The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast (INOP): Recent Episodes
Proverbs 31 Ministries
For over 25 years Proverbs 31 Ministries' mission has been to intersect God's Word in the real, hard places we all struggle with. That's why we started this podcast. Every episode will feature a variety of teachings from president Lysa TerKeurst, staff members or friends of the ministry who can teach you something valuable from their vantage point. We hope that regardless of your age, background or stage of life, it's something you look forward to listening to each month!
Our desire to please God can so easily turn into us trying to perform.
But how do we know when we've slipped into striving? On this episode of the podcast, our new friend and author, Kaitlin Garrison, teaches us the difference between the true gospel of grace and the false gospel of grit. Overcome the cycle of shame from not being good enough by discovering the sweet relief that comes from our righteousness being found in Christ alone.
Related Resources:
- Order Kaitlin's new book, Sweet Relief: How the Gospel Frees Us from a Life of Striving, today!
- Connect with Kaitlin on Instagram @kaitlinngarrison
- We created COMPEL Writers Training just for YOU! Stay accountable to practice your writing skills, and know you are not alone through our online community. Registration for COMPEL is only open for a limited time, so don't wait. Click here to join today!
In the middle of your pain, how do you know if you're moving towards healing? When you're desperate to feel like your old self again, the self you were before the trauma happened, the pain can try to overtake you. But there is hope friend.
In this episode of Therapy & Theology, Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and licensed counselor Jim Cress will walk through 10 mile-markers to identify healing after you’ve been hurt or wronged.
Related Resources:
- We can’t always assume the broken pieces of our life circumstances are terrible and pointless — not with our God. Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see even your most hurtful situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story. Get your copy here.
- Check out our YouTube channel to watch these episodes in shorter installments.
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
If you've experienced something devastating, it's easy to question if you're on your way to healing: Is it normal to feel this way? How do I stop hurting? Is this going to hurt forever? Maybe you're even wondering: Is what I’m feeling a sign of trauma?
How do we move forward after we've experienced significant trauma?
With theological research and therapeutic insight, Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle and licensed counselor Jim Cress will help you understand the stages of trauma so you can best process your pain and move towards healing today.
Related Resources:
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We can’t always assume the broken pieces of our life circumstances are terrible and pointless — not with our God. Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see even your most hurtful situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story. Get your copy here.
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Check out our YouTube channel to watch these episodes in shorter installments.
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Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When life feels overwhelming or anxiety creeps in, our first response isn't always to turn to God's Word.
But Scripture has the Truth for whatever we are facing. On today's episode, author and singer-songwriter Ellie Holcomb shares the life-changing power of memorizing Scripture and how it inspires all her music. God's Word is living and active; something we can treasure. Learn easy steps to start memorizing Scripture, and how it helps discern the difference between lies and the Truth. Plus, it wouldn't be an episode with Ellie if she didn't sing and pray over us too. So grab your headphones or play in the car and join us!
Related Resources:
Join our next free Online Bible Study, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness with Ellie Holcomb starting Monday May 31. Overcome feeling lost in your anxious thoughts by joining a community that will remind you of what’s true in the middle of what feels loud in your own head. Click here to sign up for free today!
Follow Ellie on Instagram @ellieholcomb and find her music on Apple music and Spotify.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Have you ever struggled with a love-hate relationship with your body?
As women, the world has a lot to say about our bodies. But there's a big difference between having a Kingdom perspective of ourselves rather than a worldly one. And we need to be able to recognize what the enemy says v. what God says. Author, speaker and coach Jess Connolly joins us on the podcast today and shares her personal journey to breaking free from the body shame. Friend, your value is not wrapped up in the world's definition of beauty, but in who you are in Christ. It's time to break free. Listen in!
Related Resources:
- Make sure you grab a copy of Jess' book, Breaking Free from Body Shame and rename what the world has labeled as less-than.
- Want to go deeper? Get the Bible study that goes along with Breaking Free from Body Shame ,and become a change agent in partnering with God to bring revival to a generation of women.
- Big news ... Jess is speaking at She Speaks: The Best Kept Secrets for Content Creators July 14-16! Join her and women from around the world who are pursuing their God-given callings by registering today.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Does grace feel confusing sometimes?
Maybe it's a word you hear thrown around so often that it can lose its meaning. Or perhaps you struggle to understand what it means for you. Get ready to learn from our new friend Melissa Kruger, an author and the Director of Women's Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. She will walk us through what grace is, and why it's the best news we could receive for whatever we are facing today. She also shows us how we can explain the goodness of grace to the kids in our lives.
Related Resources:
- Make sure you get a copy of Melissa’s book, His Grace is Enough: How God Makes it Right When We’ve Got it Wrong to help you walk your kids through understanding grace.
- Connect with Melissa on Instagram at @melissabryankruger
- Join our “Proverbs 31 Mamas” Facebook group for a place to connect and find encouragement with other moms like you.
- If you are interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus, click here.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Contentment can feel impossible to achieve, especially in a season of singleness.
But if we dig into what the Bible actually says about contentment, we may find a different definition than we thought. On this episode, our friend Kendra LaGrand joins us for a conversation about finding contentment in singleness. We will discuss the feelings and struggles of being single, confusing messages from the church about singleness, practical ways to find purpose in singleness and what the Bible says about being content in any season. Including a helpful list of things to say and not to say to your single friends, there is something in this episode for everyone, no matter what your relationship status is.
Related Resources:
If you haven't participated in one of our FREE Online Bible Studies, now is the time! Each study ranges from 4-6 weeks, with varying topics, but there are plenty of options to stay connected and feel like you’re part of a movement of women journeying through the same book or Bible Study together. Learn more at proverbs31.org/study.
Our Mother's Day collection is here! Shop our intentional, curated collection for the woman you’re celebrating this year. Maybe this year the thing she needs most is a kind note and a book or a meaningful reminder to display around the house … we’ve got you covered! Check out our Mother’s Day collection at p31bookstore.com
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
What if the most crucial step we've been missing in preparing for a difficult conversation is first understanding how to best relate to the other person?
Our friend and leadership coach, Lisa Allen is back to help us understand the four conflict personality styles so we can be more self-aware and more understanding of the other person. Using Scripture as our guide, she will teach us why healthy conflict is important and how to do it better. Learn to meet the needs of the person you are talking to, without denying your own needs the next time you enter a tough conversation.
Related Resources:
Connect with Lisa Allen on her website at ljallencoaching.com. You can download her free resource, "Check Your Capacity" today!
We created "A Guide to Tough Conversations" to give you some practical and biblical steps to having challenging conversations with the people you love. Click here to download for free today!
Coming soon ... She Speaks Conference: The Best Kept Secrets for Content Creators is happening July 14-16, 2022 online AND in Charlotte, NC. Learn more about how you can join us and create faith-based content that effectively reaches your audience.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Motherhood and loss are two things that should not go together.
Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.
Walking through loss can leave a mother, or hopeful mother-to-be, feeling like she's alone in her struggles. So over the next three weeks, we will be joined by Proverbs 31’s biblical content specialist — author Wendy Blight — and Rachael Elmore, who is a licensed, professional counselor, to address the realities no one talks about related to motherhood and loss. Our deepest desire is that, through the content in these three episodes, you leave encouraged and more rooted in what Scripture says about the specific trials you, or those you love, are walking through.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Related Resources:
-We know this topic is difficult to process in a short podcast episode. That's why we put together a free resource, "What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss," to help you further unpack what you heard today.
-If you have a friend who is in the middle of processing unmet expectations or other painful situations, we recommend Lysa TerKeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way.
-Follow Wendy Blight @wblight and Rachael Elmore @rachaelhuntelmore on Instagram for more biblical encouragement and resources.
-If you are looking for a licensed Christian counselor near you, visit aacc.net
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.
Motherhood and loss are two things that should not go together.
Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.
Walking through loss can leave a mother, or hopeful mother-to-be, feeling like she's alone in her struggles. So over the next three weeks, we will be joined by Proverbs 31’s biblical content specialist — author Wendy Blight — and Rachael Elmore, who is a licensed, professional counselor, to address the realities no one talks about related to motherhood and loss. Our deepest desire is that, through the content in these three episodes, you leave encouraged and more rooted in what Scripture says about the specific trials you, or those you love, are walking through.
Related Resources:
-We know this topic is difficult to process in a short podcast episode. That's why we put together a free resource, "What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss," to help you further unpack what you heard today.
-If you have a friend who is in the middle of processing unmet expectations or other painful situations, we recommend Lysa TerKeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way.
-Follow Wendy Blight @wblight and Rachael Elmore @rachaelhuntelmore on Instagram for more biblical encouragement and resources.
-If you are looking for a licensed Christian counselor near you, visit aacc.net
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Motherhood and loss are two things that should not go together.
Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.
Walking through loss can leave a mother, or hopeful mother-to-be, feeling like she's alone in her struggles. So over the next three weeks, we will be joined by Proverbs 31’s biblical content specialist — author Wendy Blight — and Rachael Elmore, who is a licensed, professional counselor, to address the realities no one talks about related to motherhood and loss. Our deepest desire is that, through the content in these three episodes, you leave encouraged and more rooted in what Scripture says about the specific trials you, or those you love, are walking through.
Related Resources:
-We know this topic is difficult to process in a short podcast episode. That's why we put together a free resource, "What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss," to help you further unpack what you heard today.
-If you have a friend who is in the middle of processing unmet expectations or other painful situations, we recommend Lysa TerKeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way.
-Follow Wendy Blight @wblight and Rachael Elmore @rachaelhuntelmore on Instagram for more biblical encouragement and resources.
-If you are looking for a licensed Christian counselor near you, visit aacc.net
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.
Are there books of the Bible you hesitate to dive into?
Sometimes they can seem boring, heavy or just plain confusing. We understand, and that's why we invited, our friend and First 5 writer Kayla Ferris to the podcast! On this episode, Kayla walks us through 8 things you might be surprised to learn from the book of Leviticus. Through this book of laws, we get to see the goodness of the Lawgiver and why God's holiness is good news for us. Understand the cultural context of why some of these laws still apply to us, and why some do not. Tackle the hard and holy things God's Word offers us for a more abundant life today.
Related Resources:
Download our free First 5 mobile app and study Leviticus with us starting Feb 21st!
Grab a copy of our study guide The Hard and The Holy: What the Book of Leviticus Means for Us Today.
Study the Bible with Lysa TerKeurst on an Alaskan cruise! Get a closer look at the wonders of creation, including charming towns, whales, glaciers and more! Click here to sign up today.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
If your schedule feels full and your soul feels weary, our friend Shae Tate has a word for you today.
Using Psalm 103:1-5 as our guide, Shae shows us the power that comes from remembering the Truth of God's word so we can live that Truth and pass it along to those around us in need. Together we can leave this episode saying, "God has not forgotten me, so I will not forget His promises to me." Get out your journal, friends, because you'll want to keep your notes from this one.
Related Resources:
Has the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast helped you grow in your faith or gain fresh, biblical perspective? Tell us about it by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. When you review and rate the podcast, it helps us reach even more people with biblical Truth.
Our staff loves the opportunity to pray for you. Head over to our Prayer Wall and let us know how we can be praying for you in this season.
Check out our FREE resource library! We've got tons of topical and study resources you can download to use for whatever you're going through right now.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
We've got some good news for you: It's not your job to make everyone happy!
Have you ever said "yes" when you knew you should have said "no"? Maybe you've gotten caught in the trap of people-pleasing. When we find ourselves feeling afraid to disappoint or upset the people we love, it's time to look at what's driving those fears. In this practical and honest episode, author and speaker Karen Ehman will show us what the Bible says about people-pleasing. Addressing different seasons and relationships, Karen will help us bust out of the prison of trying to make everyone happy and put our priorities in the right place.
Related Resources:
- Get a copy of Karen’s latest book, When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life today!
- Connect with Karen on Instagram at @karenehman or on her website at karenehman.com
- Are you looking for a woman who knows how to teach the Bible? Someone dynamic — who can encourage, uplift and inspire audiences both big and small? Check our our Proverbs 31 Speaker Team to find the perfect speaker for your event!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
The excitement of a new year means new goals to look forward to tackling ... but why is it so easy to find ourselves in the same old cycle of restarting after just a few weeks?
Maybe there's a way to break the cycle. What if it's not about finding a new "how to" method, but it's about finding a new "want to" motivation? In this chapter of her book I'll Start Again Monday, Lysa TerKeurst shares the one choice she made that changed her heart and attitude about being healthy. Learn to break the cycle of unhealthy eating habits with lasting spiritual satisfaction.
Related Resources:
- Purchase Lysa TerKeurst’s book, I’ll Start Again Monday, based on her bestselling book Made to Crave. Lysa offers a new perspective to all those stuck in the cycle of losing weight but then gaining it back, equipping readers with the deeper spiritual and emotional motivation they need to make lasting changes.
- Aren't sure how to make the most of your time with God? God is inviting you into deeper connection with Him through His Word. Start developing the habit of spending time in Scripture with our FREE guide: The 21-Day Invitation: Steps to Reconnect with God.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Sometimes God's protection comes in packages that don't feel like protection.
The Bible says Jesus has overcome the world. But what about when it doesn't feel like it right now, in this situation? On this episode of the podcast, Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle will walk through places in Scripture that show us the unlikely places where Jesus' protection is actually present. We'll learn that just because we can't see what God is doing, does not mean He is not working. Just because we feel afraid, does not mean we have to live afraid. We just have to train our eyes and ears to where Jesus is present in our lives today so we can find comfort in Him no matter the circumstances.
Related Resources:
All donations made from November 29-December 8 will be doubled! For the days when everything feels like too much … Proverbs 31 Ministries meets you with biblical Truth and encouragement in the moments you feel most overwhelmed. When you donate to Proverbs 31 Ministries you are helping us continue to offer the biblical resources you need to help you through your hard moments. Donate today!
Our next ministry-wide Bible study is starting January 10! Join us for Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament: He's Never Absent, We're Never Alone, a five-week study by Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle. Together, we will unpack some of the most common misunderstandings around the Old Testament and learn how to see Jesus in the places we may have missed Him before. Click here to order your study guide today!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When we really love our people, we go above and beyond to show them we care. But sometimes, loving and serving others isn't easy, especially when it seems like we are the one putting the majority of the effort into the relationship.
But ... are we really understanding or appreciating the way others might be loving or serving us back, in their own unique way? Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our friend Amanda Bacon shares the three problems we face when our expectations aren't met, and how to love and live freely out of an overflow of Christ's sacrificial love for us.
Related Resources:
When we read the Bible, we often think of Jesus as only being physically present in the New Testament … but did you know He was actually active in the Old Testament from the beginning? It’s so important to study how Jesus makes His presence known in every part of Scripture because this will help us experience more of His presence in our day-to-day lives right now. Our next ministry-wide Bible study by Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament, starts January 10! Order your study guide now!
Connect with Amanda on Instagram @amanda_bacon_ and subscribe to her At Night podcast to keep learning from her.
Dig deeper into this topic by listening to this episode of the podcast with Lysa TerKeurst, What the Humanity of Jesus Means for Us.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Disclaimer: We want to be mindful of all listeners when we discuss a topic that may be triggering to some, or not age appropriate for children. In this episode, we will be talking about the realities of addiction. Please see our related resources below for additional tools on this topic.
What does it mean to live full and walk free in a world where temptations are on every corner? So often our humanity gets in the way of who we are in Christ, and leads us down paths we don't want to be on.
On this episode of the podcast, Cindy Bultema shares her personal testimony of recovering from addiction and how to live fully and walk freely in Christ. In this honest conversation, we process how to avoid the triggers of temptation, how to get to the root of what causes us to be tempted, and ultimately the freedom we have in Christ to renew our hearts and minds each day. Cindy shares that what we believe about God, and therefore ourselves, matters, and starting with that foundational belief is the key to a full, free life in Christ.
Related Resources:
If you or someone you love is looking for a Christian counselor, the American Association of Christian Counselors is a great resource for finding one that's right for you.
Connect with Cindy at https://www.cindybultema.com/gems/ or on Instagram at @cindybultema.
Get Cindy’s book, Live Full Walk Free, to explore Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and see how believers today can navigate their way in a wayward and confused culture.
Subscribe to receive free Encouragement for Today weekday devotions in your inbox.
Download the "Temptation Victory Plan" on Cindy's website, cindybultema.com.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Deep down, do we really believe that God is worthy of our trust?
We learn of God's holiness in the Bible and sing about it in songs and hymns, but have we let that knowledge inform our faith? On this episode of the podcast, author, teacher and speaker Jackie Hill Perry will teach us what holiness is, what it isn't and why it's the foundation for our trust in God.
Related Resources:
Make sure you order a copy of Jackie's new book: Holier Than Thou: How God’s Holiness Helps Us Trust Him. In these pages, we will see that God is not like us. He is different. He is holy. And that’s exactly what makes Him trustworthy. As it turns out, God being “holier than thou” is actually the best news in the world, and it’s the key to trusting Him.
We can't wait ... Our Online Bible Study for Advent starts November 15! Stop letting the holiday chaos dictate your stress, and use reflection questions and guided prayers to help you slow down internally with our study of Pointing to the Promise. Don't wait — sign up today and we will send you everything you need to know for the free, six-week study.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Do you doubt if you can really handle it all?
The headlines are disheartening; routines we just set seem like they'll be disrupted (again) at any moment and life seems so very unpredictable.
When your world seems to be spinning out of control, fear will tell you it's easier to hide from it all rather than face it. On this episode of the podcast, our dear friend — pastor Max Lucado — walks us through the book of Esther to show us that despite how we feel, we were made for this moment. Made to parent our children, reach our communities and be a light in the midst of darkness. In the moments when we feel like it's all too much, Max reminds us to bend our knees in prayer, open our Bibles to fill our hearts with Truth and look up to remind ourselves God hasn't left us.
Related Resources:
If this podcast ministered to you today, would you leave us a review on Apple Podcasts? Reviews help us reach more people, which helps us accomplish our mission of eradicating biblical poverty!
Make sure you order Max's newest book, You Were Made for This Moment: Courage for Today, Hope for Tomorrow, and discover your role in God’s story even during tough times.
Did you know we have Facebook groups created just for you? Find community for your specific season of life. If you are a 20-something, wife or mama, click on the link to join.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Chances are, your life hasn't turned out the way you thought it would. Maybe you've gone through seasons of brokenness that made you scratch your head and wonder, Why is this happening to me?
Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands how that feels. But in her study of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, she found a new way to look at brokenness: as something that makes us all more relatable, more trustworthy and ultimately more like Christ. What if being blessed actually looks more like being broken?
This is an episode you'll want to take notes on, so grab your pen and paper, and press "play."
Related Resources:
Get access to re-watch She Speaks Online for only $65! Learn the insider tools you need to launch, grow or maintain your ministry with workshops and moving messages from Lysa TerKeurst, Jo Saxton, Paula Faris, Dr. Barbara Peacock and more. Don't wait — this offer is for a limited time only. Click here to learn more.
Study the Bible with Lysa TerKeurst on an Alaskan cruise! Get a closer look at the wonders of creation, including charming towns, whales, glaciers and more! Click here to sign up today.
Join Lysa TerKeurst on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Holy Land! Don't miss your chance to experience over 40 iconic and biblical locations on October 25-November 4, 2022! Click here to sign up today.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
How do we anchor ourselves in Truth when we wake up to a world full of divided opinions each day? What voices do we listen to, and what resources do we trust?
On this episode of the podcast, our friend and First 5 writer Kayla Ferris walks us through three steps to navigating a world of divided opinions from the book of Colossians. Together we'll not only learn the practical ways to find the answers we're looking for, but we'll also dig deep into how to prioritize loving others well instead of focusing on our differences.
Related Resources:
Our Colossians: How To Know the Truth in a World of Divided Opinions study starts September 20 in the FREE First 5 mobile app!
Get a FREE look inside the study guide for our Colossians study by clicking here.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
The pressure moms face today is paralyzing.
And often, it just feels like too much. We feel stuck between fear and worry, trying our best each day to make sure our kids turn out OK. But there's good news, friend: We can trade that overwhelming pressure for rest in God’s promises. On this episode, Jeannie Cunnion, author and mother of five, shows us how to rely on God’s sovereignty, understand our roles as moms and let go of the weight of all we are carrying.
Breathe deep, sweet friend. We're in this with you!
Related Resources:
Our Mom Set Free Online Bible Study with Jeannie Cunnion starts September 7! Overcome the pressure of trying so hard to be the perfect mom by learning to trust God in a deeper way. Click here to sign up today and click here to order a copy of the book!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Who were you before anyone told you who you were supposed to be?
On this episode of the podcast, author and speaker Jo Saxton will teach you how to exchange the labels you've been given and those you put on yourself with the labels God has given you. With guided questions to help you determine what false labels you have placed on yourself, you'll learn to walk forward into who God made you to be so you can pursue the dreams He has put inside of you.
Related Resources:
Our The Dream of You Online Bible Study with Jo Saxton starts September 7! Learn how to get unstuck in the struggles you are currently living by studying alongside other women who have been there. Click here to sign up today and click here to order a copy of the book!
Study the Bible with Lysa TerKeurst on an Alaskan cruise! Get a closer look at the wonders of creation, including charming towns, whales, glaciers, and more! Click here to sign up today.
Join Lysa TerKeurst on a once in a lifetime trip to the Holy land! Don't miss your chance to experience over 40 iconic and Biblical locations October 25-November 4, 2022! Click here to sign up today.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Are you ever flipping through your Bible and passing books in the Old Testament, wondering, “What is this book even about?” or “How is this Old Testament book relevant today?” or "Does it matter if I skip over it?"
We’ve been there, too, friend. On this episode of the podcast, our Director of Theological Research, Joel Muddamalle, is going to give insight into the book of Habakkuk, why it matters, what it tells us about Jesus, and how we are supposed to read and apply it to our lives today.
Related Resources:
Want an inside look at our First 5 Habakkuk study guide? Click here to download the free sample pages we mentioned in this episode!
Download the free F5 app and join our Habakkuk study beginning August 9!
Lysa TerKeurst is coming to a city near you on The Encounter Tour! Join us for one night where we can pray, worship, study, find hope and heal together. Click here to get your tickets today!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Who actually wants to talk about death? We know it applies to everyone, but what if talking about it doesn't have to feel so dark and depressing? Join Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle, our Director of Theological Research, as they give us an introduction to consider what the Bible says about death and dying. This episode of the podcast will help you navigate conversations, wrestle with your fears and process your hurts using hope-filled Truth from God’s Word.
Click the links below to access the resource we mention in this episode of the podcast:
Consider This: A Scriptural Guide To Confront Your Fear of Death
Connect with Joel: https://www.instagram.com/muddamalle/
Make sure to click on his “IG Theology” highlight for more on this topic.
Connect with Lysa: https://www.instagram.com/lysaterkeurst/
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
As a parent, do you ever wonder what's going on in your child’s mind?
Maybe you’re worrying, or even grieving, over the thoughts your child seems to be struggling with? Maybe they're only little and they still have you wondering: How did you come up with that? Why would you think that? Or perhaps they’re tween-aged or teen-aged and they’ve really got you concerned.
Our friend and author Lisa Jacobson knows these feelings all too well, and today on the podcast, she's going to unpack how we can help our children with what and how they think, and lead them to the love and truth found in God’s Word. Whether you are a parent, longing to be one or are a mentor in someone’s life, this is a parenting trend that won’t go out of style.
Related Resources:
-Make sure to pick up a copy of Lisa and Matt Jacobson's new books, 100 Words of Affirmation Your Son Needs to Hear and 100 Words of Affirmation Your Daughter Needs to Hear today!
-Has the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast helped you grow in your faith or gain fresh, biblical perspective? Tell us about it by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. When you review and rate the podcast, it helps us reach even more people with biblical Truth.
-Did you like this episode? We think you'll love this episode from our Therapy & Theology series with Lysa TerKeurst, Stop the Shame Scripts Holding You Back.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Do your thoughts feel out of control?
Pastor Craig Groeschel personally understands the daily battle against self-doubt and negative thinking, and he wrote about it in his most recent book, titled Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life. In this episode, you'll hear a conversation with Lysa TerKeurst and Pastor Craig, and you'll learn practical ways to identify the thought patterns that lead to negative behaviors, and how to replace them with the Truth of God’s Word.
Related Resources:
If this episode impacted you, don't miss our next FREE Online Bible Study, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen, starting June 28! Click here to sign up.
Grab a copy of Craig Groeschel's latest book, Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life. Learn how to rewire your brain, renew your mind, reframe your vision, revive your soul and restore a healthy perspective.
Join Lysa TerKeurst at a city near you for the Compassion Tour! We’ll pursue healing together as we share the hard parts of our stories, dig into God’s Word, lean in, laugh and remind each other that God’s not finished with us yet.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Our thoughts are affecting us more than we know.
What we think determines how we live. And we have a choice to renew our minds. While it may feel impossible to change the thoughts we have in our heads, there is a way. Join our friend Jennie Allen as she teaches us what it looks like to fight back the lies that live in our head. There are weapons God has given us to stop the spiral of toxic thinking. Grab a pen and paper because you’re going to want to take notes on this episode!
Related Resources:
Make sure to order a copy of Jennie's book, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts! Discover how to submit your mind to Christ because how we think shapes how we live. Click here to order now!
In our heads is a lonely place to be, but why does it feel so crowded? Don't miss our next Online Bible Study, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen, starting June 28! Click here to sign up.
Do you ever wish you had someone who could walk you through the steps you need to take to fulfill your calling? Join us for She Speaks Online: A Communicators Conference on June 24-26. Click here to register now!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When we feel like our circumstances are just too much, it's easy to feel alone in our pain and believe God is distant. We wonder if He really understands the burdens we carry when we wake up to another day of uncertainty, hardship or pain.
Friend, there's good news: Jesus does understand. On this episode of the podcast, we have a conversation with Lysa TerKeurst about the humanity of Jesus and what that means for us. Through the books of Mark and Hebrews, we discuss how Jesus handled hardships as a human, and how we can look to Him as a trustworthy example when we struggle, too.
Related Resources:
Join our next First 5 study, When I Don't Know What to Believe: Why Jesus Is the Answer, starting June 7 in the First 5 app! Discover why Jesus really is the answer when you have questions about what you believe. Order your study guide today!
She Speaks Online 2021 is happening June 24-26! This is the year to share the story God has given you. Gather with writers, speakers, leaders and communicators like you, from right where you are. She Speaks Online will equip, encourage and empower you to share the unique story God has given you. We don't want you to miss this, so register today!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
It's easy to see how quickly social media can go from a fun tool we use to connect with friends, to a comparison trap we fall into without even recognizing it. So what's the trigger that trips us up and makes us fall into the comparison trap?
On this episode of the podcast, our friend Pastor Rob Singleton unpacks the key reason why we fall into the comparison trap: Our hearts are out of alignment. When we focus on what others think of us, or how we're measuring up to someone else's standard, we're not truly focusing on God. Pastor Rob will share the signs and symptoms of a heart that's out of alignment, and what we can do to ensure we stay focused on Christ.
Related Resources:
Make sure you grab a copy of Rob Singleton's new book, Overliked: Finding Direction, Courage, and Meaningful Relationships in a Society Crippled by Social Media.
She Speaks Online 2021 is happening June 24-26! This is the year to share the story God has given you. From right where you are, gather with writers, speakers, leaders and communicators like you. She Speaks Online will equip, encourage and empower you to share the unique story God has given you. We don't want you to miss this, so register today!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Where do you seek love and approval?
Is it based on what someone says (or doesn't say) to you? Your latest big win in your job, getting invited to that event, or if your kids are behaving well today?
When being loved or approved rises and falls based on others, it's easy to forget our true source of love and approval already comes from Jesus. Today our friend and author, Lynn Cowell, reminds us that Jesus pours His love out on us, and shares how we can live with love and approval from Christ, not for love and approval from others. Grab a pen and paper, you will want to take notes on this one!
P.S.: If you've got a young woman in your life who needs encouragement, we recommend listening to this episode with her!
Related Resources:
-Order a copy of Loved & Cherished by Lynn Cowell and Michelle Nietert! This devotional gives girls the words of truth they so desperately need to hear: they are loved, protected and valuable as children of God.
-If you want to process this teaching more, we've got two free resources just for you! "Chosen, Called & Confident: 5 Days of Believing God Can Use You" from Lysa TerKeurst and "Truths for When You Question Who You Are".
-Subscribe to receive free Encouragement for Today devotions from writers like Anitha! Whether you’re looking for guidance in your faith, friendships, family, marriage, parenting, workplace or neighborhood, our writers combine God’s Truth with compassionate insight and practical application.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When our earthly experiences with love have left us feeling unprotected, uncertain and ultimately unloved, it’s tempting to not want to risk trusting anyone again.
And all too often, our view of love and God’s love for us is tainted by the people who have failed us. But God doesn’t want us to stay stuck in our places of hurt. He wants to heal us and help us move forward so we can experience not only the depth of His love for us, but also the power of life-giving, healthy relationships with other people, fostered in an environment of authentic love both given and received.
In this episode of Therapy and Theology, Lysa TerKeurst, her personal, licensed professional counselor Jim Cress, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries Director of Theology and Research, Joel Muddamalle, tackle some of the most important questions surrounding love and our motivations behind love, including:
- How can you love the Lord with your heart, soul and mind?
- How can you really love your neighbor as ourselves?
- What is motivating your love? And what is that motivation revealing?
- Where is what you love ultimately leading you?
- How would you define love?
After this conversation, you will be equipped to:
- Understand what Biblical love is and what it isn’t by discerning the difference between kindness and enabling.
- Know what to do if you feel stuck in an unhealthy relationship by learning the safest outlets you can take your most important questions to, including trusted friends, a pastor or a Christian counselor.
Like Jim Cress says, “true love connects and communes.” So friend, we pray this conversation leaves you feeling more loved by God and more equipped to pursue healthy, loving relationships with others.
Related Resources:
-We can’t always assume the broken pieces of our life circumstances are terrible and pointless — not with our God. Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see even your most hurtful situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story. Get your copy here.
-Scripture references for the story of the rich young ruler: Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31 and Luke 18:18-30.
-Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: American Association of Christian Counselors.
-Have you been impacted by what you hear on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast? By making a donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries, your gift helps us reach even more with the life-changing Truth in God's Word. Click here to make a donation today.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
If you want to become a doctor, you go to medical school. If you want to become a lawyer, you go to law school.
But the truth is, no one sends us to school to become emotionally mature. However, if we want our relationships to be healthy and fruitful, emotional maturity is actually a key component we must be committed to work on continually in our lives.
Simply put, emotional maturity is emotional sobriety. It is living in such a way that our emotions are not swept up in traumas, triggers, coping mechanisms, addictions and more.
In this episode of Therapy and Theology, Lysa TerKeurst, her personal, licensed professional counselor Jim Cress, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries Director of Theology and Research, Joel Muddamalle, talk about the signs, symptoms and cures for emotional immaturity and how we can “Be alert and of sober mind” (1 Peter 5:8), to really experience the fulfillment found in healthy relationships, secured in emotional maturity.
After this episode, you will be equipped to:
- Apply healthy coping mechanisms in your reactions and responses when your emotions get hijacked by past or present trauma.
- Learn the secret to experiencing the peace of Christ every single day by clothing yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
- Embrace the freeing truth and encouragement that a journey of growing in emotional maturity is not marked by perfection but progress.
Friend, we pray this conversation blesses you with encouragement and practical wisdom wherever you are in your journey today!
Related Resources:
- Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see your situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story. Get your copy here.
- Here’s a list of some signs of emotional maturity or sobriety mentioned in this episode: Be committed to healthy habits, not unhealthy coping mechanisms, operate in self-awareness, own your stuff and take responsibility for your actions without saying “but you…” and blaming, express empathy, admit your mistakes and confess them, steer clear of judgement, practice and enforce healthy boundaries, seek first to understand before you’re understood by saying “help me understand…”
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
All of us have facts that make up the story of who we are.
But we’re not just the sum total of these facts. There’s also the impact from these facts that live with us beyond the occurrence of the devastation, abuse or pain that happened to us. And in the middle of that impact, chances are there are some Shame Scripts holding us hostage from living in the freedom God so desires for us.
A Shame Script can simply be defined as a faulty belief or perception of self, others and/or God. Shame Scripts back us into isolation, making us prison to lies like …
*“You are unwanted.”
“You are an inconvenience.”
“No one really cares about you.”
“If you’re not performing or achieving something, you don’t have value.”
“You’re just not good enough.”*
In the follow-up episode to “Good Guilt vs. Destructive Shame” in the newest Therapy and Theology series, Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress and Joel Muddamalle dive into how Shame Scripts reveal themselves personally in their lives, but they also discuss practical tips and tools for how we can find our way out of the shame caving us in.
In this episode, you will be equipped to:
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Live true to your most healed, healthy, whole, holy, surrendered-to-God-self and not the version of yourself that’s haunted and held back by shame.
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Replace scripts of shame for words of life by uncovering the truth found in Genesis of how God really made us and what He made us for.
We pray this conversation blesses you, friend!
Related Resources:
-
Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see your situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story.
-
Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: This podcast contains content that might not be suitable for young children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please see the Related Resources section at the bottom of this page if you need help finding a counselor.
Chances are, we all have been plagued by one of the heaviest, silent battles one can fight: shame.
The enemy wants us to believe this lie: We are isolated and stuck in carrying the weight of our sin and ultimately our own shame. But Jesus paved the way for us to live in freedom beyond the destructive weight and narrative that shame begs us to believe and live by.
In this introductory episode of a new Therapy and Theology series, Lysa TerKeurst dives deep into some of her own personal testimony and into conversation surrounding “Good Guilt vs. Destructive Shame” with her personal, licensed professional counselor Jim Cress, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries Director of Theology and Research, Joel Muddamalle.
In this episode, you will …
- Learn the distinct differences between shame, guilt, conviction and condemnation and be equipped with tools to combat the specific lies associated with each of them.
- Overcome feeling disconnected and isolated by learning how to utilize healthy guilt that actually leads to healthy connection with God and others.
- Stop feeling alone in your shame struggle by applying practical tools and scripts for life-giving conversations with others that birth compassion, empathy and vulnerability.
Friend, God already sees you. He is ready for you to turn to Him, even in the weight of the shame you may feel. We pray this episode blesses you!
Related Resources:
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: the American Association of Christian Counselors.
- List of Bible verses from this conversation: Romans 8:1; Jeremiah 2:11b, 13; Deuteronomy 30:19; Ephesians 4:22-25; Exodus 3:7-8; 1 John 1:7
- Here’s the link to the Therapy and Theology episode on "Narcissism: What It Is and What It Isn't.”
- Gain healthier ways to process your pain and learn to see your situations through truth-based perspectives with Lysa TerKeurst’s new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again: 50 Devotions to Find Redemption in Every Part of Your Story.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Do you ever question if God is really faithful? Maybe you find yourself asking Him "why" ... because this plan doesn't seem like something a good God would allow to happen.
Today, our friend and author Nicki Koziarz shares three questions we can ask when faith feels impossible. These questions will help you understand where your doubts are coming from, process circumstances you don’t understand and understand what promises of God found in Scripture are really for you. With biblical insight and personal examples, Nicki will help you find the familiar faithfulness of God.
Related Resources:
-Grab your copy of Nicki's brand-new book, Flooded: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life Is Hard and Doubt Is Rising by visiting our bookstore today.
-Dive into our next Online Bible Study: Flooded: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life Is Hard and Doubt Is Rising by Nicki Koziarz, starting April 12, 2021. Click here to sign up for free!
-Did this episode encourage you? We think you'll enjoy these episodes too:
Consider This: Does Prayer Change God's Mind?
5 Truths About God's Love for Us
3 Things To Consider When You're In the Middle
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Have life's circumstances landed you in a place where you just don't know how you're going to get through it all?
Maybe if you've been a Christian for years, you feel an added layer of shame and guilt because you know what God's Word says about getting through hard times. So, why can't you seem to press on? Wouldn't it be easier to give up?
Today our friend Wendy Blight shares her journey of getting through a difficult season in life. You’ll be equipped with the Scriptures and takeaways from the book of Exodus to use when you're facing something that makes you want to turn back, give up or walk away.
Related Resources:
-Grab a friend, and study the book of Exodus with us in the First 5 app for free, starting April 5, 2021! Find out how to download the free mobile app here.
-Take your study of the book of Exodus deeper with our newest study guide, "How Do I Get Through This? Pressing On When You Want To Turn Back, Give Up or Walk Away."
-Did you know we have Facebook groups created just for you? Find community for your specific season of life. If you are a 20-something, wife or mama, click here to find out more!
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Have you ever wished you could change the details of your story?
While there’s no denying: There are definitely painful parts of our story we’d love to edit out if we could. What if those same circumstances are the unlikely ingredients God is using to weave together a greater good we’d never want to miss out on? You see, with God, there’s always more than we currently see being worked out behind the scenes.
In this short Q&A with Shae Tate and Lysa TerKeurst, you will be equipped to:
Uncover the secret to really seeing and experiencing God even in the pain you didn't cause, the change you didn't want, or the reality you didn't know was coming.
Disempower the lie that how you feel about your life is the full story by remembering with God there's always something more true, lovely, and good right now.
Show up for a friend who's walking through a heartbreaking season with practical and personal ideas and to love and care for her well.
Related Resources
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Join Lysa TerKeurst in the pages of her new devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again! Through the 50 devotions, scriptures, prayer prompts, and notes from her own journal, Lysa will personally share how she survived her own season of heartbreak, while inviting you to hope again. When you preorder your copy today, you'll receive the first 5 devotions right away.
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Easter is right around the corner, and our team at Proverbs 31 Ministries has pulled together some great resources to help you make this season even more meaningful. Check out the collection today.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
How are the thoughts you think impacting who you are?
Maybe you've built up a scenario in your mind that you were convinced was absolutely true. Or have you ever been nervous to have that honest conversation with a friend because you've convinced yourself that she will respond a certain way? Or ... perhaps you're struggling to see God as faithful because it doesn't seem like He's being faithful to you right now.
If you've ever been there, we want you to know you're not alone! On this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, you'll be encouraged by our friend, Encouragement for Today devotions writer Anitha Abraham. She'll share Scriptural truths and powerful insights about guarding our minds against negative thoughts that can easily take over.
Related Resources:
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Has the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast helped you grow in your faith or gain fresh, biblical perspective? Tell us about it by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. When you review and rate the podcast, it helps us reach even more people with biblical Truth.
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Are you desperate for a fresh experience with God and His Word, but don’t know where to begin? Download a free resource by Lysa TerKeurst called "3 Bible Study Basics You Must Know” and get started today.
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Subscribe to receive free Encouragement for Today devotions from writers like Anitha! Whether you’re looking for guidance in your faith, friendships, family, marriage, parenting, workplace or neighborhood, our writers combine God’s Truth with compassionate insight and practical application.
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Connect with Anitha on her website here.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
If the pandemic has proved anything to be true, it's this: No matter what season of life you're in, you've faced loneliness. This is true whether you're single or married, a parent or an empty-nester, a loner or someone who's the life of the party.
So, when those feelings of loneliness come knocking on our door, how do we wrestle with them in a healthy way?
On this episode of the podcast, you'll hear a teaching from our friend Annie F. Downs and discover what she's learned from dealing with her own loneliness. She'll share five practical things to do when we are lonely, and — of course — she'll show us the fun we can find in the midst of it.
Related Resources:
-Annie's new book, That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, and Why You Need a Hobby, is now available! Order your copy today.
- Want access to a bonus interview with Annie F. Downs? Become a Podcast Insider! It's free, and each month, you'll get exclusive journal prompts, insider updates, and more! Sign up here.
-Sign up for our Encouragement for Today devotions for daily, biblical encouragement to help your filter your everyday life through the Truth of God’s Word.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
What does the book of Philippians have to do with our relationship issues today?
This week on the podcast, we'll hear from Joel Muddamalle, our director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries. He'll pull back the curtain on who the Philippians were, the four major relational issues the church faced back then, and how our citizenship in heaven should define the way we relate to others.
Related Resources:
-Grab a friend and study the book of Philippians with us in the First 5 app for free, starting February 22! Find out how to download the free mobile app here.
-Take your study of the book of Philippians deeper with our newest study guide, How Then Can We Be Friends: Overcoming the Issues that Hinder Your Relationships.
- Did you know we have free downloadable resources you can find on our website? Check out our guide called “Now What?” A Guide to Process & Apply Biblical Messages to use as you unpack what you're learning on your own, or download "15 Prayers For Your Son or Daughter" from Lysa TerKeurst.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
When life is uncertain and doubts are swirling around, we long for an answer or solution that brings peace and reassurance. As believers, we know we should look to God first, but our minds and hearts are easily swayed by looking to Google for answers instead.
Today, First 5 writer and Bible teacher Katy McCown joins us on the podcast to share what she's learned: Where she looks will either lead her to peace or to greater uncertainty. With practical suggestions, this episode will help you look for the answers by fixing your eyes on Jesus.
Related Resources:
-Discover how to find security in God’s plans and confidence in His control in Katy's new Bible study, She Smiles Without Fear: Proverbs 31 for Every Woman. Order your copy today!
-In a world where noise is loud, we need a place to quietly learn God’s Word so we can apply and share the Truth. Download our free First 5 app and start the first five minutes of your day with biblically based teachings that help you understand Scripture on your own!
- Want to become a Podcast Insider? It's free, and each month you'll get insider updates on the podcast you can't get anywhere else. Sign up here for exclusive additional interviews, journal prompts, resources and more!
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Entering a fresh, new year after the one we just finished has left us feeling isolated, restless and bored. We're carrying over routines and patterns we adjusted to in 2020 that we thought were only temporary. And in the midst of all that changed, we might've lost a bit of who we are.
Friend, if this describes how you're feeling, you're not alone! Can we share something hopeful with you? God can restore and revive your heart, even when your circumstances don't change.
In this practical and helpful episode, Rebekah Lyons walks us through four rhythms to renew our minds: rest, restore, connect and create. These rhythms are meant to help us sustain emotional, relational and spiritual health and live in the abundance of life God has for us.
Related Resources:
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Connect with Rebekah at https://rebekahlyons.com.
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Make sure you grab a copy of Rebekah's book, Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose, and the Rhythms for Life Planner and Journal: 90 Days to Peace and Purpose.
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Are you looking for a new study at the start of the new year? Check out what we're studying now in our free First 5 App or sign up for our next free Online Bible Study!
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
"Forgiveness is possible, but it won't always feel possible. It's a double-edged word, isn't it? It's hard to give. It's amazing to get. But when we receive freely from the Lord and refuse to give it, something heavy starts to form in our souls." - Lysa TerKeurst, Forgiving What You Can't Forget
This month on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, listen to Chapter One of Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Forgiving What You Can't Forget.
Related Resources:
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Want to listen to Chapter Two of Forgiving What You Can't Forget? Sign up to be a Podcast Insider! Our free, monthly Insider email includes a bonus video from our hosts, journal prompts to dig deeper, a sneak peek at what's coming up, and more!
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Take the next step by signing up for our free, online Bible study of Forgiving What You Can't Forget! The study starts January 19, 2021. Click here to sign up and order a copy of the book.
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Do you have a dream to write? COMPEL Writers Training will help you get started on your writing goals this year with tools and resources to help you in your process, as well as opportunities to get your work published. Registration is open until January 20, 2021! Click here to join.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
What's your role when your friend is going through a hard season? When she gets the cancer diagnosis, suffers a miscarriage or loses a family member?
On this episode of the podcast, Marissa Henley shares how her friends loved her well while she was battling cancer. She breaks down the different levels of friendship, helps you identify your role based on your level of friendship, and gives practical tips on how to practically — and appropriately — love your friend through suffering.
Related Resources:
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Get access to an exclusive conversation with Marissa and the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast co-hosts by becoming a Podcast Insider! It's free, and each month you'll get insider updates on the podcast you can't get anywhere else. Sign up here.
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If you have a friend or loved one walking through a cancer diagnosis, grab a copy of Marissa's book, Loving Your Friend Through Cancer.
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Maybe you're the one walking through a season of your world being turned upside down. In Lysa TerKeurst's book, It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, you'll find a safe space to wrestle through what you can't make sense of.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: This podcast contains content that might not be suitable for young children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please see the related resources section at the bottom of this page if you need help finding a counselor.
When we’ve been deeply hurt, whether by someone or by circumstances outside of our control, we often wonder if forgiveness is even possible. What if they never say they’re sorry? What if things will never feel “normal” again?
Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled with these questions, and she’s back with a four-episode installment of the popular series, Therapy & Theology, focusing on forgiveness, confession and codependency. Over the next four weeks, you’ll hear from Lysa, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries Director of Theological Research Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress, Lysa’s personal, licensed professional counselor.
In this series, you will…
- Reconsider the misconceptions you've always believed about the forgiveness process by discovering seven truths about what forgiveness is and isn't that may surprise you.
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Let go of any bitterness holding you back from offering forgiveness to those who hurt you by understanding the necessity of daily confession.
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Find hope in the losses that are unchangeable or feel unforgivable by trusting in the character of God, even when you don’t understand what has been allowed by God.
- Recognize what codependency is and how it may be keeping you from setting the appropriate boundaries you need to ensure that you and your relationships are healthy.
Related Resources:
- Discover what the Bible really says about forgiveness and the peace that comes from living it out with Lysa TerKeurst’s latest book, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, available now!
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: This podcast contains content that might not be suitable for young children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please see the related resources section at the bottom of this page if you need help finding a counselor.
When we’ve been deeply hurt, whether by someone or by circumstances outside of our control, we often wonder if forgiveness is even possible. What if they never say they’re sorry? What if things will never feel “normal” again?
Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled with these questions, and she’s back with a four-episode installment of the popular series, Therapy & Theology, focusing on forgiveness, confession and codependency. Over the next four weeks, you’ll hear from Lysa, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries Director of Theological Research Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress, Lysa’s personal, licensed professional counselor.
In this series, you will…
- Reconsider the misconceptions you've always believed about the forgiveness process by discovering seven truths about what forgiveness is and isn't that may surprise you.
- Let go of any bitterness holding you back from offering forgiveness to those who hurt you by understanding the necessity of daily confession.
- Find hope in the losses that are unchangeable or feel unforgivable by trusting in the character of God, even when you don’t understand what has been allowed by God.
- Recognize what codependency is and how it may be keeping you from setting the appropriate boundaries you need to ensure that you and your relationships are healthy.
Related Resources:
- Discover what the Bible really says about forgiveness and the peace that comes from living it out with Lysa TerKeurst’s latest book, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, available now!
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: This podcast contains content that might not be suitable for young children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please see the related resources section at the bottom of this page if you need help finding a counselor.
When we’ve been deeply hurt, whether by someone or by circumstances outside of our control, we often wonder if forgiveness is even possible. What if they never say they’re sorry? What if things will never feel “normal” again?
Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled with these questions, and she’s back with a four-episode installment of the popular series, Therapy & Theology, focusing on forgiveness, confession and codependency. Over the next four weeks, you’ll hear from Lysa, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries Director of Theological Research Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress, Lysa’s personal, licensed professional counselor.
In this series, you will…
- Reconsider the misconceptions you've always believed about the forgiveness process by discovering seven truths about what forgiveness is and isn't that may surprise you.
- Let go of any bitterness holding you back from offering forgiveness to those who hurt you by understanding the necessity of daily confession.
- Find hope in the losses that are unchangeable or feel unforgivable by trusting in the character of God, even when you don’t understand what has been allowed by God.
- Recognize what codependency is and how it may be keeping you from setting the appropriate boundaries you need to ensure that you and your relationships are healthy.
Related Resources:
- Discover what the Bible really says about forgiveness and the peace that comes from living it out with Lysa TerKeurst’s latest book, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget, available now!
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Do you struggle to find a reason to worship these days? We get it ... this year has been tough. So how do we worship when there's so much to be worried about?
Today on the show, our friend Lara Casey from Cultivate What Matters shows us how writing out Scripture is a pathway to praise. When we write the Word, we retain the Word. And being able to recall the Truths in God's Word and rejoice in who He is in the middle of any circumstance is what worship is all about. We hope this episode leaves you equipped and encouraged to cultivate a life of worship, starting with a simple habit.
Related Resources:
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Our next Online Bible Study, Write the Word: Cultivate Worship starts November 30! Click here to sign up. And purchase your copy of the Write the Word: Cultivate Worship Journal, only available at Proverbs 31 Ministries!
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We want to connect with our podcast listeners each month! Sign up to be a Podcast Insider, and each month you'll receive bonus content, journal prompts and more.
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Connect with Lara on her website at laracasey.com.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Complaining and contentment are both contagious.
And these days, it's easy to get caught up in complaining. But how do we choose contentment over complaining? On this episode of the podcast, Melissa Spoelstra walks us through the book of Numbers, where we see the Israelites wrestle with this same problem. She'll show us the secret to contentment in the Word of God, and how it renews our mind and transforms us from the inside out.
Related Resources:
More than ever, we need a place to quietly learn God’s Word so we can apply and share the Truth. Download our FREE First 5 app and start the first five minutes of your day with biblically based teachings that help you understand Scripture on your own!
Join Melissa Spoelstra for a week of intentional contentment with her FREE 7-Day Contentment Project.
If our podcast has made a difference in your life, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.
When the unimaginable happens ... the deep heartache, the parenting hardship, the bills that keep coming and your finances aren't enough ... where is Jesus?
On this episode of the podcast, Max Lucado gives us proof that Jesus never leaves us and is more present than ever in the stormiest seasons of our lives. As we look at the miracles of Christ as recorded in the Gospel of John, Max reminds us God is nearer than we know.
Related Resources:
Have you had a hard time focusing on your writing this year? Now more than ever, the world needs the hope-filled message God has given you to write. It's not too late to refocus and pursue your next step as a writer before this year ends. COMPEL Writers Training provides the tools and resources to help you in the process, as well as opportunities to get your work published. Registration is open until October 23, 2020! Click here to join.
Max Lucado's new book, You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence and Power, is now available! Order your copy today and recognize that you are never without hope or strength because you are never, ever alone.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
When we wake up, we're most likely not going to say, "I'd like to be uncomfortable today." We crave comfort, but growth will never come from it.
What if instead of looking at discomfort as an inconvenience, we chose a new perspective: a mindset that God will use discomfort to shape us and make us more like Him? On this episode of the podcast, our friend Alexandra Hoover shares why God allows discomfort. You'll learn that by remembering who God is, we can see our discomfort as something to lean into instead of run away from.
Related Resources:
Sign up for our Encouragement for Today devotions for daily, biblical encouragement to help your filter your everyday life through the Truth of God’s Word.
Check out our FREE resource library! We've got tons of topical study resources you can download to use for whatever you're going through right now.
Connect with Alex on Instagram at @alexandravhoover, or on her website here.
Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.
Do you ever find yourself replaying and reliving the details of the deep hurt in your life?
Whether you’ve experienced pain through an event or a collection of hurt that built over time because someone wasn’t who they were supposed to be, didn’t do what they were supposed to do, or didn’t protect you like they should have protected you, your heartbreak deserves a safe place to be processed. In this episode, Lysa TerKeurst unpacks three crucial perspective shifts that will empower you to start changing the way you see the most painful parts of your situation.
Related Resources:
If you enjoyed this episode, take it a step further with "5 Healing Perspectives for your Hurt or Heartbreak," a free resource from Lysa TerKeurst. This resource will help you stop feeling held captive by the hurt by using specific scriptures and reflective questions to help you move forward today. You can click here to get your free download!
When pain feels deeply personal, do you find it hard to keep your reactions biblical? You aren’t alone. Walk through a step-by-step process to free yourself from the hurt of your past and feel less offended today with the help of Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget. Preorder your copy here, and start reading the first three chapters immediately! Click here to preorder.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When life's seasons change or we are walking through a time of transition, it's easy for our relationship with God to feel dry — or maybe just plain hard. But what if our time with God actually has less to do with quieting everything around us, and instead has everything to do with making an appointment to quiet things within us? On this episode of the podcast, Shae Tate, special projects content manager for Lysa TerKeurst, walks through scriptures throughout the Bible that show us what pursuing God looks like in different seasons. We hope this episode gives you a new perspective to help you walk through that dry place and meet with the Lord in a fresh, new way.
Related Resources:
Let's face it: This year has felt a little out of control. It seems impossible to keep anxiety, worry and stress from taking up permanent residence. Now more than ever, we need reminders that God really is in control. Worry might have defined much of your 2020, but let worship define the rest of your year. Written by members of our COMPEL Training, 40 Reminders God is in Control: Devotions to Redirect Your Worry into Worship is FREE with a gift of your choice! Click here to learn more.
When pain feels deeply personal, do you find it hard to keep your reactions biblical? You aren’t alone. Walk through a step-by-step process to free yourself from the hurt of your past and feel less offended today with the help of Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book, Forgiving What You Can’t Forget. Preorder your copy here, and start reading the first three chapters immediately! Click here to preorder.
When we hear or read a teaching or sermon that challenges us, it's natural to ask, "Now what?" What do we do with the information we’re given? How should this affect us? How should it change or transform us? That’s why we created “Now What? A Guide to Process & Apply Biblical Messages" to help you take action with the next practical step to be able to apply that message.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Question to consider: Do I have to honor my parents when it seems impossible?
One of the Ten Commandments is “honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12). But sometimes, obeying that commandment feels exhausting and impossible. During this episode of the podcast, we learn from Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle about the difference between obeying and honoring your parents. We’ll tackle expectations and boundaries during different seasons of parent/child relationships and how to navigate those seasons as they change. Whether you are the child or parent in the relationship (or both), this episode will help answer the question: How do I honor my parents when it feels impossible? Related Resources:
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When we hear or read a teaching or sermon that challenges us, it's natural to ask, "Now what?" What do we do with the information we’re given? How should this affect us? How should it change or transform us? That’s why we created “Now What?” A Guide to Process & Apply Biblical Messages to help you take action with the next practical step to be able to apply that message. Click here to download this free resource!
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“Boundaries aren’t meant to keep another person away. They’re to help keep you together.” - Lysa TerKeurst.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Have you ever been asked to mentor someone, or maybe wanted someone to mentor you, but found it kind of awkward or wished someone told you what to do?
Join Lysa TerKeurst and her friend Shelley Giglio from Passion City Church as Shelley breaks down what mentorship is and what it isn’t. With wisdom from years of experience, she will show us the value of these relationships, and will equip us with tools to flourish in them. Our hosts, Kaley and Meredith, even get to ask her some questions directly related to mentorship in their different stages of life. We promise, you don’t want to miss this episode!
Related Resources:
Check out these resources by Shelley and her team at Passion City Church. You can visit flourishmentor.com to learn more about Flourish and how to purchase it. There are also free resources for beginning your mentoring journey!
Follow Shelley and her team at The Grove @shelleygiglio and @pcc_thegrove on Instagram.
Sign up for our Encouragement for Today devotions for daily, biblical encouragement to help your filter your everyday life through the Truth of God’s Word.
Did you know we have Facebook groups? Connect with other like-minded friends and find encouragement for your season of life. Join our group for 20-somethings or our group for mamas!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
What are you longing for?
Maybe you're a single woman, and you're longing to get married? Or you are longing to start a family? Maybe you’re longing for a new season, healing or something else in your life to change? That thing deep down inside that you want, that you wonder if you will ever get, can be painful. But how often do we ask ourselves if Jesus is really enough to fulfill that longing?
Join Hannah Schindler and Joel Muddamalle from our First 5 team as they discuss the longings we see throughout the entire Bible, and how those longings are meant to point us to Jesus.
Related Resources:
We have BIG news! For the first time ever, Our Online Bible Studies program and the First 5 mobile app are teaming up to study the Bible TOGETHER! The Answers to Your Deepest Longings: 40 Days Through the Bible starts September 7. Click here to sign up!
P.S. The study is free! All you need is your Study Guide. With it you'll also get access to our community group so you can join women from all over as we study God's Word together!
To download the transcript for this episode, click here.
Question to consider: Does prayer change God’s mind?
We often think if God answers our prayers in the way we want Him to, it validates He heard us, values and loves us. But we can easily become attached to our idea of what the outcome to those prayers should be. But what if prayer is supposed to release us from carrying the weight of the outcomes of our prayers? What if, instead, prayer is supposed to be us trusting God will provide peace no matter the outcome? Join Lysa TerKeurst and Joel Muddamalle as we unpack three truths to bring into our prayer lives and tackle the question: Does prayer change God’s mind? You might be surprised by the answer.
Related Resources:
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When we hear or read a teaching or sermon that challenges us, it's natural to ask, "Now what?" What do we do with the information we’re given? How should this affect us? How should it change or transform us? That’s why we created, “Now What?” A Guide to Process & Apply Biblical Messages, to help you take action with the next practical step to be able to apply that message.
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How do we trust God with certainty when our situations seem so uncertain? Identify your trust issues with the Lord and how to overcome them in Lysa TerKeurst’s latest Bible study, Trustworthy: Overcoming Our Greatest Struggles to Trust God.
To download the transcript for this episode, click here.
What could church history teach me that would be helpful to me today? Those authors and what they wrote feel out of date, out of time, and out of context for life here and now. But let's consider a quote from Winston Churchill, “Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
On this episode of the podcast, Joel Muddamalle shows us why it’s crucial to apply the good from history so we are able to prevent repeating mistakes. We will look at how people have responded heroically in the midst of tragedy and crisis that was outside of their control, just like any crisis we find ourselves in. More than that, this episode unpacks how we can respond with the hope of Christ in a desperate, hurting world.
Related Resources:
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Study Revelation: All Things New with us in our free First 5 app. And make sure to order the Experience Guide to go along with the study. You won’t want to miss this one!
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We want to get to know you better! Will you take a few minutes to complete this short survey as one of our podcast listeners?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode
Do I have to get past all my weaknesses before God can use me?
At some point or another, we've all battled the negative narrative of I can't or I'm not worthy. But those lies we tell ourselves are not true. In each of us is a hidden potential that God is ready to use.
Today's guest, author Wendy Pope, teaches us about our own hidden potential using the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. Wendy shows us how to replace those lies with this truth: God will not allow our failures and past to exempt us from our potential. In fact, He'll use them!
Related Resources:
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Join us for the Hidden Potential Online Bible Study now for FREE!
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Purchase Wendy's book, Hidden Potential, from the Proverbs 31 Ministries Bookstore. Every purchase you make from us goes back to funding ministry initiatives, like this podcast!
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Connect with Wendy on Instagram and Facebook.
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We want to get to know you better! Will you take a few minutes to complete this short survey as one of our podcast listeners?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
We all want to be happy. But what is true happiness? And how do we find it?
In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast we are joined by our friend, Derwin Gray, the lead pastor of Transformation Church and author of The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness. Using Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount, Derwin helps us unpack three ways to find true happiness.
You'll learn that the happiness you long for is found in becoming the person you were created to be. This “happiness” is not found in what we accomplish; it comes through what God is accomplishing in us to make our hearts like His. Happiness can be found daily, by sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening and learning from Him.
Related Resources:
- Purchase Derwin's new book, The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness.
Here’s what our president, Lysa TerKeurst, said about Derwin’s book: "This book has the most solid teaching on happiness I've ever read. Not only is this message helpful but it's also refreshingly honest and carefully researched. This is wisdom I've personally seen Pastor Derwin live out both through these pages and in everyday life."
- Study Galatians: How Jesus Invites Us to Live Free with us in our free First 5 app.
-Sign-up for the FREE Hidden Potential Online Bible Study here.
-We want to get to know you better! Will you take a few minutes to complete this short survey as one of our podcast listeners?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When life is hard and we see suffering all around, it's easy to wonder, does God really love me? And if God does love me, where exactly is He in all this? Is He really who He says He is, who I believed Him to be, who the Bible tells me about?
Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our guest, Kia Stephens, uses the story of Hagar in Genesis to tackle these difficult questions. In this episode, she will unpack five truths that we can believe about the love of God in the midst of our difficult situations.
You’ll learn that in the midst of feeling lonely, desperate and doubtful, God meets you right where you are with exactly what you need. Because He loves you, He sees you. He hears you. And He will restore you.
Related Resources:
Receive daily, biblical encouragement from women who get you and what you’re going through delivered straight to your inbox when you sign up for our FREE Encouragement for Today devotions.
Connect with Kia, find out more information on “The Father Swap,” and more on her website at kiastephens.com.
We want to get to know you better! Will you take a few minutes to complete this short survey as one of our podcast listeners?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When we go through trials, it’s easy to wonder, is this from God or caused by God? Am I under attack?
Today on the Proverbs 31 Podcast, Wendy Blight, our Online Bible Studies Biblical Content Specialist, addresses these questions in her teaching on the armor of God from Ephesians 6. Wendy shares a five-step process for praying through the armor of God, using the letters A-R-M-O-R. You’ll discover what each piece of the armor of God means, why you need it, and the importance of guarding your heart and mind on a daily basis.
Whatever you’re facing today, friend, you can rejoice knowing God’s already equipped you with what you need to stand victoriously.
Related Resources:
Purchase Wendy's book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, to learn more about Wendy’s story and her relationship with the Lord.
Our Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner Teaching Series includes teachings on fasting, spiritual discipline, studying and memorizing Scripture, and more! Click here to get access to the teachings.
Click here to download Wendy's Armor of God prayer.
Download our free First 5 app to spend the first five minutes of your day in God’s Word. No matter where you are in your faith journey, we hope you’ll join us in the app today!
We want to get to know you better! Will you take a few minutes to complete this short survey as one of our podcast listeners?
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Chances are, at some point or another, you’ve found yourself “in the middle of something” in life and you can’t help but ask the question: How long will this last? If you're reading this in 2020, maybe your “in the middle” is the COVID-19 pandemic, or maybe you find yourself in the middle of a battle with infertility or navigating a difficult family relationship.
No matter what "middle" we find ourselves in, it's hard to move forward when we don't know how long this season will last. In the midst of managing the tension, we can either spiral up or we can spiral down. On this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our co-host, Kaley Olson, shares Truth that's helpful to you right now.
"3 Things to Consider When You're in the Middle" uses Scripture to remind you of who God is, how He is faithful, what that means for us and how to share that with others.
Related Resources:
- Check out our FREE resource library! We've got tons of devotions, prayers and other tools you can download.
- If you would like to support Proverbs 31 Ministries as we continue to provide free resources during these uncertain times, you can make a donation here.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
In times of uncertainty, our tendency is to hold tightly to everything we have. We want to feel safe and in control of the things we can control. But what if instead, we choose to let go, open our hands and pray prayers of surrender? What if God is calling us to trust Him more with everything?
In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, author and pastor Craig Groeschel sits down with Kendra Schwarz and discusses a two-word prayer that can change everything: Send me. You'll find that praying "send me" might not mean you'll be sent to another physical location, but it always means you'll be nudged out of your comfort zone.
You'll learn why when you pray dangerously, you can't live life the same. And that's a good thing.
Click the links below to check out the resources we mention in this episode of the podcast:
Sign up for the FREE Dangerous Prayers Online Bible Study.
Grab a copy of Dangerous Prayers by Craig Groeschel here.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
We all want to know what God’s will is for our life, right? And wouldn't it be so much easier if there were a formula we could follow to know exactly what to do next?
In this episode of the podcast, Shae Tate offers a new approach to think about the term "calling" by beginning with our call to a daily relationship with the Lord. You'll learn that no matter what your mission field is — your school, home, career or ministry — God is calling you to use your story to bring others to Himself.
If this teaching was helpful for you, we’ve got a resource that we’d love to tell you about: “Thy Will Be Done.” This six-week devotional will help you trust God more as you process your “what’s next” questions with Him.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When we face fear, it’s hard to know how to pray for God’s covering and protection in the moment. What passage of Scripture speaks to what I’m facing? Where can we find what we need in the Bible?
In this episode, author and speaker Nicki Koziarz teaches us practical ways to pray God’s principles and promises over our situations using Psalm 91 as a guide. You'll learn to take one small step of faith in the midst of your fears, instead of doubting God will come through.
Click the links below to check out the resources we mention in this episode of the podcast:
- Connect with Nicki on her blog and on her Instagram
- Subscribe to our Encouragement for Today Devotions
- Read Nicki’s devotion “When Our Feet Face Fear"
- Register for She Speaks 2020
- Visit the Proverbs 31 Ministries Prayer Wall
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
The older we get, the easier it is to recognize that life is a combination of suffering and joy. While we look forward to the joyful times, our suffering has the potential to draw us closer to the Lord … if we choose to steward that season well.
So, how do we do that?
Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, First 5 writer Lyli Dunbar draws from her own life experiences and the book of Daniel to show us four ways to steward our season of suffering well. And guess what? They all start with the letter “P” to make note-taking easy.
With this episode, you will…
- Learn the importance of establishing a routine of getting into God’s Word daily in order to build a strong foundation to stand on when your world gets shaky.
- Discover scriptures in the Psalms you can run to that will help you practice trading the tendency to panic with the power of prayer.
- Understand how worshipping during hard times helps you trust that God is working even when you can’t see it.
Related Resources:
- Establish a consistent, weekday quiet time with our First 5 mobile app. It’s free (yes, free!) — all you need to do is go to your app store on your mobile device to download the app and join us in our current study.
- Take your daily study of God’s Word a little deeper with our First 5 Experience Guides. These guides are meant to be a companion to a study you can find within our First 5 mobile app, or stand-alone as an individual study. Each Experience Guide includes helpful study tools such as maps, historical context and an overview of the book(s) you’re studying. Find out more about our Experience Guides here!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Have you ever opened your Bible to the books of 1 & 2 Kings and wondered how you could possibly have anything in common with a bunch of men who ruled hundreds of years ago? For starters, they were real kings with crowns that fought in battles and ruled nations, and we’re just normal people trying to get through the day. No wonder we have a hard time applying their stories and struggles to what we’re facing today.
But you know what? We don’t want those thoughts to stop you from diving into the Old Testament because we believe that all of God’s Word is living, active and applicable to what we face today. The books of 1 & 2 Kings are exciting and give us an account of how much God wants us to trust in Him —not in ourselves or others.
Lysa TerKeurst recently released a brand-new Bible study based on 1 & 2 Kings called Trustworthy: Overcoming Our Greatest Struggles to Trust God. In this week’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, you’ll get an inside peek into a conversation we had with Lysa during our Trustworthy Online Bible Study.
With this episode, you will…
- Gain a basic understanding of the lives of Jeroboam and Rehoboam in 1 & 2 Kings, and learn about their trust issues within the context of their own stories.
- Recognize that even though you’re not a king, you’re responsible for stewarding your influence — whether that be social media, work, parenting or friends — we have the opportunity to point them all back to God.
- Find relief from trying to do things in your own way or your own timing by taking small steps to trust God more today.
Related resources:
- Want to learn more about Lysa’s latest study, Trustworthy, and unpack your trust issues within a biblical community? Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Online Bible Studies is the place for you! Click here to learn more about Online Bible Studies and check out our current study.
- Be equipped to lead your own study of Trustworthy with the leader kit! When you purchase the leader kit, you’ll get access to the Trustworthy study guide and a DVD with all 6 interactive teaching sessions filmed on location in Israel. The only thing you’ll need is a group of girlfriends and designated time to dig deep and learn together.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
When you think about what affects your own happiness, you might think about how your mood changes after you’ve spent too much time on social media or when someone says something rude to you.
Did you know that if you’re holding on to unforgiveness, it might be affecting you more than you realize?
Today on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, we’re joined by Max Lucado, a bestselling author of multiple books and pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Through a lot of research, Max found that 1 in 3 Americans admits they’re unhappy which inspired him to write How Happiness Happens, where he tackles this issue from a biblical perspective. Today, he’s giving us a sneak peek into this really powerful message.
When you listen to today’s episode, you will…
- Discover the secret to being happy is to release forgiveness you’ve been holding back.
- Learn how Jesus modeled what it looks like to be unoffendable by extending grace before your offender needs it.
- Understand that forgiveness does not mean you’re endorsing or forgetting what happened to you; it means clearing your heart of offenses daily as you go before the Lord.
Download the transcript of the podcast here.
Related Resources:
- Dive deeper into Max’s newest book, How Happiness Happens: Finding Lasting Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment and Unmet Expectations. Purchase your copy today anywhere books are sold!
- Did you know you can participate in our past Online Bible Studies with Max? That’s right! Anxious for Nothing and Because of Bethlehem are available for you to do on your own. Click here to find out how to participate!
You’re happily scrolling through social media to see what’s going on for the day, and then all of a sudden, you come across a post that has hundreds of comments where people (maybe even some of your friends) are having a “not-so-gracious” discussion. Should you join the conversation or unfollow that person?
Or maybe you’re about to head to a family dinner with people you love dearly, but there’s a sticky topic that’s bound to come up that makes you want to hide under the table. How do you approach that conversation while still honoring the relationships and loving those people?
Whatever or wherever your sticky situation is — online, at the table or with a co-worker — we pray this episode gives you a biblical foundation to help you navigate difficult conversations as an image-bearer of Christ. In this episode, you will…
- Understand the value and freedom gained by starting your day with an attitude of forgiveness, before you’re ever offended.
- Be empowered to make a difference in your corner of the world by choosing to create an atmosphere of gentle responses wherever you go.
- Learn how getting involved on social media helps and hinders your relationships, and when to respond with grace or simply not react at all.
Is The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast helping you with whatever season of life you’re walking through? We want to hear your story! When you leave a review on iTunes, it helps more people discover our podcast content.
Related Resources:
- Do you know someone who’s difficult to love? The lady at church who's always gossiping. The lazy co-worker. That sibling who knows how to push your buttons. We have a free printable just for you! Click here to access “Hugging a Porcupine and Squeezing a Skunk: How to love the difficult people in your life” for FREE today!
- In her book, Unglued, Lysa TerKeurst said, “Am I trying to prove that I’m right, or improve this relationship?” She developed a free resource to help you called “3 Questions to Ask Before You Respond.” Access this downloadable guide for free today!
- Get a free chapter of Lysa TerKeurst’s book, Uninvited, along with an assessment titled, “What’s it like to do life with me?” Simply download the chapter and complete the self-assessment, then prayerfully ask a trusted friend to complete the friend assessment. Click here to get started!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
What’s keeping you from really resting?
Are you afraid of losing control or fear the job won’t get done without you? Or maybe you think you’re resting, but you fill your time with TV, reading or shopping and at the end of the day, you’re still tired? Take a second and think of your own reasons.
Whatever your answer, it’s easy to look at the word “rest” in our culture and think it’s never possible because we’re too busy, or that we don’t know how to truly unplug. In this week’s episode, Kristen White, Proverbs 31 staff member and wife of Pastor Kaleb White, will tackle the true reason why we should rest, and what God’s Word says about it.
In this episode, you will...
- Evaluate your priority of working versus resting by looking at the story of creation in Genesis and how it teaches us about how God prioritized rest.
- Understand the difference of working from rest instead of resting from work, and get a few ideas for how to creatively or mentally recharge when you need a break.
- Remember that the Sabbath isn’t a rule that keeps us from getting more work done, but a day set aside by God for us to rest and grow in our relationship with Him.
Related Resources:
- Ready to start studying the Bible in a fresh way? Download our FREE First 5 mobile app and join us each weekday for a relevant, but challenging teaching on one chapter of the Bible at a time.
- Get biblical encouragement sent straight to your inbox every day AND stay up-to-date with all things happening at Proverbs 31 Ministries when you sign up for our free Encouragement for Today weekday devotions.
Click here to download the transcript of this episode.
Depending on your church background, you might participate in Advent every year, or you might stay away from it because it seems like a mysterious, age-old tradition that’s reserved for only certain denominations. You might even associate Advent with a candy calendar you see displayed in stores close to the holiday season.
At Proverbs 31 Ministries, our goal is to help you know the Truth of God’s Word by shedding light on things that might be a little unclear … even things like the Advent season. While Advent is not a biblical command, it is an activity we can choose to participate in to turn our hearts from the hustle and bustle as we focus on biblical truths.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Proverbs 31 Ministries' director of theology, Joel Muddamalle. You will…
- Discover what Advent is, what it isn’t and how it can help align your heart with God’s Word as we celebrate Christmas and Jesus’ second coming.
- Stop rushing through the holiday season and refocus your mind on adoration for Jesus through patience, expectations for what He’s doing and contemplation on His goodness.
- Understand the importance of setting aside time to share with your family about who Jesus is and what He has done, and what He has promised to come back and do.
No matter your views on Advent, we pray this episode will serve as a resource and a reason to slow down and focus on Jesus this season.
Related Resources:
- If you’re reading this, maybe God has used Proverbs 31 Ministries to point you back to Him in your deepest moment of need. Will you consider giving back so we can continue giving you our resources and reach even more women who desperately need Him? Click here to make a donation today!
- Are you and your kids rushing through the holiday season? Slow down and make this season even sweeter with our hand-selected products, like the authentic olive wood nativity scene, The Sweetest Story Ever Told interactive cookie kit and more! A portion of every purchase you make from Proverbs 31 goes back to help us reach more women with God’s Word. Click here to see our entire Christmas collection!
Click here to download the transcript of this episode.
*A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: The content in this podcast covers the topic of “narcissism.”
Narcissism is a personality disorder that requires a medical diagnosis. Proverbs 31 Ministries does not condone labeling another person with a personality disorder. Please see the links below if you need help finding a Christian counselor.*
In the last episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, you heard Lysa TerKeurst, her personal licensed counselor Jim Cress, and Proverbs 31 Ministries director of theology Joel Muddamalle unpack the topic of “narcissism.”
You might have finished the episode thinking, okay … so what do I do if I’m in a relationship with a narcissist?
In this episode, Lysa, Jim and Joel discuss how to have a confrontational conversation with a narcissist — without being too confrontational. As a reminder, these episodes are not to victimize a person who struggles with narcissism, but rather to shed light on this very real and often overlooked topic in the Christian world.
You will...
- Be reminded that God is the only One who can handle worship from man, and we cannot label or define Him based on what He does or doesn’t do on our behalf.
- Learn that compassion and healthy boundaries are necessary if you are in a marriage, family or working relationship with a narcissist.
- Understand how to have a constructive conversation with a person who has narcissistic tendencies, and when it’s time to set stronger boundaries or even end the relationship.
Related Resources:
- Lysa TerKeurst’s latest Bible study, Trustworthy, releases November 12, 2019. In this 6-session study on 1 & 2 Kings, you can join Lysa in Israel via video as she honestly reveals the places of distrust in her own heart while exploring the deeply personal, applicable Scriptures that will teach us how to truly trust God. Order your copy of the study through Proverbs 31 Ministries today!
- For further reading on narcissism, Lysa and Jim recommend The Wizard of Oz and other Narcissists and The Object of My Affection is in My Reflection. Please note, these are not biblically-based books but would be helpful if you’re struggling to cope with a narcissist.
- If you need help processing tough trust issues, we recommend finding a Christian counselor you can trust. The American Association of Christian Counselors is a resource you can trust to find the right counselor for your specific circumstances.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
*A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: The content in this podcast covers the topic of “narcissism.”
Narcissism is a personality disorder that requires a medical diagnosis. Proverbs 31 Ministries does not condone labeling another person with a personality disorder. Please see the links below if you need help finding a Christian counselor.*
“Narcissism.”
It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? And, how does it affect your life?
So … what do we do if we’re in a relationship with a narcissist? And how is narcissism different than a personal struggle with selfishness? And what does selfishness teach us about our own need for God, even if we don’t struggle with narcissism?
In this episode of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, we'll unpack narcissism through a conversation between Lysa TerKeurst, her personal licensed counselor Jim Cress and Proverbs 31 Ministries director of theology, Joel Muddamalle.
You will…
- Understand the medically defined character traits of a narcissist as well as the difference between narcissism and selfishness.
- Discover that the desire of a narcissist — to receive admiration and praise, and to control others — is a human need we all struggle with on some level, that only Jesus can truly fulfill.
- Learn that compassion and healthy boundaries are necessary if you are in a marriage, family or working relationship with a narcissist.
Related Resources:
- Lysa TerKeurst’s latest Bible study, Trustworthy, releases November 12, 2019. In this 6-session study on 1 & 2 Kings, you can join Lysa in Israel via video as she honestly reveals the places of distrust in her own heart while exploring the deeply personal, applicable Scriptures that will teach us how to truly trust God. Grab your copy of the study through Proverbs 31 Ministries today!
- If you need help processing tough trust issues, we recommend finding a Christian counselor you can trust. The American Association of Christian Counselors is a resource you can trust to find the right counselor for your specific circumstances.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Do you ever find it hard to let God work on your behalf? Are you tempted to trust in your own strength rather than let God work things out for you?
As believers, we have the most incredible opportunity to put our full trust and confidence in our heavenly Father. But, so often, we get caught in the trap of thinking “Surely I’m not the right person to do this” or “There’s too much against me for this to actually work out.”
Today on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Lynn Cowell will help us understand what it means to develop unshakable confidence built on Christ.
With today’s episode, you will…
- Grow your confidence in God as you hear references to stories in Scripture that show how He moved through others who trusted Him to do the impossible.
- Identify and address the fears that keep you stuck, and learn what practical steps to take to walk in your calling with confidence.
- Renew your passion to do what only you’ve been called to do, knowing it’s more important to please God than others.
Related Resources:
- Discover more about unshakable confidence with Lynn’s Bible study, Make Your Move. Purchase the Bible study and DVD set today from Proverbs 31 Ministries’ online store.
- Is there a tween in your life who needs a little encouragement as she makes the transition from being a little girl to becoming a teenager? Check out Lynn’s book, Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You, available on the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ online store.
- Plan your next church women’s event with the Proverbs 31 Ministries’ speaker team in mind! Click here to inquire about having speakers like Lynn Cowell, Chrysal Evans Hurst, Nicki Koziarz and more at your next event.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Why is it so enticing to choose lesser things over lasting things?
Do you ever pick up your phone or watch a mindless show without thinking anything of it, but end up wondering where the day went when you lay down at night? Sometimes even the things that are entertaining and good can leave us feeling empty, lesser and lacking. So, how do we set healthy boundaries and train our minds to choose what’s best over what seems right in the moment?
Today on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, we’re tackling distractions head-on with our friends Amanda Bacon and Anne-Renee Gumley of The Masterpiece Mom. Amanda and Anne-Renee will give a teaching based on their latest book, Shiny Things: Mothering on Purpose in a World of Distractions (and we promise it isn’t just for moms).
In this episode of the podcast, you will…
- Identify the areas where you’re most distracted by “shiny things” and create a priority list that you’re determined to live out, not just write out.
- Stop being distracted by comparing your life to someone else’s as you start focusing on the assignment that only you can do.
- Grow your desire to have a strong relationship with the Lord in order to develop the persistence you need to stick to your “lasting” list instead of the “lesser” things in life.
Related Resources:
- Learn more about how to choose lasting things over lesser things with Amanda and Anne-Renee’s book, Shiny Things. Purchase yours today from Proverbs 31 Ministries!
- Fill your social media feed with encouragement and uplifting content by following Proverbs 31 Ministries on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
- Help us get The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast to even more listeners by leaving a review on iTunes!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
“Can God be good even when life is not?” It’s a question we’ve been wrestling through together as a ministry since Lysa TerKeurst released her book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way.
Today on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, we’re continuing the conversation on what to do when life doesn’t turn out the way you thought it would by giving you a sneak peek of the It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study Teaching Series recorded earlier this year. You’ll hear a conversation between our Online Bible Studies team and Pastor Craig Groeschel from Life.Church. Pastor Craig has also been through his own season of hardship and wrote about it in his latest book, Hope in the Dark.
When you listen to this episode, you will...
- Find comfort in a season or moment of doubt by realizing that God won’t look down on you when you doubt, but will give you what you need to continue pressing on.
- Discover that breakthrough happens when you invite someone you trust into your struggle, even though opening up is often scary or hard.
- Stop comparing your dark moment or season to someone else’s, and gain compassion for others regardless of the level of their struggle.
Related Resources:
- Purchase the It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Teaching Series from Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies to hear more in-depth teaching and biblical wisdom from Lysa TerKeurst, Annie F. Downs and Angie Smith, plus two bonus episodes!
- Learn how to believe God is good even when life is not when you read Craig Groeschel’s latest book, Hope in the Dark. Click here to shop!
- Not sure what episodes of The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast to listen to next? Click here to easily see episodes categorized by topics!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
It’s easy to look back and think of all the things you’d do differently in your teenage years, isn’t it? Maybe there are some small things you’d change … you wouldn’t have worn so much makeup or pushed yourself to do better in math. Or perhaps the people you thought were your best friends led you to make decisions that now you’d do much differently.
As an adult, hindsight is 20/20. But what if we made the choice today to look back at the decisions we made and believe that although we can’t change them, God can use them?
In today’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, author and speaker Chrystal Evans Hurst shares a message titled, “3 Things I’d Tell My Teenage Self.” In this episode, you will…
- Realize that you are loved as you are, and you don’t have to clean up your mistakes to receive God’s love.
- Find comfort in knowing the very struggle you face today is developing in you the strength you need for tomorrow’s battle.
- Stop believing the lie that at some point you will “arrive” and start believing that your journey will always be a process that requires time and trust.
Related Resources:
- Purchase Chrystal’s latest book for teenage girls called, “Show Up For Your Life” from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Every purchase you make from our online bookstore helps us fund ministry resources, just like this podcast!
- Subscribe to our Encouragement for Today devotions and receive relevant, biblical inspiration in your inbox every weekday.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Today is a very special day on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast because … (drum roll please) we’re celebrating our first birthday!
Over the past year, we’ve released 31 episodes — how fitting for Proverbs 31, right? But there’s more to celebrate than just the number of episodes we released. With every episode, we reached hearts and homes around the globe (literally!) with biblical truth for any girl in any season. We’re so thankful for the way the Lord has used this podcast above and beyond what we could have imagined!
So to help us celebrate, we invited Proverbs 31 Ministries' President, Lysa TerKeurst, to the show because there’s just no one who can share God’s Word quite like Lysa. In today’s episode of the podcast, you’ll hear a teaching called “3 Things to Consider Before Making that Decision.” We’re so thankful for Lysa’s wisdom and expertise on decision-making.
In this episode, Lysa will teach you:
- The “daily-ness” of decisions can make them seem small, but over time, even small decisions add up and make an impact.
- When you look at the big picture of where you are and where you want to be, the path can seem complicated and scary! But the way you get there is one day at a time, through choosing wisely every day.
- Wisdom is earned through the combination of gaining knowledge, access to the Holy Spirit and living out what you know to be true.
Related Resources:
- If the Lord has used The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast to help you in your walk with Him, please share it with us! Simply visit us on iTunes and leave a review. Leaving a review helps others discover the podcast, so thank you for helping us!
- Are you subscribed to The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast? Never miss an episode! We’ve made it easy for you because we’re available on iTunes and Spotify.
- Be sure to grab a copy of Lysa TerKeurst’s book, The Best Yes, and learn how to start making wiser decisions today.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Do you ever find yourself fighting the temptation to focus on what you don’t have instead of what you’ve already been given? When we are actively pursuing God’s calling on our lives, I think we’ve all been tempted to focus on what someone else has or is experiencing, and feel disqualified because of what we lack. It’s so easy to think, I’m not as talented, bold, smart or outgoing as she is. I can’t write, speak or lead. I don’t know how to do _______. I just can’t.
Sweet friend, we don’t know what your calling looks like, but we do know that we serve a God who’s still in charge and doesn’t leave everything up to us! Today on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, you’ll hear a special message from Suzie Eller that will inspire you and empower you to trust God with your calling.
In this episode, Suzie will teach you…
- Being called out of your comfort zone and called into a new assignment is never easy, but it’s also never about you, and that's a good thing!
- Consistently coming before the Lord with what’s on your mind will help you know what you need to keep saying yes to, and what you may need to stop doing.
- Embracing God’s anointing on your life IS the confidence you need to step into the assignment He’s asked you to do!
Related Resources:
- Do you feel called to write, speak or lead? It’s time to step into your assignment! At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we have an annual conference called She Speaks where we equip writers, speakers and leaders with the practical tools and biblical training they need to take the next right step in their calling. This year for the first time ever, you can join us online from the comfort of your home! Click here to check out our She Speaks livestream packages.
- Connect with Suzie Eller on her blog and through Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today daily devotions.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
It seems like every opportunity that comes our way is often followed by opposition. So ... how do you really know if it’s God who is really telling you to keep pursuing that opportunity when you face a giant roadblock? What do you do when you’ve lost all confidence to do what you think He’s called you to do?
In today’s podcast episode, Katy McCown, one of our First 5 mobile app writers, will give a teaching from our First 5 study titled Opposition and Opportunity, based on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. You’ll learn that if you’re only looking for opportunities and not expecting opposition with them, it’s easy to get confused about what you thought you were supposed to do. Or worse, you might even think you’ve misheard God or taken a wrong step, because if God really wanted you to make a move … why would something get in the way?
In this episode, you’ll…
- Gain clarity on the calling you believe God is asking you to follow by understanding the difference between an opportunity from God and opposition from the enemy.
- Identify common tactics of the enemy — confusion, doubt and fear — and how to train your eyes to look away from the opposition you see and focus on the opportunity in front of you.
- Claim your identity in Christ and speak Truth to combat the enemy’s lies while trusting God to go before you in every battle you face.
Related Resources:
- Discover more about Opposition and Opportunity by doing our study in the First 5 app! All you need to do is download the FREE First 5 mobile app (available for Apple and Android devices) and go to the “Plans” section in the app. Just search for the title Opposition and Opportunity and start the study!
- Take your study of Opposition and Opportunity further by purchasing the accompanying Experience Guide, available at p31bookstore.com. All of our Experience Guides are designed to take you deeper into Scripture with questions to help you apply God’s Word to your life.
- Access more teachings just like the one you heard today through the First 5 app each weekend. Simply make sure you have the app downloaded, and there will be a fresh audio teaching each weekend available to help you apply what you’re learning during the week to your life!
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
Pause for a moment and think about your relationships … your spouse, children, friends, co-workers, neighbors. You can probably name some highs and lows of each relationship because, well, humans are human. And humans mess up!
Our relationship with the church is no different. When a body of believers (who are by nature sinners) come together, things aren’t always a beautiful picture of a happy community without conflict. Whether or not you’re new to the Christian community, a phrase that you’ll likely hear is “church hurt.” At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we don’t want to just talk about church hurt; we want to dig into God’s Word and understand what He says about the Church (the body of believers). Using the first church in the book of Acts as an example, Whitney Capps will lead us through a Scripture-based conversation on church hurt and how to navigate it in our own lives.
In this episode, it’s our hope that you’ll …
- Understand the relationship between the church and its members as outlined in Scripture and find your place in a community of believers.
- Acknowledge the hurt you’re facing and find a way to forgive those who’ve hurt you through the lens of Scripture.
- Develop empathy for those who have been hurt by the church and discover ways you can reach out to help someone close to you take the next step toward healing.
Related Resources:
- Stay rooted in God’s Word by giving Him the first five minutes of your day with our free First 5 mobile app! Download it today for your Apple or Android device.
- With Whitney Capps’ newest book, Sick of Me, you’ll take the next steps on your faith journey to look more like Jesus today than you did yesterday. Purchase your copy today from Proverbs 31 Ministries!
- Visit whitneycapps.com to download a free resource on how to walk through specific situations of church hurt and how to process the hurt you’re facing today.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
“Why should I fast?” … is a real question that often goes unanswered. You might hear your pastor, ministry leader or friend talk about fasting and wonder what the purpose of depriving yourself of something really is. After all, why fast when you could simply pray, right?
Throughout Scripture, you’ll discover fasting mentioned from Daniel to Elisha to Paul, and most commonly known, Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness. In today’s teaching, you’ll hear Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theology, Joel Muddamalle, discuss the real reason we should fast and answer the question you might’ve always wanted to understand.
In this episode, you will …
- Learn about fasting in context of Scripture and understand how it can apply to your life today.
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Understand how fasting is part of many spiritual disciplines that are outlined in Scripture to help us look more like Christ.
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Discover how going “without” can help you reposition your heart and mind toward God through your ultimate need for Him.
Related Resources:
- Although we want to ensure fasting is a private event between you and God, we do want to encourage you to anonymously share how we can pray for you on our prayer wall. At Proverbs 31 Ministries, our staff and volunteers pray over each prayer request submitted, and we would love to pray for you! Click here to visit our prayer wall.
- If you’re interested in learning more about spiritual foundations or knowing God, check out our free resource library! This is a great place to start if you’re looking to dig deeper into Scripture and want more insight on questions you have about your personal faith journey.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: This podcast contains content that might not be suitable for young children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please see the Related Resources section at the bottom of this page if you need help finding a counselor.
When hurtful circumstances happen, we wonder, “How will I ever get over this?”
Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands that feeling. Since the release of her latest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, she’s received hundreds of emails, direct messages on social media and inquiries from people asking her how she got through one of the hardest seasons of her life.
Over the next few weeks on The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, we’re taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming to introduce a 6-week series called Therapy & Theology: How Do I Get Through This? Our goal is to meet you in the middle of your hurt and give you biblical answers on how to move through it.
In the fifth episode of the series, you’ll hear a conversation between Lysa TerKeurst and her personal, licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries director of theology, Joel Muddamalle. Together they will unpack depression and anxiety, help you identify triggers and learn how to combat anxiety in a healthy way.
In this series, you’ll learn how to …
- Overcome the feeling that you’ll never get over the hurt you’re facing by recognizing small steps you can take to get through the hurt, little by little.
- Replace the negative stigma of “therapy” by gaining a healthy, biblical view of counseling for your situation.
- Move toward healing today by discovering the two distinct and necessary parts of forgiveness and how to live them out.
- Find hope in the midst of devastating circumstances by seeking restoration for yourself through prayer and proven exercises to help you process your pain.
Related Resources:
- If you’ve ever wished you had a friend who understands deep hurt and heartbreak to walk with you through the healing process, purchase Lysa TerKeurst’s latest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, at p31bookstore.com!
- Help your child overcome anxiety with Lysa TerKeurst’s children’s book, It Will Be Okay: Trusting God Through Fear and Change, available in the Proverbs 31 Ministries bookstore.
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: American Association of Christian Counselors.
To download the transcript for this episode, click here.
A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: This podcast contains content that might not be suitable for young children, and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please see the related resources section at the bottom of this page if you need help finding a counselor.
When hurtful circumstances happen, we wonder, “How will I ever get over this?”
Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands that feeling. Since the release of her latest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, she’s received hundreds of emails, direct messages on social media and inquiries from people asking her how she got through one of the hardest seasons of her life.
Over the next few weeks on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, we’re taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming to introduce a 6-week series called Therapy & Theology: How Do I Get Through This? Our goal is to meet you in the middle of your hurt and give you biblical answers on how to move through it.
In this introductory episode, you’ll hear Lysa dive deep into conversation with her personal, licensed professional counselor Jim Cress, as well as Proverbs 31 Ministries director of theology, Joel Muddamalle.
In this series, you’ll learn how to…
- Overcome the feeling that you’ll never get over the hurt you’re facing by recognizing small steps you can take to get through the hurt, little by little.
- Replace the negative stigma of “therapy” by gaining a healthy, biblical view of counseling for your situation.
- Move toward healing today by discovering the two distinct and necessary parts of forgiveness and how to live them out.
- Find hope in the midst of devastating circumstances by seeking restoration for yourself through prayer and proven exercises to help you process your pain.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources:
- If you’ve ever wished you had a friend who understands deep hurt and heartbreak to walk with you through the healing process, purchase Lysa TerKeurst’s latest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way at p31bookstore.com!
- Ready to take the next step in finding a Christian counselor? Here’s a good place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances: American Association of Christian Counselors.
Social media and television make it incredibly easy to compare our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel… especially in our marriages. We turn on the TV, and then we’re turned off because it seems everyone else has a happier, more exciting and more romantic marriage than we do.
We all bring our brokenness into our marriage covenant and it doesn’t take long for that to surface. When conflict does arise, are we extending the grace Jesus extends to us or are we letting our broken selves break our relationship?
In today’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Karen Ehman gives a teaching based on her new book, Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy. You’ll discover…
- The three threads that can tangle your marriage — emotional baggage, unmet expectations and untrue perceptions — and how to have healthy conversations around them.
- You can honor your spouse by taking time to slow down, breathe and collect your thoughts before you enter into a hard conversation about unmet expectations.
Your marriage is a message, and people are watching you preach!
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources
- Purchase Karen Ehman’s latest book, Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy In Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy from Proverbs 31 Ministries.
- Register for the FREE Keep Showing Up Online Bible Study that starts on April 1, 2019. All you need is the book!
Do you ever wonder if all the things you do for your children is even making an impact? If the wisdom we try to impart actually sticks or if we’re really cut out for this “mothering” job after all? Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” As parents, this Scripture sounds promising, but being in the “thick of it” is tough!
Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands this feeling! In this podcast episode, she invites you in on a conversation between her and her three adult daughters where you'll hear a raw, honest, family conversation about raising children and what it was like being raised in the TerKeurst home.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
You’ll discover…
- A bad parenting moment today doesn’t make you a bad parent forever.
- Creating an environment in your home for conversations that have a gentle balance of grace and truth will help your children be more open to sharing.
- Keeping your children talking, connected and reminded about God throughout the small things every day will help you raise up not only a good child, but a God-honoring adult.
Related Resources:
- Sign up for our FREE Encouragement for Today devotions filled with daily, biblical encouragement to help you filter life through God’s Word.
- Purchase Am I Messing Up My Kids? by Lysa TerKeurst through Proverbs 31 Ministries. Full of practical ideas, short Bible studies and plenty of encouragement, this inspiring resource will help moms to realize that — with God’s wisdom and mercy — they can experience peace and satisfaction while raising their kids.
If you were to walk through your home and make a stack of all the “advice” books you own, there’s a good chance that stack would be pretty tall! There is a book available for every subject you could ever need: time management, pregnancy, parenting, relationships, dieting, exercising, overcoming anxiety… the list goes on! But where do you find real wisdom for living?
It’s easy to want a simple formula that leads to a quick fix. For example, if we were to read the dieting book and closely follow the instructions, then the outcome should be to lose weight, right? But if we are really honest with ourselves, we often take the same approach to God’s Word when it comes to seeking wisdom in a specific area of life.
In this week’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Karen McNary shares how to gain wisdom by being connected to the giver of all wisdom… our Heavenly Father!
You’ll discover…
Wisdom doesn’t mean that you’ll always know how to make the right decision. But, “wise” is what you become when you stay connected with God and apply His Word to every area of life.
How to determine if, and when, you should seek wise counsel from a trusted friend by first going to the Lord for guidance first.
Seeking wisdom and principles for life doesn’t have to start and stop with the book of Proverbs, but can be found starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources
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Find a place to process what you’re learning each day as you discover how to apply godly wisdom to your everyday life. Study the book of Proverbs with us in our FREE First 5 mobile app! All you need to do is download the app on iTunes or Google Play to get started.
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Take your study of the book of Proverbs a little deeper by purchasing our Experience Guide. Each Experience Guide includes daily study questions and historical context to help you unpack Scripture. Purchase your copy today!
How do we embrace what seems so glaringly imperfect in the process of becoming more like Jesus? In Lysa TerKeurst’s new book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, she says “Anytime we feel not good enough we deny the powerful truth that we are a glorious work of God in progress.”
In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to one of our favorite chapters, "Paintings and People," from Lysa’s newest book. In this chapter Lysa takes us through her own experience of feeling not good enough, and teaches us how to trust God with our imperfections on this side of eternity.
You’ll discover…
- Sometimes you might be expecting a perfection from yourself or others that even God Himself doesn’t expect.
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Time spent showing up and bringing compassion to a friend is never wasted time.
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Being honest with yourself and your friends (rather than trying to cover up your imperfections) will strengthen the way you see yourself and your relationships.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources:
- Purchase your copy of It's Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered today!
- Sign up for the FREE It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Online Bible Study hosted by Proverbs 31 Ministries and journey through the book with a solid community to support you.
When things don’t go the way we want and life doesn’t turn out the way we thought it should, it’s easy to wonder why. In Mark 14, Jesus prays “Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Those words read well, but they’re hard to live out.
In this episode, Lysa TerKeurst will teach us what it really means to exchange our will for God’s will and builds off her last episode titled, “The Birthplace of Disappointment.” We already learned that the human heart was created in the context of the perfection of the Garden of Eden. Today, we’ll discover that there’s a physical reality we see, and at the same time, there’s the miraculous God is working.
You’ll learn…
- Because God is working in the midst of your hurt, you can trust that your hurt will someday be made right.
- When God leads you to something hard, He will also lead you through something hard because He won’t leave you.
- Trading your will for God’s will isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily surrender.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related resources:
- Click here to listen to Lysa’s teaching titled, “The Birthplace of Disappointment.”
- Purchase your copy of Lysa’s latest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way and learn what it means to find unexpected strength when life’s disappointments leave you shattered.
- Make a donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries today to help us continue to provide free resources (just like this podcast) for women around the world to connect with God’s Truth on a daily basis.
The hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul” was first published almost 150 years ago. Those words are often sung in church or hung on the walls in our homes ... but if we were really honest with ourselves, could we say they’re absolutely true?
Every day we get to decide what we let in our minds and what we keep out, how we spend our time, and what we give our attention to. In today’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, author and First 5 writer Nicki Koziarz tackles the topic of dealing with comparison and what we can do to be able to respond, “Yes ... my soul is well.”
In this episode you’ll learn…
- When you’re trying to please someone, the end goal will always be hard to reach.
- Your human heart ultimately desires a relationship with God, and to fill that desire with lesser things will make your soul unwell.
- The temptation to compare yourself to someone else on this side of eternity may never go away, but you can take practical steps to avoid falling into the temptation today!
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources:
- Follow along with Nicki’s ministry and Fixer-Upper Farm journey on Instagram at @NickiKoziarz.
- Purchase Nicki’s book Why Her?: 6 Truths We Need to Hear When Measuring Up Leaves Us Falling Behind and learn practical steps you can take as you tackle comparison in your own life.
- Like what you’re hearing? Leave the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast a review on iTunes so other women will be exposed to the Truth of God’s Word!
Have you ever set out to do something you knew you were supposed to do, only to find it wasn’t as easy as you thought it would be? Perhaps you think you’re not good enough, or that there’s no room for you because there’s someone else already doing what you feel led to do.
If you feel like your opportunities are shrinking, or if you’ve gotten a “sign” that you should quit because you’ve messed up too much for God to use you — this episode is for you. Glynnis Whitwer, Proverbs 31 Ministries' Executive Director of Communications, gives a message on the three things you need to know before you give up on your calling.
You will discover…
- God isn’t in the business of dividing opportunities; He’s in the business of multiplying them.
- “Success” in God’s Kingdom is based on obedience, and “failure” is quitting before God tells you to quit.
- Your pain will be your biggest platform because it’s the place where you experienced God’s greatest power.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources:
- Take the next step in your calling to write by becoming a member of our COMPEL Writer's Training program. Click here to learn more!
- If you feel called to speak, write or lead, but don’t know where to start, find out more about our She Speaks Conference. Registration isn’t open yet, so sign up for the interest list to be notified as soon as registration opens in 2019!
If you were to have a conversation with a friend right now, would you be able to say that everything in your life has turned out the way you expected it would? Probably not. Life happens, and even though your expectations might have been realistic, your reality lends you to wonder...
Why this? Why now? Why me?
So, where does disappointment come from? And why, as God’s children, do we wonder if our God really is a good God with good plans for our life?
In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Lysa TerKeurst gives a message on this hard topic based on her newest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered.
Whether you’re in the middle of a disappointment, or fearing one is lurking right around the corner, you’ll discover…
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Trusting God with the outcome of your story is a crucial lesson to learn in order to navigate disappointments.
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When you keep your eyes on Him, your joy doesn’t have to depend on a person, place or circumstances being made right.
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If your story isn’t turning out the way you thought it would, God will show you an even more glorious story that can be written.
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources:
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It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst is available now wherever books are sold! Purchase your copy today at p31bookstore.com.
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Check out our exclusive It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way resources to use as a reminder of finding unexpected strength in your everyday life.
Have you ever sat down and opened your Bible, only to find you don’t really know where to start? Perhaps you read a chapter and then just move on, not knowing what would come next in actually studying the passage? Or, maybe there are passages in the Bible that are confusing, so you just keep go back to the same familiar ones?
What if there were just four simple steps to having a deep personal Bible study, every time?
In today’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our Director of Theology, Joel Muddamalle, teaches four simple steps that will enable you to have a great personal Bible study. Using Mark 6 as a guide, Joel will help you dive deep into Scripture in a fresh, relevant way that you can apply to any passage in the Bible.
You’ll discover…
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You don’t have to be a theology expert to learn what God’s Word means; you just need to start with where you are!
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Identifying key themes, common elements, characters and locations in each passage you read will help you connect the dots from Genesis to Revelation.
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Taking the crucial step to imagine yourself in the passage you read will help you connect to Scripture emotionally, just like you would in any other book!
To read the transcript for this episode click here.
Related Resources:
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Ready to start studying the Bible in a fresh way? Download our FREE First 5 mobile app and join us each weekday for a relevant, but challenging teaching on one chapter of the Bible at a time.
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Take your Bible study and personal application to the next level by purchasing one of our First 5 Experience Guides. Each Experience Guide is written by one of our First 5 writers or staff members and includes exclusive charts, maps and study questions to help you dig deeper into Scripture.
Whether you are a student, a wife, a mother or a caretaker of aging parents, we all want to fulfill that special calling God has placed on our lives. But how do you do that in the midst of running errands, caring for your loved ones and fulfilling the role your current season requires?
In this episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Lisa Allen answers that question by giving a practical teaching on making room for the assignment God has for you. You’ll discover...
- Making time for your connection to God results in a heart-posture that spills over into your role each day.
- Creating margin in your schedule by not living deadline-to-deadline, allows you to react to life’s surprises without becoming overwhelmed.
- Being fully present in a hands-on season of life (even if it means your calling starts to simmer) is okay because that season won’t last forever.
- God is equipping and developing your character in the midst of your season right now.
To read the transcript for this episode, click here.
Related Resources
- If you feel called to speak, write or lead, but don’t know where to start, find out more about our She Speaks Conference. Registration isn’t open yet, so sign up for the interest list to be notified as soon as registration opens in 2019!
- Take the next step in your calling to write by becoming a member of our Compel Writer's Training program. Click here to learn more!
When you read about Solomon’s life in 1 Kings 3:3 it says, “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.”
Except.
The word “except” means that Solomon’s affections weren’t fully placed on the Lord. Instead, some of his affections were placed on things of this world that were idols. In today’s episode, Lysa TerKeurst and friends dive deep into their own misplaced affections to help you understand that although today’s idols are different than Old Testament idols, the struggle is still the same.
You’ll discover…
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When our needs are met somewhere else other than within our relationship with the Lord, there are consequences.
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Waiting on the Lord to heal your wounds or provide for you in your time of need will be hard, but His timing and provision are better than any quick fix.
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You’re never too far from God to choose to give all of your affection to the Lord.
To read the transcript for this episode, click here.
Related Resources:
- Pre-order Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, and receive the first three chapters immediately to get started reading today!
- Download the FREE First 5 app and start giving your first five minutes of each day to the Lord.
- Are these messages making an impact on your life? Leave us a review on iTunes and tell us about it!
When you look for examples of worship in the Bible, you’ll find everything from songs sung in corporate worship to deep prayers uttered in the midst of hard circumstances. Today, most of us relate worship to attending church and singing songs together. But what if worship is something we can do every day in the seemingly insignificant moments of life?
In today’s episode Meredith and Kaley talk with two special guests: Mack Brock, a worship leader and songwriter, and Joel Muddamalle, the Director of Theology at Proverbs 31 Ministries. You’ll hear both Mack and Joel’s perspective on worship and learn practical ways to worship in your day-to-day life.
Through this conversation on worship, you’ll discover…
- Breakthrough happens when you bring all of who you are — your hurt, frustration, joy and celebration — to the One who stands above it all.
- You’ve been called and appointed to a specific assignment on this earth, and the way you live your life is a form of worship.
- God is in every moment, and every moment can be worshipful if you remember to point your attention back to Him.
To read the transcript for this episode, click here.
Related Resources:
- Whatever you’re experiencing today, you can turn to the book of Psalms for reassurance that you’re not alone, and learn how to process your emotions in the steadiness of His presence. Purchase our First 5 Experience Guide, When Words Fail, in our online bookstore!
- Purchase Mack Brock’s new album, Greater Things, available now on all music platforms.
Have you had a recent disagreement in a relationship, which you can’t quite find the cause of? It might be because of your expectations! One of the quickest ways to frustrate and fracture a relationship is to try and hold someone accountable for expectations that are either unrealistic or uncommunicated.
In today’s episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Lysa TerKeurst shares practical ways to navigate the conversation on expectations that will help you and your spouse, friend, or even co-worker, have a better relationship. You’re going to want to take notes for this one as Lysa helps you...
- Determine the difference between realistic and unrealistic expectations, and how to make peace with those that aren’t realistic.
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Understand that putting off the conversation about any kind of unmet expectation will create a wedge between you and the other person.
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Make the choice to choose the relationship over the uncertainty of uncommunicated expectations today.
Download the transcript for this episode here.
Related Resources:
- Pre-order Lysa TerKeurst’s newest book titled It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way releasing in November 2018!
- Connect with Lysa TerKeurst on Facebook and Instagram
- Sign up for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ FREE Encouragement for Today daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox.
When you see the word “ministry,” it’s easy to think about people or organizations making big moves for God — feeding hungry children, rescuing those in slavery or speaking in front of thousands of people. But what’s so easy to overlook are life’s greatest ministry opportunities packaged in everyday moments.
In today’s episode, speaker and author Whitney Capps shares her own personal struggle with turning ministry into “me-nistry” — making ministry and even your everyday routine all about “me.” Whatever your assignment is today, you’ll discover that every call is magnificent because it comes from the Magnificent One.
You’ll learn…
- The mess you want to run from is the very ministry moment God wants you in right now.
- Anything you tie yourself to, besides God, will ultimately weigh you down.
- Being known by the famous and omniscient One is the only validation you’ll ever need.
Click here to download the transcript for today’s episode.
Related Resources:
- Are you a writer, speaker or leader? Click here to sign up for the interest list for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ She Speaks Conference.
- Download our First 5 mobile app to make the first five minutes of your morning count each day.