089 | How to Slay Your Giants: Why Avoidance Isn't Freedom and What to Do Instead

What if the things you've learned to live with… aren't just affecting you? What if the "giants" you've tolerated—fear, anxiety, bitterness, unforgiveness—are quietly shaping the lives of the people you love most? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, pastor and author Angi Jeffcoat shares her personal journey of confronting the giants that had taken up residence in her life—and the freedom she found on the other side. "We think we're okay," she says. "But those giants are taking up space in our lives… and they're going to impact the people around us whether we want them to or not." From growing up in a home marked by verbal abuse and abandonment, to carrying hidden bitterness toward her father while preaching forgiveness from the pulpit, Angi reveals how easy it is to believe we've healed… when we haven't. "I thought forgiveness was doing him a favor," she admits. "But really, I was the one in bondage." Her story takes a sobering turn when she feels God ask her to reconcile—and delays. Just days later, her father unexpectedly passes away. "I never got to reconcile on this side of heaven." What follows is a journey through grief, counseling, and the painful but freeing process of facing what was really in her heart. Through it, Angi uncovers not just bitterness—but anxiety, identity struggles, and patterns she didn't even realize had become her normal. "I didn't know who I was without anxiety." This episode is both a warning and an invitation: • A warning that avoidance is not freedom • An invitation to identify the giants you've normalized • And a reminder that healing is available—but it requires honesty If you've ever said "I'm fine" while something still lingers beneath the surface… If you've struggled with forgiveness but justified holding on… If you've assumed your internal battles only affect you— This conversation will challenge you to look again. Because the giants you don't confront… don't just stay with you. Key Takeaways 1. The Giants You Tolerate Don't Just Affect You—They Impact Everyone Around You Angi's central insight reframes personal struggle as relational responsibility: "Even if we think we're okay… they're going to impact the people around us." Her unforgiveness toward her father didn't stay contained—it affected her children, her peace, and her relationships. The episode teaches that internal battles are never truly private. What you carry shapes how you show up. 2. You Can Preach Freedom While Secretly Living in Bondage One of the most striking admissions: Angi was teaching on forgiveness while still holding bitterness. This exposes a dangerous disconnect—knowing truth versus living it. The episode challenges listeners to examine where they may be spiritually informed but emotionally unfree. 3. Forgiveness Isn't for Them—It's for You "I thought forgiveness was doing him a favor… but really, I was the one in bondage." This shift is foundational. The episode teaches that unforgiveness doesn't punish the other person nearly as much as it imprisons you. Freedom begins when you stop viewing forgiveness as justice for them and start seeing it as release for you. 4. Delayed Obedience Can Close Doors You Thought You Had Time to Walk Through When God said "reconcile," Angi hesitated—and her father passed away days later. This moment carries weight: sometimes the opportunity to obey is time-sensitive. The episode doesn't manipulate urgency—but it does reveal reality. Not every door stays open forever. 5. You Can Live with a Giant So Long That It Feels Like Your Personality "I didn't know who I was without anxiety." This reveals how normalized dysfunction can become. Anxiety, fear, low self-worth—these can feel like identity rather than intrusions. The episode teaches that just because something feels familiar doesn't mean it's meant to stay. 6. Healing Is Both Spiritual and Practical Angi's journey included prayer—but also counseling. Breathing exercises. Processing memories. The episode affirms that God often works through both spiritual and practical means. Healing isn't passive—it's participatory. 7. Bitterness Often Hides Behind Justification Angi justified her distance from her father as protection—but later recognized it as punishment. This exposes how easily we rename bitterness as wisdom or boundaries. The episode invites listeners to examine their motivations honestly. 8. Freedom Changes You in Ways You Didn't Expect When Angi experienced healing, it wasn't just emotional—it was physical. Her body began to recover from years of anxiety. The episode teaches that healing isn't just internal—it reshapes how you live, feel, and function. Key Themes Overcoming Giants • Fear, Anxiety, and Bitterness • Forgiveness and Reconciliation • Emotional Healing • Hidden Strongholds • Spiritual Authority • Counseling and Faith • Generational Impact • Identity and Freedom • Delayed Obedience • Healing from Abuse • Anxiety and the Body • Faith Through Fiction Podcast • Personal Testimony • Slaying Giants • Freedom in Christ • Unforgiveness and Its Consequences • Spiritual Growth and Self-Awareness Who Will Benefit From This Episode ✓ Anyone struggling with unforgiveness or unresolved pain ✓ People who believe they've "moved on" but still feel triggered or reactive ✓ Those dealing with anxiety that feels like part of their identity ✓ Listeners who have normalized emotional or spiritual "giants" ✓ Parents who want to understand how their internal struggles affect their children ✓ Believers who know truth intellectually but feel stuck practically ✓ Anyone delaying obedience in an area God has made clear ✓ Those healing from family wounds, abandonment, or abuse ✓ People considering counseling but unsure if it's necessary ✓ Listeners who want real, practical steps toward freedom—not just inspiration ✓ Anyone asking: "Why don't I feel free, even though I should be?" ✓ Those ready to confront what they've been avoiding Mentions (all Bible verses referenced here are from the NIV): Ephesians 6:12  Angi's book: Giant Killers Luke 6:45 II Corinthians 3:17 John 8:36 Psalm 139 CTAs: Start reading Loosed, book three of my biblical fiction series The Lambswool Chronicles Use this affiliate code to get great bonuses with Galaxy.ai: GF4MX8R If you've been blessed by this podcast, help us bless others with your financial giving. It might be the best money you've ever spent. In addition to the podcast, join the community Start reading Legacy, book one of my biblical fiction series The Lambswool Chronicles  Start reading Lunacy, book two of my biblical fiction series The Lambswool Chronicles Ask me to speak or facilitate at your event Follow me on Instagram: anna.moore.bradfield Follow me on Facebook: anna.moore.bradfield.author