Peace in His Presence: Recent Episodes

Michelle Diercks

Does your heart become distracted by anxious overwhelm? Does that distraction have you forgetting who you are as God’s Child? Find out how you can rest in God’s promises and receive the peace of His presence. Michelle is an author, speaker, and Bible teacher whose mission is to help you do just that.

Have you ever felt like it was simply safer to stay small?

Maybe you've been putting off that dream, avoiding difficult conversations, or quietly convincing yourself that "someday" will be a better time. Maybe you've learned to hide in ways that don't even look like hiding anymore.

In this episode of Peace in His Presence, Michelle shares the deeply personal story of how childhood bullying taught her that staying unseen felt safe—and how that same pattern quietly followed her into adulthood, even as she stepped into podcasting, coaching, and writing.

If you've ever struggled with the fear of being seen, procrastination rooted in fear, or believing that staying small is the safest option, this conversation will remind you that there is a better hiding place.

Drawing from Psalm 32:7, Michelle explores the difference between the hiding places we build for ourselves and the refuge God lovingly offers.

You'll leave this episode encouraged to take one faithful step toward the dream God has placed on your heart, knowing you don't have to become fearless before you begin.

In This Episode You'll Discover: * Why hiding often begins as a way to protect ourselves * How childhood experiences can shape our adult patterns * The connection between fear, procrastination, and staying small * The difference between hiding from the world and finding refuge in God * A simple practice for bringing fear to Jesus instead of letting it keep you stuck * A calming breath prayer based on Psalm 32:7

Scripture Psalm 32:7

"You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Reflection Questions * Where have I been choosing the "safest seat" instead of stepping forward? * What fear is inviting me to hide today? * What would one faithful step with Jesus look like this week?

Free Resource If you've been carrying a dream, a calling, or a project that keeps getting pushed to "someday," download my free Someday Project Companion Guide.

Inside you'll find gentle reflection prompts, Scripture, and practical encouragement to help you move from fear to faith—one faithful step at a time.

Connect with Michelle Website: michellediercks.com

When Your Inner Mean Girl Gathers Her Posse Why the voices telling you to stay quiet, stay small, and stay safe get so loud when you try something new.

Have you ever wanted to start something new—a book, a podcast, a Bible study, a business, a ministry, or another dream you've carried for years—only to find that your inner critic suddenly has a lot to say?

Who do you think you are? What if you fail? What if you don't know enough? What if someone else could do it better?

Sometimes the moment we begin moving toward something that matters to us, the negative self-talk gets louder. Fear of failure, self-doubt, old patterns, and painful memories can create so much noise that we begin to wonder why we feel stuck. Before long, the dream gets tucked away again with a familiar promise: Maybe someday.

In this episode, I'm taking you with me on the gravel roads near my Iowa home, where some very protective mama killdeers helped me notice something about my own internal warning system. We'll talk about why your inner critic can get especially loud when you're doing something new, how old experiences can shape the patterns we carry into the present, and why the question "What happens inside me when I try?" may be more helpful than asking, "Why can't I just do this?"

I'll also share a story from my own childhood about the mean girls who taught me to stay quiet, stay small, and stay safe—and how that old pattern can still gather its posse when I step into uncertainty today.

But this isn't an episode about defeating your brain, silencing every negative thought, or trying harder to think positively. It's an invitation to notice what gets loud inside you and carry those words with you to the foot of the cross.

What does your inner mean girl say when you try?

I'm too late.

I'm not good enough.

I don't know what I'm doing.

Someone else could do this better.

I never finish anything.

Who do I think I am?

You don't have to argue with every thought until you win. You don't have to silence every siren before you move forward. You can bring the fear, the self-doubt, the questions, and the whole noisy posse to Jesus.

Because your inner critic does not get to tell you who you are.

Your project does not get to tell you who you are.

Your progress and productivity do not get to tell you who you are.

Jesus does.

In this episode, we'll sit together with the prayer of Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart... and lead me in the way everlasting."

Search me. Know me. Lead me.

You don't have to figure out the whole road ahead. You can bring what you're carrying to Jesus, remember what is true because of Him, and ask one simple question:

Jesus, what is one faithful step You are inviting me to take today?

In this episode, we'll talk about: * Why your inner critic and negative self-talk may get louder when you try something new * How fear of failure and self-doubt can keep a meaningful dream stuck in "someday" * Why old experiences can create patterns of staying quiet, staying small, and staying safe * A gentler coaching question to ask when you feel stuck or keep procrastinating * How to notice the thoughts that surface when you move toward something that matters * Why you don't have to fight with every thought or silence every fear before coming to Jesus * What it looks like to carry your inner critic's words to the foot of the cross * How remembering your identity in Christ changes the place from which you take your next step * How to move forward with one faithful step, even when you still feel uncertain

A question to carry with you: What happens inside me when I try?

And then:

What does my inner mean girl say when I do?

Write down the sentence that gets the loudest. Bring it honestly to Jesus. You don't need a polished prayer. You can simply say:

"Lord, this is what gets loud when I try."

Then sit with Him for a while.

Do you have a someday project? Maybe it's a book you've always wanted to write, a podcast you've dreamed of starting, a Bible study tucked inside a notebook, a business, a ministry, or a message you've carried quietly for years.

If you keep wondering why you can't seem to begin—or begin again—I created The Someday Project Companion Guide for you.

This free Christian guide isn't another ten-step plan or another person telling you to try harder. It is a gentle place to take your someday project to the foot of the cross, sit with Jesus for a while, remember God's faithfulness, and ask Him for one faithful step.

Get your free copy of The Someday Project Companion Guide here:

[GET THE GUIDE]

Bring the dream.

Bring the questions.

Bring the racket.

And come sit with Jesus for a while.

Because someday may not be on the calendar. But today is.

Scripture mentioned in this episode Psalm 139:23–24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart... and lead me in the way everlasting."

You've been worrying about them for months. Maybe years. And here's what all that worry has fixed: nothing. Not their pain. Not their situation. Not the ache in your chest that shows up every time your phone rings.

You know worrying doesn't fix it. You know that. And yet you cannot stop. You replay the conversations. You brace for the next phone call. You carry their pain home with you and set it right down on your kitchen table like it belongs there.

Friend — this episode is for you.

What This Episode Is About

In this episode of the When You Cannot Fix It summer series, we're talking about what happens when you love someone so much that their pain becomes yours — and your nervous system simply will not rest until it's resolved.

This is the invisible backpack. And most of us have been stuffing it full for years.

We talk about why we do this — not just out of love, but because sitting with someone else's pain is deeply uncomfortable. We talk about the real neuroscience behind why your body replays their story again and again. And we talk about what to do instead — practically, not just spiritually.

This isn't about caring less. It's about learning to carry less.

What Christian Women Are Searching For — And What Jesus Says

So many Christian women are carrying burdens that were never theirs to carry. Worry that belongs to God. Pain that belongs to someone else. Problems they were never designed to solve.

Maybe you recognize yourself here:

• You absorb the emotions of everyone around you — phone calls leave you heavy for days

• You replay conversations looking for the thing you could have said that would have fixed it

• You live under what I call "doom clouds".

• You cannot rest until everyone around you is okay

• You tell yourself you're just being a good friend, a good mom, a good daughter — and you're exhausted

That is not weak faith. That is not a character flaw. That is a nervous system that has been working overtime — protecting you and the people you love.

And Jesus meets you right there.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

He is not saying — stop worrying and then come. He is saying — come. Weary. Burdened. Carrying what isn't yours. Just come.

The Story Behind This Episode

Years ago I had a friend who was carrying some of the heaviest things a person can carry. She would call me and I would listen — and I was always honored to listen. But here's what I didn't realize I was doing.

Every time we hung up the phone, I felt a deep ache in my heart. I replayed what she had told me. Not just praying about it — thought looping. Spinning. Trying to figure out a way to fix her pain.

And here's the honest truth of why we do this. We tell ourselves we are trying to help. And we are. But we also want to fix it so that we feel better too. Because sitting with someone else's pain is uncomfortable. And when we take it on, we feel it too.

It took me a long time to learn this: sometimes people stay stuck. And carrying their stuckness is not helping them. It is absolutely exhausting you.

I also share in this episode about the doom clouds I was living under with my kids — how they would call me from college, unpack the hard things, and then go live their best lives while I sat back in Iowa under the weight of what they had already set down.

This is not a tidy lesson from the other side of healed. This is a real story from a woman who is still learning to lay it down.

What You Will Discover in This Episode

If you are a Christian woman struggling with worry, anxiety, or the exhausting need to fix people you love — here is what this episode will give you:

• Why your brain absorbs other people's pain — and why that is not a spiritual failure

• The simple neuroscience behind why replaying someone's story puts your body in fight or flight again and again

• The invisible backpack — and what you have been quietly stuffing into it

• The one question that has changed everything: What am I trying to carry that is not mine?

• A practical way to bring what you are carrying to the foot of the cross — and actually leave it there

• An introduction to the Joy Pause — learning to stay present with what is actually here instead of time-traveling into worry

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode

1 Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Not some of it. Not just your own anxiety. All of it — including the worry you absorbed from someone else's phone call.

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — think about such things."

After you lay it down — what do you pick back up? Not the replay. Not the what-ifs. Truth. His promises. What is actually lovely and real right now.

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Free Resource — Weary Traveler Reflection and Prayer Guide

I made something for you. It is completely free.

The Weary Traveler: Rest for the Over-Carrying Soul Reflection and Prayer Guide will walk you gently through eight reflection questions and a prayer of release — right to the foot of the cross with whatever you are carrying today.

If you are already on my email list it is on its way to you. If not — download it free right here.

👉 [Prayer Guide]

Ready to Go Deeper?

Sometimes a podcast episode is a beautiful starting place — and sometimes what you really need is someone to sit with you. Someone to hold space and actually listen.

That is what I do as a Master Certified Christian Life Coach. I would love to invite you to pull up a chair.

I'm calling these sessions At the Kitchen Table with Michelle. It's a free consultation call — no strings attached, no pressure, no obligation. Just a conversation, some practical faith-based coaching tools, and a safe place to start.

👉 At the Kitchen Table with Michelle — Book Your Free Call

About Michelle Diercks

Michelle Diercks is a Master Certified Christian Life Coach, speaker, and the author of Promised Rest and Promised Hope published by Concordia Publishing House. She is the host of the Peace in His Presence podcast and lives on a farm in Eastern Iowa with her husband Troy.

Michelle helps anxious Christian women find peace through faith, neuroscience, and practical coaching tools — not from a place of having it all figured out, but from right beside them in the middle of it.

Subscribe and Share

If this episode spoke to something you've been carrying — would you share it with one woman who needs to hear it? You never know whose invisible backpack is packed a little too full right now.

Find Peace in His Presence on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen.

New episodes dropping all summer. We are going on this journey together — one week at a time, one thing at a time, learning to lay it all down.

You were never meant to carry all of this, friend. And you don't have to.

Connect with Michelle

🌐 michellediercks.com

📖 Promised Rest and Promised Hope — available wherever books are sold

Are you a Christian woman who can't stop worrying about someone you love?

Maybe it's your child who is struggling and won't let you help. Maybe it's a marriage that feels like it's slipping through your fingers. Maybe it's a parent's health or a situation at work or a relationship that keeps you awake at 3am spinning through every possible worst case scenario.

You believe in God. You know He is in control. And your body still won't calm down.

Friend — there is nothing wrong with you. And you are not alone.

In this first episode of the When You Cannot Fix It summer series, I'm sharing something I've never talked about publicly before — a childhood memory that quietly shaped decades of anxiety, over-responsibility, and carrying burdens that were never mine to carry. And I'm sharing what I'm learning to do with all of it.

If you have ever felt like a control freak and wondered why you can't just let go and trust God — this episode was made for you.

What Christian Women Are Searching For — And What Jesus Says

So many Christian women are exhausted from trying to fix things they cannot fix. Trying to control outcomes they cannot control. Trying to manage the emotions of everyone around them while quietly setting their own aside.

Maybe you recognize yourself in this:

You are the one who holds it all together even when you are falling apart on the inside. You replay conversations looking for the loophole — the magic words that will finally change things. You feel physically sick when someone you love is hurting and you can't see them or reach them or make it better. You brace for disaster on a perfectly ordinary Tuesday because your nervous system has been on high alert for so long it doesn't know how to stand down.

That is not weak faith. That is not a character flaw. That is a nervous system that has been overworking for a very long time — trying to protect you and the people you love.

And Jesus meets you right there.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

He is not saying — get it together first and then come. He is not saying — stop worrying and then come. He is saying — come. Weary. Burdened. Braced. Just come.

The Story Behind This Episode

I grew up as a twin. My sister Jimella and I were little girls in a kitchen in International Falls Minnesota — the icebox of the nation — when something happened that quietly shaped the next fifty years of my life.

I didn't understand it until this past year when I began studying how our nervous systems build protective patterns. And when I finally understood it — I didn't feel ashamed anymore. I felt compassion. For that little girl who just never wanted to see someone she loved get hurt again.

That's what this episode is about. Not a tidy lesson from the other side of healed. A real story from a woman who is still in the middle of learning to lay it down.

What You Will Discover in This Episode

If you are a Christian woman struggling with anxiety, worry, or the exhausting need to fix and control — here is what this episode will give you:

A new understanding of why your brain builds protective patterns and why that is not a spiritual failure. The simple neuroscience behind why your nervous system stays in fight or flight even when there is nothing left to fight. Compassion for that part of you that cannot rest until everyone is okay — instead of shame. A practical way to bring what you are carrying to the foot of the cross and let Jesus hold what was never yours to carry in the first place. And the beginning of learning to let go — not perfectly, not all at once, but one thing at a time.

Free Resource — Weary Traveler Reflection and Prayer Guide

I made something for you. It's completely free.

The Weary Traveler: Rest for the Over-Carrying Soul Reflection and Prayer Guide will walk you gently through eight reflection questions and a prayer of release — right to the foot of the cross with whatever you are carrying today.

If you are already on my email list it is on its way to you. If not — download it free right here.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If you find yourself thinking — I need someone to walk through this with me personally — I would love to sit with you. I offer a free consultation with no pressure and no obligation. Just a conversation, some practical faith-based coaching tools, and a safe place to start.

👉 [Chat with Michelle]

About Michelle Diercks

Michelle Diercks is a Master Certified Christian Life Coach, speaker, and the author of Promised Rest and Promised Hope published by Concordia Publishing House. She is the host of the Peace in His Presence podcast and lives on a farm in Eastern Iowa with her husband Troy.

Michelle helps anxious Christian women find peace through faith, neuroscience, and practical coaching tools — not from a place of having it all figured out, but from right beside them in the middle of it.

She is not above you. She is beside you.

Subscribe and Share

If this episode spoke to something you've been carrying — would you share it with one woman who needs to hear it? You never know whose kitchen story is waiting to be understood.

Find Peace in His Presence on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen.

New episodes dropping all summer. We are going on this journey together — one week at a time, one thing at a time, learning to lay it all down.

You were never meant to carry all of this friend. And you don't have to.

Connect with Michelle: 🌐 michellediercks.com 📖 Promised Rest and Promised Hope — available wherever books are sold

Maybe you've had the phone call you weren't expecting. The diagnosis. The season you didn't choose. Maybe you're watching someone you love suffer and there's nothing you can do to fix it. Maybe you're just bone-tired from carrying more than you were ever meant to carry.

Whatever brought you here today — you are welcome. You don't have to have it together. You just have to show up.

About This Episode Isaiah 43 opens with words God spoke to a people in exile — people who were far from home, overwhelmed, and wondering if God had forgotten them. And before anything else, before the command not to fear, God says something deeply personal:

"I have called you by name. You are mine."

Not mom. Not the strong one. Not your role or your title. By your name. In this guided meditation, Michelle walks slowly and tenderly through Isaiah 43, pairing its promises with gentle breathing and grounding to help your overwhelmed heart receive what is already true about you.

This is not a promise of a pain-free life. It is a promise of presence. When you pass through the waters, God doesn't say swim harder. He says: I will be with you.

What You'll Experience in This Episode • Gentle breathing and grounding to help an overwhelmed nervous system slow down

• A slow, unhurried walk through Isaiah 43 and its promises

• Honest space for grief, loss, and the seasons that feel like fire

• The reminder that overwhelm is not proof you lack faith — it is proof you are human

• A closing invitation to breathe in His faithfulness and breathe out your striving

A Key Truth from This Episode Isaiah 43 says: "When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Notice — God does not say if. He says when. He doesn't promise the fire won't come. He promises He walks into it with you.

"The same Lord who stood in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walks with you."

Jesus did not avoid the fire. He entered it. And because He did, the fire does not have the final word over you. Not the water. Not the flame. Not the diagnosis. Not the outcome. Christ does.

And this: overwhelm is not proof that you lack faith. It is proof that you are human. And you are not walking through it alone.

When to Listen to This Episode • When you've received news that has turned your world upside down

• When grief is sitting heavy and you don't have words

• When a season of life feels like too much and you can't catch your breath

• When you're watching someone you love walk through something hard

• When you need to be reminded: you are created, redeemed, and called by name

More from the Be Still Series This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing His promises with gentle breathing and grounding exercises.

Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91)

When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 invites you into the shelter of El Shaddai — the all-sufficient God. A meditation for weary, worried hearts who need to set down what they've been carrying.

Perfect for: Anxiety, overwhelm, and the weight of things you cannot fix.

Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night

For the 2 AM moments when your mind won't stop. Psalm 121 holds a steady promise for restless nights: the one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, He is not asleep.

Perfect for: Sleepless nights and the worry that wakes you in the dark.

Scripture Featured in This Episode • Isaiah 43:1 — Fear not, I have called you by name, you are mine

• Isaiah 43:2 — When you pass through the waters, I will be with you

• Isaiah 43:3 — I am the Lord your God, your Savior

Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.

Book a free consultation

Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter

Visit michellediercks.com

Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.

Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence

Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

It's the middle of the night. Your mind is moving. Your heart is racing. Your body just won't settle — even though you know you need sleep, even though you've prayed, even though you trust God.

You're not alone. And you're not failing.

This episode is for you — the one lying awake in the dark, scanning for danger that may never come, carrying worry about someone or something you cannot control.

About This Episode Psalm 121 was written for travelers on a road — people who didn't know what waited around the next bend. Maybe that feels familiar. Maybe lately you've been lifting your eyes to the hills, watching, wondering: where does my help come from?

In this gentle guided meditation, Michelle Derricks walks slowly through Psalm 121, pairing each promise with unhurried breathing and soft grounding to help your body receive what your heart already believes.

"When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep. When you wake in the night, he is already awake."

The Lord is your keeper. He is not distracted. He is not weary. He is not looking the other way. He keeps your coming and going — from this time forth and forevermore.

What You'll Experience in This Episode • Gentle breathing and grounding to quiet a racing mind and restless body

• A slow, unhurried walk through Psalm 121 and its promises

• Honest space for the question: what about the harm that has already happened?

• The assurance that God keeps not just your circumstances, but your soul

• A closing invitation to release your striving and rest in His faithfulness

A Key Truth from This Episode Psalm 121 doesn't promise a pain-free life. We live in a broken world, and hard things happen. But here is what it does promise: a kept life. A guarded life. A life held in the hands of a God who never stops watching over your soul.

"Evil does not have the final word over you. Fear does not have the final word. Christ does."

In your baptism, you were joined to the one who conquered sin, death, and the grave. You are marked as his own — kept in his mercy and grace. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can snatch you from his hand.

When to Listen to This Episode • When you wake at 2 or 3 AM and your mind won't stop

• When you're lying in bed rehearsing every possible outcome

• When you're worrying about a child, a diagnosis, or something you cannot control

• When your body is exhausted but your nervous system is still on high alert

• Any time you need a steady, gentle voice to remind you — you are kept

More from the Be Still Series This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing His promises with gentle breathing and grounding.

Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91)

When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 invites you into the shelter of El Shaddai — the God who is all-sufficient. This meditation is for the weary ones, the worried ones, and anyone who needs to set down what they've been carrying.

Perfect for: Overwhelming anxiety and the weight of things you cannot fix.

When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." This meditation holds space for grief, transition, and the seasons that feel like fire. You are created, redeemed, and called by name — and you are not walking through it alone.

Perfect for: Seasons of loss, overwhelm, or major life transitions.

Scripture Featured in This Episode • Psalm 121:1-2 — I lift my eyes to the hills; my help comes from the Lord

• Psalm 121:3-4 — He who keeps you will not slumber

• Psalm 121:5-8 — The Lord will keep your going out and coming in forevermore

Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.

Book a free consultation

Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter

Visit michellediercks.com

Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.

Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence

Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Are you carrying something heavy right now? Maybe it's fear about someone's health. Maybe it's worry about your finances, your children, or the weight of everything happening in the world — things you cannot fix no matter how hard you try.

This episode is a place to slow down, breathe, and remember who holds you.

This guided meditation on Psalm 91 is part of the Be Still Series on the Peace in His Presence podcast — scripture-centered meditations designed for the moments when you know what's true, but your body hasn't settled down yet.

About This Episode Psalm 91 opens with a stunning invitation: "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Dwell. Rest. These aren't words of striving — they're words of receiving.

In this episode, Michelle Derricks walks you gently through Psalm 91 with unhurried breathing, grounding, and the promises of God's Word. The name of God highlighted here is El Shaddai — the God who is all-sufficient, the one whose grace is enough for this moment and every moment that follows.

"You don't have to be enough. El Shaddai is enough for you."

This isn't a meditation for people who have it all together. It's for the weary ones. The worried ones. The ones who are tired of trying to hold everything together.

What You'll Experience in This Episode • Gentle breathing and grounding to help your body settle before receiving God's Word

• A slow, unhurried walk through Psalm 91 and its promises

• An introduction to El Shaddai — what this name of God means and why it matters for your anxiety

• A practice of releasing what you've been trying to control

• The Be Still Prayer to close — moving from striving to simply resting in His presence

A Key Truth from This Episode Psalm 91 says God promises: "I will be with you in trouble." Not if trouble comes — when it comes. He doesn't promise a pain-free life. He promises presence. And that presence is not distant or distracted. If you are standing in someone's shadow, you are very close to them. El Shaddai isn't far away watching you struggle. He is near enough that his presence covers you.

"You are not alone in what you're facing."

When to Listen to This Episode This meditation was created for specific moments — you don't have to wait for a quiet Sunday morning. Listen:

• In the morning, before your thoughts begin racing

• In the middle of the day when you feel tightness in your chest or shoulders

• At night when you can't sleep and worry has taken over

• Whenever you need your nervous system to remember what your heart already knows

More from the Be Still Series This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations designed for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing God's promises with gentle breathing and grounding exercises.

Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night

For the 2 AM moments when your mind is moving and your heart is racing. Psalm 121 was written for travelers who didn't know what waited around the next bend. Its message is simple and steady: the one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep.

Perfect for: Sleepless nights and the worry that wakes you in the dark.

When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." God doesn't say if — he says when. This meditation holds space for seasons of overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty. You are created, redeemed, and called by name. You are not walking through the fire alone.

Perfect for: Seasons of transition, loss, or when life feels like too much.

Scripture Featured in This Episode • Psalm 91:1-2 — Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

• Psalm 91:15 — I will be with you in trouble

• El Shaddai — God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One

Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.

Book a free consultation

Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter

Visit michellediercks.com

Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.

Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence

Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Have you ever noticed your stomach clenching, your shoulders tightening, or your chest going tight — even when you know God is in control? Even when you trust His promises?

You're not spiritually defective. You're not failing at faith. There's actually a beautiful, science-backed reason your body responds the way it does — and in this episode, Michelle explains exactly what's happening and why it makes complete sense.

What This Episode Is About In this deeply personal episode, Michelle shares a breakthrough moment that connected years of theological study, neuroscience learning, and her own experience as a mom navigating the empty nest season.

She explores how a mother's nervous system becomes trained — over years of scanning for danger, listening for sounds in the night, cutting food into small pieces — to protect the ones she loves. And then one day, the kids leave. But the nervous system? It doesn't get the memo.

"That dysregulation isn't a sign of weakness. It was love."

Whether you're a mom watching your child drive off to college for the first time, a parent of grown kids you can no longer protect, or simply someone whose body feels anxious even when your heart trusts God — this episode will feel like grace upon grace.

In This Episode You'll Discover • Why your nervous system stays on high alert long after the danger has passed

• The science behind why you feel anxious even when you fully trust God — and why both can be true at the same time

• Why Jesus isn't surprised by your nervous system — and isn't waiting for you to do better

• Simple, practical tools to help your body settle when anxiety rises

• How to move from shame and self-judgment to compassion for yourself

Practical Tools Mentioned in This Episode Grounding — Plant Your Feet

Press both feet firmly into the floor. This signals to your nervous system: I am not running. I am safe.

Breath Reset

Breathe in for a count of four. Breathe out for a count of six. When your exhale is longer than your inhale, your body begins to understand — we are not running from a bear. Your nervous system starts to settle.

Color Scan

Look around the room. Choose your favorite color. Find five objects in that color. When you are calmly observing your environment, your brain begins to register: there is no immediate threat here.

Gentle Truth

While your body settles, quietly remind yourself of what is real. God's Word renews the mind and reshapes neural pathways — but sometimes we need to help our bodies calm down enough to receive it.

The Be Still Meditation Series Michelle created these three scripture-centered meditation episodes specifically for the moments when you know what's true — but your body hasn't caught up yet. Each one includes gentle breathing, grounding exercises, and the promises of God's Word. They're designed for early mornings, anxious afternoons, or sleepless nights.

Episode 1: Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91)

When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 reminds you of a shelter that was always yours. This meditation anchors you in El Shaddai — God Almighty, the all-sufficient one — who invites weary, worried people to dwell in his shadow. Not because they've gotten it together, but because they are his beloved children.

Perfect for: When anxiety feels overwhelming and you need to set down what you've been carrying.

Episode 2: Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night

For the 2 AM moments when your mind is moving and your heart is racing. Psalm 121 was written for travelers who didn't know what waited around the next bend — and it speaks directly to the mom who can't sleep worrying about her kids. The one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep.

Perfect for: Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and the worry that wakes you in the dark.

Episode 3: When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." God doesn't say if — he says when. This meditation holds space for the seasons of overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty, anchoring you in the truth that you are created, redeemed, and called by name. You are not walking through the fire alone.

Perfect for: Seasons of transition, grief, overwhelm, or when you're walking through something that feels like fire.

Scripture Referenced • Psalm 91 — Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High

• Psalm 121 — The Lord is your keeper

• Isaiah 43 — Fear not, I have called you by name

Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.

Book a free consultation

Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter

Visit michellediercks.com

Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.

Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence

Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Does your heart feel shaken right now?

Social media feels like a war zone. The news is devastating. People you love are tearing each other apart. And you're already carrying your own heavy weight—relationship struggles, financial stress, health concerns, kids you're worried about.

You go online looking for connection and find division instead. The weight just keeps getting heavier.

If you're exhausted from trying to hold it all together, if you're weary of watching people fight, if you're searching for peace when the world feels like chaos—this episode is for you.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

Why your heart feels shaken (and why that's a normal human response to chaos)
The powerful truth from Matthew 11:28-30 that Jesus spoke for moments exactly like this
How to recognize when you're carrying weight you were never meant to carry
The difference between feeling shaken and being shaken (Jesus is unshakeable even when you're not)
Why "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) is more than a pretty phrase—it's your lifeline
The REST framework: A 4-step process for laying down the weight you're carrying
How to sit with Jesus in your heaviest emotions without being crushed by them
Why you can hold both your real emotions AND God's unshakeable truth at the same time

This Episode Is For You If:

✓ You feel overwhelmed by world events and don't know how to process it ✓ Social media is exhausting you instead of connecting you ✓ You're tired of watching people you love fight and divide ✓ You're carrying anxiety about the state of the world on top of your personal struggles ✓ You need permission to step back from the chaos and find rest ✓ You're searching for peace but don't know where to find it ✓ You want a Christian perspective that doesn't demand you pick a political side ✓ You're weary of trying to hold everything together alone ✓ You need to remember that Jesus is unshakeable even when you feel shaken

What You'll Walk Away With:

🙏 Biblical Truth for Chaotic Times: Matthew 11:28-30 — "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest" Psalm 46 — "Be still and know that I am God" Hebrews 12:28 — "A kingdom that cannot be shaken"

🧠 The REST Framework: R - Recognize what you're carrying (name it honestly) E - Experience it in your body (feel where the weight sits) S - Sit with Jesus in it (bring it to your shelter) T - Trust the process (lay it at His feet)

💙 Permission You Need:

You don't have to carry this weight alone
It's okay that your heart feels heavy
You can feel shaken and still trust the One who is unshakeable
Rest isn't something you create—it's something you receive from Jesus
You can step away from the chaos without stepping away from caring

Featured Song Reference: "Rest for Your Soul" by Auston French Key lyric: "There is one who knows the heavy you hold"

Key Scriptures:

Matthew 11:28-30 — Jesus' invitation to the weary: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Psalm 46:1-2, 10 — "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... Be still, and know that I am God."

Hebrews 12:28 — "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."

Why This Message Matters Right Now:

The world feels chaotic. Social media feels toxic. People are losing their minds. And you're already carrying your own personal weight.

But here's the truth: You might feel shaken, but Jesus is not.

He's not panicking. He's not doomscrolling. He's not wringing His hands wondering what's going to happen next.

He is unshakeable. And He invites you to rest in Him.

This episode doesn't tell you what to think about current events. It doesn't demand you pick a political side. It simply offers you what you desperately need:

Rest for your weary soul. From the One who knows the heavy you hold.

Connect With Michelle:

If you're carrying weight that feels too heavy and you need someone to walk through it with you, I offer free 50-minute coaching consultations. These are real conversations where we can talk about what's weighing on your heart, and I can share tools that might help. [Schedule here: link]

More Episodes That Might Help:

If this episode resonated with you, check out The Be Still Series (Episodes from September-December). It's a 10-episode journey through:

Breaking anxiety spirals
Processing emotions instead of just thinking about them
Finding rest when everything feels out of control
Learning to be still when the world won't be

These episodes combine neuroscience, coaching tools, and Scripture to help you create new pathways from panic to peace.

A Note from Michelle:

Friends, I know your heart feels heavy. Mine does too. But Jesus is our shelter. He's our unshakeable kingdom. And He offers rest—not because we've figured it all out, but simply because He loves us.

You don't have to carry this alone.

Come to Him. Find rest for your soul.

With love and prayers for your weary heart, Michelle

Grief doesn't follow a schedule. It shows up in the grocery store aisle, while looking through recipes, when you hear a certain song. And during the holidays, grief can feel even more intense.

In this final episode of the Be Still series, I'm sharing what I've learned about welcoming grief instead of trying to fix it—and how Immanuel (God WITH us) meets us right in the middle of our pain.

You'll discover:

• Why "small" griefs matter just as much as "big" ones

• The REST framework for processing grief when it catches you off guard • How to hold both grief and joy at the same time

• Why your tears are holy and collected by God (Psalm 56:8)

• A powerful journaling exercise to acknowledge what you're carrying

Whether you're missing someone who's gone, grieving traditions that have changed, or facing an empty chair this season, this episode offers permission to feel what you're feeling—and practical tools to help you through it.

How to Hold Grief and Joy at the Same Time This isn't about toxic positivity or "looking on the bright side." It's about the deep truth that:

You can miss someone AND be grateful for the time you had
You can grieve what's changing AND appreciate what's growing
You can cry over pepperoni bread AND laugh with your family
You can feel the ache of the empty chair AND celebrate those who are present

Grief and joy aren't opposites. They're companions. Where there's been great love, both will show up.

Connect With Michelle Free Resources:

Newsletter with additional tools from each episode

Books:

Promised Rest
Promised Hope (Both dive deeper into the names of God and how He meets us in our struggles)

One-on-One Support: Free 50-minute coaching consultation No strings attached—sometimes one conversation is exactly what you need

Are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season?

Maybe finances are tighter than usual. Maybe there's an empty chair at your table. Maybe you're exhausted from trying to make everything perfect when nothing feels right.

You're not alone.

In this episode, Michelle shares the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth - two women holding onto impossible promises - and a personal Christmas story that changed everything she thought about holiday perfection.

You'll discover:

Why God's promises are unshakeable even when your circumstances feel shaky
How to find peace when Christmas doesn't match your expectations
The surprising truth about what creates holiday stress (hint: it's not the circumstances)
A simple breath prayer for anxious moments
Where to find wonder when everything feels broken

If you're feeling overwhelmed by holiday pressure, grieving during the festivities, or just trying to survive the season, this episode offers gentle hope and practical tools.

Perfect for:

Moms feeling guilty about not providing the "perfect" Christmas
Anyone grieving a loss during the holidays
People struggling with financial stress this season
Those feeling anxious or overwhelmed by family gatherings
Anyone who needs permission to let go of perfection

Mentioned in This Episode: Join Michelle for a Special Advent Event: 📅 Peace Be Still: Advent Reflection Coaching by Candlelight December 15, 7:00 PM Central Time | Zoom

Perfect if you're experiencing:

Grief over an empty chair this Christmas
Stress over family dynamics
Pressure to make everything perfect
Holiday drama you're dreading
The mix of joy and sorrow this season brings

What We'll Do Together: ✨ Share an Advent devotion to anchor in God's Word ✨ Guided journaling (prompts provided!) ✨ Group coaching through what's weighing on your heart

Never experienced coaching? This is a gentle, beautiful introduction. Just bring an open heart.

[Register Here:]

Need Support This Season?

If you're carrying something heavy and need someone to hold space for you, Michelle offers free 50-minute consultations.

In your session, you'll:

Share what's weighing on your heart
Receive practical tools you can use immediately
Explore whether coaching might help you find peace this season

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just genuine support.

[Schedule Your Free Consultation]

Are you dreading the holidays this year because someone won't be at your table?

Maybe someone you love has died. Maybe your kids have grown up and moved away. Maybe traditions are changing and your heart is aching in ways you didn't expect.

You're not alone. And you don't have to "get through" this season by gritting your teeth and pretending you're fine.

In this episode, you'll discover:

✓ Why trying to plan or control your grief doesn't work (and what to do instead)

✓ How to process grief when it ambushes you unexpectedly—in the grocery store, looking at recipes, or decorating the tree

✓ Why you can feel grief AND joy at the same time (and why that's actually healthy)

✓ What Jesus's response to Lazarus's death teaches us about sitting with grief instead of rushing through it

✓ 7 practical tools for processing your emotions during the holidays (not just surviving them)

✓ What to say (and NOT say) if you're trying to comfort someone who's grieving

✓ How to acknowledge the empty chair without letting it destroy your peace

The promise of this episode: You'll learn that grief doesn't need to be fixed—it needs to be felt. And when you give yourself permission to feel it, you make space for healing, hope, and the presence of God right in the middle of your pain.

This episode is for you if:

There's an empty chair at your table this year
You're tired of people telling you to "stay positive" or "be grateful"
You feel guilty for being sad during "the most wonderful time of the year"
You don't know how to balance celebrating with grieving
You're trying to help someone who's grieving and you don't know what to say
You want tools to actually PROCESS your grief, not just survive the holidays

What You'll Learn:

Grief doesn't follow a plan - I share the story of my first Christmas without my Grandma Katherine and how God met me in a way I never expected when everything fell apart

Grief ambushes us - The Walmart aisle moment that taught me we can't schedule when we'll feel our losses

Traditions changing hurt - Why it's okay to grieve even when the person you love is alive and thriving (like when your kids grow up and move away)

Jesus wept - What the story of Lazarus teaches us about God's response to our grief (spoiler: He doesn't rush us through it)

The empty chair is real - How to acknowledge loss instead of ignoring it or stuffing it down

7 practical tools - Specific things you can do RIGHT NOW to process your grief in healthy ways

Holding both joy and sorrow - Why your heart is big enough for both, and how to stop making yourself wrong for your feelings

The anchor that holds - How Hebrews 6:19 and the name "Immanuel" remind us that God is WITH us in grief, not waiting on the other side of it

Bible Verses Referenced:

John 11:33-35 (Jesus weeping over Lazarus)
Hebrews 6:19 (An anchor for the soul)
Psalm 23:4 (The valley of the shadow of death)

Free Resources: If you're struggling with grief this season and need someone to hold space with you, I'm offering free 50-minute coaching consultations. Sign up➡️ Here

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellediercks.com

Remember: Your grief isn't wrong. It's the message that you loved deeply. And you don't have to carry it alone.

Do you struggle with feeling like you're not enough? Are you tired of comparing yourself to others and always coming up short? Does shame whisper that your past, your failures, or your struggles disqualify you from being loved by God?

If you've ever wondered "why do I feel like I'm not good enough" or searched for Christian help for overcoming shame, this episode is for you.

Today we look at the woman at the well in John 4 - a woman who was hiding in shame, coming to draw water alone at noon so no one would see her. But Jesus saw her. He knew her whole story - five husbands, the man she was living with now, all of it - and He didn't walk away. Instead, He chose HER to be the very first person He revealed Himself to as the Messiah.

What does this mean for you when you feel unworthy of God's love? Everything.

In this episode, I share my own struggle with shame and not feeling enough, we walk through what Jesus said to the woman at the well, and I teach you how God's Word can literally rewire the shame patterns in your brain. Science shows we think 80,000-90,000 thoughts a day - many of them negative. But Scripture can create new neural pathways, replacing those old shame ruts with truth.

You'll Learn:

Why shame makes you feel like everyone else has it together except you
What Jesus really meant by "living water" and why it matters for your shame
The difference between broken cisterns and the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13)
How your brain creates shame ruts - and how God's truth creates new pathways
The Five Rs practice for replacing shame with biblical truth
Bible verses for when you feel not enough

Key Scriptures:

John 4:1-42 (Woman at the Well)
Jeremiah 2:13 (Broken Cisterns and Living Water)
Romans 12:2 (Renewing Your Mind)
Psalm 139:14 (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made)
Romans 8:1 (No Condemnation)

This Episode Is For You If:

You constantly compare yourself to others
You feel like you're not a good enough mom, wife, Christian, or woman
Shame from your past keeps you hiding
You wonder if God can really use someone like you
You're exhausted from trying to measure up
You want to know what the Bible says about shame and worth

Resources Mentioned: * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle * Michelle's Email List

Do you wake up to the same negative thoughts every morning? Thoughts like "I'm not enough," "This will never change," or "I'm too broken"? You're not alone, and those thought patterns aren't permanent.

In this episode, we explore the story of the woman who bled for 12 years - a woman whose thought patterns ran deep from isolation, suffering, and disappointment. We'll see how one desperate touch changed everything, and how Jesus rewrites our thought patterns with His truth.

In This Episode, You'll Discover:

Why negative thought patterns feel so permanent (and why they're not)
How God's Word creates new neural pathways in your brain
The bleeding woman's story from Mark 5 and what it teaches us about transformation
The Joy Practice: A 4-step biblical tool for rewiring anxious thinking
How to receive joy instead of trying to manufacture it
Why gratitude + God's Word = brain change

The Joy Practice (4 Steps):

Name your thought rut - write down the sentence your brain offers regularly
Find a Scripture that speaks truth to that lie
Practice gratitude - write three specific things you're thankful for today
Rest in your joy - write one way you see God at work

Key Scriptures:

Isaiah 61:3 - "To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit"
Mark 5:25-34 - The woman who touched Jesus' garment

This Episode Is For You If:

You struggle with repetitive negative thoughts
You've been stuck in the same thought patterns for years
You want a biblical approach to changing your thinking
You're tired of trying to "think positive" and want something deeper
You need hope that real change is possible

Resources Mentioned: * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle

Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Website

Are you in the middle of a broken dream right now? Wondering if God sees you, if healing will ever come, or if you'll survive this pain? In this episode, discover how God meets you exactly where you are—in the pacing, the tears, the unanswered questions. Learn how your brain creates thought ruts during grief and how God's Word can create new pathways to peace. Your broken places might be exactly where God's light will shine brightest.

What You'll Discover in This Episode: If You're Living with a Broken Dream Right Now: You'll learn:

Why your brain keeps replaying the same painful thoughts (and what you can do about it)
How to recognize the "thought ruts" that are keeping you stuck in grief

You'll discover:

That showing up matters—even when you can't feel God's presence yet
How God uses the "ordinary" (like Sunday worship) to do extraordinary healing work
Why your breaking might be the beginning of something more beautiful than your original dream
That healing isn't linear, instant, or neat—and that's okay
You're not failing because you're still hurting

If You're Wondering If Healing Will Ever Come: You'll gain hope that:

God doesn't look at your broken pieces and shake His head in disappointment
Your service, calling, or purpose isn't over just because this dream died
Time + God's presence = transformation (even if it takes 26 years)
The cracks in your story might become the most beautiful part
God is doing Kintsugi work in your life right now—filling your broken places with His gold

If You Need to Remember God's Faithfulness: You'll be reminded:

God was faithful in your past—even when you couldn't see it at the time
To look back and notice where He met you in your wilderness
That He's been rewriting your thought patterns through His Word all along
Your story isn't finished yet—God is still making all things new
The places where you felt most broken are now where you have the most compassion for others

This Episode Is For You If: ✓ You're grieving a ministry dream that didn't turn out the way you hoped ✓ You've experienced church hurt and wonder if you'll ever heal ✓ You're stuck in thought spirals about what you "should have" done differently ✓ You feel like a failure because your calling looked different than you planned ✓ You're exhausted from trying to hold everything together ✓ You need permission to grieve without rushing to "get over it" ✓ You're wondering if God can still use broken people (spoiler: He specializes in it) ✓ You're pacing your own kitchen table right now, processing pain too big for words ✓ You need to hear that you're not alone in the messy middle

What Makes This Episode Different: This isn't about:

Quick fixes or 3 easy steps to healing
Pretending everything's fine when it's not
Spiritual bypassing your real pain
Comparison (her healing vs. your timeline)

This IS about:

God's patient, faithful presence in the long journey
Permission to be human while trusting God
Real tools (thought work, Be Still prayer, Scripture) that help
Honest faith that makes room for grief AND hope
Remembering you're God's beloved daughter, even in the breaking

You'll Walk Away With: 🧠 Understanding of how your brain works:

How "thought ruts" form and why they feel so permanent
How God's Word literally rewires your neural pathways
Tools to recognize when you're spiraling vs. when you're healing

💎 The Kintsugi Perspective:

What this Japanese art teaches about redemption
Why your cracks don't need to be hidden
How breaking and mending are part of your story, not failures in your story
Permission to see beauty in what feels ruined

🙏 Practical Prayer Tools:

The Be Still Prayer using God's name "Yahweh Rafa" (The God Who Heals)
How to receive what God offers when you don't feel worthy
Where to find God when you can't sense His presence
How to sit with grief without letting it become your identity

📖 Scripture That Anchors:

Psalm 147:3 - "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"
How to let God's Word create new pathways when old thoughts won't stop
Why showing up to receive His gifts matters (even when you can't feel it working)

Your Reflection Journey: As you listen, consider these questions:

About Your Story:

What dream are you grieving right now?
What thought ruts has your brain created about what happened?
Where have you been pacing your own "kitchen table"?

About God's Presence:

Looking back, where was God meeting you when you couldn't feel Him?
What "ordinary" places has He used to do extraordinary healing work in your life?
Where are you receiving His gifts right now (worship, communion, His Word)?

About Your Future:

What if your broken dream isn't the end of your story—just the middle?
What if the cracks are exactly where God's light will shine brightest?
What new thing might God be making that you can't see yet?

Here's the Truth You Need to Hear: Your broken dream doesn't mean:

❌ You failed
❌ God is disappointed in you
❌ Your calling is over
❌ Something's wrong with you
❌ You should have done it differently
❌ You're too broken to be used

Your broken dream might mean:

✓ God is doing something you can't see yet
✓ The gold is being prepared for your cracks
✓ Your most compassionate ministry is being birthed through your pain
✓ You're learning to trust instead of control
✓ Your story is becoming one only you can tell
✓ You're exactly where God can meet you most intimately

What Happens Next: After you listen to this episode, you might:

Feel seen and less alone in your grief
Have language for what you've been experiencing ("thought ruts!")
Notice where God has been present all along
Feel permission to grieve without shame
Have hope that healing is possible (even if it takes time)
Want to look at your own story through the Kintsugi lens
Feel ready to receive what God is offering you today

Take the Next Step: If this episode resonates with you:

📧 Book a Free 50-Minute Coaching Session You don't have to walk through this alone. In our time together, we'll:

Explore the thought patterns keeping you stuck
Discover where God is meeting you right now
Create practical tools using God's Word to build new neural pathways
Hold space for your grief while moving toward hope

These sessions alone have helped so many women. [Schedule here: Link]

A Note from Michelle: Friend, if you're listening to this episode in the middle of your own broken dream—while you're pacing your kitchen table, crying in your car, or wondering if you'll survive this—I want you to know:

You're not alone. God sees you. Your dream falling apart doesn't mean YOU'RE falling apart. The cracks are where the light gets in.

I've been where you are. I know that soul-deep exhaustion of holding everything together. I know what it's like to wonder if God is even there when your prayers aren't answered the way you begged.

And I can tell you from 26 years on the other side: He was there. He is here. He's doing Kintsugi work in your life right now, even if you can't see it yet.

Your broken places are becoming your most beautiful.

With love and hope for your journey, Michelle

Featured Scripture: Psalm 147:3 - "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Revelation 21:5 - "I am making all things new."

2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My power is made perfect in weakness."

Resources Mentioned: * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle

Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Website

About Peace in His Presence: This podcast is a space where we pause together, take a deep breath, and rest in the truth of who God is and who we are in Him. Each episode walks through God's Word and real stories of His redemption, learning how to be still, notice His presence, and live from His promised joy.

Your host, Michelle Diercks, is a Christian life coach, speaker, and author passionate about helping women move from anxiety to peace, from control to trust, and from broken dreams to beautiful purpose. Currently completing Master Coach certification, Michelle integrates faith, neuroscience, and practical tools for transformation.

Have you ever been told you're "too emotional"? Do you feel unseen, unheard, or unnoticed in your relationships? If you've spent years thinking about your emotions instead of actually feeling them, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Peace and His Presence Podcast, I share my personal story of being told "you will always fail in life because you're too emotional" and how that painful wound led me to spend years stuck in my head, analyzing my emotions instead of processing them.

Discover the biblical story of Hagar and El Roi (the God Who Sees) and learn a simple framework for processing emotions in about 90 seconds instead of staying stuck in emotional loops for hours or days.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: The Difference Between Thinking About Emotions vs. Processing Them

Why staying in your head keeps emotions stuck in your body
How analyzing and judging emotions actually makes them stronger
The science behind emotional processing (it only takes 90 seconds!)
What it means to actually feel your feelings instead of just thinking about them

The Story of Hagar and El Roi

How an Egyptian servant girl with no power gave God a name
What the Angel of the Lord (Jesus before incarnation) did when Hagar felt completely unseen
How El Roi sees your emotions without shame or judgment

A Practical Framework for Processing Emotions

A simple 4-step process for moving emotions through your body
How to invite God into your emotional processing
Why movement (walking, changing rooms, going outside) helps release stuck emotions
How to hold both your valid emotions AND God's truth at the same time

Help for Feeling Unseen and Unheard

Scriptures to speak over your emotions when you feel afraid, ashamed, or alone
How to use different names of God (El Shaddai, Yahweh Rapha, Yaweh Shalom) depending on what you need
Why being "too emotional" isn't a flaw—it's part of being human
How to trust that feeling emotions won't destroy you

Perfect For You If: ✓ You've been told you're too emotional, too sensitive, or too much ✓ You feel unseen, unheard, or unnoticed in your relationships ✓ You spend hours analyzing your emotions but never feel relief ✓ You're stuck in emotional loops and don't know how to break free ✓ You want biblical, practical help for processing big feelings ✓ You're exhausted from trying to logic your way out of emotions ✓ You've experienced church hurt around being "too emotional" ✓ You want to learn how to feel instead of just think

Key Takeaways: Emotions are energy that take about 90 seconds to move through your body when you actually feel them—but staying in your head analyzing them keeps them stuck and looping.

El Roi sees you—not the smaller, less emotional version of you, but the REAL you with all your feelings, passion, and intensity.

You don't have to process emotions alone—God invites you to sit with Him and His truth while you feel your feelings.

Being "too emotional" isn't a character flaw—it's often the result of being shamed for normal human emotions and learning to suppress instead of process.

Episode Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome and introduction to processing emotions [00:02] The "too emotional" story—being told I would fail in life [00:05] The pattern continues in church ministry [00:07] Meet Hagar: the woman who felt completely unseen [00:09] The Angel of the Lord (Jesus) appears to Hagar [00:10] Hagar names God "El Roi"—The God Who Sees [00:11] The difference between thinking about emotions vs. processing them [00:13] The science: emotions take only 90 seconds to process [00:14] The framework for processing emotions (sign up for newsletter for full details!) [00:18] Using different names of God for different emotions [00:19] What to do this week [00:21] Be Still prayer with El Roi

Scriptures Referenced: * Genesis 16 - Hagar's story and El Roi * Psalm 91 - God is our refuge * Romans 8:1 - No condemnation in Christ Jesus * Hebrews 13:5 - God will never leave or forsake us

Resources Mentioned: * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle

Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Website

A Personal Note from Michelle: If you're reading these show notes because you've been told you're "too emotional" or because you feel completely unseen—I want you to know: you're not broken. You're not too much. And there's nothing wrong with your emotions.

I spent years thinking ABOUT my emotions instead of actually FEELING them because I was told being emotional meant I would fail. But El Roi—the God Who Sees—taught me that my emotions aren't flaws. They're part of being fully human and fully His.

This episode shares the practical framework I use (and teach my coaching clients) for processing emotions in about 90 seconds instead of staying stuck in loops for hours or days. But more than that, it's an invitation to meet El Roi—the God who sees ALL of you and calls it good.

You don't have to be smaller, quieter, or less to be loved by God. He sees you. All of you. And He's inviting you to process your emotions WITH Him.

Subscribe to my newsletter to get the complete framework, additional scriptures, and practical tools for this week's work!

Share This Episode: Know someone who feels unseen, unheard, or unnoticed? Someone who's been told they're "too emotional"? Share this episode with them!

Social Share Text: "Have you been told you're 'too emotional'? This episode about El Roi (the God Who Sees) changed how I process my emotions. 🎧 @peaceandhispresence"

⭐️ If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review! It helps other women who feel unseen find this message of hope.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/happiness

License code: E0ZCA2UDHWIGGI98

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness License code: 33GV8YJPLGMDFUEE

How to Stop Anxious Thoughts at Night: A Practical Christian Approach Episode Description Do anxious thoughts keep you awake at 3 AM? Does your brain replay worst-case scenarios on repeat? You're not broken—your brain is just stuck in worry ruts. In this episode, I share a powerful coaching tool called a thought download, combined with biblical truth about God as your refuge, that will help you see your anxious thoughts clearly and start creating new neural pathways through God's Word.

In This Episode You'll Learn: * What thought ruts are and how they keep you stuck in worry patterns * The neuroscience behind anxious thinking (and why it's not your fault) * A 4-step thought download tool to get racing thoughts out of your head * How God's Word literally rewires your brain to create new pathways * Why El Shaddai (God Almighty) is your refuge when thoughts feel overwhelming * The connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions (the creation cycle)

Episode Highlights: [02:00] The Target story: How a simple mistake during COVID sent me into a catastrophic worry spiral

[04:30] Understanding thought ruts: Why your brain keeps traveling down the same anxious pathways

[06:00] Meet El Shaddai: The name of God that means "God Almighty and Sufficient"

[07:30] The 4-step thought download tool that helps you process anxious thoughts

[12:00] How to create new neural pathways through Scripture meditation

The 4-Step Thought Download Tool: 1. Set your timer for 10 minutes - Create a container for your thoughts 2. Write continuously without stopping - Pour out everything, even the ugly thoughts 3. Remember who's with you - El Shaddai holds space for your tangled thoughts 4. Notice the patterns - What ruts do you see? Control? Worry? Shame?

Key Scripture Referenced: * Psalm 91:1-2 - "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" * Philippians 4:6-7 - God's peace guards our hearts and minds when we pray instead of worry * 2 Corinthians 12:9 - "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"

Struggling with Anxious Thoughts? Here's How I Can Help: * FREE Thought Spiral Quiz: Discover which rut you are stuck in. . . * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle

Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Webiste

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/happiness

License code: E0ZCA2UDHWIGGI98

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness License code: 33GV8YJPLGMDFUEE

Are your thoughts spiraling with worry and anxious “what ifs”? In this episode of Peace in His Presence, we pray through Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know that I am God” — and discover how God’s peace can calm anxious hearts and bring rest when life feels uncertain.

This episode prepares us for the Be Still Series with a simple yet powerful prayer for when your heart feels anxious. You’ll hear how learning to “be still” in God’s presence helps stop anxious thought spirals, quiet your restless heart, and remind you that God holds all things together.

Whether you’re facing a difficult decision, weighed down by anxiety, or simply longing for rest, this prayer will help you:

Pause and breathe in God’s presence
Release your need to control every outcome
Remember God’s promises of peace in Scripture
Trust Him to hold your heart in uncertain times

✨ This episode is especially for anyone searching for peace in anxiety, Christian prayers for worry, or how to trust God when life feels overwhelming.

Take a deep breath, friend. Let’s learn to be still together and rest in God’s presence.

📖 Scripture: Psalm 46:10 — “Be still and know that I am God.”

Resources Mentioned: * FREE Thought Spiral Quiz: Discover which rut you are stuck in. . . * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle

Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Webiste

In a world of constant uncertainty and overwhelming news cycles, it's no wonder anxiety feels like it's taking over. Many of us find our worry spirals spinning completely out of control, leaving us exhausted and afraid.

What do you do when fear hijacks your body at 1 AM, trying to control something happening 4,000 miles away? In this episode, I share my raw, honest story of the night I tried to manage my son's flight delay from Iowa - and what it taught me about breaking free from the anxiety patterns that keep us trapped.

In This Episode, You'll Discover: * Why your worry thoughts are like "well-worn ruts" in your brain * How God's Word can literally create new neural pathways * The difference between reasonable concern and paralyzing control * Practical steps to break the anxiety spiral when worry takes over * Scripture-based tools that actually work in real-time

If you're exhausted from trying to control outcomes you can't manage, lying awake at night consumed by "what if" thoughts, or feeling hijacked by fear in uncertain times, this episode offers hope and practical help.

Featured Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Resources Mentioned: * FREE Thought Spiral Quiz: Discover which rut you are stuck in. . . * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence * Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle

Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Webiste

Does your mama heart ache when your child leaves? You're not alone. If you've ever watched your child drive away and felt your heart break a little, this episode is for you. Michelle shares her tender goodbye with her son Matthew as he heads to his senior year of college, and offers three practical tools to help you navigate the beautiful, painful journey of letting go with love.

What You'll Learn: ✨ Why being a "50-50 mom" is actually perfect (and gives you permission to stop trying to be perfect)

✨ The hero vs. victim mindset - how treating your child as the hero of their story creates connection instead of control

✨ Selah Moments - a simple way to stay connected without being controlling (plus the neuroscience behind why this works!)

✨ The power of release - what burdens you're carrying that were never meant for you

✨ A beautiful prayer based on Psalm 121 where you can insert your child's name

Perfect for Mamas Who: 💙 Feel anxious when their children leave home 💙 Struggle with wanting to control outcomes for their kids 💙 Wonder if they're "doing motherhood right" 💙 Have a child leaving for college, starting school, or any major transition 💙 Want to connect with their children without being controlling 💙 Need comfort for their aching mama heart

Key Timestamps: [00:00] Michelle's tender goodbye to Matthew [02:00] Why being a "50-50 mom" is perfectly okay [04:00] The box story - when mama anxiety takes over [07:00] Hero vs. Victim: How we see our children matters [10:00] Selah Moments for connection instead of control [13:00] Release: What you're carrying that isn't yours [14:00] A mother's prayer using Psalm 121

Episode Highlights: "All of motherhood is loving them enough to let them go."

"When we can't hold them in our arms, we can hold them in our prayers."

"Your heart has been in training for this moment. The ache won't break you."

"I'm a 50-50 mom and it's okay. I'm 50% great mom and 50% 'well, that didn't work' mom."

Resources Mentioned: 📖 Promised Hope by Michelle Diercks - Written during her first year of empty nesting, filled with truths and names of God that bring comfort to weary mama hearts

🙏 Psalm 121 - A beautiful prayer for your children's protection and God's watchful care

📱 Selah Moments - Connect with your children by sharing daily favorite moments

Connect with Michelle: 🌐 Website: [Your website] 📧 Newsletter: [Newsletter signup]

For the Mama Whose Heart is Breaking: Sweet mama, if you found this episode because your heart is aching as you watch your child grow up and away, please know you're not alone. Every mama walking this earth knows the bittersweet pain of loving someone so much you have to let them go.

Your tears are holy. Your heartbreak is love. And your willingness to release them into God's hands is the bravest thing you'll ever do.

Keywords for SEO: Empty nest syndrome, letting go of children, mama heart aching, sending kids to college, motherhood anxiety, control and parenting, connecting with adult children, prayer for children, Psalm 121 for mothers, Christian parenting, mama guilt, loving through letting go, first day of school emotions, helicopter parenting recovery

Leave a Review: If this episode spoke to your mama heart, would you leave a review? Your words help other aching mama hearts find the comfort they need. ❤️

Remember, dear mama: When you can't hold them in your arms, you can always hold them in your prayers.

Are you exhausted from trying to control the storms in your life? Searching for rest that seems impossible to find when everything feels chaotic? In this episode, you'll discover how to find genuine rest for your soul - not after the storm passes, but right in the middle of it..."

In this episode, author and certified Christian life coach Michelle Diercks shares the life-changing difference between external control and internal safety. Through a powerful story from her days as a 19-year-old camp counselor caught in an unexpected storm, Michelle reveals why our attempts to create safety through control always fail - and what actually works instead.

What You'll Learn:

Why anxiety isn't love (it's exhaustion wearing a responsibility costume)
The difference between external control and internal safety
Michelle's Five Rs framework for finding peace in the middle of life's storms
How to stop carrying burdens that were never yours to carry
Why "being strong" might actually be keeping you from feeling safe
Biblical principles for finding rest when life feels out of control

Perfect for people who:

Struggle with anxiety and the need to control outcomes
Feel responsible for everyone else's happiness and safety
Are exhausted from trying to manage what they can't actually manage
Want to learn how to trust God practically, not just theoretically
Are ready to stop trying to be God (because you're terrible at it, and He's not hiring)

Michelle shares vulnerable stories from her own journey of learning to let go, including her recent middle-of-the-night attempt to "fix" her son's flight connection from Iowa to Spain. Spoiler alert: it didn't work, but it taught her (again) about the freedom that comes from surrendering control.

Featured Resources:

Promised Hope: Trusting in God's Faithfulness by Michelle Diercks
Free weekly newsletter with practical tools for anxious hearts
Information about Michelle's coaching and free consultation calls

Key Bible Verses Discussed:

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God"
Psalm 63:7-8 - "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me"

Memorable Quotes from This Episode:

"If chocolate solved problems, mine would be gone - both the chocolate AND the problems!"
"You're not broken. You're just tired from doing a job that was never yours."
"Your anxiety isn't love. It's exhaustion wearing a responsibility costume."
"Stop trying to be God. You're terrible at it, and He's not hiring."

Whether you're a mom worried about adult children, a woman trying to manage everyone's emotions, or someone who just can't seem to stop trying to control outcomes, this episode offers hope and practical tools for finding real safety - the kind that doesn't depend on perfect circumstances.

Connect with Michelle:

Website: michellediercks.com
Newsletter signup: [link]
Book: Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Episode [X]: Hope for When You Can't Fix What Feels Broken

Show Notes Episode Summary Has your heart ever felt so broken that you didn't know how you were going to move forward? In this deeply personal episode, Michelle shares a story from her book Promised Hope about a season when her heart felt completely shattered - and what God did in that broken place.

If you're struggling with overwhelming heartbreak, whether from recent tragedies like the devastating Texas floods, personal loss, church hurt, or circumstances that feel impossible, this episode offers hope and a path forward when everything feels unfixable.

What You'll Hear in This Episode The Kitchen Table Story Michelle shares the raw reality of resigning from her job as Director of Christian Education just one month after her wedding, and how she and her husband Troy processed overwhelming grief by walking circles around their farmhouse kitchen table.

When Everything Falls Apart at Once Sometimes life doesn't give us just one devastating blow - it's tragedy upon tragedy. Michelle explores what happens when we're carrying not just our own heartbreak, but the pain of an entire community (over 200 people left their church during this season).

The Fog of Grief What it really feels like when you're "trying to wade through deep fog" and don't know how to move forward. Michelle describes the physical and emotional weight of compound grief.

God me them in Worship How God met them week after week at a sister church through His Word, the Lord's Supper, and a loving pastor who told them "you'll know when you're ready to serve again."

"Mended" - A Prayer for the Brokenhearted Michelle closes with a beautiful prayer she wrote years later about bringing our brokenness to God's house and leaving mended by His gifts of hope, love, joy, grace, peace, and strength.

Key Quotes from This Episode "We kept stumbling into the same painful realization: we couldn't fix anything."

"We can't mend our own broken hearts. We try - we pace, we overthink, we cling to control - but the pieces won't fit back together by our own hands."

"God is the giver, and you're the receiver. You can go to the Lord's house just as you are."

Why This Episode Matters Right Now With recent tragedies like the Texas flooding that took the lives of precious children at Camp Mystic, many of us are carrying heartbreak that feels too heavy to bear. This episode speaks to anyone who:

Feels overwhelmed by current events and personal circumstances
Is processing church hurt or spiritual trauma
Has experienced multiple losses or "compound grief"
Wonders where God is in the midst of overwhelming pain
Needs permission to simply receive (not serve) during a difficult season
Is looking for hope when everything feels broken

Scripture References * Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden..." * Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted..."

Resources Mentioned Books:

Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness by Michelle Diercks
Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence by Michelle Diercks

Connect with Michelle:

Promise Notes Newsletter - Weekly encouragement and hope
Free 50-Minute Consultation - Christian life coaching for those who need someone to walk alongside them during difficult seasons
Website: michellediercks.com

Discussion Questions for Small Groups 1. Have you ever experienced a season where multiple heartbreaking things happened at once? How did you process those emotions? 2. Michelle describes feeling like she was "wading through deep fog." What metaphor would you use to describe overwhelming grief? 3. What does it mean that "God is the giver and we are the receivers" in worship? How might this perspective change how we approach church when we're hurting? 4. Michelle and Troy had to learn to simply receive rather than serve during their healing season. Why is this often difficult for Christians? 5. How can the church better support people who are carrying "compound grief" or multiple heartbreaks?

Takeaways * It's okay to not know how to move forward when your heart is shattered * Sometimes we need to simply receive God's gifts rather than try to serve * God meets us in worship even when all we bring is our brokenness * Healing happens in community, not isolation * Our broken places can become our most beautiful offerings

Tags #Hope #Heartbreak #ChurchHurt #Grief #Healing #ChristianEncouragement #Faith #PeaceInHisPresence #PromisedHope #Worship #GodsPresence #ChristianLifeCoach #Mended #Brokenness

Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of worry that seems impossible to break? In this episode of the Peace in His Presence podcast, Michelle Diercks shares her personal journey with anxious thoughts and reveals powerful biblical truths about breaking free from worry patterns.

Through personal stories, scripture insights, and practical tools, Michelle explains how our brains create "worry ruts" and—most importantly—how God's Word provides the pathway to renewing our minds. Discover how neuroplasticity aligns with biblical truth and learn specific practices to transform your thought life.

In This Episode You'll Learn: * The science behind why our brains get stuck in worry patterns (50,000-60,000 thoughts daily!) * The critical difference between healthy concern and unhealthy worry * Key scriptures that address thought life transformation (Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:2) * How modern neuroscience confirms what scripture has taught for thousands of years * Practical tools to redirect anxious thoughts through scripture meditation * A powerful prayer framework for surrendering worries to God

Scripture Mentioned: * Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable..." * Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." * Matthew 6:25-34 - Jesus' teaching on worry and God's provision * Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." * Psalm 23:1 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." * Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God." * 2 Corinthians 10:5 - Taking captive every thought * Philippians 4:6-7 - Prayer and the peace that transcends understanding * John 15 - Abiding in Christ

Resources: * Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence - Michelle's first book explores eight names and characteristics of God that reveal His peace-giving nature. * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness - Michelle's second book focuses on God's faithfulness in all circumstances. * Free consultation call - Contact Michelle about Christian life coaching to help with anxious thought patterns * Peace in His Presence Podcast - Subscribe for more episodes about finding peace in God's promises

Connect with Michelle: * Website: michellediercks.com

About Michelle: Michelle Diercks is a Christian life coach, speaker, author, Bible teacher, and Women's Ministry retreat leader. Her books "Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence" and "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" have helped women discover God's peace even through life's uncertainties. As host of the Peace in His Presence podcast (recognized as a Top 50 Mom Podcast by Podcast Magazine for three consecutive years), Michelle reaches listeners in 95 countries with encouragement from God's Word. She lives on a farm in Eastern Iowa with her husband, and they have two sons who are studying to become pastors.

Did This Episode Resonate With You? If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who might be struggling with worry or anxious thoughts. Remember, be still and know that He is God. Until next time, may God's peace guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Keywords: worry, anxiety, thought patterns, neuroplasticity, renewing mind, biblical peace, worry ruts, Christian mental health, anxious thoughts, scripture meditation, Bible study, God's presence, Michelle Diercks

Episode Summary In this powerful episode of the Peace in His Presence podcast, Michelle Dericks explores how choosing strategic silence can become a source of strength when facing false accusations and shame. Drawing from her personal experience with false accusations and the biblical story of Rahab, Michelle reveals how El Chay (The Living God) fights our battles and brings redemption from the most broken places in our lives. As Mother's Day approaches, this timely message offers hope for anyone carrying burdens of shame, inadequacy, or painful circumstances they didn't choose.

Key Moments From This Episode Michelle's Story of Strategic Silence * Facing a situation with false accusations and choosing silence as a spiritual strategy * Learning to surrender her defense to God rather than defending herself * Finding peace in God's Word and worship during a difficult trial * Experiencing God's faithfulness as truth eventually came to light

Rahab's Story of Redemption * A woman with a shameful past living in Jericho during impending destruction * Recognizing the power of the God of Israel and choosing to trust Him * Hanging a scarlet cord as her thread of hope amid uncertainty * Being rescued from the rubble and redeemed into God's lineage

Finding Redemption in Broken Places * El Chay specializes in transformation and redemption * Our struggles actually strengthen our ability to help and serve others * God's grace covers our sins and His love is bigger than our problems * The power of sharing our stories of redemption to help others

Scripture References "As the deer pants for water, so my soul longs after you, O God." - Psalm 42

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you." - Isaiah 43:1-2

Application for Your Life This message of redemption applies to various life situations:

For mothers: Finding freedom from parenting mistakes and regrets
For those falsely accused: Trusting God with your defense
For those in broken relationships: Finding healing and restoration
For anyone facing setbacks: Discovering God's redemptive purpose

El Chay meets you right in the middle of your rubble. He doesn't require perfection but offers redemption. Your struggles actually strengthen your ability to serve others as you experience God's redemption firsthand.

Connect With Michelle If what I've shared today about El Chay who redeems us from brokenness resonates with you, I'd love to continue this conversation. I offer complimentary 50-minute consultation calls where I can listen to what you're going through and help you see a path forward through the lens of God's promises.

Ready to release the shame you've been carrying? Follow the link in the show notes to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

Resources Mentioned * Michelle's book: "Promised Hope" * [Schedule your complimentary consultation call with Michelle]

Finding Peace in the Unknown: How God Helps Us in Uncertainty Episode Notes: In this transformative episode, Michelle Diercks explores how we can discover deep, lasting peace even during life's most uncertain seasons through understanding the powerful Hebrew name of God "El Chay" (the Living God).

Episode Timestamps: * 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to finding peace in uncertainty * 01:06 - Addressing the mixed emotions of life transitions * 02:05 - Introduction to El Chay (the Living God) * 03:00 - The Israelites' journey into the unknown promised land * 04:11 - Michelle's personal story of being lost in fog during campus security * 07:41 - How the Living God walks with us through every uncertain step * 08:36 - Identifying thoughts that cause anxiety during transitions * 09:54 - Creating your "stones of remembrance" for future challenges * 11:18 - Isaiah 43:1-2 as an anchor during uncertain times * 13:06 - Summer Sessions coaching opportunity introduction * 16:12 - Closing thoughts on God's presence in uncertainty

What You'll Hear: In today's episode, Michelle dives into one of the most powerful aspects of faith during seasons of change and uncertainty: the presence of El Chay, the Living God. Whether you're watching your child prepare for college graduation, facing a career change, or navigating any significant life transition, this episode offers biblical wisdom and practical guidance.

Michelle shares the story of Joshua taking leadership from Moses as the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land - a perfect example of stepping into the unknown with God's guidance. God's powerful words to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go," remain equally relevant for believers today facing their own uncertain territories.

Through Michelle's vulnerable personal story of being lost in fog during her campus security job - alone, without backup, in an unfamiliar area - we experience how the Living God meets us in our moments of complete helplessness. Her testimony of feeling God's presence during this frightening experience offers a powerful reminder that even when we feel lost, we're never lost to God.

Practical Faith Applications: This episode provides practical spiritual exercises to help you navigate uncertainty:

Thought Identification Exercise: Learn to recognize anxious thoughts that spiral during transitions and replace them with God's promises
Creating Stones of Remembrance: Discover how to document past experiences of God's faithfulness as anchors for future challenges
Scripture Memorization: Use Isaiah 43:1-2 as a powerful declaration during uncertain times

Key Scripture References: * Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened. Do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." * Isaiah 43:1-2 - "Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you."

Resources Mentioned: * Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness by Michelle Diercks - [LINK TO BOOK] + This episode draws specifically from Chapter 5, which explores the name "El Chay" (The Living God)

Who This Episode Is For: * Parents watching children transition to new life stages * Anyone facing significant life changes or decisions * Those struggling with anxiety about the future * Christians seeking deeper understanding of God's presence in uncertainty * Anyone needing encouragement during a difficult season

Special Announcement - Summer Sessions Coaching: Michelle is offering "Summer Sessions" coaching - a flexible 8-session package available through September 6th. Unlike standard coaching packages with rigid timeframes, Summer Sessions can be used anytime throughout the summer months, working with your unpredictable schedule.

This transformative opportunity is perfect for:

College students preparing for a new academic year
Recent graduates starting careers
Parents navigating empty nest transitions
Individuals feeling stuck or uncertain about next steps
Anyone seeking intentional preparation for fall transitions

During these personalized sessions, Michelle uses powerful coaching tools to:

Identify what's keeping you stuck in uncertainty
Process difficult emotions in healthy ways
Replace anxiety with God's unshakeable promises
Create practical action plans for your next season

With only 8 spots available, secure your complimentary 50-minute consultation today: [LINK TO CONSULTATION]

Good Friday Reflection: "It Is Finished" In this special Good Friday episode, Michelle invites listeners to reflect on Jesus's sacrifice on the cross and the profound meaning behind His final words, "It is finished."

Episode Highlights: * Michelle explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that Jesus endured on the cross * The meaning behind Jesus's powerful declaration "It is finished" (tetelestai in Greek) as a victor's cry * Reflection on how Jesus's sacrifice paid our debt in full and secured our salvation * The assurance that, through faith in Jesus, believers will never experience separation from God * An invitation to experience Easter joy that can fill our hearts every day

Special Announcement: Michelle introduces her new Facebook group, "Selah Sisters," created as a gathering place for women to:

Pause, reflect, and rest in God's promises (based on Romans 15:13)
Share insights from Michelle's books "Promised Rest" and "Promised Hope"
Learn Christian life coaching principles

Click here to join the Facebook Group

Holy Week Reflection: Jesus in the Garden Episode Overview In this special Holy Week episode, Michelle Dericks offers a powerful reflection on Jesus's time in the Garden of Gethsemane. Through scripture and personal insights, Michelle helps listeners understand the depth of Christ's suffering and the incredible love behind His sacrifice.

Scripture Focus Luke 22:39-46 (with references to parallel accounts in Matthew 26 and Mark 14)

Key Points * Jesus experienced extreme anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the immense suffering He was about to face * His agony was so intense that His sweat became like drops of blood (a condition called hematidrosis) * Jesus took upon Himself not just our individual sins, but the sins of the entire world throughout all time * Even in His deepest grief, Jesus submitted to the Father's will: "Not my will, but yours be done" * God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus for the battle ahead * Jesus endured this suffering because of His deep love for each of us

Quote to Remember "If you are facing a trial or suffering in any way, please know that Jesus steps into your suffering with you and helps you to bear your burden. He will give you His strength to face each moment. You will never be alone."

Special Announcement Michelle has created a new Facebook group called "Selah Sisters" based on Romans 15:13. This community is designed as a gathering place where women can:

Pause, reflect, and rest in God's promises
Encourage one another
Share insights from Michelle's books "Promised Rest" and "Promised Hope"
Learn Christian life coaching principles

Click here to sign up for the group

A short bonus episode.

Episode Summary: Michelle Diercks shares personal insights and biblical wisdom about handling difficult relationships and overcoming bitterness. She discusses lessons learned from Dr. Edie Wadsworth's life mentoring program and her journey toward better relationship management.

Key Points: - Relationships with people are only as good as our thoughts about them - The importance of choosing which thoughts to dwell on - How bitterness and resentment primarily hurt ourselves - Biblical perspective on forgiveness and relationships - Managing recurring hurt from people who haven't apologized

Scripture References: - Ephesians 3:14-20 - Prayer for spiritual strength and understanding Christ's love - Ephesians 4 - Instructions on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness

Notable Quote: "I'm never going to look at someone that God doesn't love just as much as He loves me."

Upcoming Program: - Small Group Coaching Program: "Unshakeable Hope" (Click here) - Consultation calls available February 20-28, 2025 (Click here to schedule) - Program starts March 2nd - Free 30-minute Zoom consultations offered

Contact Information: - Website: michellediercks.com/contact - Available for both group and one-on-one coaching inquiries

Show Notes:

In this episode: - Middle-of-the-night worries and uncertainty in life's transitions - Michelle shares her journey through Troy's health challenges - Reading from "Promised Hope" about finding refuge in God's promises - Introduction to Christian Life Coaching and its transformative impact - Special invitation for a complimentary 30-minute discovery call (Feb 20-28)

Key Points: - Dealing with aging parents, adult children, and health challenges - Learning to find peace in God's promises during uncertain times - How thoughts create feelings and actions - Overview of the Unshakeable Hope group coaching program

Resources Mentioned: - Book: "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" - Scripture: Psalm 62:5-8 - Website: michellediercks.com/contact

Special Offer: Schedule your free 30-minute discovery call (Feb 20-28) to: - Learn more about the Unshakeable Hope group coaching program - Experience a mini coaching session - Ask questions about Christian Life Coaching

Connect with Michelle: [Website and social media links]

Would you like me to add or adjust anything in these show notes?

Are you struggling with the darkness and heaviness of winter? Does your mind feel as gray as the winter sky? In this special bonus episode, Michelle shares powerful insights about transforming our thoughts and finding joy even in challenging seasons. Learn how our thoughts create our feelings and discover practical tools for finding peace in God's presence.

Key Topics Covered: - How our thoughts create our feelings and influence our actions - Finding joy in winter through perspective shifts - Dealing with anxious thoughts and worry - The power of changing our thought patterns - Resting in God's promises during difficult seasons - Practical examples of thought transformation - The importance of treating adult children as heroes in their own stories

Featured Stories: - Michelle's personal journey with Troy's health challenges - The impact of changing thoughts on family relationships - Learning to trust God's timing and provision

Key Takeaways: 1. Our thoughts are responsible for how we feel 2. We can choose to reframe our perspective on challenging situations 3. When we change our thoughts, our feelings and actions naturally follow 4. God's presence provides peace even in uncertain circumstances 5. Treating others as the heroes of their own stories transforms relationships

Special Announcement: Starting March 2 - "Unshakeable Hope" Small Group Coaching Program - Learn to rest in God's unshakeable hope, joy, and peace - Combines teachings from "Promised Hope" with Christian life coaching tools - Special beta program pricing: $300 (Regular value: $1000+) - Weekly teachings, group coaching calls, and private Facebook community

➡️Learn More Here✝️

Free Resources through Michelle's Coaching Newsletter

➡️Sign up Here✝️ - Special PDF Journal with Bible reading plan - Prayer prompts - Guided meditation recording

Action Steps: 1. Listen to the entire episode for full context and stories 2. Sign up for the newsletter to receive your free journal 3. Learn more about the Unshakeable Hope program launching February 17th 4. Share this episode with someone who might need encouragement during this season

Episode Overview: Guest host Sharla Fritz interviews Michelle about Chapter 4 of her new book "Promised Hope," exploring the concept of God as our rock in times of uncertainty.

Notable Quotes: - "Even though my world felt shaken, I knew God could see beyond the uncertainty of this moment. God held everything together." - "Jesus as our rock will never be taken away. It cannot be destroyed." - "If he's helped me in those ways in the past, won't he continue to do that in the future? And the answer is yes."

Key Discussion Points: - Michelle's personal experience with her husband's hospitalization led to deeper reflection on God as our rock - The contrast between temporary foundations (money, health, relationships) vs. God as our unshakable foundation - The concept of "Selah moments" - sacred pauses to ground ourselves in God's presence - Story of Michelle's childhood experience with "fool's gold" and learning valuable lessons about true treasure

Scripture Focus: - Psalm 62:5-8 - "He only is my rock and my salvation..." - Psalm 18:1-2 - David's personal declarations of God as his rock, fortress, and deliverer

Practical Application - The Five R's of Reflection: 1. Rejoice - Practice gratitude and praise 2. Release - Let go of things we're holding too tightly 3. Reframe - Look at situations through the lens of God's character 4. Remember - Recall God's past faithfulness 5. Rest - Find peace in God's promises and presence

Book Details: - Title: "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" - Structure: 8 weeks of study, with 5 daily readings per week - Suitable for: Individual devotion, small groups, Bible studies, book clubs - Available at: CPH.org/promisedhope and Amazon

Additional Resources: - Free first chapter available at CPH.org/promisedhope - Order on Amazon

Tired of feeling stuck in winter weariness? Join me for this transformative workshop where you'll discover:

✨ Why your thoughts might be keeping you trapped in weariness

✨ How to begin shifting from overwhelm to hope

✨ Simple tools to experience more joy in your daily life

✨ The peace that comes from resting in God's faithfulness

When: Monday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m. CST

Registration - Limited Spots Available!

Please sign up for the workshop below to be added to the email list to receive the information. Important: Please check your spam folder if you don't receive your confirmation email.

Click here ➡️ to sign up for the workshop!

Welcome friends! What an incredible week it's been with the launch of Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness. Your responses through messages, texts, and calls have filled my heart with such gratitude.

In today's episode, I share something that has transformed my life in beautiful and unexpected ways. As my husband Troy noticed, becoming a certified Christian life coach has changed me deeply. When someone who knows your struggles most intimately notices this kind of transformation, it really means something.

My Journey This transformation has touched everything - my relationship with God, family dynamics, and how I view challenges and opportunities. Through this journey, I've discovered what it truly means to live as God's beloved daughter. I've learned to see life through the lens of abundance rather than lack.

A Special Invitation: 8-Week Journey Together I'm excited to announce a special program combining life-changing principles with the truths from Promised Hope. This isn't just another Bible study or self-improvement program - it's an eight-week journey to experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised.

Is This For You? This program is for you if you've ever:

Found yourself stuck in patterns that rob you of joy and peace
Struggled to fully embrace your identity as God's beloved child
Carried the weight of unforgiveness or bitterness in relationships
Felt overwhelmed by life's transitions
Wondered if you're living the full, purposeful life God has for you

What We'll Discover Together In our intimate group of 20-25 women, we'll:

Learn how God's truth can transform our thought patterns
Discover practical tools combining biblical truth with how God designed our brains
Explore what it truly means to live as God's beloved daughters
Find freedom from patterns that keep us stuck
See life's challenges through the lens of God's faithfulness

What's Included * Weekly teaching videos * Live group calls (with replays available) * Private community space for support and encouragement * A personal 45-minute coaching session with me

Join Us Starting February 17th I'm creating a waiting list for our February 17th launch. Some spots have already been claimed through private conversations, but I'd love to have you join us.

To join the waitlist:

Google Form Waitlist
Send me an email expressing your interest at michellediercks.com/contact

This group coaching experience is for women only.

If you have any questions, please reach out. Thank you for letting me share my heart and excitement with you today!

In this special episode of the Promise to Hope series, host Michelle welcomes guest interviewer Faith Doerr to explore the powerful name of God, Yahweh Rapha - The Lord Our Healer.

Key Points Discussed: * Introduction to Yahweh Rapha, meaning "The Lord is our healer" * Context from Exodus 15, following the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea * The transformation of bitter waters at Marah into sweet water * The significance of God's role as healer - physically, emotionally, and spiritually * Discussion of Jesus healing the woman with a 12-year blood condition (Matthew 9:20-22)

Biblical Deep Dive: * Exploration of Exodus 15 and the Israelites' journey from celebration to bitterness * The meaning of "Mara" (bitter) in Hebrew and its significance * Connection between physical healing and spiritual restoration * God's promise to be the healer of His people

Key Scripture References: * Exodus 15 - The story of bitter waters made sweet and God revealing Himself as Yahweh Rapha * Matthew 9:20-22 - The woman with the issue of blood being healed * Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me all who labor and are heavily laden..." * Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted..." * John 16:33 - "Take heart, I have overcome the world" * Psalm 91 - "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High..." * Psalm 27 (particularly the final verse) - "Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage"

Practical Applications: * Understanding God's role as healer in modern context * Dealing with bitterness and waiting periods * Finding hope in times of brokenness * The importance of community and worship even in difficult seasons * Using simple Scripture phrases for comfort during challenging times

Notable Quotes from the Episode: * "God is the giver and we are the receivers." * "Sometimes fixing isn't about doing away with the problems. Sometimes it's about receiving the gifts and being reminded of the peace and strength that God gives to us to face whatever comes next."

Resources Mentioned: * Book: "Promise to Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" by Michelle Diercks * Available on Amazon * Free first chapter available at CPH.org/promisedhope

Join authors Michelle Diercks and Pastor Andrew Jones for a special Advent series that weaves together themes from their upcoming books from Concordia Publishing House. Michelle explores how God's promises bring peace in all circumstances in "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" (releasing January 7, 2025). Pastor Andy's book "10 Lies Satan Loves to Tell" (releasing January 14, 2025) unmasks the deceptions that often shake our trust in God's faithfulness. To celebrate their book launches, these two authors have created "Advent Reflections," a thoughtful series examining how Satan's lies try to distract us from hope. At the same time, God's promises remain unshakeable - just as they did for Mary and Elizabeth. Through these conversations, Michelle and Andy demonstrate how the truths of God's Word strengthen, our hearts, reminding us that God still makes the impossible possible.

Key Topics Discussed:

Elizabeth's story of waiting and faithfulness
The significance of Elizabeth's meeting with Mary
Parallels between Elizabeth's story and Hannah's story from the Old Testament
Personal reflections on infertility and faith
The importance of found family and deeper church relationships
The concept of God as "Lord of Hosts"

Scripture References:

Story of Elizabeth (Luke 1)

Hannah's story (1 Samuel)

Featured Books:

"Ten Lies Satan Loves to Tell" by Pastor Andrew R. Jones
"Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" by Michelle Diercks
Both available through Amazon and Concordia Publishing House (CPH), with free first chapters available on their website
Read the First Chapter of Ten Lifes Satan Loves to Tell
Read the First Chapter of Promised Hope

Join authors Michelle Diercks and Pastor Andrew Jones for a special Advent series that weaves together themes from their upcoming books from Concordia Publishing House. Michelle explores how God's promises bring peace in all circumstances in "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" (releasing January 7, 2025). Pastor Andy's book "10 Lies Satan Loves to Tell" (releasing January 14, 2025) unmasks the deceptions that often shake our trust in God's faithfulness. To celebrate their book launches, these two authors have created "Advent Reflections," a thoughtful series examining how Satan's lies try to distract us from hope. At the same time, God's promises remain unshakeable - just as they did for Mary and Elizabeth. Through these conversations, Michelle and Andy demonstrate how the truths of God's Word strengthen, our hearts, reminding us that God still makes the impossible possible.

Key Topics Discussed:

Mary's encounter with Gabriel and her faith response
The 400-year period of silence between the Old and New Testaments
How Satan's lies of "you cannot trust God" and "you must save yourself" affect us
Finding peace during difficult family gatherings, especially during holiday seasons
The importance of remembering God's presence (Emmanuel) during Advent

Featured Books:

"Ten Lies Satan Loves to Tell" by Pastor Andrew R. Jones
"Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" by Michelle Diercks
Both available through Amazon and Concordia Publishing House (CPH), with free first chapters available on their website
Read First Chapter of Ten Lifes Satan Loves to Tell
Read First Chapter of Promised Hope

Scripture Reference:

Luke Chapter 1 - Mary's Story

Resources Mentioned:

CPH website for previewing both books' first chapters
Both books available through Concordia Publish

In this powerful episode of Peace in His Presence, guest host Deb Burma interviews Michelle Diericks about her upcoming book "Promised Hope" (releasing January 7th). They dive deep into one of the most significant names of God - Yahweh - and explore its profound meaning through the story of Moses and the plagues of Egypt.

Who is Yahweh? The name Yahweh appears over 6,000 times in the Old Testament, typically shown as "LORD" in small capitals. Through the dramatic encounter at the burning bush, God reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM" - or more accurately, "I am what you will discover me to be." This sets the stage for an incredible demonstration of God's power and presence.

God's Power Revealed Through the Plagues In the book Michelle covers all the plagues, but in this episode she highlights three of them.

The Nile turning to blood - striking at Egypt's lifeline
The plague of frogs - challenging their fertility goddess
The plague of darkness - confronting their supreme sun god, Ra

Each plague systematically demonstrated Yahweh's superiority over Egypt's false gods.

Why This Matters Today

Michelle shares a powerful insight about God's presence in our struggles: "He walks with us through the fire, carries us if need be." Just as God was present with the Israelites in their suffering, He remains present with us in our challenges today.

"The bush remained unconsumed by the flames because the Israelites would not be consumed by their horrific suffering in Egypt."

This message resonates deeply for anyone facing their own "Egypt moments" - situations we didn't choose but must navigate with faith.

The Promise of His Presence The episode concludes with a beautiful reading of Psalm 121, emphasizing God's constant presence and protection. Whether facing personal trials or watching global suffering unfold, remember that Yahweh is not distant - He is right there in the midst of it all.

Want to explore God's names more deeply? Michelle's new book, Promised Hope, will be released on January 7th, complementing her previous work, Promised Rest. Both books explore the profound meanings of God's names throughout Scripture.

Click here to see Michelle's book on Amazon

In this heartwarming episode, Michelle is joined by her sons Jacob and Matthew, to discuss the first chapter of her upcoming book "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" (releasing January 7th). Together, they unpack the powerful names Adonai and Kyrios, exploring how God's sovereignty brings comfort in life's unfixable moments.

Key Moments:

Deep dive into Genesis 15 and Abraham's journey of faith
Discussion of the 25-year waiting period in Abraham and Sarah's story
Personal story about Michelle's first day of confirmation class
Beautiful parallel between God's covenant with Abraham and His promises to us
Special mother-sons moment discussing God's faithfulness through generations

Scripture Referenced:

Genesis 15:1-6
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 4
Hebrews 11

Quotes Worth Remembering: "God is the one who does all the verbs. He is the one that did this covenant." - Michelle

"Faith isn't something that comes from us. Perfect faith is imputed to us by God because Jesus had perfect faith." - Matthew

Connect with Michelle:

Pre-order "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" (releasing January 7th) Click here to order from Amazon

Jacob is a first-year seminary student at St. Louis, while Matthew is in his second year of the pre-seminary program at Concordia Wisconsin. Both are following their calling to become pastors.

📝 Special Note: This episode marks a unique moment in the Promised Hope Series as Michelle's sons help launch the podcast series about her new book.

Join Michelle as she sits down with Martha Van Buskirk, author of the newly book "Transcribed Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace."

From her fascinating journey from Washington DC politics to becoming a pastor's wife, Martha shares how God taught her profound lessons about identity, purpose, and the extraordinary impact of ordinary moments.

Key Topics Discussed: * Martha's transition from a high-powered career in Washington DC to seminary life and ministry * The challenge of finding identity beyond status and achievements * How God uses our "ordinary" lives for extraordinary purposes * The importance of seeing people with "gospel eyes" * Finding purpose in life's transitions and challenges

Notable Quotes: "I am a child of God. That's my identity.'" - Martha Van Buskirk

"We don't have to be famous. We don't have to have millions of social media followers to do really important work and make a difference in God's economy." - Martha Van Buskirk

Highlights: * How God uses our ordinary moments for His extraordinary purposes * The importance of being "seen" and truly seeing others * Practical ways to share kindness in everyday encounters * Understanding our unique identity as God's children

About the Book: "Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace" releases November 7th. The book encourages readers to:

Embrace their identity as God's children
Find purpose in everyday moments
See the extraordinary in ordinary acts of kindness
Connect with others through simple acts of grace

Connect with Martha Van Buskirk: Martha's Website

Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace on Amazon

This podcast episode celebrates the launch of Lindsey Hausch's new book, 'The Secret of Being Content: A Journey through Philippians.' The episode features a discussion of chapter seven of the book, which focuses on anxiety as the opposite of contentment. Lindsey Hausch, joined by the Seasoned Mamas, explores the biblical teachings on anxiety, highlighting how the words of Paul and scriptures offer guidance and tools to navigate life's challenges with peace. The episode emphasizes being enveloped in God's peace, discussing how focusing on Christ can bring contentment and combat anxiety. Practical examples from the Seasoned Mamas lives illustrate the peace that transcends understanding. The conversation concludes with a prayer, encouraging listeners to live lives of thanksgiving and rely on God's promises for peace. 00:00 Introduction and Book Launch Announcement 00:25 Special Group for Women: The Gray Space 00:43 Celebrating with the Season Mamas 01:21 Diving into Chapter Seven: Peace That Transcends Understanding 01:56 Understanding Anxiety and Contentment 04:43 Biblical Insights on Anxiety 07:01 The Story of Martha and Mary 14:47 Personal Stories of Peace 23:19 Final Thoughts and Reflections 32:38 Closing Remarks and Prayer The Secret of Being Content: A Journey Through Philippians Buy on Amazon The Grace Space where Lindsay is leading her Study on Facebook

Michelle welcomes Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award-winning hip-hop artist Flame for an in-depth discussion on Baptism.

Michelle has received many questions about Baptism over the past couple of years from people of various backgrounds. She wanted to provide a space for a conversation to help people understand some of the different beliefs surrounding Baptism.

In this episode, Flame takes us through his transformative journey, sharing how his beliefs about Baptism have changed from his Calvinistic background to his current beliefs as a Lutheran.

Flame shares what was helpful to him as he wrestled with his understanding of Baptism. He offers words of encouragement to those who are wrestling with this topic and to those who are walking alongside someone who has questions.

Our prayer is that this episode will begin to answer your questions about Baptism and serve as a starting place to learn more.

Learn more about Flames story through his book! (click here)

Listen to Flame's podcast to learn more: Extra Nos Academy

In this heartfelt episode of the Peace in His Presence podcast, host Michelle warmly welcomes special guests, The Seasoned Mamas to celebrate the upcoming release of Deb’s new book 'Immeasurably More: 100 Devotions on God's Extravagant Grace,' coming out September 24th. The episode delves into the inspiration behind the book, with Deb sharing her thought process on creating the subtopics for the devotions, all rooted in Ephesians 3:20. The session is filled with genuine moments of joy, laughter, and relatable reflections as Deb, Lindsay, Faith, and Michelle discuss the transformative power of God’s grace. The highlight is a segment where participants share their favorite Psalms, prompting spontaneous singing and deep, personal insights. Listeners are promised an uplifting and faith-filled experience as they explore how God’s word brings joy and peace even in uncertain times. This episode is especially meaningful for, overthinkers, and those who sometimes struggle with anxiety, offering comfort and reminders of God’s unwavering presence. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:07 Introducing Deb's New Book 01:36 Deb's Writing Process 03:55 The Power of Grace and Love 07:53 The Joy of Writing 12:10 Faith and Transformation 17:52 The Joyful Noise Devotion 26:20 Understanding Joy in Our Hearts 26:50 Faith and Joy in Difficult Times 29:13 Journal Prompt Discussion 31:20 Personal Reflections on Psalms 32:57 Sharing Poems and Songs 49:10 Concluding Thoughts and Announcements If you would like to find out more about Deb's Book you can click on this link.

In this episode of the Peace and His Presence podcast, host Michelle Diercks discusses her journey in becoming a certified Christian life coach and how this has helped her manage anxious thoughts.

Michelle shares her personal struggles, particularly concerning her husband's health, and introduces a scripture reading and writing plan to help listeners focus on God's Word instead of their 'what if' thoughts. She highlights the importance of relying on God's promises and finding peace in His steadfast love, even amid life's uncertainties.

Michelle invites listeners to join her on a two-month journey of writing God's word on their hearts to transition from worry to truth.

Links to the scripture reading plan and social media where daily Bible verses and devotionals.

If you do not receive my email newsletter you can sign up by clicking on this link. My newsletter is free and you do not need to pledge your support, that is not required. Substack will ask you that because there are some newsletters that have subscription fees.

You can get a copy of the Bible Reading/Writing Plan Here.

Follow Michelle on Facebook

Follow Michelle on Instagram

Follow Michelle on Tik Tok

Michelle's Website

Michelle's Book, Promised Rest

In this episode, the Michelle welcomes Tanner Olson, a poet, author, and speaker, to discuss his book, 'Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.' They explore how Tanner's simple yet profound writing offers solace and guidance amid life's uncertainties. Tanner shares insights into his creative process, emphasizing the importance of paying attention to the small things and turning them into messages of hope. They also discuss the role of prayer, the comfort in knowing God is always with us, and the journey of finding peace despite overthinking and anxiety. Throughout the conversation, Tanner reads excerpts from his book, providing a glimpse into his heartfelt poems and prayers. The episode concludes with Tanner offering a benediction from his book. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:37 Meet Tanner Olson 01:30 The Art of Simple Writing 04:04 Inspiration Behind 'Continue' 07:34 Sharing Poems from 'Continue' 15:30 Personal Reflections and Faith 22:41 The Power of Self-Talk 23:15 Navigating Grief and Uncertainty 24:24 Promoting Tanner's Work 25:23 Reading 'Krusty with Love Handles' 32:45 Reflecting on Psalm 23 34:55 Comparing to King David 36:40 Final Thoughts and Benediction Connect with Tanner on his website, Written to Speak. You can find information about Tanner's newletter and books on his website.

In this special episode, in response to the recent traumatic events and assassination attempt on President Trump, Michelle shares words of comfort and peace from God's Word. Michelle discusses tools and techniques for processing emotions, dealing with grief, and finding solace in God's promises. She emphasizes the importance of turning to scripture, particularly Philippians 4:6-7, Isaiah 26:3, and John 14:27. She provides practical advice on acknowledging and processing emotions, the benefits of movement, and journaling. Michelle also highlights the power of God's word to replace fearful thoughts with truth and comfort. Additionally, listeners are encouraged to connect with her on social media for helpful Bible verse screensavers and to explore previously released podcast episodes focused on God's word and comfort. The episode concludes with a benediction from Numbers 6:24-26, reminding us to seek God's peace during times of fear and uncertainty. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose 00:49 Scriptural Comfort in Times of Turmoil 03:19 Understanding and Processing Emotions 06:25 Practical Steps for Emotional Well-being 10:43 Resources and Final Encouragement 13:13 Closing Benediction Michelle's Facebook page Michelle's Instagram

In this episode, Michelle welcomes Christa Petzold to discuss her new book Journey Through Church History.

They discuss the inspiring stories of early martyrs Perpetua and Felicitas, highlighting their unwavering faith and hope in the face of death.

Christa shares her motivation for writing the book, aiming to make church history accessible and engaging for children and adults alike, and its potential use in homeschooling, confirmation classes, and personal study. The episode underscores the importance of understanding church history to strengthen faith and appreciate the church's enduring legacy.

This book is a little different than my normal interviews but I hope you will take the time to listen in and learn from our conversation. There is so much we can learn from church history and Christa's book is laid out beautifully, and it's engaging and compelling.

You can discover more about Christa's book and look inside by clicking here.

You can order Christa's book on Amazon.

In this special podcast episode, the Michelle invites fellow co-hosts from the Seasoned Mamas podcast, Deb Burma, Lindsey Hausch, and Faith Doerr to discuss Faith's debut book, 'God's Encouraging Word: True Comforts When Worldly Advice Fails'.

They dive into the genesis of the book, which was inspired by Faith's personal trauma and a need to address unhelpful platitudes often given during difficult times. The discussion highlights the importance of finding true comfort in God's word, contrasts between worldly advice and biblical wisdom, and provides insights into healthy ways to support others in times of distress. The episode also touches on the cultural context behind these platitudes and offers a preview of some valuable content from Faith's book.

Faith's book will be the subject of several episodes on the Seasoned Mamas Podcast, Which you can follow along with here.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Faith's book you can find it here. Click on the look inside button.

Amazon link for Faith's book

Michelle sits down with Chad Bird to talk about his book, Hitchhiking with Prophets. Chad is a scholar in residence at 1517 and host of popular Bible podcasts like "40 Minutes in the Old Testament".

In "Hitchhiking with Prophets," Chad aims to make the biblical narrative accessible even to those with little prior knowledge. Drawing from his podcast episodes outlining Old Testament stories, he vividly brings to life the engrossing accounts. A key focus is tracing the developing promise of the Messiah woven throughout the Old Testament.

Because the book covers all of the Old Testament, Michelle and Chad decided to focus in on the time of the Judges and Kings.

Chad talks about the time of the Judges, and Michelle asks him to talk more about Deborah.

They look at the first three kings and Michelle asks Chad why Jesus is called the Son of David?

Chad is an amazing teacher and it comes through in our conversation. I hope you can listen into our conversation about his book.

You can find his book here.

Check out 40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast

Follow him on Facebook or Instagram.

In this episode of the 'Peace and His Presence' podcast, Michelle explores the profound comfort and assurance found in Psalm 23. Michelle shares insights on how understanding God as our shepherd, Yahweh, can transform our perception of life's challenges and our fears. She discusses the importance of resting in God's unshakeable promises.

If you would like to learn more about the Promised Rest God offers to you, please check out Michelle's book Promised Rest. You can find it here.

Michelle has also created a Summer Bible Reading plan, which you can find here. Alternatively, you can follow her on Instagram or Facebook to save pictures to your phone.

Do you struggle with fear and anxiety when life's storms rage? In this episode of the Peace in His Presence podcast, host Michelle Diercks takes a look at Psalm 27 to reveal how we can find rest and security in God's unshakable promises.

Sharing a powerful personal story of clinging to God's truth during a potential turbulent flight, Michelle unpacks the life-changing realization that the Lord is our true shelter, light, and salvation - whom shall we fear? (Psalm 27:1)

Through meditating on this poignant psalm, you'll learn:

How to overcome fear by waiting on the Lord and being strengthened
Practical ways to anchor your heart in God's promises when doubts threaten
The unshakable peace found by embracing your identity as His beloved child
Strategies for abiding in His promised protection and provision
And more!

Whether you're facing overwhelming circumstances, crippling anxiety, or you simply need a fresh reminder of God's nearness, this episode will encourage you.

Michelle guides listeners into resting in the truth that when we make the Lord our refuge, He will see us through every fear and uncertainty of life. You'll walk away refreshed and empowered to face each day with confidence in your unshakable God.

God will strengthen your heart as you rest in Him.

The episode is designed to be a recurring source of spiritual encouragement and includes information on related resources.

A Bible reading plan for May

Michelle's book: Promise Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence.

None

Finding Rest in God's Unshakeable Promises

This episode offers solace and hope through scripture, focusing on God's loving presence and promises in times of hardship. Featured are comforting verses from Isaiah 43 and Psalm 46, emphasizing God's personal care, redemption, and strength amidst life's trials. Michelle shares insights on God’s immense power and unconditional love, illustrated by the vastness of the universe and personal anecdotes.

Michelle shares a prayer based on Psalm 46:10

The episode is designed to be a recurring source of spiritual encouragement and includes information on related resources.

A Bible reading plan for May

Michelle's book: Promise Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence.

00:00 Opening Reflections: Facing Life's Challenges

00:37 Finding Comfort in Scripture

00:55 Embracing God's Promises Through Isaiah

03:26 The Magnitude of God's Creation and Love

05:03 Psalm 46: Finding Refuge and Strength in God

06:36 A Prayerful Meditation on Psalm 46

08:09 Encouragement and Resources

None

In this episode, Michelle sits down with, author, speaker, podcast host, Katie Koplin to discuss her new book, Encouragement For Motherhood, which will be released on April 9, 2024. It is available to order now.

Katie and Michelle talk about the struggles of motherhood but also how God's grace pours out over every moment.

Michelle shares an a small reading from the book and shares a few quotes. You will want to grab your favorite beverage and soak up this interview about how God meets us right in the middle of our messes and give us His peace and strength.

Michelle was honored to be one of the contributors for this book.

Here is more about the book:

Being a mom is hard work! Few of us find that motherhood is what we expected it to be. We mothers all need a little encouragement now and then to get us through the days when things feel a little too difficult and we’re not feeling the joy in our vocation. This book offers that encouragement, rooted in and focused on Christ. We’re reminded of the work of Christ and the reality that he has established the work of our hands brings hope, peace, and sustainability to our work as mothers. Encouragement for Motherhood is honest about the struggles of motherhood. Each contributor's words are vulnerable and honest about pieces of their work as mothers. The authors write about their limitations, fear of the future, failures, and relationship dynamics. More importantly, each contributor points to the hope found amid the struggles of motherhood. The hope found is not within the mother. The hope found is freely given to each of us by Christ. Encouragement for Motherhood will not give you 30 tips and tricks to a more successful motherhood. What it provides is the gospel reminder that you are forgiven and free on account of Christ and his work. Being kept in those unfailing promises of Christ, we get to live in freedom. Living in freedom, we will fail and ask forgiveness, be confronted by our limitations but held by God, and be fearful yet rest in Christ.

You can order the book on Amazon by clicking here.

You can also listen to Katie on the Freely Given Podcast.

Join Michelle for this Good Friday Reflection and what Jesus meant when He said, It is Finshed. Stand at the foot of Calvary's Cross and remember how Jesus paid in full the debt of your sins and the sins of the whole world.

Join Michelle for this Holy Week Devotional as she talks about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

What feels impossible to you in this season of your life?

Health issues, family struggles, grieving the loss of a loved one, work challenges, or problems at church.

I invite you to hold up what seems impossible before the Lord and sit with Him, while we take a look at Mary’s story today. I know it’s not easy to look at what feels impossible but your Immanuel promises to be with you in all things and He will strengthen you and give you His peace. His promises to you are unshakable.

Listen into these Advent Reflections, while we look at Mary's story. Let's ponder how God made the impossible—possible.

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle’s book Promised Rest; if you would like to find out more about the book, you can visit michellediercks.com/rest

Connect with Michelle

What is the cry of your heart? What is the prayer you’ve been whispering over and over again to God until you wonder if you should even keep asking? But the longing lasts, and you wait in the hope of knowing that God promises to hear your prayers and that He always answers your prayers, maybe not in the way you imagined, but always out of His divine love and grace towards you.

Advent is a time of waiting. As we look back to the first Christmas. God's people had been waiting for the Messiah to come for thousands of years. The world was a broken and dark place. God’s chosen people lived under oppression. And then God himself stepped into the brokenness. To bring light into the darkness. We remember their waiting, and now we wait for Jesus to come again to take us home to heaven. Over these past few years, I’ve found myself asking the Lord many times, how long, Lord until you come back? The world feels so broken.

How do we learn how to wait? As I was writing my book Promised Rest, I learned a lot when I slowed down and spent time reading the stories of God’s people. They were familiar stories, and yet there were details I had never noticed before I saw how God was with His people, and I watched His people trust Him in circumstances beyond their control. Promised Rest is five months old, and I’ve heard from different people how they, too, have learned from these stories, and I’ve been asked if I could do more of that with women from the Bible.

And so I thought, let's take a look at the lives of the three women of Christmas and their stories. What can we learn about waiting from them? So I invite you to ponder the promises with me. Let’s look at their stories and rest in the promises. Let's learn from Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna by resting in the promises.

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle’s book Promised Rest; if you would like to find out more about the book, you can visit michellediercks.com/rest

Welcome to the final and fourth episode of The Blessings and Burdens of Friendship series. For this series, Michelle invited Christina Hergenrader to be a guest host.

In this final episode as we celebrate the joys of friendship, Michelle and Christina, invited their mutual friend, Audrey Duensing-Werner Director of Family Life Ministry.

In this episode, we dive into the story of Mary and Elizabeth in the Bible, highlighting the incredible bond they shared as friends and the support they provided each other during significant moments in their lives. We explore how their friendship exemplifies the power of connection and the blessings that can come from nurturing relationships. We also discuss our own personal experiences in finding our tribe and building community, whether it be through church groups, volunteer work, or shared hobbies.

We emphasize the importance of incorporating Jesus into our everyday interactions, recognizing that he is the foundation of true and lasting friendships. We share stories of seeking friendships in new places and the joy that comes from discovering like-minded individuals who share our faith and values.

Additionally, we touch on the importance of receiving guidance and support from older women in ministry, who can offer wisdom and mentorship as we navigate the challenges and joys of friendship. We acknowledge that friendships can be complex and at times messy, but we encourage listeners to address difficult issues with honesty and grace, as this can ultimately bring us closer and lead to a deeper understanding of one another. We celebrate the gift of friendship and the role it plays in God's plan for caring for each other, reminding listeners that even a small act of kindness can have a profound impact on someone's life and remind us of God's love present in every friendship.

Join us as we reflect on the joys of friendship and the blessings it brings into our lives in the final episode of "Blessings and Burdens of Friendship" on Peace in His Presence Podcast.

If you would like to learn more about Michelle's book Promised Rest, you can click here.

If you would like to connect with Michelle you can visit, michellediercks.com.

To connect with Christina and learn more about her and her books you can visit: http://christinasbooks.com

None

Michelle and Christina tackle the complex terrain of forgiveness and reconciliation within friendships. It's a topic that often leads to hesitation and discomfort, as we ponder whether our cherished friendships can endure the trials and tribulations that come with difficult conversations.

Friendships, like fragile stained glass windows, are susceptible to breaking. However, Michelle beautifully draws a parallel between enduring friendships and stained glass windows. Just as a shattered window can be pieced back together, friendships can emerge stronger and more beautiful after facing adversity. When we navigate the brokenness of life, we create space for God's love, mercy, and grace to fill in the cracks, transforming our bonds into something more profound than the picture-perfect friendships we envision.

Yet, not all friendships stand the test of time. The hosts delve into the reasons why friendships may fade, touching on changing interests, evolving life stages, and shifting priorities. They encourage listeners to reconnect with friends whose relationships may have dwindled, recognizing that it could simply be a matter of different seasons or life stages.

In a world where female friendships hold immense significance, this episode serves as a beacon of insight for women searching for answers to their friendship struggles. It's a reminder that navigating difficult conversations and finding the path to forgiveness can lead to beautiful outcomes.

If you're seeking guidance on overcoming friendship challenges, this episode is a must-listen. Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share the Peace in His Presence podcast.

If you would like to learn more about Michelle's book Promised Rest, you can click here.

If you would like to connect with Michelle you can visit, michellediercks.com.

To connect with Christina and learn more about her and her books you can visit: http://christinasbooks.com

None

Michelle interviews Phil Magness about his book, Church Music: For the Care of Souls.

This was a special interview as Michelle has been friends with Phil and his wife Cheryl for almost 30 years.

Michelle learned much about worship from Phil when they served at a church together many years ago.

In this interview, they talk about:

Why Phil wrote this book
The importance of Sunday morning worship but also personal worship.
Going to church, even when it's difficult
The gifts God gives to us in worship
Phil's prayer and hope for those who listen and read his book

Please click here if you want to order Church Music: For the Care of Souls.

Michelle and Christina continue their series on the blessings and burdens of friendship, by taking a look at the question, "How Many Friends Should You Have?"

What Michelle and Christina, discovered through their survey was that women of all ages and stages of life, wondered how many friends should I have? Which often leads to wondering, why don’t I have more friends?

Christina takes the lead spot, sharing a time from her life when she achieved her dream of becoming a writer but felt lonely and left out. During that period, God helped her understand that her worth wasn’t found by the number of friends she had but in Christ alone.

You are loved and valuable because you are a daughter of the King. God chose you before the foundations of the world were laid. He delighted in you before you were born. You have great value because of Jesus.

As you listen, may you be reminded that your worth is not determined by the opinions of others, but by God’s unfailing love for you.

May you rest in knowing that in Christ, you are more than enough. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

God knows you.

God loves you.

God calls you by name.

If you would like to learn more about Michelle's book Promised Rest, you can click here.

If you would like to connect with Michelle you can visit, michellediercks.com.

To connect with Christina and learn more about her and her books you can visit: http://christinasbooks.com

None

Michelle has invited Christina Hergenrader to guest host a special podcast series called "The Blessings and Burdens of Friendship." We're diving deep into this fascinating world of friendships, sharing stories, insights, and, hopefully, a lot of helpful advice along the way.

One thing that's been on our minds is this idea we like to call "wish dreams." You know, it's that perfect, almost fairytale-like image we all have of what friendship should be. We search high and low for that ideal friendship, sometimes so diligently that we miss the incredible connections God has already placed in front of us.

It's not wrong to have these ideals, but here's the catch: we live in a world filled with imperfect, broken people, ourselves included. Real friendships, which are genuinely meaningful, come with blessings and burdens. But the beautiful part is that God is right there with us in the midst of it all, pouring out His grace, teaching us how to forgive, and weaving our hearts together.

You'll also hear some personal stories from Michelle and Christina about how God brought us the friends we needed the most and the incredible lessons we learned along the way. But here's something we've noticed in our discussions – even in a world where instant connection seems to be at our fingertips, many people feel lonely. Loneliness is a prevalent issue; we will explore why and how we can tackle it together.

So, stay tuned, my friends! We're excited to embark on this friendship journey with you all, sharing our experiences and insights and providing a little companionship in this sometimes lonely world.

If you would like to learn more about Michelle's book Promised Rest, you can click here.

If you would like to connect with Michelle you can visit, michellediercks.com.

To connect with Christina and learn more about her and her books you can visit: http://christinasbooks.com

None

Often, our worries come from not being able to control a situation. The truth is that we cannot plan for all the uncertainties we will face, but we can trust our Immanuel, the God who is with us, to give us His strength and peace through all the trials and troubles we will face in this life.

When our minds become stuck in "what if" thinking, we see things from our finite viewpoint. We forget that God is infinite and that we can trust Him even when life is uncertain or doesn't make sense.

In this episode, Gretchen Ronnevik interviews Michelle about the eighth chapter of her book, Immanuel. They talk about how God is with us in all things and also some of the Bible verses that can remind us of the promises that we have in God.

If you would like to learn more about my book Promised Rest, you can click here.

If you would like to connect with you can go to my website, michellediercks.com.

If you would like to connect with Gretchen Ronnevik, please click here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

None

Does your heart feel shaken and shattered? Perhaps you feel bruised and battered from all that has happened over the last few years. You are weary and tired, and you long for peace.

God promises to be your Good Shepherd, and you can rest in His unshakable faithfulness towards you today and always.

In this episode, Sharla Fritz interviews me about my book Promised Rest; we discuss how the Good Shepherd gives us His peace.

Listen to these beautiful promises from Psalm 23, and these are not some far-off distant promises. They are for right here, right now. For every moment, every heartbeat of your life in what's happening right now and all that is to come.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his namesake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. You're Rod and your staff; they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This is the word of the Lord. It is most certainly true today and always.

Key Takeaways:

Rest in the knowledge that God holds you and cares for you. He knows your needs and is always with you, no matter your challenges. Find solace in His love and protection.
Life is often uncertain and filled with challenges. Trying to fix everything ourselves doesn't work. Instead, let's look at who God is and how He helps. That's where true comfort lies.
In my study, I've included a reflection piece to help apply these lessons to daily life. Use it throughout the day, pondering questions that prompt gratitude, releasing negative thoughts, seeking a different perspective, and remembering God's promises.
Just as a shepherd anoints their sheep, God calls us through His Word and the Sacrament, guiding us daily. Like a shepherd who pays attention to every detail about their sheep, God pays attention to every detail about us. He meets us in His Word, and we can discover something new with each reading as He reveals Himself to us. We can rest in the faithfulness and promises of the Good Shepherd and the peace of His presence.

If you would like to learn more about my book Promised Rest you can go to CPH.ORG/REST

If you would like to connect with you can go to my website, michellediercks.com.

If you would like to connect with Sharla, you can click on her name.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Author Lindsay Hausch, interviews Michelle in this episode about the 6th chapter in her book, Promised Rest. We look at how God is our peace.

In this episode, we delve into the story of Gideon, a man who found himself hiding in a wine vat, trying to thresh wheat due to the oppressive Midianites. We explored how Gideon's encounter with an angel of the Lord, who is Jesus Himself. As we reflected on Gideon's story, we couldn't help but be reminded of how God looks at us with love and compassion, even when we may struggle with fear and anxiety. Just as Gideon questioned God and asked for a sign, we, too, can bring our concerns and doubts before Him. The story of Gideon reassures us that God addresses our worries lovingly and compassionately, providing us with the peace that surpasses all understanding. In these uncertain and unsettling times, trust in God's strength and peace is more important than ever. Instead of figuring out the circumstances around us, let us rest in who God is and rely on His guidance. It's a humbling experience when we realize that, like Gideon, we are called to accomplish things that may seem impossible, but God equips us with His strength.

One passage that resonates deeply with us is 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, which talks about being hard-pressed, crushed, perplexed, and persecuted, yet not despairing, abandoned, or destroyed. We find peace in knowing that even in our difficult circumstances, God's light shines in our hearts, revealing His glory. As followers of Christ, we are like treasures in jars of clay, displaying His power. Resting in God's power and surrendering our worries to Him allows us to walk into seemingly impossible situations with His peace. It's a journey we must take together, finding solace and strength in His presence every step of the way.

As we continue to explore God's promises and find Rest in His presence, let us rebel against the chaos of the world by choosing peace. We may feel a little crazy at times, but by remembering who God is, we can find the rest and peace our souls yearn for. One simple way to rest is to immerse ourselves in the beauty of God's creation. Watch the sunrise and sunset, and marvel at the wonders He has made. Surround yourself with His Word, which is powerful even in small doses. Reflect on who God is and who you are as His beloved child, and let His peace wash over you.

Key Takeaways:

Fear makes us forget who we are as God's children. Our thoughts race with the limitations we have to solve our problems. We face the unfixable and feel shaken.
Jesus steps into our brokenness, and His faithfulness toward us is unshakable. Jesus gives us His peace and strength. We can rest in His capable hands. He holds all things together.
God's power and strength are not limited to our understanding. We don't need to look to our abilities to solve and fix our problems; we can rest in God's ability and faithfulness. We can rest in His unfailing promises.

If you want to read the first chapter of my book for free, you can go to cph.org/rest.

If you want to connect with Michelle outside of the podcast, you can go here.

If you want to learn more about Lindsay, you can go here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

What are you facing right now? Is it a problem you cannot fix? Friends, I've learned a precious truth over the years: God's grace is sufficient for every circumstance. He will provide all you need to get through each moment.

Christina Hergenrader interviews Michelle about her book Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence, and they focus on how God provides for us, even when life feels impossible.

In this episode, Michelle & Christina discuss the power of faith, promises, and peace that can be found in God's Word and how these truths remain relevant even amid today's challenges.

But this episode takes a personal turn as our hosts, both mothers with older children, share their experiences of facing new challenges and the struggle of letting go of their own visions for their children's lives. They draw parallels to their own journeys as mothers entering a new phase of life, referencing the story of Moses's mother, Jochebed, and the biblical account of Abraham and Isaac.

They openly discuss the pain, sorrow, and joy of parenting adult children and touch on the importance of letting go and surrendering control and how this can lead to a deeper understanding of God's provision. They also delve into the counterintuitive nature of finding peace and strength in Christ, especially when life feels overwhelming.

Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Challenges are not new: Throughout history, God has always provided for His people in their moments of uncertainty, just like He did for Abraham and Moses's families. We can find hope and strength in the stories of His provision.
2️⃣ Letting go and trusting God: As parents, we may struggle with relinquishing control as our children grow up and face new challenges. Like Abraham, we can find peace in letting go and trusting in God's provision for our children's lives.
3️⃣ God provides a way out: In the midst of grief, breakups, or other difficult situations, when all seems lost, God provides a "ram in the thicket." His strength and peace are experienced by those who have been through it, offering hope and a way forward.
4️⃣ Remember, God's love and provision are steadfast even in the most impossible situations. You can rest in who He is and His promises to you. He is your Promised Rest.

To connect with Michelle please visit peaceinhispresencepodcast.com

If you would like to connect with Christina Hergenrader(click here).

If you would like to read the first chapter of Promised Rest you can go to CPH.ORG/Rest.

You can also find Michelle's book on Amazon.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Have you ever wrestled with these questions?

How can I trust God when life doesn't make sense?
How do I trust God when He doesn't answer my prayer right away?
How can I trust God when He doesn't fix my problems in the way I thought He would?

If you've struggled with these questions or ones similar, you are not alone; I've wrestled with all of them.

In this fourth episode of the Promised Rest Series, Katie Koplin interviewed me about God's name of El Shaddai and what does that mean for us in our lives?

How does knowing God as El Shaddai help you through the joys and sorrows of life?

The name of God, El Shaddai, means Almighty and powerful. It also means that God is sufficient in all things, and He doesn't need anyone's help.

In Psalm 91, we are reminded that God is our refuge and shelter. The psalmist declares that those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, who abide under the shadow of the Almighty, find rest and protection in God. In times of trouble or uncertainty, we can find comfort in knowing that God is our safe haven and refuge. He is our fortress against the storms of life, where we can find shelter and peace. The image of God as our refuge emphasizes His divine protection and care. Just as a physical shelter shields us from harm, God surrounds and covers us with his love and power. We can trust in his faithfulness and depend on his strength to provide us with security. The challenges and chaos of the world may feel overwhelming, but in God's presence, we find rest and a sense of belonging. He is our shelter in the storm, our safe place in the midst of uncertainty, and our constant source of peace.

Here are three key takeaways from this episode:

1️⃣ God's Promised Rest: Discover the significance of God's promise to always be with us and invite us to rest in His presence. Learn about the Promised Rest series and the upcoming release of a captivating book called "Promise Rest" by our host, which provides deep insights into finding peace in the midst of life's uncertainties.

2️⃣ Faith and Imperfections: Understand that faith doesn't always have to look a certain way. Explore how even in moments of wavering faith or when we trip up in our journey, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. Find comfort in the knowledge that we are covered by the robes of righteousness earned by Him on the cross.

3️⃣ Journey of Abraham and Sarah: Dive into the remarkable story of Abraham and Sarah, who waited 24 years for God to fulfill His promise of a child. Find inspiration in their perseverance and the lessons we can learn from their faith journey. Discover how their story teaches us that God's promises remain steadfast, even when we make mistakes or lack faith.

If you haven’t had a chance to receive the first chapter of my book yet, you can go to CPH.ORG/Rest. If you have read it, can you think of some friends who might be interested in reading it? Maybe you have a Bible Study group that would be interested? If you could share the link with them I would be so grateful for your help in getting the word out about Promised Rest. I've heard from a lot of different Bible Study groups that going through Promised Rest together was a blessing to them.

If you would like to connect with Michelle, you can visit her website at peaceinhispresencepodcast.com

If you would like to connect with Katie (click here).

You can listen to the Freely Given Podcast Here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Have you ever found yourself in a story you didn’t choose? Perhaps you have felt unseen by those who should love and care for you. It’s a lonely place, but here is the precious truth, God will never leave you, and He is your El Roi, the God who sees you and knows you by name.

Donna Snow, a great friend of the podcast interviews me about the 3rd chapter of my book, El Roi.

In this episode we talk about:

The story of Hagar and how she gave God the name El Roi.
Some of the promises we can find in knowing God as El Roi.
How does knowing God as El Roi help us in our daily lives?

Learn more about Michelle's book

Connect with Michelle you can go here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Do you ever wonder how God could love you?

The world will point out your sins and tell you that you’re not good enough for God to love you. But God steps into your story and shows you through Jesus how much He loves you.

In this episode, Deb Burma interviews me about my book, Promised Rest, and we talk about the name Abba, which means papa or daddy. This means that God’s love for you is beyond measure, like that of a beloved child. Nothing can separate you from His love.

To better understand how God loves you as Abba, we’ll look at how God loves you through the story of the Prodigal son. If you’ve ever struggled with wondering how God could love you, you’ll see through this story how God runs toward you and tells you that you’re enough because of Jesus.

God’s grace and mercy are deeper than your sins; that is His promise towards you.

Promises we can rest in because God is our Abba.
Michelle’s favorite passage that uses the name Abba
Michelle’s prayer for the listener/reader as they contemplate God’s name as Abba.

Learn more about Michelle's book here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

When life looks uncertain, what do you cling to? Do your thoughts turn towards God or how you might fix what is wrong? But what if—you can’t fix it? What happens then?

What you believe to be true about God changes how you live your life and face each moment.

Jesus says, come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. This rest is for right now in this moment. He offers you, Promised Rest, amid all the uncertainties of life. It is His gracious gift to you.

I write more about this topic in my book, Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence. It is a meditation on God's various names and characteristics to deepen your understanding of Him and your identity as His beloved Child.

This summer, I’m celebrating the first year of Promised Rest being available and I’m re-releasing the podcast episodes I made for each chapter of the book with special guests who interviewed me about the book.

In this episode, Michelle's sisters take over the mic to interview her about the first chapter in her book, which is about the name Elohim.

If you would like to find out more about Promised Rest, you can go to michellediercks.com/rest or you can find it on Amazon or CPH.org

In this episode, they talk about what happens when you can't fix what is wrong? What do you do? How does knowing God as Elohim help you?

Michelle share's a prayer for you and it is one that you can use when life feels uncertain and you need to be reminded of who God is and who you are as His child.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

None

In this episode, Michelle sits down and talks to award-winning Christian rapper and hip-hop artist Flame about his upcoming book, Extra Nos: Discovering Grace Outside Myself.

We talk about Flame’s faith journey through different denominations. This conversation is honest and genuine, and he shares his struggles in wondering if he was saved, which led to thoughts he was doing enough for God to like him.

Here are some of the things that we discuss:
He talks about his struggles with the Reformed teaching on predestination
Flame shares how his views have changed on Baptism and the Lord’s Supper through the careful study of church history and scripture.
Encouragement for those who are struggling with their faith
Flame advises on how to talk to someone who has different beliefs than you

Learn more about Flames book! (click here)

Listen to Flame's podcast: Extra Nos Academy

Connect with Michelle

Michelle sits down with Emily Belvery, to talk about her book, Together We Believe, which is about the Apostles Creed. Emily wrote this for her time as a missionary in Asia to help her students understand what we believe as Christians.

We talk about:

Why she wrote the study
What she learned
Some stories from her time as a missionary

I learned a lot from my conversation with Emily, I hope you can take some time to listen.

Find out more about Together We Believe

Connect with Michelle

Are you facing a problem you cannot solve? You may have tried everything you can think of, and you cannot fix it no matter how hard you try. You are worn out and weary, and you long for rest.

God promises us rest in His Word and through Him. Proverbs 3:5 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. There is great comfort in these words—until we take our problems back into our own hands again. It's a daily struggle for many of us, so I invited Deb Burma to come on the podcast and share a devotional from her book, Leaning on Jesus, which will release on May 9th.

You can learn more about this book and read the first chapter for free here.

Connect with Deb

Connect with Michelle

Do you feel like you are facing a problem where your ability to solve your challenges leaves your heart empty and aching? If you look closely at the experience the Israelites had in the wilderness, you will see how God blessed them with gifts amid their everyday struggles.

In this episode, I talk to Author Lindsay Hausch about her new book, God's Provision in a Wilderness World, where she helps you to focus on the promises and presence of Jesus in God's Word. Sometimes God's manna to you is a gift wrapped in a struggle. Manna reminds you that your mercies are new every morning as God refreshes and feeds your soul.

In this episode, we also talk about: Why Lindsay wrote this book How sometimes God's manna for us is provided through a person Life is bittersweet, filled with hard and holy moments Lindsay's prayer for those who read her book

If you would like to read a sample chapter from Lindsay's book or order you can click here.

Connect with Michelle

Are you comforted by the Church? Are you irritated by the Church? Does the thought of walking into those doors on a Sunday morning bring you peace, or does it bring you anxiety? Maybe you've been hurt by the Church or people who attend your Church.

Societal pressures, frustration caused by bureaucracy and abuse within churches, and the negative perception of institutions today result in pain and confusion around the idea of "church."

In this podcast episode, I sat down to talk to Christa Petzold, author of Gathered by Christ: The Overlooked Gift of Church, to speak with her about her book.

In this episode, we talk about:

The Gifts of the Church How much Jesus loves the Church The Church can never be destroyed How Jesus sees the Church The comfort and the blessings of the Church

If you would like to learn more about Christa's book click here.

Connect with Christa

Connect with Michelle

Sometimes life is unfair and we wait for God to work things out.

The life story of Joseph is one of the most beloved and chronicled in the Bible. It's a story of broken dreams and impossible circumstances, of family conflict and unfair treatment. It's a story of the power and necessity of letting God's love and forgiveness lead.

Joseph waited for twenty years for God's plan to unfold. Over and over as we read his story we hear how God was with him.

In the midst of it all, Joseph told his brothers that God used all of it good.

In this episode, Michelle talks to author Donna Snow about her latest book, Meant for good, which is a study of the life of Joseph.

Connect with Michelle

Click here to learn more about Donna's Book

Connect with Donna

Sometimes our faith walk is compared to a race, but as we get bogged down with the struggles and challenges of life, we find ourselves limping, and most days, we sense that the Lord is carrying us and holding us up as we limp through life.

In this episode, Michelle sits down and talks to Chad Bird, about his most recent book, Limping with God: Jacob & the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship.

Chad talks about:

Why he wrote the book
What he learned while writing the book, this was a fun fact to learn.
How forgiveness is dying to ourselves and how God helps us to forgive
Chad explains what fruitful winters are.
We also talk about Jacob's ladder and how the story is different and better than the one we probably learned in Sunday School.

Throughout the conversation, you will be reminded of God's mercy and grace and how he pours it out over us again and again.

Here are links where you can learn more about Chad and 1517.org.

40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast

1517.org

Limping with God on Amazon

None

Do you struggle with knowing how to read the Bible?

Do you wish you knew what questions to ask as you read God's Word?

Do you long for a resource that would be simple to use in Bible Study?

Pastor Andy Jones has written an incredible book that will be a valuable resource to all who read it. He gives the reader ten questions to ask as they read the Bible. You don't have to have a theology degree in order to use them, but even if you do have one, you will love how they help you dig into the text of scripture.

In this episode, Andy and Michelle use the Ten Questions to go through Joshual 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Order Ten Questions To Ask Every Time You Read the Bible

Andy Jones Website

Andy Jones Twitter

Andy Jones Instagram

Connect with Michelle

None

How do you see yourself?

How you answer that question makes a difference in how you go through life.

Before the foundations of the world were laid, God chose you to be His very own. His choosing of you wasn't based on anything you would do or accomplish in your life. He chose you because He loves you as His precious child.

Sometimes we get stuck in thinking that we are the sum of our sins or that we are the sum of our good deeds. In this episode, Michelle and Katie Koplin look at Colossians 3, what it means to be chosen by God, and the difference it makes in our daily lives.

If you would like to learn more about Michelle's book Promised Rest you can go here.

Michelle's website

Katie Koplin Instagram

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/your-beauty License code: QWUZQWECGTBXVHSD

Michelle sits down with writer and speaker Katie Koplin to talk about what it means to know that you are Hidden in Christ from Colossians chapter 3.

What a gift God gives to you through Baptism that you become Hidden in Christ and the work that He has done for you on the cross. Becasue you are hidden in Him, you have received every spiritual blessing that has been given to Him.

You can face each day knowing that God is your hiding place and that whatever life brings you can trust Him to walk you through it.

God stands guard over you and you can trust Him with every moment. Michelle and Katie talk about the lens on how you view your life and the importance of remembering to view it as God's child.

Michelle's podcast is sponsored by her book, Promised Rest, you can find more about her and book and what people are saying by clicking on this sentence.

Connect with Katie Koplin on Instagram

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

None

Advent is a time for waiting, but it’s also a season of trying to cram long to-do lists in our already overbooked calendars.

Maybe like me, you feel anxious by all the expectations you’ve placed on your calendar to have everything done and perfect for the holidays. Expectations can leave us feeling anxious because what happens when life changes? You can plan everything perfectly, but people can get sick, winter storms come, and travel plans can change.

Maybe we could learn to view life through expectant joy instead of expectations. How do we do that? We can learn from the stories of Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna.

In the midst of all the uncertainties of life, you can rest in the certainty of God’s promises to you. They are unshakeable. God gives you joy as a gift and it cannot be taken away from you.

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle’s book Promised Rest; if you would like to find out more about the book, you can visit cph.org/rest.

Connect with Michelle

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/your-beauty License code: QWUZQWECGTBXVHSD

What feels impossible to you in this season of your life?

Health issues, family struggles, grieving the loss of a loved one, work challenges, or problems at church.

I invite you to hold up what seems impossible before the Lord and sit with Him, while we take a look at Mary’s story today. I know it’s not easy to look at what feels impossible but your Immanuel promises to be with you in all things and He will strengthen you and give you His peace. His promises to you are unshakable.

Listen into these Advent Reflections, while we look at Mary's story. Let's ponder how God made the impossible—possible.

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle’s book Promised Rest; if you would like to find out more about the book, you can visit cph.org/rest.

Connect with Michelle

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/your-beauty License code: QWUZQWECGTBXVHSD

What is the cry of your heart? What is the prayer you’ve been whispering over and over again to God until you wonder if you should even keep asking? But the longing lasts, and you wait in the hope of knowing that God promises to hear your prayers and that He always answers your prayers, maybe not in the way you imagined, but always out of His divine love and grace towards you.

Advent is a time of waiting. As we look back to the first Christmas. God's people had been waiting for the Messiah to come for thousands of years. The world was a broken and dark place. God’s chosen people lived under oppression. And then God himself stepped into the brokenness. To bring light into the darkness. We remember their waiting, and now we wait for Jesus to come again to take us home to heaven. Over these past few years, I’ve found myself asking the Lord many times, how long, Lord until you come back? The world feels so broken.

How do we learn how to wait? As I was writing my book Promised Rest, I learned a lot when I slowed down and spent time reading the stories of God’s people. They were familiar stories, and yet there were details I had never noticed before I saw how God was with His people, and I watched His people trust Him in circumstances beyond their control. Promised Rest is five months old, and I’ve heard from different people how they, too, have learned from these stories, and I’ve been asked if I could do more of that with women from the Bible.

And so I thought, let's take a look at the lives of the three women of Christmas and their stories. What can we learn about waiting from them? So I invite you to ponder the promises with me. Let’s look at their stories and rest in the promises. Let's learn from Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna by resting in the promises.

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle’s book Promised Rest; if you would like to find out more about the book, you can visit cph.org/rest.

Connect with Michelle

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/your-beauty
License code: QWUZQWECGTBXVHSD

Michelle interviews author and speaker Heidi Goehmann on her newest book, Emotions & the Gospel Created For Connection.

In this episode, we talk about the following:

why Heidi wrote this book
what did she learn while writing the book
processing emotions and why it’s important

We also look at contemplation as a way to process our emotions and at the emotion anticipation in preparation for the Holidays.

Heidi shares some practical tips and tools for using contemplation, to help your process your emotions, as you gather with family and friends.

Check out Heidi's Book

Heidi's Website

Michelle's Website

Michelle's book, Promised Rest.

None

None

How do you respond to pressure? Perhaps like me, the last couple of years have weighed heavy upon your heart as the stress of the pandemic, economic changes, the political climate in our country, and the stressors of daily life piled up.

How do you move forward when it feels like you are burdened down by the pressure and stress? The Lord promises his steadfast love and faithfulness to us as we walk through and as He carries our burdens for us.

He also give to us His grace to sustain us through the pressures of life.

Michelle sits down to talk with Pastor and author, Chris Kennedy, about his book Grace Under Pressure, Using Jesus' seven statements from the cross, Chris shows the incredibly stressful situations Jesus endured and how He handled them with grace, giving us a model on how to respond to our stresses with grace.

Michelle's prayer is that you would be encouraged by this conversation.

Grace Under Pressure

Chris Kennedy's Website

Connect with Michelle

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle's book Promised Rest. If you would like to learn more about her book, you can click here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

None

How do you respond to pressure? Perhaps like me, the last couple of years have weighed heavy upon your heart as the stress of the pandemic, economic changes, the political climate in our country, and the stressors of daily life piled up.

How do you move forward when it feels like you are burdened down by the pressure and stress? The Lord promises his steadfast love and faithfulness to us as we walk through and as He carries our burdens for us.

He also give to us His grace to sustain us through the pressures of life.

Michelle sits down to talk with Pastor and author, Chris Kennedy, about his book Grace Under Pressure, Using Jesus' seven statements from the cross, Chris shows the incredibly stressful situations Jesus endured and how He handled them with grace, giving us a model on how to respond to our stresses with grace.

Michelle's prayer is that you would be encouraged by this conversation.

Grace Under Pressure

Chris Kennedy's Website

Connect with Michelle

The Peace in His Presence Podcast is sponsored by Michelle's book Promised Rest. If you would like to learn more about her book, you can click here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Michelle talked to Margo Heath Dupre about her book, Be Thou My Guide: A Bible Study on Trusting God.

Margo wrote down all of her questions for God in journals for over 18 years. She spent time searching and reading scripture to understand more about how she could trust God. As she studied she looked to different people in the Bible and learned from them and their stories on what it looks like to trust God in our daily lives.

This book was developed from the journals she kept over the years.

During our conversation Margo and I talk about a couple of the questions in her study and I think they are ones that we would all ask ourselves.

What is happening in my life that I need to be strong and courageous?
How can we stay focused on God instead of our circumstances?

I loved my conversation with Margo, it was an encouragement to me and I pray that it will to you as well.

Be Thou My Guide: A Bible Study on Trusting God

Margo on Facebook

Margo on Instagram

Promised Rest

Michelle's Website

Does your hope feel frayed right now? Or do you feel like your prayers are stuck on repeat? You or a loved one is facing a problem you cannot fix, and your mind stirs with "What if" thinking. In this episode, Michelle shares a simple practice that she learned from Heidi Goehmann during the Reflection Mini Challenge about what you can do with your "what if" thoughts. Michelle also shares how we can look at our problems through the lens of God's promises to us. * God holds you in His capable hands * You are loved beyond measure * God is your shelter and refuge * God's power is made perfect in weakness * God's grace is sufficient for each moment you face

You can click here if you haven't listened to the Reflection Mini Challenge episode. Please click here if you would like to receive the Reflection Mini Challenge through email. If you would like to read the first chapter of Michelle's book Promised Rest, click here. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

One of my favorite people to talk to about emotional and mental health is Heidi Goehmann. God allowed our lives to intersect because of our love for words and His Word.

Throughout my life, I've labeled my emotions as positive or negative, and when I perceived my emotions through an unfavorable lens, I would feel ashamed. Through my friendship with Heidi, I learned we don't need to label our emotions as good or bad.

Heidi and I invite you to join us in our conversation about emotions and how we can use reflection and God's Word to help us move through the challenges we face.

We’ve created a Reflection Mini Challenge that we will share on Instagram, Facebook, or email. The challenge will take place September 26 – 30th.

It’s five days, five moments to reflect, simple and created to fit in and around your schedule.

We will teach you a simple way to pause in God's presence through reflection that you can use throughout your day.

Heidi and I hosted a Facebook live to talk more about the Reflection Mini challenge, and I thought I would share a part of it through this podcast. I hope you can listen in and follow the challenge.

If you sign up through email, you will be entered to win a devotional book that Heidi and I, along with 50 other female authors, contributed to, it is called Words of Peace and Protection, and I’ve had a preview. It is exactly what we need in this season of life.

Sign up through email for the Reflection mini challenge

Michelle Diercks Instagram

Michelle Diercks Facebook

Promised Rest Info (Michelle's book)

Heidi Goehmann Instagram

Heidi Goehmann Facebook

Have you ever messed up or made an unfixable mistake? Your failures do not have the final say over you, God does, and I love how Sharla writes about this in her new book, Measured by Grace.

I hope you can take the time to listen in and learn how God sees us as enough in Christ Jesus. I loved my conversation with Sharla; even though I read through her book in preparation for the interview, I learned so much from our time together.

Learn More About Measured By Grace

Connect with Sharla

If you would like to learn more about Michelle's book Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence, you can click here.

If you want to join Michelle on Facebook to go through her book Promised Rest, you can join this group. The Grace Space

Michelle on Facebook and Instagram

Heidi on Facebook and Instagram

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

In this episode, I talk to Heidi Goehmann who is a licensed clinical social worker and licensed independent mental health professional about reflection and how it impacts our mental health and how it helps us emotionally and spiritually.

We talk about this through the lens of the Five R’s of Reflection that I have in my book, Promised Rest.

The following is a condensed version of the five Rs:

Rejoice: what are you grateful for?
Release: what cares or concerns do you need to give to God?
Reframe: are there thoughts about yourself, others, and God that need to change?
Remember: What do you want to remember about God’s name, characteristic, or action?
Rest: What promise of God can you rest in today?

Heidi and I also want to invite you to join us the week of August 29th for a Mini reflection challenge on Instagram. We will be sharing more details as it gets closer but for now, make sure you are following us there.

Michelle Diercks Instagram

Michelle Diercks Website

Promised Rest Info

Heidi Goehmann Instagram

Heidi Goehmann Website

Often, our worries come from not being able to control a situation. The truth is that we cannot plan for all the uncertainties we will face, but we can trust our Immanuel, the God who is with us, to give us His strength and peace through all the trials and troubles we will face in this life.

When our minds become stuck in "what if" thinking, we see things from our finite viewpoint. We forget that God is infinite and that we can trust Him even when life is uncertain or doesn't make sense.

In this episode, Gretchen Ronnevik interviews Michelle about the eighth chapter of her book, Immanuel. They talk about how God is with us in all things and also some of the Bible verses that can remind us of the promises that we have in God.

If you would like to learn more about my book Promised Rest, you can go to CPH.ORG/REST

If you would like to connect with you can go to my website, michellediercks.com.

If you would like to connect with Gretchen Ronnevik, please click here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Does your heart feel shaken and shattered? Perhaps you feel bruised and battered from all that has happened over the last couple of years. You are weary and tired and you long for peace.

God promises to be your Good Shepherd and you can rest in His unshakable faithfulness towards you today and always.

In this episode, Sharla Fritz, interviews me about my book Promised Rest, we talk about how the Good Shepherd gives us His peace.

If you would like to learn more about my book Promised Rest you can go to CPH.ORG/REST

If you would like to connect with you can go to my website, michellediercks.com.

If you would like to connect with Sharla, you can click on her name.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Fear makes us forget who we are as God’s children. Our thoughts race with the limitations we have to solve our problems. We face the unfixable and feel shaken.

Jesus steps into our brokenness, and His faithfulness towards us is unshakeable. Jesus gives us His peace and strength. We can rest in His capable hands. He holds all things together.

God's power and strength are not limited to our understanding. We don't need to look to our abilities to solve and fix our problems; we can rest in God's ability and faithfulness. We can rest in His unfailing promises.

Lindsay Hausch interviews me in this episode, and we talk about the 6th chapter of my book, Promised Rest.

If you want to read the first chapter of my book for free, you can go to cph.org/rest.

If you want to connect with Michelle outside of the podcast, you can go here.

If you want to learn more about Lindsay, you can go here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

What are you facing right now? Is it a problem you cannot fix? Friends here is a precious truth I’ve learned over the years, that God’s grace is sufficient for every circumstance. He will provide all you need to get through each moment.

In this episode, Christina Hergenrader, interview's Michelle about how God provides for us, even when life feels impossible.

If you would like to connect with Michelle(clickhere)

If you would like to connect with Christina Hergenrader(click here).

If you would like to read the first chapter of Promised Rest you can go to CPH.ORG/Rest.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Have you ever wrestled with these questions?

How can I trust God when life doesn't make sense?
How do I trust God when He doesn’t answer my prayer right away?
How can I trust God when He doesn't fix my problems in the way I thought He should?

If you've struggled with these questions or ones similar you are not alone, I'v wrestled with all of them.

In this fourth episode of the Promised Rest Series, Katie Koplin interview me about God's name of El Shaddai and what does that mean for us in our lives?

How does knowing God as El Shaddai, help me through the joys and sorrows of life?

If you haven’t had a chance to receive the first chapter of my book yet, you can go to CPH.ORG/Rest. If you have read it, can you think of some friends who might be interested in reading it? Maybe you have a Bible Study group that would be interested? If you could share the link with them I would be so grateful for your help in getting the word out about Promised Rest, which will be released on June 7.

If you would like to connect with Michelle (click here).

If you would like to connect with Katie (click here).

You can listen to the Freely Given Podcast Here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Have you ever found yourself in a story you didn’t choose? Perhaps you have felt unseen by those who should love and care for you. It’s a lonely place, but here is the precious truth, God will never leave you, and He is your El Roi, the God who sees you and knows you by name.

Donna Snow, a great friend of the podcast interviews me about the 3rd chapter of my book, El Roi.

In this episode we talk about:

The story of Hagar and how she gave God the name El Roi.
Some of the promises we can find in knowing God as El Roi.
How does knowing God as El Roi help us in our daily lives?

If you would like the opportunity to read the first chapter of this book, you can go to CPH.ORG/Rest to sign up to receive a copy.

If you would like to connect with Michelle you can go here.

If you would like to connect with Donna and learn more about her ministry you can go here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

Do you ever wonder how God could love you?

The world will point out your sins and tell you that you’re not good enough for God to love you. But God steps into your story and shows you through Jesus how much He loves you.

In this episode, Deb Burma interviews me about my book, Promised Rest, and we talk about the name Abba, which means papa or daddy. This means that God’s love for you is beyond measure, like that of a beloved child. Nothing can separate you from His love.

To better understand how God loves you as Abba, we’ll look at how God loves you through the story of the Prodigal son. If you’ve ever struggled with wondering how God could love you, you’ll see through this story how God runs toward you and tells you that you’re enough because of Jesus.

God’s grace and mercy are deeper than your sins; that is His promise towards you.

Promises we can rest in because God is our Abba.
Michelle’s favorite passage that uses the name Abba
Michelle’s prayer for the listener/reader as they contemplate God’s name as Abba.

For more things like this, you can read the first chapter of my book for free at cph.org/rest.

You can connect with Michelle at michellediercks.com/podcast

You can connect with Deb at Debburma.com

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

When life looks uncertain, what do you cling to? Do your thoughts turn towards God or how you might fix what is wrong? But what if—you can’t fix it? What happens then?

What you believe to be true about God changes how you live your life and face each moment.

I write more about this topic in my book, Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God’s Presence. It is a meditation on God's various names and characteristics to deepen your understanding of Him and your identity as His beloved Child.

To get ready for the release of my Bible Study, I’ve invited guests to come on the show, but instead of me interviewing them, they will take over my mic and interview me about a chapter of the book.

In this episode, Michelle's sisters take over the mic to interview her about the first chapter in her book, which is about the name Elohim.

In this episode, they talk about what happens when you can't fix what is wrong? What do you do? How does knowing God as Elohim help you?

Michelle share's a prayer for you and it is one that you can use when life feels uncertain and you need to be reminded of who God is and who you are as His child.

If you would like to read the first chapter of my book for free, you can sign up to receive it at CPH.ORG/Rest

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/will-you-marry-me
License code: 1VYEPUIH4UMCZLFG

When you are weary, do you have trouble concentrating? Perhaps you even notice this struggle when you are reading the Bible, and you find yourself reading the same passage over and over again.

Friends, I don’t ask you these questions to make you feel guilt or shame. I ask a friend who shares in this struggle too.

In this final episode of the Weary Traveler Series, we will share a grace-filled practice called Visual Faith Ministry.

Pat Maier and Connie Denninger, the co-founders of Visual Faith Ministry, join us to talk about why they started this ministry and all that it has to offer.

Here is what they discovered when talking with people about reading their Bible and their prayer time.

Everybody had trouble slowing down, paying attention, and dealing with distractions.

Educational research led them to understand that 75% of all people are visual, kinesthetic learners. And so, based on that and the conversation they had, they started to develop different tools and ideas to help people.

Deb and I wanted to share this important resource with you because it has helped us in our faith journey. Visual Faith Ministry has created a beautiful website filled with free tools and resources, and you can find them here.

They also have a wonderful Facebook group where you can learn more about the Visual Faith Practices, ask questions, and connect with others; you click here to join.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

Are you weary from all the anxious thoughts you have swirling about through your soul and minds as you look at the brokenness in the world? And do you just wish you knew the right words to pray, or what can you say to God?

Michelle and Deb sat down and talked to Dr. Dan Paavola about his book, Our Way Home: A Journey through the Lord's Prayer. (Click here to learn more about the book.)

In our conversation, we cover:

Why would God give us a prayer that we could pray over and over again?
Can we still pray to God even when we feel frustrated that He hasn’t answered our prayer yet or that He didn’t answer our prayers the way we wanted him to?
How can we use this prayer as the basis for our prayer life?
How will praying this prayer make a difference when we feel so weary from life right now? God already knows how we feel/think. Does it make a difference when we keep talking to Him about the same things?
Take the time to listen, there is so much more in this episode. Dr. Paavola speaks and teaches with a Pastor's heart. His love for God's Word and His people shines through in this episode.

You can also watch the video teaching on the Lord's Prayer with Dr. Paavola by clicking here.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

Michelle and Deb sit down and talk to Faith Doerr

How do you think about your thoughts and your feelings? Do you try and ignore them and hope they will sort themselves out? Magically get better?

Michelle and Deb wanted to address the importance of mental and emotional health and they invited their friend and fellow author, Faith Doerr to sit with them to have an honest conversation about mental health.

We invite you to sit at the table with us for this important conversation. Here are a few of the topics we cover:

*Naming your feelings (fine and okay are not feelings).

*The importance of talking through your struggles.

*We may not know why we feel a certain way and that is okay

*Practical tools to help you with your thoughts and feelings

I loved this conversation with Faith and Deb and we invite you to share it with others because God created us to live in community with each other and to help each other.

You can learn more about Faith here

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

When sorrow stirs in your soul, how do you face it? Maybe like me, you want to look away because it feels too heavy for you to carry, and you wonder how you will bear its load.

If you have ever been overwhelmed by loss, devastated by a disaster, or weighed down by defeat, you know what sorrow feels like.

It’s no wonder you may want to look away…you may even wonder how you can face a new day.

Jesus steps into your sorrow, and he carries it for you. The sorrow you are facing does not have the final say over the story of your life. As we face our sorrow, we can look beyond it to the Hope that we have in our Savior Jesus, the One who carries our sorrow and gives us His strength.

In this episode, Deb and Michelle, look at when sorrow makes us weary? What can we do? They share five different ways you can express your sorrow to God. Parts of this episode were from Deb Burma's Bible Study Be Still and Know: A Study of Rest and Refuge (Click here to learn more about the study)

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

Have you ever grown so weary from waiting that your heart aches with sadness? You wonder if God is still listening. The silence causes your soul to hang heavy with sorrow and the scars run deep. But here are some precious truths:

God always hears the cries of your heart.
God’s grace goes deeper than your sorrow
God will never leave you nor forsake you
God cannot break His promises to you.

Jesus says come all who are weary and I will give you rest. You will never bear your burdens alone.

In this episode, Michelle and Deb, look at the story of Hannah and how she pours out her heart before God. Hannah was weary from many things and God met her in her weariness and gave her His strength.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

How do you see yourself walking into 2022?

Stepping in with confidence
Sliding in like a ballplayer to home base and hoping you are safe
Smiling but underneath you feel like you are barely holding on
Searching for a place to rest and to try and breathe normal again.

Maybe you relate to one or all of these statements. There isn’t a right or wrong answer.

I’ve spent a lot of time listening this past year and I’ve noticed that all of us are weary in some way.

As we peer ahead into 2022 we wonder what life will look like? Do we want to know?

We long for peace.

We long for hope.

We long for connection and to not be divided.

The scars of sorrow run deep through our souls from the past couple of years and we wonder how much more can we handle?

Jesus says come to me all who weary and I will give you rest. We don’t enter this year on our own, but we enter into with our Immanuel, the God who is with us. Jesus gives you His peace and the rest He promises is for this moment and all the moments to come.

Friends, I am so excited. Deb Burma will be co-hosting a special podcast series with me called Weary Traveler.

In this episode, we will take a look at Psalm 63 and see how God strengthened King David’s weary heart and how this Psalm can help you too.

Deb and I will also share some ideas of what you can do when you are feeling weary.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/through-darkness
License code: 27VKNUPK6CPXSHYO

Michelle was delighted to sit down with author, Anita McVey to talk to her about her devotional book, Because He First Fed Us.

Before God created mankind, He created a garden. God was preparing a meal for us before we arrived. He gave us our senses to fully appreciate and enjoy this world. He gave us our family and friends and opportunities to share with each other and with strangers. And He gave us His Word.

Food is a love language. It nourishes, heals, comforts and delights the body and the soul. There is a way to make delicious food even better: share it. When food is transformed into a meal, it becomes love in action. All the senses are engaged: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. Memories are revived. Stories are told. Gratitude is expressed. Conversations flow and wisdom is gleaned. Even the dirty dishes have a story to tell.

Listen in as Michelle talks to Anita about her book, why she wrote it, and you get to hear from the author about a couple of the devotions in the book.

You can read more about her book here.

You can learn more about Anita on her website, Picniclifefoodie.com

Have you ever noticed how your negative thoughts can become relentless, like a neighborhood bully? Your thought life impacts your emotions.

What can we do when we are struggling? God invites us to sit with Him and to pour our hearts before Him. He wants to listen.

As we empty out our frustrations and grief before Him, God fills us with His peace and surrounds us with His love. God holds you in His capable hands and will give you His strength to move forward.

Take some time to listen in to this episode. Michelle shares how Psalm 25 helped her to work through some difficult emotions.

As we enter into this Advent Season, we remember that the God of all creation steps into our story, which is His story. Our Immanuel meets us right where we are at, and He loves us beyond measure. He is with us in each moment of our life, holding us in His capable hands. What did this past year hold for you? Unexpected joy. Unspeakable pain. Anxiety and fear. Delightful moments. Managed or unmanaged chaos. Heart-crushing grief. Sickness. Separation from loved ones. Overwhelming emotions. Circumstances you did not choose. In every circumstance, God was with you. He holds you in His capable hands. Listen in as Michelle talks about the Hope Jesus gives us in uncertainty.

Are your thoughts a tangled mess as you try to sort through a problem you face? Your mind and heart grow weary as you struggle to find a solution.

Somethings in life cannot be fixed on our own, and God invites us to put our trials and troubles into His most capable hands.

God offers us Himself as a shelter, and He promises us to strengthen our hearts as we walk with Him to face whatever comes next.

Do you feel tension in your shoulders more often than you would like? Have you caught yourself holding your breath as if waiting for bad news? Is there an ache in your heart and at times you have no words to even describe it? Do you find yourself longing for peace?

You will want to listen to the podcast today? We are going to talk about walking in wonder when life feels weary.

November is right around the corner, a month where talk of gratitude is front and center. I don’t have a problem having that as a focus at all, in fact, I think we should be grateful all year round.

But how can we do that when life feels filled with sorrow right now?

What can we do? Michelle offers some encouragement from God's Word and she also talks about a special gift that she has created for you. You can find it here.

May you rest in the promises of God, His grace is sufficient for each day.

In this episode, Michelle sits down to talk with author, Sarah Baughman about her book, A Flame in the Dark. It is a novel set in the time of Luther's Reformation and it's a story of God's grace, love, and mercy.

In this interview, Sarah shares with us what it would have been like to live during that time period and she talks about some of the characters in the book.

If you would like to learn more about the book you can find it here.

sarahbaughman.org

Life can twist upside down in an instant, and you feel shaken. God is not shaken even when your world is in turmoil, and you don’t know how to move forward. You can rest in His unshakable faithfulness and presence.

In this episode, Michelle talks about how her husband ended up in the Critical Care Unit at the hospital and how God helped her through those moments when life was uncertain.

What causes you to feel shaken? Michelle will offer you some reflection questions, a scripture reading, and a prayer that will help you remember who you are as God’s child. You can rest in His capable hands, safe and secure.

Does your heart feel broken? Do you feel like you have layers upon layers of grief and you are not sure how to deal with all of it? Join Michelle as she talking about abiding in the presence of El Shaddai.

Does your heart feel anxious or overwhelmed? God offers you refuge in the shelter of His presence. Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 61 and talks about Selah Moments.

Deb Burma helps us to unpack all the promises found in Psalm 46. What does it mean that God is our refuge and rest in the storms of life?

We also talk about Deb's New Bible Study: Be Still and Know: A Study of Rest and Refuge(Click here to check out Deb's book and read the first chapter for free).

Michelle sit's down with Author and Speaker, Christina Hergenrader for a conversation about her new book, Inspired.

Maybe like me, you are still figuring out how to navigate through life after the long year we've just been through. Perhaps you are surprised by your emotions and you know you do not feel fine but you are not sure where to go or what to do with all of your feelings

My conversation with Christina, helped me to process through some of the questions, I've been trying to work through these past couple of months. It was a gift to me and I pray it will be to you as well. If you would like to connect with Christina, please click on the links above to find out more about her book or how to connect with her.

Have you ever struggled with friendship? Friendships fade, change, and even end—and we are left wondering, am I a good friend?

Recently I sat down with Licensed Social Worker, Heidi Goehmann(click here for her website), to talk about her new book Finding Hope: From Brokenness to Restoration

For this conversation, we talked about when friendships become messy and broken, how can we find hope.

Have you ever been filled with shame over something you did or didn't do? Do you ever wonder if God could forgive you? As we enter into the story in John 21, we see Jesus making breakfast for the disciples. They had abandoned their teacher and friend in his greatest hour of need and yet, we find Jesus serving them.

It reminds me of the table God prepares for us as we gather for worship and we partake of the Lord's Supper. It is given to us even though we do not deserve it and we have not earned it.

Rest in God's grace for you.

As we stand at the foot of the cross, may we remember the precious gift we have been given, in Christ Jesus. Your sins are forgiven, your debt has been paid in full.

Journey with Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane. May you be reminded of His great love for you.

Michelle sits down with Gretchen Ronnevik to talk about her book, Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted. (Click here to check out the book.)

The spiritual disciplines are an act of remembrance of God’s grace, not a means of obtaining it or manipulating it. It's about resting in who God is and His promises to you.

Take some time to enjoy this grace-filled conversation. May it encourage your heart.

Click on the following Links to Connect with Gretchen.

Gretchen's Website

Freely Given Podcast

In this interview, Michelle talks to Author, Lindsay Hausch about her soon-to-release book, Take Heart: God's Comfort For Anxious Thoughts.

In the interview, we talk about this question? What if God could use your anxious thoughts to draw you closer to Him? We often feel shame over our anxious thoughts because we think God might be disappointed in us, but He isn't. God meets us right where we are at and fills us with His peace and joy.

If you would like to read the first chapter in Lindsay's book for free, please click on this link.

Your tears matter to God. He meets you right where you are at and collects your sorrow. He loves you beyond measure.

In this episode, Michelle takes a look at Psalm 56.

"You’ve kept track of all my wandering and my weeping.
You’ve stored my many tears in your bottle—not one will be lost.
For they are all recorded in your book of remembrance." Psalm 56:8

You have been chosen by God. He loves you beyond measure. I had the honor of talking to Donna Snow about her Bible Study, Chosen: A Study of Esther. Join us as we talk about this marvelous study.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chosen for free you can click here.

Are you struggling with the uncertainty of life right now? Are you worn out and weary from trying to manage life through a pandemic? In this episode, Michelle talks about the promises God has for you, in Isaiah 43.

Lean in and listen and rest in God's promises to you. They are true today, tomorrow, and always.

When sorrow fills our hearts, God has given us a path through the pain, through Lament. In this episode, Michelle walks you through Psalm 77 to show you what Lament looks like.

God meets us in the brokenness of our lives, and lament takes us from heartache to hope as we remember the promises of God.

Does Christmas look different for you this year? Perhaps you had plans and now they have all changed. Friends, your sorrow is real. This year has been difficult and the uncertainty is still lingering. There is joy with the sorrow, because our Emmanuel, God with us, has stepped into the brokenness, bringing us His peace. Jesus will be with us as we navigate through this Christmas season, but He is here and He will never leave our side.

Please know I am praying for you.

I will be taking a break until January 18, 2021. Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

Come just as you are; the Lord is near. In this season of joy, we may not feel joyful, and so what can we do? God wants us to come and bring all of our emotions and thoughts before Him. He meets us right where we are at and gives us what we need to face each moment. Join Michelle as she talks to author and speaker, Deb Burma. This episode was originally a Facebook live devotion.

God gives us the gift of His comfort and His peace. In this season of waiting, He meets us right where we are at and gives us what we need. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

God's love for you is beyond measure. The God of all creation pursues you and longs to spend time with you. In this episode, I talk to Sharla Fritz about her new Bible Study, God's Relentless Love.

If you would like to download the first chapter of this study for free, please click here.

Advent is a time for reflection and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Have you ever sat in darkness? The Lord will be a light for you. Whatever you might be facing during this advent season please know God holds you in His capable hands.

Michelle's Newsletter

Advent Wreath

Gratitude isn't about what we do for God. It's about what He is doing and has done for us. Jesus comes to us in our brokenness and gives us what we need. He fills us with the peace of His presence. I loved talking to Heidi Goehmann in this episode and I think you will enjoy listening.

Does your heart need to be strengthened today? Jesus gives us joy to face each moment. In this episode, Michelle talks to Deb Buma about joy and how it is a gift from God. It is not something that we have to earn, it is freely given. Michelle and Deb also talk about anxiety and how God guards our hearts and give us peace and joy. You can find out more about Deb at her website.

Michelle talks to Doctor Kim Marxhausen in this episode about gratitude and how it changes our way of thinking. Kim has studied Positive Psychology and how our brains work. If you find yourself struggling with negative emotions you will be encouraged to hear how God has made your brain in an incredible way. My conversation with Kim blessed me and I know it will do the same for you too.

Click here for Kim's website

What can you do when negative emotions swirl around you? Gratitude can change the neural pathways in your brain, God has given us a gift in being able to practice gratitude.

If you would like to receive the adoration list you can find it by clicking on this link.

Almost everywhere we go we hear about anxiety and overwhelm as we navigate through COVID 19. There are so many uncertainties as we try to make plans to go to church, school, travel, all of the normal activities we once participated in, we now have to look at differently. It causes stress and worries to seep into our souls and we find ourselves worn and weary from our brains having to think through situations we never had to think through before.

This season on the podcast, I am looking at verses that will help us to Pause in God’s Presence so we can remember who God is and remember who we are as His children.

Tara Cole (Click on her name to go to her website) joins me on the podcast to talk about Philippians 4:6

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." We also talk about her book Abide: 40 Ways to Focus on Jesus Daily (Click on the book title to check it out on Amazon.)

Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want Him too. It's hard when that happens. But God promises us that His grace is sufficient for us. Are you facing a challenge that seems like it will never end? Take some time to lean in and listen to my conversation with Stephenie Hovland(click on her name to visit her website). I know it will encourage you and remind you that you are always wrapped in God's grace.

Listener Survey (Click here to fill it out and be entered to win a $25 gift card from Amazon)

Are you facing any storms? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and frustrated? In this episode, Michelle shares five you can do when you feel overwhelmed by the storms of life.

Please take the time to fill out the listener survey. It will help Michelle create future content for the podcast. You can find it here.

What do you when life feels shaken and out of control? The storms of life can come crashing down on us and leave destruction and devastation. Jesus never leaves our side, He walks with us through the storm and carries us when necessary. Michelle talks about Isaiah 54:10 on the podcast this week.

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

Do you feel worn and weary? God promises us in Isaiah 40 to renew our strength. Michelle talks to Dornia Gilmore Young about what it means to soar like an eagle and how God renew's our strength. We also talk about Dorina's book: Walk Run Soar. You can learn more about her book here.

Do you ever get stuck in your thoughts? Do you label your thoughts as negative or positive? You can bring all of your thoughts before God and find refuge in Him. Learn how to Pause in God's presence and receive from Him the gifts that only He can give.

If you would like to be a part of my newsletter you can sign up here.

Life feels uncertain and unsettled right now? How do we cope with all of the emotions and feelings we are dealing with right now? How do we help our children and grandchildren? Please listen into the conversation that I had with mental health advocate, Heidi Goehman. In this episode, she will share practical tips and ideas on how to navigate through uncertainty. If you would like to connect with Heidi through her website you can click here.

If you would like to be a part of my newsletter you can sign up here.

Have you ever faced a problem you could not fix? You long for a solution but there isn't one in sight.

You can find peace and comfort in knowing that God walks with you the challenge and will give you His strength.

The storms of life can catch us off guard and we can find ourselves being tossed about. Jesus walks with us through the storm, He is our anchor.

Life is often filled with difficult decisions. How do you make a choice when you don't like the options you have? In this episode, we are going to talk about Red Sea Moments and how God helps us through them.

I've created a Bible Reading plan, with a journal page if you are interested in you can sign up here.

God's unfailing love will follow you all the days of your life. God's love will surround you in every moment of your life.

Join Michelle as we look at the final verse of Psalm 23

Michelle's email list

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

God's love for you never ends. The God of the Universe loves you perfectly. He calls you by name, and you are precious to Him.

Join Michelle as we continue to look at Psalm 23.

Even in our most difficult days, the Good Shepherd walks with us through the valley. I am honored to have Dorina Gilmore as my special guest on the podcast today.

Dorina shares with us how God was a comfort to her as He walked with her family through the valley of the shadow of death.

Dorina's Website

Widow Mama Collective

Waiting is hard. Perhaps you are like me and you want your answers now. What if the answers don't come? What if the waiting takes years? How can God help us while we wait?

I sat down to talk to Rebecca Brewster Stevenson about her book, "Wait: Thoughts and practice in waiting on God." I love my conversation with her it was filled with encouragement, wisdom, and the reminder that we never wait alone. God is with us in the waiting.

Visit Rebecca's Website

Buy Wait on Amazon

God restores your soul even in the most difficult of circumstances. The Good Shepherd walks with you, cares for you, and loves you. Join Michelle as she talks with her sisters in this episode about the 23rd Psalm

Michelle interview's Christina Hergenrader about her Christy-award nominated novel, Last Summer At Eden.

Christina is a gifted storyteller and when you take a beautifully crafted story and apply biblical truths it can be life-changing.

Last Summer at Eden is an unforgettable story about faith-inspired hope.

If you would like to purchase the book you can click here.

Christina's Books

In This episode, Michelle Talks to Jeff Leininger about his book, Callings for Life.

Do you ever wonder if what you do matters?
Are you wondering if life has passed you by and you've
missed out on making a difference?
Are you waiting to do the one big thing you think you are
supposed to do?
Can God use me to make a difference?
*Perhaps you are a mom with young children, and you spend
your days doing things that no one sees.

As God's child, every moment of your life is part of your callings for life. If you have ever asked yourself these questions or wondered if what you are doing with your life matters, you will want to read Jeff's book.

If you would like to receive a free sample of Callings for Life, please click here.

God leads us beside the still waters, even in the midst of storms of life. Join Michelle as she continues to look at the 23rd Psalm

Bible Verse Pinterest Board

Seek and Savor Podcast

Joycast Podcast

When life feels uncertain and unsettled you need to be reminded that the Lord is Your Shepherd. You can rest in the peace of His presence and in His promises. Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 23.

Perhaps you feel like you are living in a season of loss right now. Our calendars have changed, life doesn't look quite the way we imagined it would. We have all faced loss because of COVID 19.

We want to be people who believe in God's goodness, no matter what. But what do we do when life doesn't feel good? When God doesn't answer our prayers the way we've asked or imagined? Or when we feel like disappointment has taken over a season of our life? What do we do? It's really not about what we do but what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. He has given us the gift of hope and planted it deep within our hearts.

I've invited Kelly Streiff to be a guest on my podcast today to share her story with us. She isn't a stranger to loss or grief and today she is going to share with us about her daughter Imogen, who now lives in heaven. It is a story of heartache and loss, but it is also a story of hope.

Kelly Streiff Website

If you would like to learn more about Hope*Writers click here.

"Do you find yourself surprised and overwhelmed by all of the emotions stuffed inside your house right now? Are you wrestling with your thoughts and feelings, while trying to help your kids cope with theirs? Do you long for space, where you can find some peace in God's presence? How can you handle all of the big emotions in your home right now?"

God is bigger than all of the emotions in your house right now.

Sometimes emotions might overwhelm us and we don't know what to do or how to face them.

As God's child, you never face them alone.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

Join Heidi Goehmann (mental health advocate) and me, for an honest conversation on emotions: big and small, yours, mine, and ours.

In this episode, we'll share practical tips for you and everyone in your house, alongside some big hope.

In this season of uncertainty and cancelations, we find comfort in knowing that God's gifts to us are not canceled.

In this episode, I sit and talk to Deb Burma about the joy we have even in the midst of trials, in Jesus. He is with us in all things.

Click here if you would like to visit Deb's Website.

Click here to visit Concordia Publishing House Facebook page to watch Deb's joy chat.

God's promises to you are always true and will never be taken away.

COVID 19 has changed our lives and plans in ways that we could never have imagined. We are experiencing grief over all of the losses and sometimes we do not know what to do with all of our disappointments.

Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 27. She will also share some ideas to help fill your days with more peace.

In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, we watch the news and we feel the anxiety and it begins to churn in our minds. We wonder if life will ever be normal again. Our lives have changed and there are so many things we do not know. How can we deal with the anxiety we feel? Michelle talks to Doctor Kim Markhausen about how our brains handle anxiety. Dr. Kim also gives us some great tips and ideas on how to help us during this time of feeling unsettled.

Please visit her website here.

As we stand at the foot of the cross, may we remember the precious gift we have been given, in Christ Jesus. Your sins are forgiven, your debt has been paid in full.

Journey with Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane. May you be reminded of His great love for you.

Life has changed. We are facing circumstances we cannot control and so much of life as we knew it feels uncertain and unsettled.

Maybe you are like me and your emotions resemble a roller coaster ride.

Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength and in Him we can Be Still

In this episode talk to Donna Pyle about her Bible Study, Forgiveness: Received from God, Extended to Others.

How do you forgive someone over and over again? How do you forgive someone who isn't sorry?

Maybe you have a difficult relationship where you find yourself having to forgive over and over again.

I invited Kim Marxhausen who has her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and has also studied positive psychology, to talk to us about how can we forgive someone over and over again. You can visit her website by clicking on her name.

Have you ever stayed away from church because you were hurt over something that happened? Maybe you had to walk away from your church for a while.

What do we do when church hurts? How do we forgive? Can we come back to a church we have left?

In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Keith Speaks, to talk about forgiveness in the church. He was our Pastor many years ago and he helped my husband and I be able to come back to a church that we had left.

Life in the church can be beautiful and broken at the same time. In this episode, I sit down with Heidi Goehmann, who is a licensed social worker to talk about forgiveness and life in the church.

Please take some time to visit Heidi's website.

Loving our family and living with them can be complicated. In this episode, I talk to Chistina Hergenrader to talk about her book Family Trees & Olive Branches Creating a Culture of Grace in our Families.

Families are broken and beautiful. How can we learn to live in the messiness that life brings with our families? Please join us for this conversation.

Make sure to check out Christina's website where you can find more information about her books and also her video course.

God loves you beyond measure. Sometimes we get stuck in feelings of guilt and shame and we wonder if God could really love and forgive us. The answer is, YES!

God's ways are not our ways. We struggle with understanding God's grace because we do not think that way. We place limits on God. His love for you has no limits.

Last week I interviewed Sharla Fritz, make sure to check out this blog post she wrote about forgiveness.

Do you struggle with guilt and shame? Do you wonder how God could forgive you?

Sharla Fritz talks to us about looking at scripture to help us understand God's grace and forgiveness. She gives us some very practical ways to sit with God while we read His Word.

Please visit Sharla's Website, she has wonderful resources and tools designed to help you draw closer to God.

God is with you, right now, my friend. In this moment, whatever you are facing, He gives you abundant grace. His gifts for you are unending. This day and every day He gives you joy, peace, hope, grace, and His unending love.

Rejoice the Lord is near. In His presence, there is fullness of joy. As we wait for the coming of the Lord, we can rest in His presence and His promises.

God will keep you in perfect peace in all situations. Sometimes we might think we need to figure out peace like there is a five-step plan. True peace comes from God and He gives it to us. In this second week in Advent, we will focus on peace.

Advent is a time for reflection and preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ. Michelle is re-releasing her advent series from last year.

Have you ever sat in darkness? The Lord will be a light for you. Whatever you might be facing during this advent season please know God holds you in His capable hands.

Michelle's Newsletter

Advent Wreath

Michelle talks to Dorina Gilmore about navigating loss during the holidays. Dorina lost her husband to cancer and she talks about how God provided for her and her three daughters. God met her in each moment and strengthened her heart. She shares about the importance of making space for emotions and grief.

Your hearts will be encouraged as you listen to Dorina share about joy and gratitude. Please check out Dorina's website, she has a lot of valuable tools and resources available there. Dorinagilmore.com

In this episode, Michelle continues the series on Joy and Gratitude by talking to Heidi Goehmann. Life is beautiful and broken, we will have moments of joy and sorrow, but in the midst of all of it, God is with us. The holidays and spending time with family can stir powerful emotions and Heidi gives some practical ideas to help us. Here is the link to Heidi's Website.

Michelle and Deb Burma talk about the joy that is given to us in Jesus. It is a joy that never ends. Joy strengthens our hearts. Michelle and Deb talk about anxiety and how God guards our hearts and give us peace and joy. You can find out more about Deb at her website.

Michelle talks to Kim Marxhausen in this episode about gratitude and how it changes our way of thinking. Kim has studied Positive Psychology and how our brains work. God has made our brains in an incredible way and you will be blessed as you listen and learn from this episode.

Gratitude and Joy change the neural pathways in our brains. In this episode, Michelle takes a look at Isaiah 61 and talks about the Garment of Praise.

Adoration List

Michelle interviews Kim Marxhausen about her book Weary Joy: A Caretaker's Journey.

Order Weary Joy

Kim's Blog

Constant Comparison causes us to forget whose we are as God's beloved children. In this interview, Richella shares her struggles and how God can help us find freedom from feeling like we are never enough.

If you order the book before October 22, you can receive a beautiful prayer companion that goes along with the book. You can find it here.

You can order the book here.

Richella's website

Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 139. Find comfort as you meditate on this beautiful passage of scripture. There has never been one moment of your life where you haven't been fully known and loved by God.

Life is broken. God steps into the brokenness and fills us with His peace. The God all creation is with us in every moment. Rest in His presence. Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 121

As you face challenges and the circumstances of life you are hidden in God's strength. You are God's child and He invites you to dwell in His presence. God gives you His strength. You never face one moment of your life alone.

Where do you find rest when your soul feels troubled? In Psalm 62 God tells us we can find rest in Him. No matter what happens, you will not be shaken.

God hears our cry and in Him we can find refuge. Michelle takes a look at Psalm 61 in this episode.

Michelle talks with author Heidi Goehmann about her newest Bible Study, The Mighty & The Mysterious: A Study of Colossians

You can download free guide and first chapter here.

You can order a copy of the study here.

Connect with Heidi here.

Life in Relationship Podcast

Michelle takes a look at Psalm 37 today in this episode. You can give all of your worries and cares to God, you can rest in His promises.

Mom-Care Summit Sign-up

Michelle's Newsletter

In this episode, we take a look at Psalm 46. What does it mean to be still? In the original language, it means to loosen your grip. Do you have something or someone that you are holding onto to tightly? Michelle shares one of her favorite prayers; it will help you to learn to Be Still in the presence of God.

Michelle sat down with her friend, Cherie Endrihs to talk about Psalm 42. Cherie has loved and taught God's Word for over 30 years.

What do you do when your heart and soul are troubled and you feel downcast? Our hope comes from the Lord. He meets us right where we are at and give us what we need to face that moment.

Have you ever found yourself in a pit? God's love is deeper than any pit we might find ourselves in. He doesn't leave you there alone and He will give you the strength for each moment.

Michelle sits down with author and speaker Dorina Gilmore and they talk about Psalm 40.

You can find Dorina on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter @DorinaGilmore and on Facebook at Dorina Lazo Gilmore, Author

If you are a runner and would be interested in the running group please click on this link

Do you know and love a teenage girl? Michelle sits down with Author Christina Hergenrader, to talk about her new book, Shine.

This remarkable book is infused with joy and hope for young women. As they read the book they will be reminded that they are enough in Christ Jesus.

Buy Shine on Amazon

If you have ever struggled you know what it is like to feel like a failure, especially when it is something you have faced for years. For this episode, I sat down with Donna Pyle to talk about her new Bible Study Perseverance.

Order Perseverance Bible Study

Donna Facebook

Donna Instagram

Michelle sits down with her friend, Shannon to talk about Psalm 34. Shannon shares about her difficult childhood and how her Grandma made a huge difference in her life.

Shannon's Website

Do you find yourself living in a state of wanting more? Perhaps you look at your life and say, if only.... Sharla Fritz in her book, Enough For Now, describes it as having a broken wanter. You will want to take some time to listen to this episode, to hear from Sharla about her book. You will hear words of encouragement and hope from a wise mentor and friend.

http://www.sharlafritz.com/

Order Enough For Now.

God will give you strength for each moment of your life. He will never leave you. May you find comfort and encouragement, as Michelle takes a look at Psalm 27.

Songs of Hope

Join Michelle as she interviews Deb Burma about her new Bible Study, Joy.

You will want to take the time to listen, Deb shares an amazing story and some special insights from her study of the book of Philippians.

You can order her Bible study at CPH.ORG/Joy

God's grace covers every area of your life. You are safe in His loving embrace. Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 25. You can sign up for the special bonuses she has created for you here.

Does your heart long for something more? Have you ever noticed how being outside can help you change your perspective? If you listen closely you can hear a Song of Joy.

Join Michelle as she takes a look at Psalm 19 today in the Praying through the Psalms Series. You can sign up for the special bonuses she has created for you here.

Genuine joy comes from Jesus. Is it possible to experience joy even when your heart is filled with sorrow? Joyance means abundant joy. As we rest in the presence of God, He fills us with His joy and His peace.

Join Michelle as we begin the series of learning to pray through the Psalms.

Michelle has created some special tools and resources for you to use and you can sign up here: Praying through the Psalms

Have you ever been filled with shame over something you did or didn't do? Do you ever wonder if God could forgive you? As we enter into the story in John 21, we see Jesus making breakfast for the disciples. They had abandoned their teacher and friend in his greatest hour of need and yet, we find Jesus serving them.

It reminds me of the table God prepares for us as we gather for worship and we partake of the Lord's Supper. It is given to us even though we do not deserve it and we have not earned it.

Rest in God's grace for you.

Walk with Jesus to Calvary. Stand at the foot of the cross and watch your Savior suffer and die for your sins and the sins of the whole world. Jesus took your place upon the cross so that your sins would not keep you separated from God. You are loved beyond measure by your Savior, Jesus Christ.

Journey with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane. Listen to His prayer to the Father as He cries out in anguish asking His Father if there is any other way. Deep sorrow will fill your heart as you sit and remember the suffering Jesus went through for you. May you be reminded of His great love for you.

Michelle interview's Shauna Letellier about her book Remarkable Hope. Have you experienced deep disappointment in your life? What do you do when life does not look like you expected? Can you be disappointed and have hope at the same time?

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

The links for the books will take you to Amazon. They are affiliate links.

Remarkable Hope

Remarkable Faith

Shauna's website

God's unfailing love will follow you all the days of your life. God's love will surround you in every moment of your life.

Join Michelle as we look at the final verse of Psalm 23

Michelle's email list

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

God's love for you never ends. He calls you by name and you are precious to Him.

Join Michelle as we continue to look at Psalm 23.

Peaceful Reflections Email List

Even in our most difficult days, the Good Shepherd walks with us through the valley. I am honored to have Dorina Gilmore as my special guest on the podcast today.

Dorina shares with us how God was a comfort to her as He walked with her family through the valley of the shadow of death.

Dorina's Website

Widow Mama Collective

Michelle has two very special guests on her show today, her sisters, Jimella and Sheila. They talk about how God restores our souls even in the most difficult circumstances of life.

God leads us beside the still waters, even in the midst of storms of life. Join Michelle as she continues to look at the 23rd Psalm

Bible Verse Pinterest Board

Seek and Savor Podcast

Joycast Podcast

When anxiety and worry swirl about, you need a prayer tucked deep into your heart to help you at that moment.

Studies show that gratitude can change the neural pathways in our brain. How can gratitude help us with our anxious thoughts?

30 Days of Joyful Gratitude

We will all walk through the Valley of the Shadow of death. We do not face death alone, God will walk with us.

God surrounds us with His peace and comfort as we face losing our loved ones.

Anxiety, fear, and worry can settle into our minds when we realize we cannot control or fix a situation. We cannot always keep our loved ones within our reach and so how do we handle letting them go?

In those moments we need to rest in the presence and promises of God.

Fear, worry, and anxiety can control our thoughts and impact how we live our lives. God does not want us to live our lives ruled by fear. He promises us peace in all circumstances.

Fear Not Bible Reading Plan

30 Day Free Audible Trial

Life is difficult sometimes. You face unexpected challenges that are Goliath-sized problems. God has stepped into your story and you don't face your troubles alone. Like David, you can face the giant, trusting in God.

Free Audible Trial

Anxious thoughts clutter your mind. Fear and worry wiggle into your thoughts and steal your peace. Only in God can our minds be at rest and free from the clutter of anxious thoughts.

Michelle's Pinterest Board with Bible Verses

Whispers of Peace Bible Reading Plan

Audible Trial

How can you have peace in the midst of the storms of life? You never face your storms alone. You can rest safe and secure in the hands of your Savior.

Have you ever found yourself caught in a Red Sea Moment? You have two options in front of you and you don't like either one. What do you do? It is those moments where we need to learn to "Be Still." God give you peace in each moment.

Michelle is starting a new series on the podcast and she has created a Bible Reading plan and a journal page to go along with it. They are a free gift if you would like to have them, it is something extra, you don't need them to listen to the podcast. You can sign up for it here.

30 Day Free Audible Trial

As we gaze upon the beautiful nativity scene, we are captivated by our tiny newborn King. The Messiah has come, and it is time to celebrate. Christmas in all of its glory is beautiful and breathtaking, God himself has come to us, to be our Immanuel.

In the background, we see the shadow of the cross. The tiny helpless baby, God himself, is the Savior of the World.

We owed a debt for our sin, the punishment should have been our death, but God in His love for His children sent His son to take our place to receive our punishment.

No one has ever suffered more than, Jesus. He faced hell for us so that we don't have too. The magnitude of the gift we have been given is far greater than we can even begin to imagine.

One day, we will see Jesus face-to-face, and at that moment we will begin to understand the marvelous gift we have been given in Christ Jesus. We will have all of eternity to celebrate God's love for us. Michelle on Facebook Michelle on Instagram Free Audible Trial

How can we consider it pure joy when we face trials? Can joy and sorrow exist at the same time? In this week's Advent Reflection Michelle talks about joy in all circumstances.

Free Audible Book and Trial

Michelle on Facebook

Michelle on Instagram

God hears you and He sees you. He cares about each moment of your life. God keeps you in His perfect peace.

Michelle's Newsletter

Michelle on Facebook

Michelle on Instagram

As we begin this Advent season, we find hope in Jesus, the Light of the World. He is our Emmanuel, God with us.

Peace-filled Moments with Michelle Newsletter

Michelle on Facebook

Michelle on Instagram

Advent Wreath

Do fear and worry ever keep you awake at night? Have you ever wrestled with God as you faced an unexpected storm in your life? God walks with you and gives you His peace. You are His precious child and God calls you by name.

Advent/Christmas Resources

Michelle on Facebook

Michelle on Instagram

Michelle's Website

Do you ever struggle with how you see yourself? God sees you as His precious child, He loves you beyond measure. He delights in you.

You can receive the Advent/Christmas resources by signing up here.

Follow Michelle on Facebook

Michelle on Instagram

Michelle's Website

Welcome to the very first episode, Michelle Diercks will introduce herself as the host of the podcast and share a little more of her heart behind the show.

Michelle will offer a peaceful prayer that will help you to rest in the presence of God, in His most capable Hands.