The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in your current season of life while everyone around you was moving forward?

Maybe you’re still praying for a future husband while all of your friends are married. Or there's a goal or dream you've been working toward for a long time, but you've hit so many roadblocks. Or maybe you just moved to a new city, and you're trying to figure out who your new people will be.

When you’re in that place, it can be easy to look around and wonder, Did I miss something? Did I not hear God right? But the truth is: You are not behind. God has you exactly where He needs you to be.

In this conversation with Meghan Ryan Asbury, you will learn how to stop giving in to comparison, get in community, and practice celebration. As you embrace and enjoy the season God has you in, you'll discover that it's possible to build a life you love without getting everything you want.

Related Resources: 

• Grab your copy of Meghan’s new book, You Are Not Behind, where she will teach you to grieve the hard, celebrate the good, and embrace the in-between of where you are and where you want to be.
• Are you in a difficult season, or do you know someone who is? Unsure of how to pray for yourself or them? Sign up to receive our free resource "For the Girl Who Needs Hope: 50 Biblical Prayers for the Hard Moments."
• For more encouragement, follow Meghan on Instagram and connect with her at AlwaysMeghan.com.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode. 

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

As Christians, how can we balance living purposefully while we're here on earth with the reality that this world is not our forever home?

Today's episode is part of an ongoing series titled "Ask a Theologian" — conversations with Proverbs 31 Ministries' Director of Theological Research, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, and Content Manager for Lysa TerKeurst, Shae Hill. This episode also includes special guest Victoria Smith. Together, Joel, Shae and Victoria will give you theological insight and practical takeaways.

Related Resources:

• This episode is sponsored by Chosen Care. Chosen Care exists to help foster and adoptive families experience restoration and healing. They're currently on a mission to see 100,000 people heal from relational trauma, and you can learn how you can be a part of this movement by visiting www.chosen.care/100k.
• Do you have somewhere you like to go to pray or meet with God? In the Bible, some of the most significant moments happen at the top of mountains. From creation to Christ’s crucifixion, mountaintops are repeatedly present. To learn more about this topic, tune into a FREE teaching video "Mountaintops and Meeting With God" by Dr. Joel Muddamalle here!
• Leaf by Niggle and further reading from J.R.R. Tolkien is available in this collection of short stories: https://www.amazon.com/Tree-Leaf-Mythopoeia-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007105045.
• Tune in every Tuesday to Joel's Instagram for “Theology Talk Tuesday,” where he'll answer your most asked questions about God, the Bible and more. 
• Sign up on Joel’s website to receive free “bite-sized theology” through a monthly newsletter you can read in five minutes or less.
• 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.

How can life be so full yet sometimes feel so empty at the same time? It could be we're missing out on where true fullness comes from.

In this episode, join us for a conversation with singer-songwriter and author Ellie Holcomb as she walks us through Psalm 119. She shares her personal journey of memorizing Scripture and the transformative power it has had in her life and offers practical tips for you to do the same. While we may strive for a perfect life, true fullness comes from experiencing God's presence and knowing Him intimately.

Related Resources:

• Purchase the newly expanded limited edition of Ellie's devotional, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness. This devotional features 10 bonus devotionals, a gorgeous and exclusive new cover, new interior flourishes, and an extra art piece inside.
• If you’ve been feeling short of words recently, "The Prayer I Pray Every Morning" is a free resource from Lysa TerKeurst that will help you break the silence. 
• Join us for our next study, Proverbs: Everyday Guidance for Making Everyday Decisions, which starts May 27 in the free First 5 mobile app! Through the book of Proverbs, we get to see real-life examples of what it looks like to live in a way that honors God. Click here to order your study guide now.
• Click here to download a transcript of this episode. 

We want to hear how The Proverbs 31 Ministries Podcast has helped you! Will you consider leaving us a written review on Apple Podcasts?Proverbs 31 Ministries is a nonprofit organization, and this podcast is funded thanks to the generous support of our one-time and monthly donors. To learn more about how to partner with us, click here!

We want to hear how this podcast has impacted you! Share your story with us here.

Our thoughts are affecting us more than we know. 
 
 What we think determines how we live. And we have a choice to renew our minds. While it may feel impossible to change the thoughts we have in our heads, there is a way. Join our friend Jennie Allen as she teaches us what it looks like to fight back the lies that live in our head. There are weapons God has given us to stop the spiral of toxic thinking. Grab a pen and paper because you’re going to want to take notes on this episode!

Related Resources:

 Make sure to order a copy of Jennie's book, Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts!Discover how to submit your mind to Christ because how we think shapes how we live. Click here to order now!

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!

At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we offer professional and biblical training by industry experts for women who are called to write, speak and lead, through our She Speaks Conference and COMPEL Writers Training membership site. Click the links to learn more!

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

When we feel like our circumstances are just too much, it's easy to feel alone in our pain and believe God is distant. We wonder if He really understands the burdens we carry when we wake up to another day of uncertainty, hardship or pain.
 
Friend, there's good news: Jesus does understand. On this episode of the podcast, we have a conversation with Lysa TerKeurst about the humanity of Jesus and what that means for us. Through the books of Mark and Hebrews, we discuss how Jesus handled hardships as a human, and how we can look to Him as a trustworthy example when we struggle, too.

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.

At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we offer professional and biblical training by industry experts for women who are called to write, speak and lead, through our She Speaks Conference and COMPEL Writers Training membership site. Click the links to learn more!

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

It's easy to see how quickly social media can go from a fun tool we use to connect with friends, to a comparison trap we fall into without even recognizing it. So what's the trigger that trips us up and makes us fall into the comparison trap?
 
On this episode of the podcast, our friend Pastor Rob Singleton unpacks the key reason why we fall into the comparison trap: Our hearts are out of alignment. When we focus on what others think of us, or how we're measuring up to someone else's standard, we're not truly focusing on God.  Pastor Rob will share the signs and symptoms of a heart that's out of alignment, and what we can do to ensure we stay focused on Christ.

Related Resources:

Make sure you grab a copy of Rob Singleton's book, Overliked: Finding Direction, Courage, and Meaningful Relationships in a Society Crippled by Social Media.

At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we offer professional and biblical training by industry experts for women who are called to write, speak and lead, through our She Speaks Conference and COMPEL Writers Training membership site. Click the links to learn more!

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Where do you seek love and approval?
 
Is it based on what someone says (or doesn't say) to you? Your latest big win in your job, getting invited to that event, or if your kids are behaving well today?
 
 When being loved or approved rises and falls based on others, it's easy to forget our true source of love and approval already comes from Jesus. Today our friend and author, Lynn Cowell, reminds us that Jesus pours His love out on us, and shares how we can live with love and approval from Christ, not for love and approval from others. Grab a pen and paper, you will want to take notes on this one!
 
 P.S.: If you've got a young woman in your life who needs encouragement, we recommend listening to this episode with her!

Related Resources:

-Order a copy of Loved & Cherished by Lynn Cowell and Michelle Nietert! This devotional gives girls the words of truth they so desperately need to hear: they are loved, protected and valuable as children of God.
 
 -If you want to process this teaching more, we've got two free resources just for you! "Chosen, Called & Confident: 5 Days of Believing God Can Use You" from Lysa TerKeurst and "Truths for When You Question Who You Are".

-Subscribe to receive free Encouragement for Today devotions from writers like Anitha! Whether you’re looking for guidance in your faith, friendships, family, marriage, parenting, workplace or neighborhood, our writers combine God’s Truth with compassionate insight and practical application.

Click here to download the transcript for this episode.

Do you ever question if God is really faithful? Maybe you find yourself asking Him "why" ... because this plan doesn't seem like something a good God would allow to happen. 
 
 Today, our friend and author Nicki Koziarz shares three questions we can ask when faith feels impossible. These questions will help you understand where your doubts are coming from, process circumstances you don’t understand and understand what promises of God found in Scripture are really for you. With biblical insight and personal examples, Nicki will help you find the familiar faithfulness of God.

Related Resources:

-Grab your copy of Nicki's book, Flooded: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life Is Hard and Doubt Is Rising by visiting our bookstore today.

-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!
-Did this episode encourage you? We think you'll enjoy these episodes too:
Consider This: Does Prayer Change God's Mind?
5 Truths About God's Love for Us
3 Things To Consider When You're In the Middle

Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.

Have life's circumstances landed you in a place where you just don't know how you're going to get through it all? 
 
Maybe if you've been a Christian for years, you feel an added layer of shame and guilt because you know what God's Word says about getting through hard times. So, why can't you seem to press on? Wouldn't it be easier to give up?
 
 Today our friend Wendy Blight shares her journey of getting through a difficult season in life. You’ll be equipped with the Scriptures and takeaways from the book of Exodus to use when you're facing something that makes you want to turn back, give up or walk away.

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.
-Did you know we have Facebook groups created just for you? Find community for your specific season of life. If you are a 20-something, wife or mama, click here to find out more!

Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.

Have you ever wished you could change the details of your story?
 
 While there’s no denying: There are definitely painful parts of our story we’d love to edit out if we could. What if those same circumstances are the unlikely ingredients God is using to weave together a greater good we’d never want to miss out on? You see, with God, there’s always more than we currently see being worked out behind the scenes.
 
 In this short Q&A with Shae Tate and Lysa TerKeurst, you will be equipped to:
 Uncover the secret to really seeing and experiencing God even in the pain you didn't cause, the change you didn't want, or the reality you didn't know was coming.
 Disempower the lie that how you feel about your life is the full story by remembering with God there's always something more true, lovely, and good right now.
 Show up for a friend who's walking through a heartbreaking season with practical and personal ideas and to love and care for her well.

Related Resources

- Join Lysa TerKeurst in the pages of her devotional, Seeing Beautiful Again! Through the 50 devotions, scriptures, prayer prompts, and notes from her own journal, Lysa will personally share how she survived her own season of heartbreak, while inviting you to hope again. Order today!
- Easter is right around the corner, and our team at Proverbs 31 Ministries has pulled together some great resources to help you make this season even more meaningful. Check out the collection today. 

Click here to download the transcript for today's episode.