Dr. Lakeya Stewart Speaks: Recent Episodes
Dr. Lakeya Stewart
The Juggling Act of Life: Faith, Frustration and Forgiveness is a podcast that includes series of talks that will leave you inspired. You will laugh, cry, and reflect on a variety of issues. Lakeya is a follower of Christ, mother, wife, friend, professor, minister and so much more... wearing many hats requires a delicate balance. It is essentially, a juggling act. Hear how one can maintain their faith, deal with their frustrations and exercise forgiveness using practical examples that most can relate to.
If you have children and serve in ministry in any capacity, you may have experienced the sadness of breaking your promises to your children for the sake of ministry. This can lead to mom guilt. Ministry requires sacrifices that can only be made as a result of the strength we receive because of the Lord. It is a supernatural strength that I encourage us all to tap into. It is by His guidance that we find balance. Be blessed.
Life happens in seasons. Some seasons we feel like we are just surviving while others we are thriving. This episode reminds us that it is okay to slow down, regroup, reset and to simply live. It’s good to be alive, but it’s best to live!
Life can throw us curveballs... Just when we think life is settled and cozy, something always seems to happen to remind us who is actually in control. God has a sense of humor. Listen in on how God is currently working in this season of my life.
The Holiday season can be tough. While some people are celebrating family and giving thanks, there are others of us who are sad and lonely. College students unable to go home, people new to cities, and those who have lost loved ones often experience sadness during the holiday season. God desires that we bear the burdens of others and that we encourage one another. Let us offer support to one another this holiday season.
Can trouble have a purpose? Trouble may not last always, but what can we learn right now from the trouble we are experiencing? This episode causes you to think critically about trouble.
Taking time to regroup and reset are healthy habits to have. This summer I took time away to spend with my family! I am back and ready to engage! Let me encourage you to take time away from your busy schedule to regroup, reconnect and rest in God’s promises. Be blessed.
Have you outgrown some old relationships? A job? A home? What is keeping you from moving forward with plans to do something else? We must heed the voice of the Lord and when he says move, we need to move....just like that! :-)
Ever worry about something you cannot control? Is it just me? The Lord cares for us and often reminds us in difficult times that he is with us. I struggle with anxiety at times but I believe God is with me. I pray this short glimpse of my own struggles encourages you to hold on. God is with us!
It can be easy to lose momentum when you can see the finish line. As you run this race called life, remember that those that endure to the end are saved. As we approach special days like graduation and the end of a new semester, it can be easy to slack off and not do what we know to do. This episode simply encourages you not to lose momentum and to never give up. Don't give up friends...you are so close! Be blessed.
Heeding the voice of the Lord isn't always easy. It sometimes goes directly in opposition to our fleshly desires and wants. It requires a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit so much that we can discern and decipher the voice of the Lord from the voices of the world. Our society has so many outside influences that we as believers must be ever so careful not to be caught off guard by things that seem right in our own eyes but that contradict the word of God. Let us keep our spiritual ears on so that we can ear what the spirit of the Lord is saying to us. Be blessed.
God's Timing is perfect. This episode briefly shares how waiting on God's timing could truly be for your best interest. It's almost as if God knows what is best for us ahead of time when we don't see. As believers, we know that the last statement is indeed true. God does know. God is all-knowing and He desires that we trust him. Be blessed.
Grief stinks... I mean it can be foul. It is painful and can cause many tears. Sometimes we find ourselves lost in our grief with no end in sight. God desires to be glorified even in our struggles, challenges and yes, in our grief. Have you considered praying for someone else as YOU grieve? The Lord has been challenging me to grieve well... that is to say, to not let my grief overtake me but to rather find my hope in Christ. Whether you are dealing with the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the transition of a child out of the home, please be reminded that this is not the end. We have hope, and that hope is found in Christ.
Have you ever been overlooked, passed over, and not acknowledged? How did it make you feel? Were you sad? I still remember a time when I was overlooked and it hurt. It made me question my self worth. I sat in a moment of pity until I was reminded of what was important. What was important was living a life that displayed humility and not of me being full of pride. Take a listen to what I learned during this hard lesson.
Introducing Daniel! .....The demands of life require a delicate juggling act. Hear just a few minutes from Daniel and Lakeya as they very briefly discuss marriage and their experience with it.
Social Media can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, people are able to connect with others faster and in more convenient ways than ever before! For the person living hours away from family, this is one way to stay connected. On the other hand, it has been the cause of comparison among people of all age groups which has led to increased rates of anxiety and depression. What people post on social media is not always reality; however, It is indeed reality for some. It is important for people to be prayerful and to use discernment when digesting information and images we see on social media and in our everyday encounters in society.
You CAN talk to God and a therapist! The Bible tells those that believe in Christ that they should bear the burdens of others. As a believer, it is important for me to have a therapist that is comfortable integrating Christianity/faith into my therapy. This approach is what I also take personally with clients. Seek God first, and if he sends you a good therapist keep them!
Special Guest Pastor Faye Pennington speaks with us about marriage and ministry. The discussion speaks about the juggling act of balancing marriage, ministry, and family. Single ladies, you will want to listen to this one as well!
Have you ever reconnected with a friend after a random encounter out in public? Ever just send a random text to an old friend that re-ignited that friendship? I believe that God stands with his arms wide open, excited to welcome those who have strayed away from the faith back into the fold. It's time to reconnect with the Father... He is waiting on us.
Have you ever thought that the church you attended, the people you hung out with, and the company you kept didn't matter? The reality is that who you are connected to does indeed matter. You can't proverbially "eat" at anyone's table. The old adage says, "birds of a feather, flock together". Who is in your flock?
Hear what it was like to find out I was pregnant with triplets... Have you ever felt like your life was over? Perhaps you felt like your circumstances were a recipe for disaster. Sometimes seemingly crazy situations have come for God to ensure He gets the glory...we can one day look back and know with certainty that it was God who brought us through! Oh...how I got over!
How do you make friends as an adult? Have you ever met someone who you thought was cool but didn't know how to approach them? Ever been worried that they may think you are crazy? When in doubt, pray. Ask God for direction...you can't go wrong!
Have you been dreading the holiday season? This holiday season may be tough for those who have experienced loss this year. Honestly, the loss may have been 10 years ago but you may still experience pain. There are different models for the stages of grief. Each model changes the language a bit, but Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross identifies 5 stages of grief she believes all who grieve experience: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Other models include things like shock and hope. Whatever you are experiencing, there is help for you if you need it. You don't have to grieve alone.
What is God calling you to do? What if you don't feel qualified? Did Noah, Abraham and Samson have any special qualifications when God called them? This episode challenges believers to step out on faith into their proverbial exodus.
Special Guest: Hunter Conrad (check out his podcast: https://anchor.fm/redemptionpodcast )
Is forgetting the same as forgiveness? The terms are not synonyms. What are your thoughts? Questions that make you go hmmmm.... Let me know your thoughts. :-)
There are no big I's and little U's in the body of Christ. We all have a role to play. It can be a scary thought to think that someone is counting on us...but the reality is, many are. Whatever God has called you to do, do it with all of your might!
Calling all those who like rejection! Is it you? Probably not. Not too many people find joy in rejection. The reality is, Jesus Christ was rejected, in fact, He was the stone that was rejected that ultimately became the chief cornerstone! Sometimes God allows rejection to happen to set us up for something greater. Are you willing to give up what you feel is good for God's best?
Have you ever asked God why you had to endure suffering? Many of us have asked the question, "Why me"? Maybe you are struggling today. If so, you may find encouragement here.
Taking a break and resting is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity and self awareness. Too many people think that taking a break is for the weak at heart; however, scripture tells us that even Jesus took intentional time away to commune with His Father. Slow down, take a break and hear from the Father.
Have you ever been told that whatever happened in your home should remain in your home? This is all good until it's not. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide and know that there is freedom through Christ.
Have you ever said, "I want to live so that God can use me" ? What if you are a perfectionist and God wants to use you in your imperfect state? Are you willing to set your fear, your pride, and your insecurity aside? That is faith and that is what God is expecting from us. Grab your kleenex because God wants to use you!
This short 3 minute reflection encourages believers to empty themselves of the cares of this world so that they can be filled with the love of Christ. You will leave asking God to "Empty Me" so that you can be filled with thee!