26. When embracing uncomfortable leads to freedom and joy

This is a really important conversation. Jessica Hottle joins me to talk about healing from childhood trauma, learning how to forgive, and ultimately finding freedom in Christ. In this episode, we discuss: Responding to and recovering from childhood trauma How to forgive those who have wronged you and why it matters The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation How to dismantle the lies that keep us from healing and wholeness How to see the truth of Romans 8:28 when we're looking at past trauma Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 5 John 10:10 Psalm 145:17 Psalm 139 1 John 1 Resources Mentioned: More about Jessica  Follow Jessica on instagram Follow Living Free Living Healthy on instagram Boundaries by Henry Cloud  Try Softer by Aundi Kolber  Sponsors: Faithful Counseling – Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

Y'all are gonna love this girl. Ainsley Britain and her sassiness are in the house, talking about abusive relationships, how God has better for you, and how Jesus came to set us free.  In this episode, we discuss: How does one even find herself in an abusive relationship? How can we offer help and support to a friend in an abusive relationship? How the pathway to healing and freedom is a process that requires community How God is so much better and so much more powerful than we can ever understand Scripture Mentioned: James 5:14-15 Resources Mentioned: More about Ainsley Ainsley's coaching Ainsley's instagram Gary Thomas' Sacred Pathways

Songstress, Jillian Edwards, is here to talk about seasons of waiting, season of seeking clarity, and how there is blessing in the simple act of planting seeds. You will love this conversation and this woman--if you don't already! In this episode, we discuss:  Navigating the balance between faith and seeking clarity How seasons of waiting can be incredibly fruitful How our relationship with and definition of success should look different as followers of Christ How obedience, faithfulness, and success relate to each other Scripture mentioned: Phil 3:10 Isaiah 32:16-20 Psalm 84:11 Resources mentioned:  More about Jillian and her music! Jillian's latest album: Meadow The Dailys 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

If you only listen to one podcast episode in 2020, this should be it. Dr. Deb Gorton, author of Embracing Uncomfortable, shares her insight as a clinical psychologist with personal stories about how our drive for comfort is leading us away from our desired destination, and what you and I can do to start living differently. In this episode, we discuss:  How knowing your core identity gives you freedom to do so many other things How when we don't know who we are and what we value, we make the wrong short term decisions How when get locked into specific outcomes, it's hard to pivot when they don't match our reality How our drive for comfort leads us away from our desired destination Scripture mentioned: Colossians 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (NIV) Resources mentioned:  Embracing Uncomfortable by Dr. Deb Gorton More about Dr. Deb Gorton 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

What should have been an exciting new chapter of life, began with the funerals of her dad and then mom. Morgan Coyner joins me in the studio today to talk about her "great terrible", grief, death, addiction, and how the kindness of God can be found in even the darkest corners. In this episode, we discuss: How vital community is during seasons of grief When you struggle to see the kindness of the Lord How you can't allow your sin and shame to stay in the darkness The importance of lamenting and having space to wrestle with your doubts, anger, and disappointment Scripture mentioned: John 14:18 Psalm 68:6 1 Peter 5:10 Resources mentioned: The Next Door TND video Morgan talks about You can buy this cute T-shirt and support The Next Door TND Hope Line: 855-TND-HOPE Sponors: Faithful Counseling - Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

If you need to be reminded that God is in the details of your life, that He is for you, and that He's always good, my friend Laura Cooksey is here to testify. We talk about career, family planning, infertility, adoption, you name it-- we covered it. And you are going to be so grateful for this woman's story and her heart. In this episode, we discuss: The process of learning to trust God when reality doesn't meet our expectations How to plan, prepare, and pivot when the Lord redirects your steps How even amidst loss and grief, we can have hope How practicing gratitude in all circumstances is life giving and transforming Scripture Mentioned:  Prov 16:9 Isaiah 55:8-9 2 Cor 4:17 Lam 3:21-24 Ephesians 3:16-21 Resources Mentioned: The Thoughtful Table Follow @thethoughfultable on instagram Follow @laurabcooksey on instagram to learn about her new music!  Episode Sponsors: 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide My theme song and ad music is by my amazing friend, Shaylee Simeone. Check her out.

You are going to love my new friend and songstress, Hope Darst. This conversation of identity and finding freedom, quickly became a theological discussion and I am here for it. Hope's story is going to challenge you and move you, and you're definitely going to want to listen to her album, Peace Be Still, after it's over. In this episode, we discuss: How do we become aware of the lies we are believing? What does it practically look like to die to self? How do we transform our mind, feelings, and behavior to do what God wants us to do? How the goodness of God is often most experienced amidst things that do not feel good How the story of Joseph can reframe our expectations of the Christian life Scripture mentioned: Rom 12:2 Psalm 91 Resources mentioned: Hope's debut album- Peace Be Still Episode Sponsors: Faithful Counseling - Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective 25 Days in Philippians The College Girl's Survival Guide

Are you ready to have your faith built up? Because it's about to happen! I had the joy of sitting down with my friend, Rebecca Gray, to talk about 4 intense days that changed her life. She is here to testify of the Lord's goodness and you will only love Him more after listening to this. In this episode, we discuss: How we all have a choice of faith or fear How we can pray for miracles, we can pray for what we want, and also pray, "Thy Will Be Done" How surrounding yourself with God's Word, God's Spirit, and God's people is vital for walking through a hard season How fiery trials refine our faith Scripture mentioned: Joshua 1:9 Luke 22:42 Romans 8:28 Psalm 78:4 Resources mentioned: Beth Moore's Daniel 3 sermon The Blessing of a Skinned Knee Episode sponsors: Faithful Counseling 25 Days in Philippians

How do we navigate the tension, the rage, the disunity all around us? It's discouraging, disheartening, and disappointing. But it doesn't have to stay that way. Sarah Bauer Anderson, author of The Space Between: How Jesus Teaches Us to Live Together When Politics and Religion Pull Us Apart, joins me today to discuss how to be the people God created us to be in this cultural "No Matter What" season. In this episode, we discuss: How it is vital to remember the humanity of politicians and the people behind certain positions, and how to do that How to respond to the friend or family member who says, "You cannot be a Christian and vote for X, and I denounce you if you do." How to personally decide what issues are essential or hills to die on, and what aren't How to not just survive election day and following, but actually lean into the tension and grow as people How the "peace walls" in Northern Ireland were ineffective and what we can learn from that How Jesus teaches us to live together when politics pull us apart Scripture mentioned: Romans 12:18 Luke 19:1-10 Resources mentioned: Sarah's book: The Space Between Us  Episode sponsors: Faithful Counseling - Professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective Live True: 40 Days To Get Back to You by Christy Wright My theme song and ad music is by my amazing friend, Shaylee Simeone. Check her out.

If you've ever found yourself in a season of transition, fog, or wondered "Who am I now, Lord?" this conversation with Barbara Rainey will speak to you. Barbara is wise, gentle, and real. I was so encouraged by our time talking together-- and I know you will be too.  In this episode, we discuss: How can we know we are where God wants us and He is with us in it? How God doesn't do the same thing with everyone How can we learn and practice a rich and honest prayer life? What to do when you're disappointed with God What practical steps can we take to be who God created us to be when we don't really know who we are in a new season? How the fruit of spiritual maturity actually looks a lot different than we think it should Scripture Mentioned: Job 13:15 Hab 3:17-19 Resources Mentioned: More about Barbara: theraineys.org Barbara's book: My Heart, Ever His Barbara's Product line and blog: Ever Thine Home Barbara and Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest Crossway's Devotional Psalter My theme song and ad music is by my amazing friend, Shaylee Simeone. Check her out.