Seek Wisdom Part 2 - Desiring Change & Breaking Old Patterns

Introduction

“Welcome into Journey Into Trust Day by Day. My name is Dawn Hill, and I’m here with my friend Theresa Crystal, who I will be doing the second part of an interview with, where she’ll get to share more details about her story.

“If you missed my first interview, please look back. It was called Seek Wisdom, and it’s my interview with Theresa Crystal.

“If you’re interested in knowing more about me and things I’m up to, if you go to my website, you’ll be able to find my blog there and ways to access my book through Amazon and all kinds of things. So I encourage you to go there.

“But for now, we want to start with a biblical principle. It’s similar to last time, but we’re going to look at Proverbs 1:2–9. I just feel like it’s always important to start in God’s Word.”

Biblical Principle and Transition

“It says to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”

“Theresa has some great stories about ways that God has imparted wisdom to her, even before she became a Christian, when He was seeking her and drawing her to Himself.

“So I want her to share some of that, especially this idea of how God uses our parents. Sometimes we resist our parents’ instruction when we’re young, but how important it is. It was really key in Theresa’s life and something she treasures to this day.

“Theresa, will you share with us about the special gift your dad gave you for graduation and what that’s meant to you?”

Theresa’s Father and the Book

“Sure. Upon graduation, as I said, I wanted to join the Army and get out of the inner city, get away from some of the dysfunctional things that were happening in our home. So joining the Army was the perfect fit.

“My dad bought me a book. The author is John C. Maxwell, and the title of the book is Be All You Can Be.”

“That’s amazing. I love that—that’s the Army’s motto.”

“I think being his daughter, he saw potential in me that I couldn’t see. He knew that I had low self-esteem and self-doubt, so this book was just amazing. It brought out some very good points.

“Like you read in Proverbs 1, finding wisdom and seeking out wisdom through God’s Word is the way to go in finding your way in life. This book gave me some very good advice.”

“I love that you treasure it, especially now that your dad has passed away. To have that book from him and that reminder of how he cared for you and how God was using that is so special.”

Breaking Old Patterns

“Was there something in that book that helped you break free from some destructive life patterns? You shared before how you came from a very dysfunctional home, and even when you got away, the dysfunction came with you.”

“Yes, because we can’t get away from ourselves. But God loves us, and as He draws us to Himself, He does a transforming work in us.

“In the book, he talks about patterns for life—positive or negative—and how we should examine our habits and where they’re leading us.

“I realized things like smoking, drinking, and being careful about the people you spend time with really matter. I didn’t know much about goal setting or thinking about where I wanted my life to go.

“So John Maxwell helped me make important decisions—to be careful with relationships and who I allowed into my life, because they influence us. I also began thinking about setting goals and creating more positive, life-affirming habits.

“One of the first things I started with was exercise and bodybuilding. I wanted to live a healthy life, which meant trying to quit smoking. I wanted to be free from habits that were hurting me—but I realized freedom isn’t free.”

Desire for Change

“Do you think you had that desire before you came to know God?”

“Yes. It starts with a mindset of wanting to change and live differently. But I didn’t realize where the power would come from—it comes from God.

“John Maxwell is a believer, and he used Scripture in his book, which really pierced my heart and mind and got me thinking. It took several years before I gave my heart to God, but it helped me start thinking about what I wanted for my life.

“Your behavior is going to get you where you’re going. I began to realize that some of the things the world was telling me—about relationships, about our bodies—not mattering, were actually very destructive.”

Discipline and Growth

“That’s so true. Our bodies matter, and what we do matters.”

“Yes, and the Army gave me a sense of discipline I hadn’t known before. I had to learn how to go to bed early, get up early, and work toward fitness.

“As I started taking care of my body, I became happier and more positive. Then I started thinking beyond fitness—what are my goals for life?

“My commanding officers helped me realize I could get an education. I wanted to be promoted, live in Europe, learn a new language, and become an educated person. My self-esteem began to grow.”

Books That Helped

“You mentioned another book that helped you break habits.”

“Yes, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. That helped me understand how habits work and how to build good ones and break old ones.

“I also read about lies that women believe, and I started to think maybe I was believing the wrong things.”

Coming to Faith and Forgiveness

“Do you think that was after you became a Christian?”

“Yes. When I went home, I learned about my brother’s conversion, and my sisters were writing me letters about their faith in Jesus and how forgiveness gave them peace.

“Forgiveness is huge. Not just receiving forgiveness from God, but forgiving others. Holding onto bitterness is very destructive.”

“That’s so true.”

“One of the biggest freedoms God gave me was the ability to forgive. It didn’t happen instantly—it took years. But once I understood that Christ had forgiven me, He also began to heal me.

“I was in a pit of despair and bitterness, but God helped me out of that. That’s where we find peace—knowing who we are in Christ and letting Him rebuild our lives.”

Renewing the Mind

“I also read Battlefield of the Mind, and that really taught me how to use God’s Word to guard my heart and mind and change my thoughts.

“That’s such a powerful book. It really helps you replace old thought patterns with Scripture.”

“I remember hearing that our minds are like walls covered with old ‘wallpaper’—beliefs and lies we’ve carried for years. When we bring God’s truth in, it replaces those lies and brings freedom.

“When God showed me lies I had believed, it wasn’t just about replacing them intellectually—He had to heal my heart too. Then the truth could really take root.”

Closing

“We’re about out of time, so I just want to close with John 8:31–32 and 36:

‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free… if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’

“That’s what we’re talking about—knowing God’s Word, knowing Jesus Christ, and letting Him set us free.

“And another verse that comes to mind is that the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

“That’s such a great verse. It’s not just happiness—it’s a deep joy that isn’t based on circumstances.”

“Well, we’re going to end there. Thanks for tuning in. I hope you’ll come back.

“This journey into trust day by day is about encouraging you in a relationship with God, teaching you biblical principles to build your life on, and introducing you to Jesus Christ if you don’t know Him yet.

“We’ll be sharing more soon, either with Theresa again or with other friends. Thanks so much for tuning in.”