The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast

Motherhood and loss are two things that should not go together.  Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.  Walking through loss can leave a mother, or hopeful mother-to-be, feeling like she's alone in her struggles. So over the next three weeks, we will be joined by Proverbs 31’s biblical content specialist — author Wendy Blight — and Rachael Elmore, who is a licensed, professional counselor, to address the realities no one talks about related to motherhood and loss. Our deepest desire is that, through the content in these three episodes, you leave encouraged and more rooted in what Scripture says about the specific trials you, or those you love, are walking through.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.Related Resources: -We know this topic is difficult to process in a short podcast episode. That's why we put together a free resource, "What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss," to help you further unpack what you heard today. -If you have a friend who is in the middle of processing unmet expectations or other painful situations, we recommend Lysa TerKeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way. -Follow Wendy Blight @wblight and Rachael Elmore @rachaelhuntelmore on Instagram for more biblical encouragement and resources. -If you are looking for a licensed Christian counselor near you, visit aacc.net A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.

Motherhood and loss are two things that should not go together.  Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.  Walking through loss can leave a mother, or hopeful mother-to-be, feeling like she's alone in her struggles. So over the next three weeks, we will be joined by Proverbs 31’s biblical content specialist — author Wendy Blight — and Rachael Elmore, who is a licensed, professional counselor, to address the realities no one talks about related to motherhood and loss. Our deepest desire is that, through the content in these three episodes, you leave encouraged and more rooted in what Scripture says about the specific trials you, or those you love, are walking through.Related Resources: -We know this topic is difficult to process in a short podcast episode. That's why we put together a free resource, "What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss," to help you further unpack what you heard today. -If you have a friend who is in the middle of processing unmet expectations or other painful situations, we recommend Lysa TerKeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way. -Follow Wendy Blight @wblight and Rachael Elmore @rachaelhuntelmore on Instagram for more biblical encouragement and resources. -If you are looking for a licensed Christian counselor near you, visit aacc.netClick here to download the transcript for this episode. A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.

Motherhood and loss are two things that should not go together.  Yet most of us either have experienced or know someone who has experienced infertility, a miscarriage, infant loss, or postpartum anxiety and depression.  Walking through loss can leave a mother, or hopeful mother-to-be, feeling like she's alone in her struggles. So over the next three weeks, we will be joined by Proverbs 31’s biblical content specialist — author Wendy Blight — and Rachael Elmore, who is a licensed, professional counselor, to address the realities no one talks about related to motherhood and loss. Our deepest desire is that, through the content in these three episodes, you leave encouraged and more rooted in what Scripture says about the specific trials you, or those you love, are walking through.Related Resources: -We know this topic is difficult to process in a short podcast episode. That's why we put together a free resource, "What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss," to help you further unpack what you heard today. -If you have a friend who is in the middle of processing unmet expectations or other painful situations, we recommend Lysa TerKeurst's book It's Not Supposed to Be This Way. -Follow Wendy Blight @wblight and Rachael Elmore @rachaelhuntelmore on Instagram for more biblical encouragement and resources. -If you are looking for a licensed Christian counselor near you, visit aacc.net A note from Proverbs 31 Ministries: Some content in this episode is not appropriate for children and may serve as a trigger due to circumstances in your past. Please use discretion before listening.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Are there books of the Bible you hesitate to dive into?  Sometimes they can seem boring, heavy or just plain confusing. We understand, and that's why we invited, our friend and First 5 writer Kayla Ferris to the podcast! On this episode, Kayla walks us through 8 things you might be surprised to learn from the book of Leviticus. Through this book of laws, we get to see the goodness of the Lawgiver and why God's holiness is good news for us. Understand the cultural context of why some of these laws still apply to us, and why some do not. Tackle the hard and holy things God's Word offers us for a more abundant life today.Related Resources:Download our free First 5 mobile app and spend the first moments of your day with God before the hustle of your to-do list begins. We also have study guides to help you dig a little deeper into God's Word.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

If your schedule feels full and your soul feels weary, our friend Shae Tate has a word for you today.  Using Psalm 103:1-5 as our guide, Shae shows us the power that comes from remembering the Truth of God's word so we can live that Truth and pass it along to those around us in need. Together we can leave this episode saying, "God has not forgotten me, so I will not forget His promises to me." Get out your journal, friends, because you'll want to keep your notes from this one. Related Resources: Has the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast helped you grow in your faith or gain fresh, biblical perspective? Tell us about it by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. When you review and rate the podcast, it helps us reach even more people with biblical Truth. Our staff loves the opportunity to pray for you. Head over to our Prayer Wall and let us know how we can be praying for you in this season. Check out our FREE resource library! We've got tons of topical and study resources you can download to use for whatever you're going through right now.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

We've got some good news for you: It's not your job to make everyone happy!  Have you ever said "yes" when you knew you should have said "no"? Maybe you've gotten caught in the trap of people-pleasing. When we find ourselves feeling afraid to disappoint or upset the people we love, it's time to look at what's driving those fears. In this practical and honest episode, author and speaker Karen Ehman will show us what the Bible says about people-pleasing. Addressing different seasons and relationships, Karen will help us bust out of the prison of trying to make everyone happy and put our priorities in the right place.Related Resources:Get a copy of Karen’s book, When Making Others Happy Is Making You Miserable: How to Break the Pattern of People Pleasing and Confidently Live Your Life today!Connect with Karen on Instagram at @karenehman or on her website at karenehman.com Are you looking for a woman who knows how to teach the Bible? Someone dynamic — who can encourage, uplift and inspire audiences both big and small? Check our our Proverbs 31 Speaker Team to find the perfect speaker for your event!Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

The excitement of a new year means new goals to look forward to tackling ... but why is it so easy to find ourselves in the same old cycle of restarting after just a few weeks?    Maybe there's a way to break the cycle. What if it's not about finding a new "how to" method, but it's about finding a new "want to" motivation? In this chapter of her book I'll Start Again Monday, Lysa TerKeurst shares the one choice she made that changed her heart and attitude about being healthy. Learn to break the cycle of unhealthy eating habits with lasting spiritual satisfaction.Related Resources:Purchase Lysa TerKeurst’s book, I’ll Start Again Monday, based on her bestselling book Made to Crave. Lysa offers a new perspective to all those stuck in the cycle of losing weight but then gaining it back, equipping readers with the deeper spiritual and emotional motivation they need to make lasting changes.Aren't sure how to make the most of your time with God? God is inviting you into deeper connection with Him through His Word. Start developing the habit of spending time in Scripture with our FREE guide: The 21-Day Invitation: Steps to Reconnect with God.Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Sometimes God's protection comes in packages that don't feel like protection.  The Bible says Jesus has overcome the world. But what about when it doesn't feel like it right now, in this situation? On this episode of the podcast, Lysa TerKeurst and Dr. Joel Muddamalle will walk through places in Scripture that show us the unlikely places where Jesus' protection is actually present. We'll learn that just because we can't see what God is doing, does not mean He is not working. Just because we feel afraid, does not mean we have to live afraid. We just have to train our eyes and ears to where Jesus is present in our lives today so we can find comfort in Him no matter the circumstances.Related Resources:Your life is crazy, but your Bible study doesn't have to be. Online Bible Studies is a place where you can dive deep into books by your favorite Christian authors alongside a community of women from right where you are. Check out our latest Online Bible Study now!Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

When we really love our people, we go above and beyond to show them we care. But sometimes, loving and serving others isn't easy, especially when it seems like we are the one putting the majority of the effort into the relationship.  But ... are we really understanding or appreciating the way others might be loving or serving us back, in their own unique way? Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast, our friend Amanda Bacon shares the three problems we face when our expectations aren't met, and how to love and live freely out of an overflow of Christ's sacrificial love for us.Related Resources:Your life is crazy, but your Bible study doesn't have to be. Online Bible Studies is a place where you can dive deep into books by your favorite Christian authors alongside a community of women from right where you are. Check out our latest Online Bible Study now! Connect with Amanda on Instagram @amanda_bacon_ and subscribe to her At Night podcast to keep learning from her. Dig deeper into this topic by listening to this episode of the podcast with Lysa TerKeurst,  What the Humanity of Jesus Means for Us. Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Disclaimer: We want to be mindful of all listeners when we discuss a topic that may be triggering to some, or not age appropriate for children. In this episode, we will be talking about the realities of addiction. Please see our related resources below for additional tools on this topic.  What does it mean to live full and walk free in a world where temptations are on every corner? So often our humanity gets in the way of who we are in Christ, and leads us down paths we don't want to be on.  On this episode of the podcast, Cindy Bultema shares her personal testimony of recovering from addiction and how to live fully and walk freely in Christ. In this honest conversation, we process how to avoid the triggers of temptation, how to get to the root of what causes us to be tempted, and ultimately the freedom we have in Christ to renew our hearts and minds each day. Cindy shares that what we believe about God, and therefore ourselves, matters, and starting with that foundational belief is the key to a full, free life in Christ.Related Resources: If you or someone you love is looking for a Christian counselor, the American Association of Christian Counselors is a great resource for finding one that's right for you. Connect with Cindy at https://www.cindybultema.com/gems/ or on Instagram at @cindybultema. Get Cindy’s book, Live Full Walk Free, to explore Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and see how believers today can navigate their way in a wayward and confused culture. Subscribe to receive free Encouragement for Today weekday devotions in your inbox. Download the "Temptation Victory Plan" on Cindy's website, cindybultema.com. Click here to download the transcript for this episode.