Therapy and Theology

Rebecca Maxwell, a licensed marriage and family therapist and author of "Jesus & Your Mental Health," joins the conversation to shed light on the intersection of faith and psychology. She shares practical morning routines and journaling techniques to foster mental wellness. The importance of community in combatting loneliness post-divorce takes center stage, along with insights on recognizing and managing anxiety. Rebecca also breaks down how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected, enhancing our understanding of mental health.

Jim Cress, a counselor and co-author specializing in grief and recovery, shares profound insights on navigating loss. He unpacks the five stages of grief, emphasizing that healing is a cyclical journey rather than a linear one. Cress highlights the dangers of romanticizing the past and offers practical tips for integrating healthy reality checks. They explore how acceptance, rather than time, is key to moving forward. Discover how small acts of agency can empower individuals to actively shape their futures after loss.

Forgiveness often feels like an unfair gift we have to give to someone who hurt us the most. But what if it's actually God's prescription for the hurting human heart to heal?In this episode, you’ll learn:The dangers and costs of unforgiveness.How to maintain a soft heart heart when you're scared to get hurt again.The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation.What to do when you get triggered again.A special thank-you to our partner for this season: Convoy of Hope. For over 30 years, Convoy of Hope has helped vulnerable communities around the world — and empowering women and girls is a key part of that mission. Convoy of Hope partners with women so they can start their own businesses to better support themselves and their families. Because when women are empowered, entire communities are transformed. Visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today.Links and Resources We'll Mention in This Episode:Get your copy of Surviving an Unwanted Divorce by Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress.Be notified as soon as new Therapy & Theology episodes are available! Enter your email address here to subscribe and stay connected.We want to hear from YOU! Take this survey to let us know how we can better serve you.See Lysa in a city near you this fall on the Trust Again Tour. Bring a friend, and get your tickets here!The Therapy & Theology podcast is brought to you by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to help women encounter the Truth of God's Word in every season. Learn more here!Click here to download a transcript of this episode.Go Deeper:Listen to "The Daily Cure for a Heavy Heart."Listen to "Are There Some People We Shouldn’t Trust Again?"Watch "What if I Don't Feel Ready To Forgive?"

After a life-altering experience like an unwanted divorce, the dust may settle, but your mind keeps racing. Questions like Why wasn’t I enough?, What could I have done differently?, or How did I miss this? spiral on repeat. Without healing and healthy processing, these thoughts turn into faulty beliefs that make moving forward even harder.In this episode, you’ll learn:Who is a trustworthy source of truth to speak into your life.What is a three-step process to take your thoughts captive based on 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.How to live in the identity God has given you, instead of the circumstances that have happened to you.A special thank-you to our partner for this season: Convoy of Hope. For over 30 years, Convoy of Hope has helped vulnerable communities around the world — and empowering women and girls is a key part of that mission. Convoy of Hope partners with women so they can start their own businesses to better support themselves and their families. Because when women are empowered, entire communities are transformed. Visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today.Links and Resources We'll Mention in This Episode:Get your copy of Surviving an Unwanted Divorce by Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress.Be notified as soon as new Therapy & Theology episodes are available! Enter your email address here to subscribe and stay connected.We want to hear from YOU! Take this survey to let us know how we can better serve you.See Lysa in a city near you this fall on the Trust Again Tour. Bring a friend, and get your tickets here!The Therapy & Theology podcast is brought to you by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to help women encounter the Truth of God's Word in every season. Learn more here!Click here to download a transcript of this episode.Go Deeper:Listen to "How To Be Brave When You Don't Feel Brave."Listen to "You Are Worthy of Being Chosen" With Jim Cress.Watch "Stop the Shame Scripts Holding You Back."

Divorce is so deeply complex, confusing, and gut-wrenching — especially when you are blindsided by betrayal and left facing a future you never asked for.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why Matthew 19 is often misunderstood and debated, and what Jesus actually meant.What the connection is between Old and New Testament teachings on marriage and divorce.How to keep refusing shame so you can walk toward deeper healing for your future.A special thank-you to our partner for this season: Convoy of Hope. For over 30 years, Convoy of Hope has helped vulnerable communities around the world — and empowering women and girls is a key part of that mission. Convoy of Hope partners with women so they can start their own businesses to better support themselves and their families. Because when women are empowered, entire communities are transformed. Visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today.Links and Resources We'll Mention in This Episode:Get your copy of Surviving an Unwanted Divorce by Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress.Be notified as soon as new Therapy & Theology episodes are available! Enter your email address here to subscribe and stay connected.We want to hear from YOU! Take this survey to let us know how we can better serve you.See Lysa in a city near you this fall on the Trust Again Tour. Bring a friend, and get your tickets here!The Therapy & Theology podcast is brought to you by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to help women encounter the Truth of God's Word in every season. Learn more here!Click here to download a transcript of this episode.Go Deeper:Listen to "Difficult vs. Destructive Relationships" With Leslie Vernick.Listen to "Is Every Red Flag a Big Deal?"Watch "How To Deal With Emotional Abuse."

Divorce is a deeply painful experience that often carries layers of shame and confusion, especially for Christians. While we don't want to glorify divorce in anyway, we also don't want people quietly suffering without a place to turn. In this episode, you’ll learn:What it means to be an image bearer of God — whether you're married or single.Why passages of Scripture, like Malachi 2:16, are often misunderstood and how you can know what the original text actually means.How to refuse the shame-filled accusations the enemy throws at you.A special thank-you to our partner for this season: Convoy of Hope. For over 30 years, Convoy of Hope has helped vulnerable communities around the world — and empowering women and girls is a key part of that mission. Convoy of Hope partners with women so they can start their own businesses to better support themselves and their families. Because when women are empowered, entire communities are transformed. Visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today.Links and Resources We'll Mention in This Episode:Get your copy of Surviving an Unwanted Divorce by Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress.Be notified as soon as new Therapy & Theology episodes are available! Enter your email address here to subscribe and stay connected.We want to hear from YOU! Take this survey to let us know how we can better serve you.See Lysa in a city near you this fall on the Trust Again Tour. Bring a friend, and get your tickets here!The Therapy & Theology podcast is brought to you by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to help women encounter the Truth of God's Word in every season. Learn more here!Click here to download a transcript of this episode.Go Deeper:Listen to "How Can I Trust God When I Don’t Understand What He Allows?"Listen to "You Are Worthy of Being Chosen" With Jim Cress.Watch "Stop the Shame Scripts Holding You Back."

For years, Lysa TerKeurst has walked alongside women who never wanted their marriage to end yet find themselves navigating the grief, shame, and unanswered questions that divorce brings. Now, Lysa, alongside theologian Dr. Joel Muddamalle, Licensed Professional Counselor Jim Cress, and other special guests, offers listeners the emotional fortitude and biblical confidence they need to move forward. These episodes will especially help:Someone who has suffered or is currently suffering through an unwanted divorce.Friends, family members, Bible study leaders, pastors, and counselors who are walking with others through their own devastating season.Christians who have long been confused about what the Bible says about divorce.Episode 1 releases on September 11, so make sure you're subscribed, and we'll see you then.A special thank-you to our partner for this season: Convoy of Hope. For over 30 years, Convoy of Hope has helped vulnerable communities around the world — and empowering women and girls is a key part of that mission. Convoy of Hope partners with women so they can start their own businesses to better support themselves and their families. Because when women are empowered, entire communities are transformed. Visit convoy.org/p31 to help empower women and girls today.Links and Resources We'll Mention This Season:Get your copy of Surviving an Unwanted Divorce by Lysa TerKeurst, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Jim Cress. Be notified as soon as new Therapy & Theology episodes are available! Enter your email address here to subscribe and stay connected.We want to hear from YOU! Take this survey to let us know how we can better serve you.See Lysa in a city near you this fall on the Trust Again Tour. Bring a friend, and get your tickets here!The Therapy & Theology podcast is brought to you by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Proverbs 31 Ministries exists to help women encounter the Truth of God's Word in every season. Learn more here!Go Deeper:Listen to "I’m Afraid I’m Being Betrayed."Listen to "How To Move On When Someone Walks Away."Watch "How Do I Talk About Divorce With My Kids?"

Join Meredith Brock, CEO of Proverbs 31 Ministries and mother of three, alongside Bethany Hall, Director of Training at Chosen and pediatric expert, as they discuss navigating the complexities of parenting. They explore recognizing personal triggers that influence parenting styles and the importance of healing from past traumas. Key insights include identifying fear and shame responses in children and practical strategies to foster calm and connected family dynamics. Self-reflection and emotional regulation are emphasized for healthier parent-child relationships.

It's one thing to recognize red flags in your relationships. It's another thing to know what to do after that.In this episode, you'll learn:Five spectrums to consider when determining how serious a red flag is.Guidelines for determining if a particular red flag is something that needs to be confronted or self-managed.How to grow in awareness of red flags without getting overwhelmed or scared to get close to others.Links we mentioned in this episode:Download "Is This Normal? 15 Red Flags You May Be Missing in Your Relationships" by Lysa TerKeurst here.Sign up for a $10 webinar on September 4 at 7 p.m. ET with the Chosen team to learn about attachment styles and foster better communication with your children — no matter their age. Have a question for Lysa, Jim, or Joel? Leave us a message, and it could be answered on one of our future podcast episodes! Start here.Click here to download a transcript of this episode.Go deeper: Listen to "Red Flags We Shouldn’t Ignore in Relationships."Listen to "Here Is Your Permission To Set Boundaries" With Jim Cress.Watch "Difficult vs. Destructive Relationships."

Noticing red flags doesn’t make you critical — it makes you wise.In this episode, you'll learn:Six red flags to be aware of — whether you're building new relationships or evaluating existing ones.How to talk to someone about behavior that concerns you.How to best utilize godly discernment as you grow in self-awareness.Links we mentioned in this episode:Download "Is This Normal? 15 Red Flags You May Be Missing in Your Relationships" by Lysa TerKeurst here.Sign up for a $10 webinar on September 4 at 7 p.m. ET with the Chosen team to learn about attachment styles and foster better communication with your children — no matter their age. Have a question for Lysa, Jim, or Joel? Leave us a message, and it could be answered on one of our future podcast episodes! Start here.Click here to download a transcript of this episode.Go deeper: Listen to "Red Flags We Shouldn’t Ignore in Relationships."Listen to "Here Is Your Permission To Set Boundaries" With Jim Cress.Watch "Difficult vs. Destructive Relationships."