How to Overcome Fleshly Desires and Choose God

What do you do when your flesh wants something that you know is not good for you?   In this episode, I am sharing a real, unedited morning from our home after an exhausting night with our almost seven-month-old, Samuel. I was tired, my husband was frustrated, the kids were up early, and there was peanut butter everywhere! Underneath all of it was something much deeper: the daily battle between what our flesh desires in the moment and what we know God is asking of us. For my husband, one of those struggles has been caffeine. Not because coffee itself is automatically sinful, but because he knows his own patterns and triggers. Following Jesus does not mean we suddenly stop having those desires; sometimes it means feeling them and choosing obedience anyway. This conversation offers practical Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God through surrendering everyday habits. In this episode, we discuss: The very real daily battle between our flesh and the Spirit Why something harmless for another person may not be wise for you How hearing God's voice helps us recognize personal triggers and patterns Why practicing authentic Christian living requires denying what feels good in the moment What the fruit of the Spirit reveals about the direction we are walking How to bring your struggles honestly before God instead of hiding them Why remembering whose you are makes sacrifice and surrender part of daily discipleship     Scriptures to Reflect On  Galatians 5:16–25  Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with walking in the Spirit and gives us the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  1 Corinthians 6:19–20  A powerful reminder that our bodies belong to God. We are not our own. We were bought at a price, and we are called to glorify God with our bodies.  Romans 12:1–2  Paul calls us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God rather than allowing ourselves to be conformed to the patterns of this world.  Luke 9:23  Jesus teaches that following Him involves denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following Him.  James 4:7–8  Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.  Romans 13:14  “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (NKJV)  Sometimes victory is not about proving how close you can get to temptation without falling. Sometimes wisdom means not making provision for it in the first place.    Reflect With Me  What fleshly desire have I been struggling with lately?  Is there something I keep telling myself is “not a big deal,” even though I know where it tends to lead me?  What fruit is this producing in my life? Is it leading toward love, joy, peace and self-control, or away from them?  What might God be asking me to surrender even though my flesh does not want to?  Instead of asking, “Can I have this?” what would change if I asked, “Will this bring me closer to God or further away from Him?”  Then bring the honest answer to your Father. You do not have to make the prayer polished. Tell Him the truth.  Father, I’m struggling. Help me desire what You desire. Give me the strength to surrender what is pulling me away from You and teach me to walk by Your Spirit.     

Sometimes the most humbling lessons with God happen right in the middle of ordinary life. In this episode, I share a personal experience where a good intention unintentionally hurt a friend. What followed was a powerful lesson in slowing down, hearing God's voice, taking full responsibility, and asking for forgiveness. God used that moment to remind me of Jesus' words about removing the plank from our own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else's. This conversation offers gentle Christian encouragement for every woman of faith seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God. It is an invitation to examine our hearts, extend grace, and practice authentic Christian living by remembering that we rarely know the full story behind someone else's choices.   In this episode, we discuss: Why judging others is easy when we do not know their circumstances, and what Jesus teaches about the plank in our own eye How listening when the Holy Spirit nudges you to slow down helps you humble yourself, ask for forgiveness, and learn from mistakes Why spiritual growth is not about becoming perfect, but becoming more teachable as Scripture comes alive in your daily walk   Scriptures Mentioned  Matthew 7:3–5  Jesus teaches us to first examine the plank in our own eye before focusing on the speck in someone else’s.  Matthew 18:21–22  Jesus reminds Peter that forgiveness is not something we extend only once. We are called to continue choosing forgiveness.    Reflect With Me  Where might you be judging someone without knowing the full story?  Has the Holy Spirit been nudging you to slow down, apologize, forgive, or change something?  Is there an area where God may be inviting you to look at your own heart before looking at someone else’s behavior?  What Scripture has recently felt like it suddenly came alive in your own everyday life?    Your Invitation  If you are longing to know Jesus more deeply and experience how His Word applies to your real, everyday life, grab your copy of Journeying with Jesus on Amazon.  Inside, you’ll walk through 12 journeys filled with biblical truth, reflection questions, and declarations designed to help you draw closer to God and remember that you are never walking alone.    Get Journeying with Jesus on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bfcn8xK You can also join the Deeply Devoted Bible Study community and journey alongside other Christian women who desire a deeper relationship with God.    Join Deeply Devoted: Telegram: Join Group Chat If this episode encouraged you, send it to a woman who might need this reminder today, subscribe to Made for Impact, and leave a review so more women can find the show.    Until next time, stay blessed. 🤍   

How do you surround yourself with wise, godly people without allowing their voices to become louder than God’s? In this episode, I share a powerful experience from a recent women’s Bible study where one woman courageously opened up about struggling again with alcohol and feeling distant from God. Instead of judgment, she was met with prayer, compassion, and authentic community. It was a beautiful reminder that we were never meant to walk out our faith alone. While wise counsel can support our journey, it can never replace hearing God's voice for ourselves. I reflect on my own past of searching for belonging, placing too much weight on relationships, and seeking validation in the wrong places. I also share how this exact lesson is showing up in real time as my family prays through major life decisions about where God is leading us next. This conversation offers practical Christian encouragement for every woman of faith who is seeking true spiritual growth for women and learning how to grow closer to God. In this episode, we discuss: Why safe Christian community creates space for honesty instead of shame The crucial difference between wise counsel and blindly following people How practicing real Christian living allows your vulnerability to become part of someone else’s breakthrough Why judging others keeps us from examining our own hearts and receiving biblical encouragement for women Why your testimony does not have to be polished to be powerful How to recognize whose voices are influencing your daily decisions How to receive counsel from godly friends while continuing to put God first   Scriptures to reflect on  Matthew 7:3–5  Jesus teaches us to examine the plank in our own eye before focusing on the speck in someone else’s.  Proverbs 11:14  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.  Proverbs 15:22  Plans are strengthened through wise counsel.  John 10:27  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  Hebrews 10:24–25  A reminder not to neglect gathering together, but to encourage one another in faith.    Reflection for this week  Who am I following?  Look honestly at the voices influencing your life right now. Friends. Family. Mentors. Social media. Podcasts. Culture.  Are they helping you draw closer to God, or have any of those voices quietly become louder than His?  Then ask yourself one more question:  Where is God inviting me to be more vulnerable so my story can encourage someone else?  You never know who needs the testimony you almost decided not to share.    Join the Deeply Devoted Bible Study  Looking for a small community of like-minded sisters in Christ where we can learn Scripture, grow together, and honestly share what God is doing in our lives?  Join Petia’s free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community on Telegram:  Join the Deeply Devoted Telegram community  Instagram: @PetiaBurns  Subscribe to Made for Impact so we can continue learning how to hear God’s voice, trust His leading, and faithfully walk in what He is calling us to. 

Can Christians desire abundance, or is that worldly? Before I knew Jesus, financial success was my security blanket, but after surrendering my life to Christ, God taught me that He alone is my provider and treasure. We are diving into what Scripture says about wealth, stewardship, and keeping our hearts guarded. This conversation offers Christian encouragement for any woman of faith learning how to grow closer to God, embrace spiritual growth for women, and practice authentic Christian living while navigating business goals. In this episode, we discuss: - Why financial success became an idol in my life before knowing Jesus - The transformation from trusting money to trusting God as my sole security - Why the Bible does not condemn wealth, but warns against the love of money - Biblical examples of faithful men and women whom God entrusted with abundance - How hearing God's voice helps us steward seasons of plenty and lack with open hands - Why our identity, peace, and security must always remain rooted in Christ alone   Scriptures mentioned:  Genesis 1–2  Genesis 13:2  Job 42:10–17  1 Kings 3:13  Acts 16:14–15  Matthew 27:57–60  Matthew 25:14–30  1 Timothy 6:10  1 Timothy 6:17  Deuteronomy 8:18    Join our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study  If you're longing to know Jesus more deeply, hear God's voice through His Word, and study the Bible alongside women from around the world, I'd love to invite you into Deeply Devoted, my free Bible study community on Telegram.    Inside, we read Scripture together, ask honest questions, encourage one another, and grow in our relationship with Jesus.    Join here:  https://t.me/+tN3mzu6qX3JiYTIx    Get your copy of Journeying with Jesus  If you're exploring faith, wrestling with questions, or simply longing to know Jesus more deeply, my book, Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed, was written for you.    Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4g0cRhR    If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone you love? Every review helps more people discover the hope, peace, and truth found in Jesus.    Thank you for being here. I'm so grateful you're part of the Made for Impact community, and I'll see you in the next episode. 

What if the question you are afraid to ask is the exact one that leads you closer to Jesus? In this personal episode, I am sharing the heart and story behind my first book, Journeying with Jesus. This is not a list of practical steps, but the story of how one honest question completely changed the direction of my life. From the outside, my life looked successful. I had built a thriving business, hosted international retreats, and achieved many of the goals I dreamed about. Yet deep inside, my soul was hungry for something this world could never satisfy. As I watched my husband grow more loving, patient, and fulfilled through his walk with God, one question kept resurfacing in my heart: "What if Jesus really is who He says He is?" That question led me on a journey of searching Scripture, learning how to grow closer to God, and ultimately discovering that Jesus is never intimidated by our doubts. This message offers powerful Christian encouragement for any woman of faith who is seeking spiritual growth for women and looking to experience true Christian living. In this episode, we talk about:  Why outward success can never satisfy the hunger of the soul How God gently draws us to Himself long before we recognize His voice The exact question that completely changed my life and identity What I searched for when I began exploring biblical encouragement for women Why Jesus welcomes honest questions instead of rejecting sincere seekers How hearing God's voice through my search inspired me to write my book   Scriptures Mentioned  Matthew 7:7–8  Jeremiah 29:13  John 14:6  James 1:5    Resources  Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed  If you've ever had questions about Christianity but didn't know who to ask, this book was written for you.  Deeply Devoted Bible Study  Every Thursday, women from around the world gather online to study God's Word together.  https://bit.ly/DeeplyDevotedBIBLEstudy    Let's Stay Connected  Instagram: @petiaburns  Podcast Instagram: @madeforimpact_podcast  Website: https://petiaburns.com    If this episode encouraged you…  Would you take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend? You never know who might be one honest question away from encountering Jesus. 

Have you ever sat down with the best intentions to be productive, only to have your plans completely interrupted? In this episode, I share a deeply personal moment from my morning that completely shifted my perspective. As I sat in my office thanking God for the blessing of working from home and witnessing my children's daily milestones, everything changed when my daughter hurt herself and needed my comfort. What initially felt like another delay became a powerful reminder that our first ministry always begins right inside our own homes. This message offers real Christian encouragement for every woman of faith who feels torn between productivity and peace. If you are learning how to grow closer to God in the middle of a busy season, remember that He often shapes our hearts through the exact moments we did not plan. True Christian living and spiritual growth for women happen when we realize that faithfulness in the ordinary daily details is never wasted.   Inside This Episode, You Will Discover: Why daily interruptions are not obstacles, but divine invitations for hearing God's voice How gratitude shifts our posture and brings biblical encouragement for women in seasons of uncertainty What it truly means to nurture the first ministry God has entrusted to you at home Gentle reassurance for women who feel behind, overwhelmed, or discouraged in their calling How God works on expanding our hearts before He ever expands our influence   Reflection Question: What if the very thing slowing you down today is actually the assignment God is using to shape your heart?   Key Takeaway  Sometimes the interruption is the assignment. God isn't only interested in what we accomplish for Him—He's forming who we become with Him.    Scripture to Reflect On  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...” — Colossians 3:23  “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...” — Matthew 6:33    Connect  If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that faithfulness matters more than perfection.    Join our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community: https://bit.ly/DeeplyDevotedBIBLEstudy 

✨ Join My Free Deeply Devoted Bible Study  If you're longing to know Jesus more deeply, hear His voice with confidence, and study Scripture alongside other women, I'd love to welcome you to our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community on Telegram.   Have you ever felt guilty because your quiet time with God lasted only a few minutes? I am sharing how God met me in just a few interrupted minutes while caring for my children and how those same small moments also helped me finish writing my first book. You will be encouraged to stop striving for the perfect quiet time and discover that Jesus faithfully meets us in ordinary, surrendered moments. This message offers real Christian encouragement for women of faith who are balancing a busy lifestyle. True Christian living is not about perfect performance, it is about learning how to grow closer to God right where you are. When we keep showing up, we experience deep spiritual growth for women, and hearing God's voice becomes so much easier. In This Episode Why five minutes with Jesus is never wasted when seeking biblical encouragement for women How motherhood has changed what daily time with God looks like for me What finishing a book in tiny pockets of time taught me about small faithfulness Why Jesus desires an authentic relationship over a perfect performance How small acts of obedience become a beautifully transformed life   Key Scriptures  Matthew 13:31–32 (The mustard seed)  Luke 10:38–42 (Mary and Martha)  James 4:8 (Draw near to God...)  Psalm 46:10 (Be still and know that I am God)    Reflection Question What would happen if, instead of waiting until you had an hour, you simply gave Jesus the next five minutes?  Connect with Me: Instagram: @madeforimpact_podcast   Coming Soon: Journeying with Jesus: Questions I Had Before I Believed, my upcoming book for seekers and new believers, sharing my personal journey from New Age spirituality to following Christ.

Have you ever felt like your life wasn't moving fast enough?  Maybe you've prayed for a relationship, a baby, healing, clarity, or purpose and wondered why God wasn't answering on your timeline.  In this deeply personal episode, I share how looking back completely changed the way I see God's timing. From pregnancy loss and heartbreak to motherhood, ministry, and finally beginning the book I always knew was inside me, I can now see that God wasn't withholding good things from me; He was preparing me for something better.  If you've ever felt frustrated by waiting, disappointed by closed doors, or tempted to force your own plans, I pray this conversation reminds you that God's delays are never wasted.  In this episode, you'll discover: • Why do we often try to control God's timeline • What my miscarriages taught me about trusting God • How surrender opened the door to peace and unexpected purpose • Why God cares more about our transformation than our timeline • The difference between striving in our own strength and being led by the Holy Spirit • How God unexpectedly led me to begin writing the book I've dreamed about for years  Scripture: James 4:8 - “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  ✨ Next Step  If you're longing to grow closer to Jesus, study Scripture with other women, and learn how to hear God's voice through His Word, I'd love to invite you to join our free Deeply Devoted Bible Study community on Telegram.  Join here: https://bit.ly/DeeplyDevotedBIBLEstudy  If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs the reminder that God is always working, even in the waiting.  

What do you do when you are running on empty and your perfectly planned day falls apart? In this episode, I am opening up my heart and my Bible to share a raw moment from my morning that completely shifted how I view control and surrender. We are diving deep into Matthew 4 to look at how the enemy tempts us when we are at our most depleted points, and I am sharing a personal story about the subtle ways we fall into the trap of striving over surrendering. If you are a Christian woman walking through a season of waiting or feeling completely overwhelmed, this message is for you. Let's stop opening our phones first thing in the morning and start opening our Bibles instead. Inside This Episode, You Will Discover: How your daily interruptions are actually divine appointments from God The dangerous trap of trying to control your own timeline instead of trusting the Holy Spirit Why reaching for social media when you are depleted makes you feel even more empty How to use the word of God as your ultimate anchor during spiritual battles Practical ways to find true peace in Christian motherhood when life feels heavy Reflection Question: What would change in your heart today if you fully trusted that God already knew every single detail of your situation before you even woke up this morning? Scripture to Reflect On: Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Matthew 4:4 (NIV) "Jesus answered, 'It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Connect and Community: Join Deeply Devoted on Telegram: Come grow closer to Jesus with us in our private Telegram Bible study group chat where I share my personal walk with God: http://t.me/+tN3mzu6qX3JiYTIx Follow Me on Instagram: Let's stay connected for daily Biblical encouragement and behind-the-scenes life updates: https://www.instagram.com/petiaburns/ If this episode filled up your soul, please share it with a friend, a sister, or a mom who needs a sweet reminder that God's presence is what will sustain them today.

What do you do when your perfectly planned day suddenly doesn't go according to plan?  In this short and heartfelt episode, Petia shares a real moment from motherhood that reminded her of a powerful truth: God is never surprised by the interruptions we face.  After carefully planning her day, everything shifted when her almost three-year-old daughter needed extra comfort and her four-month-old son became extra fussy. Instead of responding with frustration, Petia was reminded that perhaps the day was never hers to control in the first place.  Drawing from a recent message at church about the fruit of the Spirit, she reflects on surrender, patience, and trusting that God's plans are always greater than our own.  If you've ever felt frustrated when life doesn't go according to plan, this episode will encourage you to pause, breathe, and remember that God already knew how your day would unfold.  In This Episode: • Why interruptions may not be interruptions at all • Learning to surrender control to God • The connection between trust and the fruit of the Spirit • Finding peace when motherhood doesn't go according to plan • Remembering that God is never caught by surprise  Reflection Question: What would change today if you trusted that God already knew every detail before you even woke up?  Scripture to Reflect On:  Galatians 5:22–23 NIV "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  Connect: If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, take a screenshot, and tag @petiaburns so we can continue spreading God's light together!