Be Still and Listen: Control

This episode is an invitation to put the practice of surrender into action. Picking up where we left off, Tim and Josh lead us through a guided listening exercise designed to create a moment of stillness and connection with God.In this episode, we will:Quietly settle our hearts and minds, inviting God's presence into our space.Reflect on the areas where we are holding onto control—the very things that keep us from the peace we crave.Pray a simple prayer of release and surrender: "God, I give everything and everyone to you. I want what you want."We will then revisit the Five F's—Faith, Family, Finances, Fullness, and Fun—using them as a guide to identify what we have been unwilling to surrender. This is a time for honest reflection and open-handed release, declaring Jesus as King over every part of our lives.This episode is for you, whether you're a new listener or an alum of the One Year Journey. Let's make space to be still, listen to God's voice, and experience the freedom that comes with true surrender.

In a world that tells you to hustle harder and take control, what if the secret to a truly free and light life is found in letting go?This episode of Free And Light is the culmination of our season-long journey to look beneath the surface of our lives. We'll explore why our relentless need for control often stems from a lack of trust in God, leading to a life of chaos and exhaustion. Drawing from personal stories and practical wisdom, we’ll unpack the transformative phrase, "I Am Not The King," and discuss what it means to practice surrender in tangible, everyday ways.Join us as we talk about:The difference between surface idols and the underlying source motivations driving our lives.How to identify the fear that fuels our need for control.The practical steps to release psychological ownership and hand off the burden to Jesus.The profound freedom and peace that come when we place God back on the throne of our hearts.This podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

Are you wrestling with the idol of control? In this guided listening experience, we invite you to settle your heart and mind, acknowledging that while safety and security are good desires, they make a terrible god. Through a series of reflective questions, we'll create space for God to speak directly into your tendencies to control, helping you identify what keeps you from fully trusting Him. Prepare to release the reins and discover the profound peace found in surrender.

We all crave a sense of order, but what happens when that desire for control becomes an idol? In this episode, Kelli shares a deeply relatable story about wrestling with control in her own life – trying to guide her daughter's future when God had a different plan. We'll unmask how this "sneaky idol" manifests, from perfectionism to anxiety, and explore how it silently declares, "I know better than God." Discover the cost of living an "independent life" and the freedom found in truly trusting Him.This podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

The lies we believe about ourselves and God often run deep, especially concerning comfort. This guided listening episode will lead you beneath the surface, inviting you to release control and allow God to illuminate areas where the idol of comfort has taken root.Awareness Questions:1. where in life do I often respond with impulsive behavior?2. What are the biggest contributors to stress in my life?Be Still and Listen:1. God, what am I believing about you that keeps me from recognizing that you are safe?2. God, what do you want me to know about comfort3. God what do you want me to do to push against a comfort idol? What guardrails do I need in my life?

Ever find yourself reaching for distractions, avoiding tough conversations, or simply wanting to be "not bothered"? These might be signs of the comfort idol at work. This episode unmasks how our pursuit of immediate gratification and freedom from stress can quietly rot our hearts, leading to an unfulfilled, diminished life. Join us to discover how to break free from the comfort trap.Topics discussed in this episode:What is our coping mechanism of choice to wind down at the end of the day?The sneaky deception of the source idol of ComfortWhat can happen when the core driving force of our lives are comfort and securityOur need for immediate gratification or pain reliefGetting outside of our comfort zoneThe biggest problem emotion of apathy and boredomThe benefits of doing hard thingsThis podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

Idols cannot simply be removed, they must be replaced. That begins with being still and ends with our ability to listen to what God has to say. Find a quiet place with no distractions; and then begin to take a few deep breaths…Awareness Questions:1. Where do my thoughts effortlessly go when nothing is demanded of me?2. Am I able to be authentic and real with others?3. What impact does rejection or the fear of rejection have on me?4. How do people around me often feel? Be Still and Listen:1. God, when was the last time I sought the approval of others in an effort to feel secure in my perceived identity?2. God, where am I seeking the approval of others in my life right now?3. God, is there anything keeping me from recognizing and receiving your love and approval?This podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

We often chase what feels good on the surface, but what if the real drive comes from something far deeper? In this episode, we're diving into the source idol of approval – that intense, often subconscious, desire to be loved and respected by others above all else. This isn't just about affirmation; it's about a deep-seated longing that, if left unchecked, can quietly displace God in your heart.We'll explore how the need for approval manifests in your life, from the fear of rejection to the relentless quest to exceed expectations. You'll learn why this idol can lead to a problematic emotion like cowardice, and how it subtly accuses God of not being trustworthy or enough. Drawing on insights like Tim Keller's definition of a "counterfeit god," we'll uncover how the approval of others can become so central that life feels unbearable without it. Join us as we unmask this powerful idol and begin to understand what it means to find true freedom and identity in God's unconditional love.Topics discussed in this episode:Have you ever had a job that you absolutely hated? We have!Josh shares a story about how he was motivated by the approval of othersHow approval warps our sense of purposeThe source idol of ApprovalThe worst nightmare of someone with an approval idolThe problem emotion of cowardiceQuestions that you can ask to interrogate the source idol of approvalThis podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

We invite you to join us for a guided experience that will help you uncover the deeper sources of idolatry in your life. This episode will lead you through a process of settling, releasing control, and listening to God's voice as we explore our longing for power and influence. We'll ask God to reveal the recurring pain points that need His healing touch and to speak the truth of who we are in Him.This podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.

Our identity and purpose is supposed to be found in God. However, in our quest for a meaningful life we can often easily grasp for power and influence in areas that we were never meant to pursue. We wind up making good things ultimate things and displacing God on his throne. What could happen if you allowed God to access this part of your heart and speak to you?Topics discussed in this episode:Tim admits that he loves romcom’s Bill tells a story about being fired from his dream jobSource idolsThe source idol of PowerWhat is a counterfeit god?Helpful questions to determine if you have a Power idolFree Resource: Source Idols GridThis podcast is an offering of Seek Well. To find out more about us visit seekwell.orgWant to help? Please consider supporting this podcast with a tax deductible monthly donation. Your generosity will help us continue to invest in the lives of men and women who want to live the life that Jesus offers by learning to slow down, listen for his voice and Seek Well. To donate, visit seekwell.org/donate.