A HOLY MESS | Christian Mindset & Personal Growth, Christian Recovery & Emotional Healing, Breaking Free From Shame, Regret, Burnout & Finding Purpose

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  

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

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  

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

 

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

✅ 🎉 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

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  

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

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

150. Wired To Be Sought After: The Primal Dance of Human Existence

Hi friend!

I'm sharing a short story, verse, quote, and song in today's short episode.

I hope it blesses you!

Remember, no matter how lonely you feel, you're not alone. 

Quote: "We are all born into this world looking for someone looking for us." --Psychiatrist Curt Thompson, read that again. 👆🏽

Song: I am not alone by Kari Job iTunes // YouTube // Spotify

Verse: Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" 

Glad you're here,

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

 

Keywords:

Divine pursuit, God's love, Spiritual healing, Grace, Christian Inner healing, Jesus' compassion, Scripture (Romans 8:38-39), Prayer, Faith, God's presence ,Spiritual journey, Redemption, God's faithfulness, Christian community, Spiritual growth, God's unconditional love, Overcoming doubt, Christian encouragement, Spiritual connection, God's mercy

149. The Truth About Happiness: It Comes with a Side of Sadness

Hey friends,

Get ready to dive into the messy, beautiful reality of being human with Therapist Jim Beebe. Jim's such a gift to our community! 

We're talking about the loneliness and incompleteness so many of us feel, and guess what? It's not just you, and it doesn't mean you're failing at life or doing anything wrong!

I know in some Christian circles, feeling sad or anxious can make you feel like you're not praying hard enough or that God's giving you the cold shoulder. And that can add another layer of shame to our struggles. Ugh.

But those feelings are part of the human package.

Jim also reminds us that even the best marriages and relationships can't erase human loneliness, but embracing it as part of our journey leads to depth, wisdom, and wholeness. Sadness can even be the doorway to true joy—crazy, right? But oh, so true.

If you've ever felt like something's missing or beaten yourself up for not being happy enough, this episode is a big ol' hug and fresh perspective. True happiness is about dancing with all of life's experiences with acceptance and grace.

Enjoy Jim's refreshing perspective and wisdom that comes from working as a Therapist for over 40 years. :)

Sending so much love to you, and I'm glad you're here!

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

148. If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going

Hi friend!

Life is full of ups and downs. And I'm feeling all the feelings and emotions that come along with the rollercoaster. :) 

In today's episode, I'm sharing a bit of what I've been wrestling through lately and some encouragement--if you're wrestling through a part of your life or this season of life--I hope you're encouraged!

References:

Quote- "If you're going through hell, keep going."-Winston Churchill

Verse- Romans 5:3-5

Song- "There was Jesus" by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton iTunes // YouTube // Spotify

xo🧡,

Dani

🌟To learn more about Dani -> 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