A HOLY MESS - CHRISTIAN, ANXIOUS, REGRET, SHAME, GRIEF, AA

160. A Christian's Journey of Faith and Resilience Through The Hardest Days and Biggest Struggles. Inspiration from Guest Deborah Schultz

Not many of us would choose our struggles or the paths of hardship we have to walk out in this life.

So when you meet someone walking through hell, and they say, "I wouldn't trade or give up all I've gained walking this hard road." --I think it's 100% worth listening to what they say!

And that's our guest today. My dear friend Deb Schultz is with us, and her journey has been inspiring and challenging. She's walking through stage 4 ovarian cancer, and it's been a difficult and long road. And somehow, through it all, she's finding joy and purpose within her suffering. Her resilient spirit and attitude are contagious.

I hope her words of wisdom and encouragement bless you! And she's hilarious! Enjoy this conversation and getting to know Deb.

Glad you're here,

Dani

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Keywords: Faith through hardship, Christian cancer survivor, Finding joy in suffering, Spiritual resilience, Overcoming depression as a Christian, God's presence in illness, Christian hope in adversity, Coping with loss biblically, Trusting God during trials, Christian perspective on chronic illness, Faith-based emotional healing, Spiritual strength in weakness, Christian encouragement for difficult times, God's purpose in pain, Biblical perseverance, Christian community support, Prayer during health challenges, Faith-driven positivity, Christian inspiration for tough times, God's faithfulness in suffering

159. One Of The Real Reasons You're Feeling Distant From God--Bridging the Gap: Reconnecting with God Despite Past Hurts

159. One Of The Real Reasons You're Feeling Distant From God--Bridging the Gap: Reconnecting with God Despite Past Hurts

One of the Real Reasons You're Feeling Distant from God—Bridging the Gap: Reconnecting with God Despite Past Hurts

Feeling distant from God? You're not alone, friend. In this episode, we explore how our earthly relationships, especially with our parents, can impact our connection with our Heavenly Father. But don't worry—there's hope!

## Key Points:
- The surprising link between past hurts and our relationship with God
- A simple, one-word prayer to ground you in triggering moments
- Learning to accept God's acceptance (it takes courage!)

## Quotable:
"Faith is the courage to accept acceptance." - Paul Tillich

## Try This:
When you're feeling triggered or distant, take a deep breath and simply say, "Father." Notice how it shifts your perspective. You may notice some resistance or distance from God by even saying "Father"--whatever comes up, don't judge yourself--just notice what comes up. That's the first step in getting to the deeper root of what may be causing some deeper issues in your life. 

Remember, you're more loved than you can imagine and less broken than you feel. Keep trudging through your beautiful mess—God's right there with you.

Song: Check out CC Winans' "The Goodness of God" for an extra dose of encouragement!
Scripture mentioned: Psalm 103

Enjoy.

Much love,
Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

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Keywords: Reconnecting with God, Healing past hurts, Emotional triggers, Spiritual growth, Father wound, Self-regulation, Overcoming shame, Accepting God's acceptance, Faith and courage, Emotional healing, Spiritual resilience, Inner peace, Mindfulness in faith, Overcoming spiritual distance, Transforming pain into purpose, Work-life balance, High-achiever struggles, Spiritual self-care, Balancing success and spirituality, Emotional intelligence in faith, Christian Life Coach.

158. Turning Grief into Purpose: The Heart Behind the non-profit 17 Strong with Guest Holly Teixeira

*To learn more about 17 Strong or get involved in this amazing ministry please visit: https://www.17strong.org/

Episode 158. Turning Grief into Purpose: The Heart Behind the non-profit 17 Strong with Guest Holly Teixeira

Hi friends!

I'm so excited to share today's episode with you for many reasons. 

First and foremost, I know deep in my bones that hearing someone's story and how they've gotten through their darkest hours helps birth more courage and perseverance in us as we navigate our own struggles. 

If you're in the middle of a tough season, I hope today's guest, Holly Teixeira, encourages you. 

I've admired her from afar for a long time--our whole community watched them walk through the unimaginable (losing a child to cancer)

Holly's sharing the journey of her son Ryan's battle with cancer and the beautiful legacy he left behind. 

She's also sharing the story behind the creation of 17 Strong, a nonprofit dedicated to providing "victory trips" for young adult cancer survivors. 

Sometimes, when walking 'through it,' the days can be long, but remember your story matters. 

You matter!

Holly reminds us that there's beauty to be found even in the darkest of times.

17 Strong was Ryan's idea that came about in a hospital--the story is incredible how it all came about, and now his family is living out for him.

Key Takeaways:
• Grief and purpose can coexist, even in our darkest moments
• The importance of taking life one day at a time when facing overwhelming challenges
• How helping others can bring healing and meaning to our own pain
• The power of choosing joy, even when we don't feel it
• Finding strength in faith and community during times of suffering

No matter what you are walking through, I hope this episode reminds you that you are not alone in your struggles.

Quote to Remember:
"I choose joy every day. I don't feel that joy, but I have to choose it." - Holly Teixeira

Please also check out 17 Strong and how you can get involved at 17strong.org

So grateful you're here.
Be blessed.

Much love and grace to you,
Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

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157. Finding Relief and Inner Peace: A Christian's helpful guide and tool to Inside-Out Living (Inspired by Psalm 16)

Episode 157: Finding Relief and Inner Peace - Your Christian Guide to Inside-Out Living--when external situations, circumstances, and people are taking your peace away.

Hey there, beautiful souls! 

Let's get real for a second – are you feeling like life's got you in a chokehold sometimes?

Maybe you're crushing it on the outside, but inside? That's a whole other story. Well, grab a cup of coffee (or tea; my favorite is black tea), and let's dive into some truth-telling. 

In this episode, we're talking a bit about that inner peace we're all desperately searching for. 

We will chat a bit about how to live from the inside out, inspired by Psalm 16.

Because let's face it, we've all got our struggles with people, situations, or circumstances that are driving us nutty at times.

We're breaking down:
- How to find that God-given peace when the world's going crazy
- Practical, no-BS ways to grow spiritually (even when you feel like you're spiraling)
- Why 'self-care' isn't selfish – it's Biblical!
- How to stop letting circumstances, or other people, or your own crazy thoughts run the show...(this one takes some time, so be patient with yourself!)

This isn't your grandma's Bible study (love you, Grandma! Heck, I'm a grandma and love it!)

But we're talking real life, real struggles, and real faith.

Whether you're a spiritual heavyweight and have been walking this faith journey for longer than you can remember or just dipping your toes in, I'm glad you're here.

Let's figure out this whole 'peace that passes understanding' thing together, one day at a time.

Remember, you are loved, you are worthy, and you've got this.

Enjoy the episode. And my greesy hair and headband if you check it out on YouTube. 

Sign up for my email newsletter here--you won't regret it! www.danisumner.com

Quote: Ezra Taft Benson "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature."

I love this quote; there's just so much in this--Drop the mic, Ezra, amen. 

Verse: Psalm 16:9a "I'm happy from the inside out"

Song: Head to the Heart by United Pursuit itunes / spotify / youtube

Much love,

Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

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156. The Language & Journey of Grace. Walking with a Limp: Beyond Condemnation & Unlearning Judgment. A Conversation on Compassion, Healing, and Faith

Hey friend! This episode is a deep dive into the messy, beautiful reality of our faith journey.

I struggled for sooo long with judgment and condemnation. It's sometimes easier to live there, rather than to embrace Grace... such a paradox I know!

Today, we have Jim Beebe with us--he's a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 40 years of ministry wisdom.

We're talking about how to embrace the struggle without getting bogged down in shame and judgment.

Some of us struggle with at times - generational sadness, anxiety, and fear of not measuring up.

But here's the truth and kicker: Jesus still loves you in your struggles. You're not doing this Christianity thing wrong just because you're wrestling with doubt or feeling lost or hurting.

We dive into:

• Why it's okay to struggle (spoiler: even Jesus and Paul did)
• How to shift from self-condemnation to self-compassion
• The problem with "white-knuckling" your faith
• Finding community that can handle your honest questions
• Embracing your journey, limp and all

Let's get real about faith, grace, and what it truly means to walk with Jesus.

We're in this together, fam. Let's dive in!

Enoy!

Dani

P.S. Want to join my email list? go to www.danisumner.com and sign up.

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

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155. Adjusting When Parts of Life Feel Unmanageable & Navigating The Frustrating Situations We Don't Control: A Christian Perspective on Life's Challenges: Learning To Surrender

Ever feel like some part of your life's spinning out of control?

You're not alone!

In this episode, we dive into those frustrating moments when our best efforts just aren't cutting it.

Using a hilarious (and slightly embarrassing) story about my dog Coco, who has taught me so much about surrender and life through my dog training struggles--we explore how to find some peace when life gets messy.

Today I'm talking about:

• Why sometimes 'it's' hard just because it's hard (and that's okay!)
• How to adjust without compromising who you are!
• The art of holy surrender (hint: it's not giving up!)
• Letting go of shame when others make poor choices--I could talk about this subject for days...

Whether you're dealing with a stubborn pup or life's bigger challenges, I hope this episode helps you and offers a fresh perspective on finding God's grace in tough situations.

And I hope, at the very least, you laugh about my ridiculous dog struggles. May the Lord bless you and help you get through your uncontrollable moments with faith and resilience. Amen.

Grateful,

Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

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Keywords: Spiritual surrender, Christian perspective, Life challenges, Adjusting to unmanageable life, Navigating frustration, Lack of control, Faith-based coping, Christian life guidance, Spiritual resilience, Overcoming life difficulties, Faith under pressure, Christian problem-solving, Spiritual growth in adversity

154. Anxiety, Worry, Grace, and Jesus: Rewriting Our Inner Dialogue. Using Scripture To Help Us, Not Shame Us. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Ever struggle with obsessive worry or anxiety and feel bad about it?! I hope this perspective helps.

Much love, Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

🤳🏼 ALSO, let's connect on social media: Facebook, Instagram -> Facebook and Instagram

 

Keywords: Christian anxiety, Biblical perspective on worry, Faith and mental health, God's grace for anxiety, Scripture for anxiety relief, Christian self-compassion, Jesus and mental health, Overcoming worry biblically, Christian cognitive behavioral therapy, Spiritual healing for anxiety, Bible verses for anxiety, Christian mindfulness, Trusting God with worries, Faith-based anxiety management, Christian coping strategies, Spiritual warfare against anxiety, God's love and anxiety, Christian meditation for worry, Bible study on anxiety, Renewing the mind scripture

153. Who's in your boat? Lessons from the River

Life can often feel like a wild river, full of unexpected twists and turns.

Last week, we went on a whitewater rafting adventure. I'm not super adventurous anymore, so it was definitely a stretch.

I'm more hotelsy, than outdoorsy.

And I willingly signed up for this! But I learned so much!

The first thing I learned was-- I will neverrrrr do level 4 rapids again! Seriously, it was a one-and-done experience. haha.

You'll hear about it in today's episode.

However, the experience had a profound impact on my life and taught me so much about navigating life's challenges.

Here's a couple of stories I share about in today's episode:

• Why the people in your "boat" matter more than you think
• How apparent setbacks might be saving you from more painful troubles

Sometimes, it's hard to remember that, just like on the river, life's turbulent waters aren't a curse—they're an opportunity for growth and transformation.

If you have the right people by your side and a willingness to lean into the journey, you can navigate any rapid path that comes your way. I mean it...

Sending you so much love,

Dani

P.S. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend who might need some encouragement today. Together, we're creating a community of support and growth! By the way--the podcast just hit 200k downloads! Thank you for your continued support and love. I'm so grateful for you and the community we're building together.

P.P.S. Want to watch this episode on YouTube? Be sure to subscribe the YouTube channel too. https://youtu.be/ZA958tTHwLg?feature=shared

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

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152. The Serenity Prayer: Struggle with surrender? Christian recovery techniques and this simple prayer can help. One day at a time.

If you memorize one prayer all year, let it be this one!

This simple yet profound prayer has saved me from myself and my struggles more than I can count.

I hope this short episode blesses you!

You are not alone, and I'm cheering for you.

The Serenity Prayer:
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, 
The courage to change the things I can, 
And the wisdom to know the difference. Amen."

Much love,
Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Learn more about Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Interested in one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

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151. Unlocking Relationship Healing: Healing from the Inside Out

Today, we're diving deep into something that's been heavy on my heart—those complicated, often painful relationships in our lives.

You know, the ones I'm talking about—the ones that ache deep within you and keep you up at night. Our nearest and dearest struggles either with our spouses, children, parents, siblings, churches or even colleagues- can leave us feeling lost, overwhelmed, and desperate for answers or even an escape hatch at times. 

I've been there, friends. Oh, have I been there. And I know how crippling it can feel.

But here's the beautiful truth I've discovered on this journey: the relationship we need to heal most is often with ourselves.

I know it might sound counterintuitive and maybe even a little selfish, but stick with me here because this is where the magic happens.

In this episode, we're exploring what I like to call the "magic sauce" of relational healing:

- Why healing your relationship with yourself is the key to unlocking clarity and wisdom with how to deal with all other relationships
- How our relationship with ourselves profoundly impacts every area of our lives
- A special 7-day mirror exercise that might feel uncomfortable at first, but could change everything
- The spiritual perspective on self-love and soul care and its critical importance in our walk with God

Takeaway quote: "As we heal our relationship with ourselves, I'm telling you, other relationships around us are healed. And as we find boundaries, we find clarity."

Verse mentioned: Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born, I set you apart."

Song mentioned: "God Only Knows" by King & Country

If you're ready to go deeper in this healing journey, learn more about the Feel Better Journey coaching program at www.danisumner.com/thefeelbetterjourney

With love and gratitude,
Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani & to join the newsletter list-> www.danisumner.com

✅ 🎉 Dani's Coaching program--"The Feel Better Journey." 

🙏🏽Want one-on-one coaching or to get in touch? Contact Us At—> hello@danisumner.com  

🤳🏼 ALSO, let's connect on social media: Facebook, Instagram -> Facebook and Instagram