultaneously—that you are completely loved as you are AND that you are being transformed into something more? What does it look like to extend yourself both grace (for where you are) and truth (about where growth is needed)?3. Dying to Self vs. Neglecting Self"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'" - Luke 9:23"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me... My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." - Matthew 26:38-39Jesus modeled both honest self-awareness AND surrender to the Father's will. Explore what dying to self actually means:Make two lists: In one column, write what you've been taught "dying to self" means. In the other, write what Jesus actually modeled in Gethsemane (expressing feelings honestly, asking for needs to be met, stating what He wanted, then surrendering His will to the Father's).Where have you confused self-neglect with sanctification? Where have you ignored your body's signals, dismissed your legitimate needs, or silenced your voice—believing this was what it meant to follow Christ?What would it look like to follow Jesus' example—to be fully honest about your feelings and needs while also remaining surrendered to God's will? What is one area where you need to practice this kind of integration this week?4. Stewarding the Self God Gave You"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20"We are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10You are not your own—you're a steward of the life, body, mind, and calling God has entrusted to you:If you truly viewed yourself as God's temple and His handiwork that He is entrusting to your care, how would you treat yourself differently? What would change about your self-talk, your boundaries, your rest rhythms, or how you respond to your needs?Where have you been practicing poor stewardship of yourself—running on empty, ignoring warning signs, saying yes when you need to say no, or neglecting the very vessel through which God wants to do His work? What is that costing you, and what is it costing the kingdom work you're called to?What is one specific way you can practice faithful stewardship of yourself this week—honoring the image of God in you, caring for the temple He dwells in, and protecting the calling He's placed on your life? Write out a concrete commitment and ask God to help you follow through.Take your time with these prompts. Let the Holy Spirit meet you in the process of discovery. There's no rush—healing and transformation happen in honest reflection and God's gentle leading, not in perfectly crafted answers.www.daniellenicolecoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Trauma Informed Relationship Coaching. Soul Care Retreatswww.trinitywellnessgroup.com for Holistic Trauma Therapy in the State of PA Virtual & In-Person- 1-3 Day Intensives DISCLAIMER NOTICE For Counseling Referrals that integrate Biblical Worldview with therapy: 1-800-New Life1-855-771-HELPhttps://christiancareconnect.com/

What is motivating my actions? When you think about your daily behaviors—giving, serving, obeying—are they rooted in love and relationship with God, or are they driven by duty, obligation, appearance, or seeking approval from others?Am I loving God, or just knowing about Him? Reflect on the difference between religious duty and true relationship. Are you spending time with God to know His character, promises, and power, or are you just checking spiritual boxes?How am I expressing love according to 1 Corinthians 13? Read through the description of love (patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, etc.) and honestly assess: How am I demonstrating this love toward God? Toward myself? Toward others?Where am I unplugged from the power of the Holy Spirit? Like a toaster oven that isn't plugged in, are there areas of your life where you're trying to love and serve in your own strength instead of acknowledging, receiving, and engaging with the Holy Spirit's power?www.daniellenicolecoaching.com for Faith-Integrated Trauma Informed Relationship Coaching. Soul Care Retreatswww.trinitywellnessgroup.com for Holistic Trauma Therapy in the State of PA Virtual & In-Person- 1-3 Day Intensives DISCLAIMER NOTICE For Counseling Referrals that integrate Biblical Worldview with therapy: 1-800-New Life1-855-771-HELPhttps://christiancareconnect.com/