More to It: Reframing Emotions

In this live event recording, the counselors answer questions submitted by our podcast audience, including how to move forward from emotional trauma experiences, how to navigate emotional complexity in intense seasons of grief, and how to engage our emotional curiosity to benefit ourselves and others. Thank you for joining us for Season 1 of More To It!Episode TranscriptPresented by The Austin Stone Institute and Austin Stone CounselingPodcast Production TeamProducer & Host: Lindsay FunkhouserContent Experts: Shanda Anderson, LPC-S; Brittany Beltran, LPC; Andrew Dealy, LPCTechnical Producer: Aaron CampbellPodcast Art: Stephen ManchaPodcast Music: Matt Graham

Reframing how we respond to our emotions is slow work. It involves our minds, hearts, and bodies, and it involves our communities.Along with adding to some important points from previous episodes, the counselors consider how our emotions—and the ways we interact with them—can declare the hope we have in Jesus. By engaging our emotions from a biblical framework and through healthy habits, we build a foundation that produces empathy, connection, and the ability to help people better understand the human experience.Episode Transcript | Groups GuidePresented by The Austin Stone Institute and Austin Stone CounselingRecommended ResourcesEpisode Resources from The Austin Stone InstituteUntangling Emotions, by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. SmithPodcast Production TeamProducer & Host: Lindsay FunkhouserContent Experts: Shanda Anderson, LPC-S; Brittany Beltran, LPC; Andrew Dealy, LPCTechnical Producer: Aaron CampbellPodcast Art: Stephen ManchaPodcast Music: Matt GrahamLiturgy Writer: Erin FeldmanLiturgy Reader: Alex EspinozaGroups Guide Writer: Erin Feldman

Shanda Anderson, LPC-S, Brittany Beltran, LPC, and Andrew Dealy, LPCT, dive deep into the heart of joy as a state of being rather than a fleeting emotion. They discuss how true joy, rooted in faith, can persist through life's trials and hardships. The guests emphasize the selfless nature of joy, urging listeners to navigate through grief while clinging to hope in God. They encourage redefining happiness and recognizing the importance of spiritual community in nurturing joy, ultimately fostering emotional maturity in a complex world.

Andrew Dealy, Brittany Beltran, and Shanda Anderson, all professional counselors with expertise in engaging emotions from a biblical perspective, discuss the intricate relationship between anxiety and depression. They emphasize how recognizing our feelings invites us to seek Jesus, mirroring His strength in the garden of Gethsemane. The conversation encourages sharing fears, finding hope, and fostering genuine community support while navigating emotional struggles. Their insights highlight the importance of grace, patience, and empathy in supporting one another through dark times.

Join Andrew Daly, a professional counselor with expertise in emotional well-being, and Brittany Beltran, a licensed counselor focused on biblical perspectives, as they delve into the complex relationship between anxiety and faith. They explore how Jesus confronted His own anxiety, illustrating that it’s a natural human emotion. The discussion emphasizes the power of community, confession, and the importance of trusting in God during anxious times. Together, they encourage listeners to embrace vulnerability and transform anxiety into opportunities for spiritual growth.

Andrew Dealy, a licensed professional counselor, dives into the emotional turmoil of jealousy. He highlights how unchecked jealousy can lead to resentment and shame, urging listeners to find contentment through spiritual alignment. Dealy discusses the impact of social media on our perceptions of unfairness and emphasizes the importance of recognizing our unique gifts. He advocates for a mindset shift towards gratitude and joy, promoting community support as a way to navigate these struggles and redirect hope towards fulfillment in Christ.

In this enlightening discussion, counselors Brittany Beltran, Shanda Anderson, and Andrew Daly dive deep into the complexities of grief. They explore how grief is often non-linear, challenging perceptions of loss. The trio emphasizes that embracing emotions can lead to greater faith and connection. They highlight the necessity of community support, the healing power of presence, and the intertwined nature of love and grief. Personal experiences shed light on navigating anger, loss, and spiritual understanding, encouraging listeners to find hope amid sorrow.

Explore the complexity of anger and its roots, reframing anger as a response to misrepresentations of God and mistreatment of His image-bearers. Discover how anger can mask deeper emotions like shame and fear, impacting relationships and self-esteem. Learn to navigate anger with righteousness, patience, and humility, fostering understanding and compassion in a culture filled with differing beliefs.

Professional counselors discuss the biblical view on pride, emphasizing the importance of humble confidence over self-sufficiency. They explore the roots of pride, the healing power of seeking divine guidance, and navigating threatening situations with humility. The podcast delves into the consequences of pride through Nebuchadnezzar's story, highlighting the transformation towards humility and repentance.

Discover how fear, both beneficial and distorted, affects our perception of God and relationships. Learn about different fear responses and the importance of managing fears within a supportive community for healthier mindsets and relationships. Explore addressing fears in children with empathy and building resilience through faith and community support.