Have you ever found yourself asking these questions: What do I have to do in order for God to give me what I want? Why do bad things happen to good people? Did I do something to deserve this?Those questions you’ve been wrestling with come from a belief system theologians call “retribution theology.” That’s a big term, but understanding this belief system can clear up a lot of confusion and pain that you may have been carrying in your relationship with God and your understanding of how He works. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify how this displays itself in your life and how to see God rightly. All of this will show you how to let go of the need for control or to earn His love and favor.Related Resources:Ready to process all of Joel's teaching points? We've got you! Download our brand-new free resource called "Consider This: Why Do Bad Things Happen to God’s People?" to unpack how this belief system may be impacting your relationship with the Lord. We hope these verses to study and reflection questions help you cling to Truth and redirect your thoughts when you find yourself wrestling with why bad things can sometimes happen to God’s people. Click here to download for free now.Order your study guide on the book of Job, When the Hurt Feels Hopeless: How God Meets Us in Our Pain Even When We Don’t Know the Answers.Have you enjoyed this episode? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a review, and share what God has taught you.Click here to download a transcript of this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

It's easy to get skeptical when our life doesn't look the way we expected it to.Especially in seasons of transition, when what used to be is gone and you're not where you want to be yet, you can start to question what God is doing. Nicki Koziarz is no stranger to the podcast, but for those who don't know her, she is an author, a podcaster, a Bible teacher, and a dear friend to us at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Through the life of Moses, Nicki will teach us how to navigate the moments in life when we feel stuck in the "in between."Related Resources:Make sure to order a copy of Nicki’s book Your New Now today.Join Circle 31: a community of monthly donors doing ministry together.Take Nicki's quiz "What season of transition are you in?"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 a transcript of this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

One in four women experience some kind of hurt from their fathers.If you have been hurt, neglected, rejected or abandoned by your father, it may feel like every aspect of life is affected by that broken trust. On this episode, we welcome back our friend and author Kia Stephens as she teaches us about how to overcome our father wounds through the story of Leah in the Bible. While no dad is perfect, we do have a perfect Father in God, and He can heal every hurt we've experienced. It's possible to overcome insecurity, low self-esteem and perfectionism that comes from our past. And you can connect with God as your loving heavenly Father today.Related Resources:Order Kia’s book, Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God's Perfect Love.If you need encouragement in the middle of what you are facing, download our free resource: “3 Truths You Need To Process Your Pain.”Click here to download a transcript of this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

It's time to let go of your past and move into your future.If you feel stuck in some area of your life or wish something were different, it may be because you keep looking back. On today's episode, our friend and bestselling author Christine Caine shows us how this way of living is hindering us from getting to where we want to go and what we need to do to keep moving forward into God's promises and purpose for our lives. Grab your Bible because you're going to want to follow along her teaching and take notes!Related Resources:Get a copy of Christine's book, Don't Look Back: Getting Unstuck and Moving Forward with Passion and Purpose. Subscribe to our Podcast Insider newsletter for behind-the-scenes details on what's happening on the Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast Network, reflection questions for episodes, and more!Download our free resource, “Now What? A Biblical Guide To Process and Apply What You Are Learning."Click here to download a transcript of this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

If you long to change but feel like it's just not possible, this is for you.We all have habits that aren't super beneficial, but how do we form new ones when every time we try we seem to fail? On this episode, Lysa TerKeurst sits down with our friend and pastor Craig Groeschel and asks him all the questions about how to live the way you want to. Learn how to make changes when you feel stuck and prioritize when you've got a lot on your plate through simple adjustments that won't leave you feeling overwhelmed and defeated. Change is possible because of the gospel, so grab a pen and paper and join us!Related Resources:Order a copy of Craig's book The Power to Change: Mastering the Habits That Matter Most.Download our free resource "31 Days To Form a New Habit," and learn how to be faithful with what God has already given you so you can see His plan and purpose prevail in your life.Click here to download a transcript of this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Stepping out in faith is not always easy.But when we do, we get to join in God's mission for the world. For Foster Care Awareness Month, we invited our friend Jamie Finn to share how God changed her heart and opened her up to foster care. There are so many ways we can rally around the biblical mandate to take care of the vulnerable who are in need, and we want to invite you to consider what God may be calling you to personally. Let Jamie's story inspire you to say "yes" to the thing God has put on your heart today.Related Resources:- Learn more about how you get involved by visiting the Foster the Family website.- Maybe you can’t quite put into words what step of faith God wants you to take right now. Download our free resource, "A Guide to Stepping Out in Faith."- Click here to download a transcript of this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

As moms, we bear a lot of weight. There are so many different voices telling us what to do and how to parent, and it's easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to every other mom around us. Our desire to get it right is a good thing. Bad moms don't worry about whether or not they are bad moms. Good moms do that. But we don't have to constantly beat ourselves up when we feel like we fall short. Our friend, author and Licensed Counselor Rachael Elmore joins us on this episode to remind us of what is true for us as moms: Even in our mistakes, God is in control. Related Resources:Order Rachael’s book, A Mom Is Born: Biblical Wisdom and Practical Advice for Taking Care of Yourself and Your New Baby.Learn the practical side of motherhood by building your postpartum wellness plan. Download Chapter 3 of A Mom Is Born today for free, and see why “every new mom needs this.”Download our free resource, “What Nobody Talks About: When the Journey of Motherhood Involves Disappointment, Suffering & Loss.”Click here to download a transcript for this episode.We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Maybe you've heard of the Enneagram but aren't sure what it's all about. Is it even OK for Christians to use it? Is it something that can be used for spiritual growth, not just personal growth? Perhaps you know your Enneagram type but have no idea how to apply what you've learned as a way to enhance your spiritual life. Our new friend, author and Enneagram coach Meredith Boggs guides you through a biblical road map to using the Enneagram to revitalize your faith and guide you back home to God.This episode covers Types 5-9; make sure you tune in to Part 1 for Types 1-4!Related Resources:Have you listened to the new Encouragement for Today Podcast? Listen now to start your day with a biblical perspective you can carry with you no matter what lies ahead.Get Meredith’s new book, The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships. Connect with Meredith on Instagram at @meredithwboggs and on her website at meredithwboggs.com.Click here to download a transcript for this episode.We want to get to know you! Will you tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out this survey? 

Maybe you've heard of the Enneagram but aren't sure what it's all about. Is it even OK for Christians to use it? Is it something that can be used for spiritual growth, not just personal growth? Perhaps you know your Enneagram type but have no idea how to apply what you've learned as a way to enhance your spiritual life. Our new friend, author and Enneagram coach Meredith Boggs guides you through a biblical road map to using the Enneagram to revitalize your faith and guide you back home to God.This episode covers Types 1-4; make sure you tune in to Part 2 for Types 5-9!Related Resources:Have you listened to the new Encouragement for Today Podcast? Listen now to start your day with a biblical perspective you can carry with you no matter what lies ahead.Get Meredith’s new book, The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith and Relationships.Connect with Meredith on Instagram at @meredithwboggs and on her website at meredithwboggs.com.Click here to download a transcript for this episode.We want to get to know you! Will you tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out this survey? 

Sometimes self-care can feel selfish.But when we neglect our own well-being, we can quickly get burnt out. God wants us to take care of ourselves, and it doesn't look like the world makes wellness out to be. Our new friend and author Bonnie Gray walks us through four practical ways to care for our souls the way God intended. When you feel overwhelmed by the pressures of life, it's possible to pause, restore calm and choose joy. This episode will help you learn new ways to break free from worry and anxiety.Related Resources: Order Bonnie’s new book, Breathe: 21 Days to Stress Less and Transform Chaos to Calm, and get access to her wellness Bible study.Take the Soul-Care Quiz, and learn what type of care you need to flourish in your life with God’s peace and joy. Download our free five-day devotional, Overlooked, Overwhelmed and Over It: Five Devotions for the Girl Who Feels Tempted To Quit.Click here to download a transcript of this episode.We want to get to know you! Will you tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out this survey?