Most of us have a smartphone so we can stay connected, yet they may actually be making loneliness worse. Dr. Darren Whitehead discusses the impact of smartphones on your mental, emotional, & spiritual well-being, and how distraction devices worsen anxiety and loneliness. He shares how a digital fast can recalibrate your attention span, boost the quality of your relationships, and restore your spiritual vitality in the Lord. Grab a copy of Darren's book, The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox...

Unlearning codependent behaviors often means identifying how you learned them in the first place. And while often family of origin issues are a major factor, sometimes our religious contexts can also be part of the problem. Michelle discusses 5 Bible verses that are often misquoted and misapplied that teach us to tolerate toxic and abusive treatment. She discusses why these verses often don't mean what we have been told they do, and points to Scriptures that actually encourage us to avoid...

Whether you're in an unhealthy relationship right now or you're worried about being in another one, it's not uncommon to wonder "Is this person toxic or are they abusive?" Michelle discusses the differences and similarities of toxic behavior and abusive behavior, and why we struggle to know the difference. More importantly, Michelle shares how toxicity and abuse differ from healthy relationships, and what you can do to move towards them. Register NOW for NO | TOX- The Toxic Relationship...

Many of us have times in our lives when we rely on formulas in our faith, clinging to the belief that, "If I do all the right things, everything will be okay." Yet, when we face a crisis we realize that those formulas don't hold up under the realities of suffering in this life. Kristen LaValley shares how suffering and doubt served to mold her faith, and how a crisis pregnancy developed her ability to trust God. She also shares how to find the courage to deal with doubts, and how to notice...

When we're in a challenging time of life, it can be hard to imagine that there's much more beyond all of this. Jeff Simmons shares how each of us can not only find life beyond our current circumstances but can live an extraordinary life, available to all of us in Jesus. He shares how the way the world defines extraordinary is different than the way God defines it, and discusses how the devil uses fear to cause us to shrink down from what God has for us. He also gives suggestions for pursuing...

If you struggle to trust God, you're not alone. So often when you've experienced significant hurt and trauma, it's not uncommon to feel disconnected, distrustful, and maybe even fearful of God. Michelle discusses the value of inner healing prayer in healing this disconnect, and client Rhonda Velez shares her powerful encounter with Jesus during her inner healing prayer session. Rhonda also shares how Jesus helped her to identify blockages to her healing she was not aware existed, and...

We all know we are supposed to give, but sometimes it seems like forgiving someone is letting them get away with what they did. Michelle discusses what forgiveness really is and discusses how forgiving someone doesn't require forgetting the truth about what they've done to you. She also gives insight into how forgiveness can help you transcend endless conflicts and power struggles, so you can live free in your heart and mind. She also shares how God can help you rise above the harm you've...

While on a healing journey, it's normal to wrestle with doubt. But did you know that doubt is NOT the opposite of faith? That you can doubt well? Alisa Childers gives a deeper understanding of how doubt factors into the growth of faith and explains the differences between doubt vs. deconstruction. She also explains spiritual warfare as a battle of ideas, and shares how honest questioning leads to greater encounters with Jesus– and the truth. Order Alisa's book, The Deconstruction of...

The word co-dependency is often used in ways that suggest a person is to blame for being mistreated and abused (which is NOT the case). Michelle discusses what co-dependency really is, and discusses why patterns of people-pleasing often result in relationships that are one-sided and unsafe. She shares what the Bible says about mutuality in our relationships, and how to learn to say no to situations where you are being taken advantage of. Purchase the NEW Ignite: Strategic Prayer Planner...

You've done all you know to do to heal mentally and emotionally from trauma. Maybe you've been in therapy, you use deep-breathing techniques, or you try to be mindful of your thoughts. But when you hit a wall in your healing, you may wonder- "Is this as good as it's going to get?" While all of these approaches are beneficial to understanding and treating suffering, Michelle shares the reason why they aren't enough to transcend it (and what you can do about it). Purchase the NEW Ignite:...

Shame is that nagging little voice that continually tells you that you're not good enough, that you need to try harder to be loved. So how do we tell it to shut up? Michelle shares her journey of discovering hidden shame through the impact it was having on her relationships. She discusses how Jesus' example of facing down shame can help us live above the lies and find freedom from shame in our own lives. Purchase the NEW Ignite: Strategic Prayer Planner & Journal Download Your Free...

It seems there's always something that will try to steal your hope, to get you to give up on the idea that things can ever be better. But does it have to be this way? Is there a way to take our hope back? It all starts with realizing hope is not a feeling but rather a perspective – a viewpoint that can help us set our sights above what our thoughts, feelings, and circumstances are telling us. Michelle discusses the side-by-side nature of hardship and hope, and shares a key way you can...

In dry times, the Bible has much encouragement for us- but we often miss much of it when we don't understand the Bible's Middle Eastern context. Ashley Wilkerson offers new insight into Psalm 23 and discusses how an awareness of Middle Eastern shepherding culture gives us a clearer view of God's heart for us in our personal wilderness seasons. She also exposes misunderstandings of several of the text's metaphors to realign our minds with the truth this passage conveys. Get a copy of Ashley's...

For some of us, year-after-year-after-year the Christmas season has been such a let down. It can be so annoying/depressing/frustrating when everyone else is celebrating and you're feeling anything but joyful.  Michelle shares her "worst Christmas ever" story and reveals what it taught her about manufactured joy, disappointment, and experiencing true goodness at the holidays. Purchase the NEW Ignite: Strategic Prayer Planner & Journal Download Your Free Guide: Over|Thinking: Get Out of...

It's human nature to want control. But when we face circumstances beyond our influence, we have to deal with the fact that it's not all up to us. When things seem out of control, we have to answer the question- "Can I trust God to be in control?" Lauren & Michael McAfee share their journey through infertility, adoption, cancer, and loss, and how they've had to come to terms with believing in the goodness of God in situations that did not always seem good. They also share how to begin...

Mentorship is a HUGE component of a healing process, but finding one can be awkward and uncomfortable. Michelle and her mentee, Nina, share how God brought them together to begin a mentorship relationship and they discuss how to deal with the discomfort of seeking out a mentor. They also share the benefits of mentorship that therapy doesn't always offer, and provide practical steps for discerning if someone is a good mentor for you. Purchase the NEW Ignite: Strategic Prayer Planner &...

Ugh, anxiety – the feeling like the other shoe is always about to drop. Anxiety can be debilitating because it feels endless, like something you’ll never beat. However, it is possible to turn the tide and find yourself on the winning side. Michelle shares her lifelong struggles with anxiety (unhealthy coping, medications, and all) and discusses one small change that can make a huge difference in your emotional well-being. Purchase the NEW Ignite: Strategic Prayer Planner & Journal ...

If you’ve experienced church hurt or spiritual abuse, it has probably caused you to question what you've believed about God and your relationship to Him. Natalie Runion speaks on the necessity of wandering after experiencing harm, and how disentangling our faith from human rules & constructs helps us discover who Jesus really is. Michelle and Natalie also discuss the damage done to survivors when churches refuse to describe abuse as pure wickedness and share how God helps us rebuild...

Do you resent having to be "The Strong One?" You may love the fact that people can count on you, while secretly loathing it at the same time. Michelle shares how "being strong" backfires on us, resulting in anxiety, joylessness, and the sinking sense that you've lost yourself. She discusses how to see strength differently, and shares how one shift can get you on a new path, thriving as God intends you to. Christian Counseling on the go? Click here for 10% off your first month with Faithful...

Many Christians find the Bible hard to read, and even harder to understand. Alex Goodwin shares how the typical, academic approach to Scripture gives us an incomplete experience with the Bible (and prevents us from receiving the comfort and hope it is meant to provide). He discusses how adjusting the way that we intake Scripture can open us up to a world of wonder as begin to see the Kingdom of God breaking forth in our woundedness. Purchase a copy of Alex's book: The Bible Reset: Simple...

"God is mad at me. He's trying to teach me a lesson." Ever had these thoughts before? In this episode, Michelle talks about the reasons why you may think of God as demanding, distant, or disinterested. She shares how these thoughts are connected to the adults who raised us, and reveals how you can begin to rediscover God as He truly is. Christian Counseling on the go? Click here for 10% off your first month with Faithful Counseling. Download Your Free Guide: Over|Thinking: Get Out of Your...

Do you feel taken advantage of or overlooked in your relationships? When you don't get back what you pour in, you're likely to feel confused, angry, or rejected. Dr. Morgan Cutlip shares why you may have the tendency to put your needs in the back seat when it comes to relationships, and what you can do to experience more satisfaction in your connections with yourself and others. Get copy of Dr. Morgan's new book, Love Your Kids without Losing Yourself Christian Counseling on the go? Click...

Do you ever feel like you know too much? When you can't unsee the truth, it can be frightening when you hold all the pieces of your past but don't know what to do with them. In this episode, Michelle shares why knowing too much at once can stall your healing, and discusses how one simple practice can lead to the breakthrough you're looking for. Christian Counseling on the go? Click here for 10% off your first month with Faithful Counseling. Download Your Free Guide: Over|Thinking: Get Out...

Some of us have experienced trauma and don't even know it, while for others of us the word trauma is all too familiar. In this first episode of The Truth & Our Trauma, Michelle explains how a car accident led to an awareness of the spiritual aspects of recovering from trauma and why it matters for all of us, whether we think we've experienced trauma or not. Christian Counseling on the go? Click here for 10% off your first month with Faithful Counseling. Download Your Free Guide:...

Does your ex keep putting your kids in the middle? As if co-parenting wasn’t hard enough, it’s even worse when the other parent is badmouthing you or providing your kids with information they shouldn’t have. You may want to defend yourself or tell your kids your side of the story, but Michelle discusses why that often is not the best move. Michelle shares what you can do to take your kids out of the middle and deal with someone who is emotionally manipulating your children. What’s Your...