The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast: Recent Episodes
Proverbs 31 Ministries
It's hard to pause and pray when we feel unsettled or anxious.
The Bible is clear that prayer is the remedy for a lot of the anxiousness we feel. (Just look at Philippians 4.) But what does that look like daily, especially when we are so overwhelmed that we don't know what to do? On today's episode, our friend and author Wendy Blight shares her story of struggling with anxiety and the unlikely tools she found in Scripture that helped her overcome it. She gets practical on what happens when we remain still and shows us what to do when we pause and slow down. It's in those moments, we will find God's nearness that leads to the peace we are really longing for.
This episode is Part 4 of a four-part series; make sure you go back and listen to the other episodes!
Related Resources:
- Escape the feeling of "never knowing what to say" with our free e-book, For the Girl Who Needs Hope: 50 Biblical Prayers for the Hard Moments.
- We can't choose when anxious thoughts come our way, but we can choose how we fight back. Learn how to in our next Online Bible Study, Rest for Your Soul: Simple Practices When You're Worn Out and Weary, with Wendy Blight, starting September 5.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
When God doesn’t answer our prayers, it's easy to feel grief.
If you have been walking with Him for a long time, it's tempting to want to numb out or give up. But what happens when neither of those options works?
If you are exhausted repeating the same prayers and getting less hopeful, or wrestling knowing God can change your circumstances and being heartbroken that He isn't, this episode is for you. Our friend Shae Hill talks about how we can find a gift in prayer, even while we are feeling frustrated and forgotten. Be encouraged that it is possible to hold disappointment and a desire to pray at the same time.
This episode is Part 3 of a four-part series; make sure you subscribe so you don't miss what's next!
Related Resources:
- Escape the feeling of "never knowing what to say" with our free e-book, For the Girl Who Needs Hope: 50 Biblical Prayers for the Hard Moments.
- We can't choose when anxious thoughts come our way, but we can choose how we fight back. Learn how to in our next Online Bible Study, Rest for Your Soul: Simple Practices When You're Worn Out and Weary, with Wendy Blight, starting September 5.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
We can pray about anything and everything as often as possible.
If God's Word tells us we can ask Him for anything, how do we cultivate lives where we pray bold prayers? What does that look like? And how do we do this? On this episode, Ashley Morgan Jackson sits down with Meghan Ryan and Shae Hill for a conversation on why we can approach God with our needs and how to keep our faith when we get weary waiting for His reply. Make sure you find something to take notes with because this one has lots of practical ideas you won't want to forget!
This episode is Part 2 of a four-part series; make sure you subscribe so you don't miss what's next!
Related Resources:
- If you long for deeper connection to God but aren't sure where to start, our new study guide is for you ... Praying Through the Psalms: 30 Days To Uncomplicate How You Talk to God, starting August 7 in the free First 5 mobile app!
- Escape the feeling of "never knowing what to say" with our free e-book, For the Girl Who Needs Hope: 50 Biblical Prayers for the Hard Moments.
- We can't choose when anxious thoughts come our way, but we can choose how we fight back. Learn how to in our next Online Bible Study, Rest for Your Soul: Simple Practices When You're Worn Out and Weary, with Wendy Blight, starting September 5.
- To the woman constantly pouring out, we planned a day where all you have to do is show up and be filled. Join us for Reset: A Saturday To Tend to Your Soul at First Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, on October 7, 2023.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
The Bible has a lot to say about prayer.
But what does "prayer" really mean? And what does it look like in our everyday lives? On this episode, our host Kaley Olson sits down with Shae Hill, Ashley Morgan Jackson and Meghan Ryan for a conversation about what it looks like to talk to God. We'll open our Bibles, trade some embarrassing stories, and take an honest look at what it means to communicate our desires, fears, worries and praises to our Creator. It's possible that prayer might not be quite as complicated as we make it.
This episode is Part 1 of a four-part series; make sure you subscribe so you don't miss what's next!
Related Resources:
- If you long for deeper connection to God but aren't sure where to start, our new study guide is for you ... Praying Through the Psalms: 30 Days To Uncomplicate How You Talk to God, starting August 7 in the free First 5 mobile app!
- Escape the feeling of "never knowing what to say" with our free e-book, For the Girl Who Needs Hope: 50 Biblical Prayers for the Hard Moments.
- We can't choose when anxious thoughts come our way, but we can choose how we fight back. Learn how to in our next Online Bible Study, Rest for Your Soul: Simple Practices When You're Worn Out and Weary, with Wendy Blight, starting September 5.
- To the woman constantly pouring out, we planned a day where all you have to do is show up and be filled. Join us for Reset: A Saturday To Tend to Your Soul at First Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, on October 7, 2023.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
We live in a world full of anxiety, and often it can feel overwhelming to try to navigate it.
On today's episode, our friend and author Rebekah Lyons gives us practical and scriptural ways to walk through a difficult season of feeling overwhelmed with the chaos of life. She will teach us physical steps and rhythms to try when our minds are running out of control and point us back to God's Word for what is true and lasting. Grab a pen and paper because you'll want to take notes on this one!
Related Resources:
- Order a copy of Rebekah’s book Building a Resilient Life: How Adversity Awakens Strength, Hope, and Meaning.
- We would love to hear from you! Leave us a review, and let us know how this show has impacted you.
- As promised, Rebekah shared her Paleo Banana Bread recipe with us!
- Join our next Online Bible Study, Your New Now: 30 Days To Make Sense of Where You Are and Where You're Going with Nicki Koziarz July 17-August 15, 2023.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
It's OK to want to be seen.
Like someone notices you. Like someone cares. Actually, this desire is not just a good thing, it's a God-given longing. Our new friend, author and COMPEL Writers Training member Whitney Akin teaches us how the human need for attention and approval is God’s intentional design and encourages us to live seen by the God who loves us. She will show us a lifestyle of living seen — characterized by confidence, meekness, obedience and a gospel perspective. Don't miss this episode, friends, and be sure to share it with a friend!
Related Resources:
- Pursue your writing dreams, like Whitney did, by joining COMPEL Writers Training!
- Order a copy of Whitney’s book Overlooked: Finding Your Worth When You Feel All Alone today!
- Download our free resource, “Overwhelmed, Overlooked and Over It: Five Devotions for the Girl Who Feels Tempted To Quit.”
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
Have you ever found yourself asking these questions: What do I have to do in order for God to give me what I want? Why do bad things happen to good people? Did I do something to deserve this?
Those questions you’ve been wrestling with come from a belief system theologians call “retribution theology.”That’s a big term, but understanding this belief system can clear up a lot of confusion and pain that you may have been carrying in your relationship with God and your understanding of how He works. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify how this displays itself in your life and how to see God rightly. All of this will show you how to let go of the need for control or to earn His love and favor.
Related Resources:
- Ready to process all of Joel's teaching points? We've got you! Download our brand-new free resource called "Consider This: Why Do Bad Things Happen to God’s People?" to unpack how this belief system may be impacting your relationship with the Lord. We hope these verses to study and reflection questions help you cling to Truth and redirect your thoughts when you find yourself wrestling with why bad things can sometimes happen to God’s people. Click here to download for free now.
- Order your study guide on the book of Job, When the Hurt Feels Hopeless: How God Meets Us in Our Pain Even When We Don’t Know the Answers.
- Have you enjoyed this episode? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a review, and share what God has taught you.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
It's easy to get skeptical when our life doesn't look the way we expected it to.
Especially in seasons of transition, when what used to be is gone and you're not where you want to be yet, you can start to question what God is doing. Nicki Koziarz is no stranger to the podcast, but for those who don't know her, she is an author, a podcaster, a Bible teacher, and a dear friend to us at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Through the life of Moses, Nicki will teach us how to navigate the moments in life when we feel stuck in the "in between."
Related Resources:
- Make sure to order a copy of Nicki’s book Your New Now today.
- Join Circle 31: a community of monthly donors doing ministry together.
- Take Nicki's quiz "What season of transition are you in?"
- Join our next Online Bible Study, Your New Now: 30 Days To Make Sense of Where You Are and Where You're Going with Nicki Koziarz July 17-August 15, 2023.
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.
One in four women experience some kind of hurt from their fathers.
If you have been hurt, neglected, rejected or abandoned by your father, it may feel like every aspect of life is affected by that broken trust. On this episode, we welcome back our friend and author Kia Stephens as she teaches us about how to overcome our father wounds through the story of Leah in the Bible. While no dad is perfect, we do have a perfect Father in God, and He can heal every hurt we've experienced. It's possible to overcome insecurity, low self-esteem and perfectionism that comes from our past. And you can connect with God as your loving heavenly Father today.
Related Resources:
- Order Kia’s book, Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God's Perfect Love.
- If you need encouragement in the middle of what you are facing, download our free resource: “3 Truths You Need To Process Your Pain.”
- She Speaks 2023 is coming! You need to know how to take the next step; we've got the tools to help you actually do it.Join us online July 13-14!
- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.
What do you do when the "Christian" solutions for anxiety seem to stop working?
What happens when we try to put a Bible verse over what we are feeling but it doesn't change how we actually feel? Taylor Joy Murray — author, COMPEL Writers Training member and our new friend — is all too familiar with these questions. On this episode, she shares her own struggles with anxiety and how God has met her in it. With practical ideas for how to navigate those feelings, this episode is great to send to a friend who needs encouragement.
Related Resources:
- Pursue your writing dreams like Taylor did by joining COMPEL Writers Training!
- Get Taylor’s new book, Stop Saying I’m Fine: Finding Stillness When Anxiety Screams.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Have you heard about our new series on Therapy & Theology? "Let's Stop Avoiding This Conversation: 6 Topics Women Have Big Questions About" is here!
Join Lysa TerKeurst; her licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress; and Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, for a conversation about therapy and theology and why it doesn't help anyone when a woman is not walking in her God-given identity.
This is the first episode of a series. For the next five episodes, subscribe to the Therapy & Theologyshow!
Related Resources:
- Want more wisdom as you navigate hard relationship dynamics? Find practical next steps, powerful scriptures and timely guidance on how to set realistic, healthy boundaries in Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. In the pages of this book, Lysa's personal counselor, Jim Cress, also provides therapeutic insight surrounding the topic of boundaries, helping you confidently apply what you read. Order here.
- Ready to take a personal next step in finding a Christian counselor? The American Association of Christian Counselors is a great place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances.
- Want to dig deeper? Dr. Joel Muddamalle put together additional biblical context for this episode. Click here to download now.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Have you heard about our new series on Therapy & Theology? "Let's Stop Avoiding This Conversation: 6 Topics Women Have Big Questions About" is here!
Join Lysa TerKeurst; her licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress; and Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, for a conversation about therapy and theology and why it doesn't help anyone when a woman is not walking in her God-given identity.
This is the first episode of a series. For the next five episodes, subscribe to the Therapy & Theologyshow!
Related Resources:
- Want more wisdom as you navigate hard relationship dynamics? Find practical next steps, powerful scriptures and timely guidance on how to set realistic, healthy boundaries in Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. In the pages of this book, Lysa's personal counselor, Jim Cress, also provides therapeutic insight surrounding the topic of boundaries, helping you confidently apply what you read. Order here.
- Ready to take a personal next step in finding a Christian counselor? The American Association of Christian Counselors is a great place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances.
- Want to dig deeper? Dr. Joel Muddamalle put together additional biblical context for this episode. Click here to download now.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Have you heard about our new series on Therapy & Theology? "Let's Stop Avoiding This Conversation: 6 Topics Women Have Big Questions About" is here!
Join Lysa TerKeurst; her licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress; and Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, for a conversation about therapy and theology and why it doesn't help anyone when a woman is not walking in her God-given identity.
This is the first episode of a series. For the next five episodes, subscribe to the Therapy & Theologyshow!
Related Resources:
- Want more wisdom as you navigate hard relationship dynamics? Find practical next steps, powerful scriptures and timely guidance on how to set realistic, healthy boundaries in Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. In the pages of this book, Lysa's personal counselor, Jim Cress, also provides therapeutic insight surrounding the topic of boundaries, helping you confidently apply what you read. Order here.
- Ready to take a personal next step in finding a Christian counselor? The American Association of Christian Counselors is a great place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances.
- Want to dig deeper? Dr. Joel Muddamalle put together additional biblical context for this episode. Click here to download now.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Have you heard about our new series on Therapy & Theology? "Let's Stop Avoiding This Conversation: 6 Topics Women Have Big Questions About" is here!
Join Lysa TerKeurst; her licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress; and Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, for a conversation about therapy and theology and why it doesn't help anyone when a woman is not walking in her God-given identity.
This is the first episode of a series. For the next five episodes, subscribe to the Therapy & Theologyshow!
Related Resources:
- Want more wisdom as you navigate hard relationship dynamics? Find practical next steps, powerful scriptures and timely guidance on how to set realistic, healthy boundaries in Lysa TerKeurst's new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes. In the pages of this book, Lysa's personal counselor, Jim Cress, also provides therapeutic insight surrounding the topic of boundaries, helping you confidently apply what you read. Order here.
- Ready to take a personal next step in finding a Christian counselor? The American Association of Christian Counselors is a great place to find the right fit for you and your circumstances.
- Want to dig deeper? Dr. Joel Muddamalle put together additional biblical context for this episode. Click here to download now.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
What is Advent?
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.
In this episode, Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, will teach us about Advent and how it can help us refocus our minds on adoration for Jesus instead of rushing through the holiday season.
Related Resources:
- Recognize the ways Jesus fulfilled God's promises in the Old Testament so you can remember how He will keep His promises to you today — grab your copy of our Advent study guide: Pointing to the Promise.
- Connect with Joel on Instagram @muddamalle.
- It's that time of year again ... Our Christmas Collection is here! Whatever the people you love are facing, we hope these gifts will remind them of Truth that only comes from God's Word. Our Christmas Collection has something for everyone on your list. Click here to shop now!
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Don’t miss your opportunity to catch The Chosen in theaters starting November 18, 2022. Visit TheChosenTickets.com to learn how to get your tickets today.
What comes to your mind when you think about the Holy Spirit?
Depending on your background, maybe the Holy Spirit feels ambiguous or confusing. Or maybe you feel uncertain about this third Person of the Trinity. On this episode, our friend Max Lucado, bestselling author, teaches us about the role of the Holy Spirit. Learn about the purpose and power of the Holy Spirit and what that means practically for the struggles you are facing today.
Related Resources:
- Our next Online Bible Study is with Max Lucado! Stop carrying the weight of doing it all on your own and learn the surprising benefits of asking for help with our four-week study of Help Is Here: Finding Fresh Strength and Purpose in the Power of the Holy Spirit, starting November 14. Click here to sign up today and click here to purchase your copy of the book.
- 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.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Don’t miss your opportunity to catch The Chosen in theaters starting November 18, 2022. Visit TheChosenTickets.com to learn how to get your tickets today.
Do you think of yourself as a creative?
Often we are quick to dismiss ourselves as creatives — giving that description to people who write, paint or sing. But what if creativity is different than you think it is?
In this episode, our new friend and author Rachel Marie Kang teaches us what creativity is, why it matters to us and how we can can be stewards of the gifts God has uniquely given us. Discover the ways your Creator has made you to be like Him so you can see how to make things in this world better.
Related Resources:
- Rachel's new book, Let There Be Art: The Pleasure and Purpose of Releasing the Creativity within You,is now available! Click here to order now.
- Subscribe to our devotions and get weekday encouragement from writers like Rachel sent straight to your inbox for FREE!
- Subscribe to the Podcast Insider newsletter and get updates on what’s coming soon on both this podcast and the Therapy & Theology podcast. Each newsletter includes a thought to consider from an episode you heard that month and links to our favorite resources and products that Proverbs 31 has to offer!
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Boundaries should help us avoid extremes and live closer to the kind of love God intended for relationships.
After struggling with boundaries for years, Lysa TerKeurst wondered if they really worked or were even biblical. But what she discovered after countless hours of in-depth counseling and theological research is that healthy boundaries aren’t just a good idea — they’re God’s idea. In her new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, she shows us what good boundaries are supposed to look like, how to place them on ourselves instead of trying to change other people, and how to find healthier ways to have hard conversations around needed boundaries.
This episode is taken from the introduction of Lysa's newest book: Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of You Are.
Related Resources:
- What if all the emotional energy spent on saying "yes" to everyone else, walking on eggshells around people we love and trying to manage delicate relational dynamics is bankrupting us of our capacity for living in obedience to who God has asked us to be? If you're ready to gain the biblical wisdom and confidence to finally set boundaries you can keep, let Lysa TerKeurst’s new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, be your new go-to guide. Start reading the first few chapters today when you preorder here.
- If you liked this episode, check out the new Therapy & Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst. Lysa has teamed up with her personal, licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress, and the Director of Theological Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, to bring you a podcast to help you work through what you've walked through. Start listening today!
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Prayer is the place we can entrust our deepest needs and hurts, fears and anxieties, longings and disappointments, and most especially our questions, to God.
But sometimes it's hard to know where to start. On this episode, Bible teacher Wendy Blight teaches us what prayer is and how to practice it. Learn how prayer allows us to know God and love Him more. Our friend Wendy even walks us through how to hear God through prayer and shares practical tips for cultivating a deeper prayer life today. You won't want to miss this episode. Make sure to share it with a friend!
Related Resources
- For a limited time, get our newest devotional, Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart: Prayers and Devotions for Sleeping Well in a World Full of Worry, free with a donation of your choice to Proverbs 31 Ministries.
- 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.
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
What would change about your life if you knew your purpose?
Often, we don't live the way we were made to live. But God created us with a purpose. When we know what God, our Creator, made us for, we can experience a fuller, more purposeful life. On this episode of the podcast, our new friend Lauren McAfee, ministry coordinator at Hobby Lobby, will help you understand your God-given identity and how it affects your relationships so you can live in the power of your purpose today.
Related Resources:
- Join Lauren for the Lumina Women’s event at Museum of the Bible on November 3-4, 2022. Lumina is a new one-day women’s event at Museum of the Bible, designed to help women thrive in the power of God’s Word. Visit luminawomen.org to learn more.
- Connect with Lauren at her website at https://www.laurenamcafee.com/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/laurenamcafee/.
- Trade the lies whispered by the enemy for the truth of what God’s Word says about you — download our free resource "Truths for When You Question Who You Are.”
- Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
Is it unloving, selfish or unchristian to draw boundaries? Sometimes the whole process can feel unkind or even like we’re violating Bible verses on how to treat others. But what if we’ve simply misunderstood God’s original intent in giving us this relational gift?
Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled with these hesitations. But she’s uncovered common misconceptions about boundaries and learned that boundaries are one of the most powerful, God-honoring tools we can use to protect our relationships.
In this teaching, Lysa walks through the first mention of boundaries in the Bible, three crucial words we need to embrace in order to understand God’s intent for boundaries and more. Grab a pen and paper — you’ll want to take notes on this one!
Related Resources:
- What if all the emotional energy spent on saying "yes" to everyone else, walking on eggshells around people we love and trying to manage delicate relational dynamics is bankrupting us of our capacity for living in obedience to who God has asked us to be? If you're ready to gain the biblical wisdom and confidence to finally set boundaries you can keep, let Lysa TerKeurst’s new book, Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, be your new go-to guide. Start reading the first few chapters today when you preorder!
- If you liked this episode, check out the new Therapy & Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst. Lysa has teamed up with her personal, licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress, and the Director of Theological Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, to bring you a podcast to help you work through what you've walked through. Start listening today!
Click here to read the transcript for this episode.
After the last few years, we are looking for relief.
But in the rush to get our lives back to what they used to be, we are settling for temporary relief instead of lasting restoration. What if there's a better way to live? A way that doesn't just squeeze God into our busy lives ... a way where we can find the true rest we need. On this episode, author John Eldredge walks us through practical ways we can be intentional to cultivate a life with God so we can be resilient to whatever comes our way.
Related Resources:
- Sign up for our Online Bible Study of Get Your Life Back starting on September 19!
- Grab a copy of Get Your Life Back by John Eldredge.
- Check out John's new book, Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times.
- 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.
- Click here to view the transcript for this episode.
When we walk through seasons of waiting or uncertainty, it's tempting to look at the past through rose-colored glasses. We choose to only remember the good parts and forget the bad.
But when we do that, it robs us of the opportunity to see how God is providing for us in the present, even if it's not predictable or what we'd prefer. On today's podcast, our friend and Director of Marketing at Proverbs 31, Madi Vincent, uses the Book of Numbers to show us what to do when we are wrestling in the waiting.
Related Resources:
- Download our free First 5 mobile app and study Numbers with us, starting August 29!
- Grab a copy of our study guide, Numbers: How To Wrestle Well When You’re Worn Out In the Waiting.
- Connect with Madi on Instagram here!
- We want to hear from you! If you’ve got a moment, click here to ask us anything or tell us what topics you want to know more about.
Click here to view the transcript.
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!
We can love people ... but we can't change them. So what can we do? Draw necessary, healthy boundaries.
It's easy to seek certainty when life feels unpredictable and out of control. But what if uncertainty leads us closer to God?
Let's admit it, most of us are pretty easily distracted. If we're breathing, there are thousands of things a day vying for our attention daily.
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.
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?
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.
Have you ever struggled with a love-hate relationship with your body? As women, the world has a lot to say about our bodies
Does grace feel confusing sometimes? Maybe it's a word you hear thrown around so often that it can lose its meaning.
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.
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?
Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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.
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?"
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?
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?
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.
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.
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?
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Have life's circumstances landed you in a place where you just don't know how you're going to get through it all?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
When the unimaginable happens ... the deep heartache, the parenting hardship, the bills that keep coming and your finances aren't enough ... where is Jesus?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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?
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.
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."
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?
When we go through trials, it's easy to wonder, is this from God or caused by God? Am I under attack?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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."
"Narcissism." It's a word that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? And, how does it affect your life?
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?
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?
"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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
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!
"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?
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 last episode of the series, 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. Together, they will unpack the topic of boundaries and address specific instances where healthy boundaries are necessary, and what to do when a boundary line is crossed.
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! * 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 learn more about how Integrity Redeemed Workshops help men, women and couples who need healing from sexual addiction.
Click here to download the transcript for this episode.
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.
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 third 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 when reconciliation is not possible because of death, divorce or when the other person in the relationship refuses to reconcile. This series will help you 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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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."
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.
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?
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 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...
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?
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?
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."
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?
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.
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.
What kind of woman is God calling you to be today? A woman everyone likes, or a woman who is obedient no matter the cost, and humble no matter what others may think?
In Philippians 4:6, Paul writes, "Do not be anxious about anything..." But in today's world, it's hard to hold true to that promise in God's Word. We see violence, sickness, betrayal and evil in the world ... every day, multiple times a day. So how can we "not be anxious about anything"?
Have you ever read about the woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31 and thought to yourself, I will never live up to those standards? At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we have those same thoughts!
In the very first episode of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, Lysa TerKeurst shared that when seasons change, it means it’s time to let something go. The thing we most often need to let go of is unforgiveness. We’ll spend time in Genesis reading Joseph’s story of forgiveness and apply it to our own lives, and learn that while we only see the heartache, God is up to something good.
“There’s always a ‘meanwhile’ to our troubles. There’s what we see, and then there’s what God is doing.” - Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst shares six practical steps you can take today in order to forgive. Although letting go is never easy, it’s an act of obedience that frees us of burdens we were never meant to carry. When we make the decision to forgive today, it stops a chain of events that could have a terrible impact down the road.
In today’s episode you’ll discover...
- Six practical steps to letting go of unforgiveness and how to apply them to a situation in your life today.
- That having compassion for someone who wronged you is necessary to find grounds for forgiveness.
- The decision to forgive is a one-time event, but the process of forgiveness is a progression.
To download this episode's transcript, click here
Related Resources: * Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst * Subscribe to the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast on iTunes * New to Proverbs 31? Click here to discover all the resources we have available for FREE!
Make a donation to Proverbs 31 Ministries today!
Whether you’ve been hurt before, or you’ve inadvertently hurt someone else, this teaching on forgiveness will change the way you see yourself and others. After you listen to episode one of the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, you’ll learn that in order for the Lord to take you to a new season, you have to let go of unforgiveness.
To help you understand how to forgive and grow in your calling, Proverbs 31 Ministries President Lysa TerKeurst takes us through Joseph’s journey in the book of Genesis. You’ll discover…
- Forgiveness, or “letting go,” is directly tied to your ability to grow in your calling.
- Just because you feel offended doesn’t mean you have to live offended.
- What you see as a rejection is often God’s protection for the calling He has for your life.
To download the transcript for this episode, click here.
Related Resources * Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst * Connect with Lysa TerKeurst on Instagram at @lysaterkeurst * Subscribe to the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast on iTunes * New to Proverbs 31? Click here to discover all the resources we have available for FREE!
Biblical truth for any girl in any season. Because we all need to know the Truth and live the Truth.