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Have you ever seen pictures of friends getting together without you and immediately wondered, Did I do something wrong? Why wasn't I invited? Do I even matter to them anymore? Being left out hurts. Whether it's a friend group that has changed, a family relationship that has grown distant, or a season of life that ended before you were ready, rejection and exclusion can stir up surprisingly big emotions. You may feel sad, angry, jealous, resentful—or even embarrassed that it bothers you so much. And then sometimes we make the hurt even heavier by telling ourselves we shouldn't feel that way. In this episode of Peace in His Presence, Michelle talks about what may actually be happening underneath the pain of feeling forgotten or left out. Sometimes the deepest ache isn't simply, They didn't invite me. It's the tender question underneath it: Do I matter? You'll learn why it's important to name what actually hurts instead of rushing yourself to "get over it," how different parts of us may respond to rejection by either hurting or trying to protect us from being hurt again, and why grief is a normal part of accepting that a friendship or season has changed. Michelle also shares why you don't have to rush past grief to get to gratitude. Jesus Himself wept at Lazarus's tomb. Grief and hope can exist together. You can be sad that something has changed and be grateful for the life God has given you now. Most importantly, you don't have to clean up your emotions before bringing them to Jesus. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He meets us in the real ache—the Why didn't they reach out? Why wasn't I included? Did I ever really matter to them? kind of hurt. In this episode, we talk about: Why being left out or excluded by friends can hurt so deeply What may be underneath the thought, "Why wasn't I invited?" How to process friendship rejection without shaming yourself Why anger can sometimes be protecting a more tender emotion Grieving friendships and relationships that have changed Why you don't have to rush yourself into forgiveness or gratitude How faith in Jesus meets us in rejection, loneliness, grief, and hurt Finding peace even when the relationship itself doesn't change You don't have to pretend it didn't hurt. You don't have to force yourself to be okay. You can name what happened, allow yourself to grieve what has changed, and bring the ache to Jesus exactly as it is. Scripture mentioned: Psalm 34:18 Psalm 46:10 John 11:35 Psalm 147:3 Want someone to walk with you? If you're tired of getting stuck in overthinking, people-pleasing, relationship hurt, or the fear that you don't matter, Christian life coaching can give you a safe place to slow down and understand what's happening underneath those patterns. Michelle offers free coaching consultations where you can talk about what's going on, experience some of the tools she uses with her clients, and decide whether coaching might be a helpful next step for you. Schedule your free consultation (Click here) Learn more about Michelle and her coaching at michellediercks.com Peace in His Presence is a Christian podcast with Michelle Diercks, Master Certified Christian Life Coach, author, speaker, and Bible teacher, helping women find rest and hope in the promises and presence of God.

Have you ever felt like it was simply safer to stay small? Maybe you've been putting off that dream, avoiding difficult conversations, or quietly convincing yourself that "someday" will be a better time. Maybe you've learned to hide in ways that don't even look like hiding anymore. In this episode of Peace in His Presence, Michelle shares the deeply personal story of how childhood bullying taught her that staying unseen felt safe—and how that same pattern quietly followed her into adulthood, even as she stepped into podcasting, coaching, and writing. If you've ever struggled with the fear of being seen, procrastination rooted in fear, or believing that staying small is the safest option, this conversation will remind you that there is a better hiding place. Drawing from Psalm 32:7, Michelle explores the difference between the hiding places we build for ourselves and the refuge God lovingly offers. You'll leave this episode encouraged to take one faithful step toward the dream God has placed on your heart, knowing you don't have to become fearless before you begin. In This Episode You'll Discover: Why hiding often begins as a way to protect ourselves How childhood experiences can shape our adult patterns The connection between fear, procrastination, and staying small The difference between hiding from the world and finding refuge in God A simple practice for bringing fear to Jesus instead of letting it keep you stuck A calming breath prayer based on Psalm 32:7 Scripture Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Reflection Questions Where have I been choosing the "safest seat" instead of stepping forward? What fear is inviting me to hide today? What would one faithful step with Jesus look like this week? Free Resource If you've been carrying a dream, a calling, or a project that keeps getting pushed to "someday," download my free Someday Project Companion Guide. Inside you'll find gentle reflection prompts, Scripture, and practical encouragement to help you move from fear to faith—one faithful step at a time. Connect with Michelle Website: michellediercks.com

When Your Inner Mean Girl Gathers Her Posse Why the voices telling you to stay quiet, stay small, and stay safe get so loud when you try something new. Have you ever wanted to start something new—a book, a podcast, a Bible study, a business, a ministry, or another dream you've carried for years—only to find that your inner critic suddenly has a lot to say? Who do you think you are? What if you fail? What if you don't know enough? What if someone else could do it better? Sometimes the moment we begin moving toward something that matters to us, the negative self-talk gets louder. Fear of failure, self-doubt, old patterns, and painful memories can create so much noise that we begin to wonder why we feel stuck. Before long, the dream gets tucked away again with a familiar promise: Maybe someday. In this episode, I'm taking you with me on the gravel roads near my Iowa home, where some very protective mama killdeers helped me notice something about my own internal warning system. We'll talk about why your inner critic can get especially loud when you're doing something new, how old experiences can shape the patterns we carry into the present, and why the question "What happens inside me when I try?" may be more helpful than asking, "Why can't I just do this?" I'll also share a story from my own childhood about the mean girls who taught me to stay quiet, stay small, and stay safe—and how that old pattern can still gather its posse when I step into uncertainty today. But this isn't an episode about defeating your brain, silencing every negative thought, or trying harder to think positively. It's an invitation to notice what gets loud inside you and carry those words with you to the foot of the cross. What does your inner mean girl say when you try? I'm too late. I'm not good enough. I don't know what I'm doing. Someone else could do this better. I never finish anything. Who do I think I am? You don't have to argue with every thought until you win. You don't have to silence every siren before you move forward. You can bring the fear, the self-doubt, the questions, and the whole noisy posse to Jesus. Because your inner critic does not get to tell you who you are. Your project does not get to tell you who you are. Your progress and productivity do not get to tell you who you are. Jesus does. In this episode, we'll sit together with the prayer of Psalm 139: "Search me, O God, and know my heart... and lead me in the way everlasting." Search me. Know me. Lead me. You don't have to figure out the whole road ahead. You can bring what you're carrying to Jesus, remember what is true because of Him, and ask one simple question: Jesus, what is one faithful step You are inviting me to take today? In this episode, we'll talk about: Why your inner critic and negative self-talk may get louder when you try something new How fear of failure and self-doubt can keep a meaningful dream stuck in "someday" Why old experiences can create patterns of staying quiet, staying small, and staying safe A gentler coaching question to ask when you feel stuck or keep procrastinating How to notice the thoughts that surface when you move toward something that matters Why you don't have to fight with every thought or silence every fear before coming to Jesus What it looks like to carry your inner critic's words to the foot of the cross How remembering your identity in Christ changes the place from which you take your next step How to move forward with one faithful step, even when you still feel uncertain A question to carry with you: What happens inside me when I try? And then: What does my inner mean girl say when I do? Write down the sentence that gets the loudest. Bring it honestly to Jesus. You don't need a polished prayer. You can simply say: "Lord, this is what gets loud when I try." Then sit with Him for a while. Do you have a someday project? Maybe it's a book you've always wanted to write, a podcast you've dreamed of starting, a Bible study tucked inside a notebook, a business, a ministry, or a message you've carried quietly for years. If you keep wondering why you can't seem to begin—or begin again—I created The Someday Project Companion Guide for you. This free Christian guide isn't another ten-step plan or another person telling you to try harder. It is a gentle place to take your someday project to the foot of the cross, sit with Jesus for a while, remember God's faithfulness, and ask Him for one faithful step. Get your free copy of The Someday Project Companion Guide here: [GET THE GUIDE] Bring the dream. Bring the questions. Bring the racket. And come sit with Jesus for a while. Because someday may not be on the calendar. But today is. Scripture mentioned in this episode Psalm 139:23–24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart... and lead me in the way everlasting."

You've been worrying about them for months. Maybe years. And here's what all that worry has fixed: nothing. Not their pain. Not their situation. Not the ache in your chest that shows up every time your phone rings. You know worrying doesn't fix it. You know that. And yet you cannot stop. You replay the conversations. You brace for the next phone call. You carry their pain home with you and set it right down on your kitchen table like it belongs there. Friend — this episode is for you. What This Episode Is About In this episode of the When You Cannot Fix It summer series, we're talking about what happens when you love someone so much that their pain becomes yours — and your nervous system simply will not rest until it's resolved. This is the invisible backpack. And most of us have been stuffing it full for years. We talk about why we do this — not just out of love, but because sitting with someone else's pain is deeply uncomfortable. We talk about the real neuroscience behind why your body replays their story again and again. And we talk about what to do instead — practically, not just spiritually. This isn't about caring less. It's about learning to carry less. What Christian Women Are Searching For — And What Jesus Says So many Christian women are carrying burdens that were never theirs to carry. Worry that belongs to God. Pain that belongs to someone else. Problems they were never designed to solve. Maybe you recognize yourself here: • You absorb the emotions of everyone around you — phone calls leave you heavy for days • You replay conversations looking for the thing you could have said that would have fixed it • You live under what I call "doom clouds". • You cannot rest until everyone around you is okay • You tell yourself you're just being a good friend, a good mom, a good daughter — and you're exhausted   That is not weak faith. That is not a character flaw. That is a nervous system that has been working overtime — protecting you and the people you love. And Jesus meets you right there. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 He is not saying — stop worrying and then come. He is saying — come. Weary. Burdened. Carrying what isn't yours. Just come. The Story Behind This Episode Years ago I had a friend who was carrying some of the heaviest things a person can carry. She would call me and I would listen — and I was always honored to listen. But here's what I didn't realize I was doing. Every time we hung up the phone, I felt a deep ache in my heart. I replayed what she had told me. Not just praying about it — thought looping. Spinning. Trying to figure out a way to fix her pain. And here's the honest truth of why we do this. We tell ourselves we are trying to help. And we are. But we also want to fix it so that we feel better too. Because sitting with someone else's pain is uncomfortable. And when we take it on, we feel it too. It took me a long time to learn this: sometimes people stay stuck. And carrying their stuckness is not helping them. It is absolutely exhausting you. I also share in this episode about the doom clouds I was living under with my kids — how they would call me from college, unpack the hard things, and then go live their best lives while I sat back in Iowa under the weight of what they had already set down. This is not a tidy lesson from the other side of healed. This is a real story from a woman who is still learning to lay it down. What You Will Discover in This Episode If you are a Christian woman struggling with worry, anxiety, or the exhausting need to fix people you love — here is what this episode will give you: • Why your brain absorbs other people's pain — and why that is not a spiritual failure • The simple neuroscience behind why replaying someone's story puts your body in fight or flight again and again • The invisible backpack — and what you have been quietly stuffing into it • The one question that has changed everything: What am I trying to carry that is not mine? • A practical way to bring what you are carrying to the foot of the cross — and actually leave it there • An introduction to the Joy Pause — learning to stay present with what is actually here instead of time-traveling into worry Scriptures Referenced in This Episode 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." Not some of it. Not just your own anxiety. All of it — including the worry you absorbed from someone else's phone call. Philippians 4:8 "Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — think about such things." After you lay it down — what do you pick back up? Not the replay. Not the what-ifs. Truth. His promises. What is actually lovely and real right now. Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Free Resource — Weary Traveler Reflection and Prayer Guide I made something for you. It is completely free. The Weary Traveler: Rest for the Over-Carrying Soul Reflection and Prayer Guide will walk you gently through eight reflection questions and a prayer of release — right to the foot of the cross with whatever you are carrying today. If you are already on my email list it is on its way to you. If not — download it free right here. 👉 [Prayer Guide] Ready to Go Deeper? Sometimes a podcast episode is a beautiful starting place — and sometimes what you really need is someone to sit with you. Someone to hold space and actually listen. That is what I do as a Master Certified Christian Life Coach. I would love to invite you to pull up a chair. I'm calling these sessions At the Kitchen Table with Michelle. It's a free consultation call — no strings attached, no pressure, no obligation. Just a conversation, some practical faith-based coaching tools, and a safe place to start. 👉 At the Kitchen Table with Michelle — Book Your Free Call   About Michelle Diercks Michelle Diercks is a Master Certified Christian Life Coach, speaker, and the author of Promised Rest and Promised Hope published by Concordia Publishing House. She is the host of the Peace in His Presence podcast and lives on a farm in Eastern Iowa with her husband Troy. Michelle helps anxious Christian women find peace through faith, neuroscience, and practical coaching tools — not from a place of having it all figured out, but from right beside them in the middle of it. Subscribe and Share If this episode spoke to something you've been carrying — would you share it with one woman who needs to hear it? You never know whose invisible backpack is packed a little too full right now. Find Peace in His Presence on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen. New episodes dropping all summer. We are going on this journey together — one week at a time, one thing at a time, learning to lay it all down. You were never meant to carry all of this, friend. And you don't have to.   Connect with Michelle 🌐 michellediercks.com 📖 Promised Rest and Promised Hope — available wherever books are sold

Are you a Christian woman who can't stop worrying about someone you love? Maybe it's your child who is struggling and won't let you help. Maybe it's a marriage that feels like it's slipping through your fingers. Maybe it's a parent's health or a situation at work or a relationship that keeps you awake at 3am spinning through every possible worst case scenario. You believe in God. You know He is in control. And your body still won't calm down. Friend — there is nothing wrong with you. And you are not alone. In this first episode of the When You Cannot Fix It summer series, I'm sharing something I've never talked about publicly before — a childhood memory that quietly shaped decades of anxiety, over-responsibility, and carrying burdens that were never mine to carry. And I'm sharing what I'm learning to do with all of it. If you have ever felt like a control freak and wondered why you can't just let go and trust God — this episode was made for you. What Christian Women Are Searching For — And What Jesus Says So many Christian women are exhausted from trying to fix things they cannot fix. Trying to control outcomes they cannot control. Trying to manage the emotions of everyone around them while quietly setting their own aside. Maybe you recognize yourself in this: You are the one who holds it all together even when you are falling apart on the inside. You replay conversations looking for the loophole — the magic words that will finally change things. You feel physically sick when someone you love is hurting and you can't see them or reach them or make it better. You brace for disaster on a perfectly ordinary Tuesday because your nervous system has been on high alert for so long it doesn't know how to stand down. That is not weak faith. That is not a character flaw. That is a nervous system that has been overworking for a very long time — trying to protect you and the people you love. And Jesus meets you right there. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 He is not saying — get it together first and then come. He is not saying — stop worrying and then come. He is saying — come. Weary. Burdened. Braced. Just come. The Story Behind This Episode I grew up as a twin. My sister Jimella and I were little girls in a kitchen in International Falls Minnesota — the icebox of the nation — when something happened that quietly shaped the next fifty years of my life. I didn't understand it until this past year when I began studying how our nervous systems build protective patterns. And when I finally understood it — I didn't feel ashamed anymore. I felt compassion. For that little girl who just never wanted to see someone she loved get hurt again. That's what this episode is about. Not a tidy lesson from the other side of healed. A real story from a woman who is still in the middle of learning to lay it down. What You Will Discover in This Episode If you are a Christian woman struggling with anxiety, worry, or the exhausting need to fix and control — here is what this episode will give you: A new understanding of why your brain builds protective patterns and why that is not a spiritual failure. The simple neuroscience behind why your nervous system stays in fight or flight even when there is nothing left to fight. Compassion for that part of you that cannot rest until everyone is okay — instead of shame. A practical way to bring what you are carrying to the foot of the cross and let Jesus hold what was never yours to carry in the first place. And the beginning of learning to let go — not perfectly, not all at once, but one thing at a time. Free Resource — Weary Traveler Reflection and Prayer Guide I made something for you. It's completely free. The Weary Traveler: Rest for the Over-Carrying Soul Reflection and Prayer Guide will walk you gently through eight reflection questions and a prayer of release — right to the foot of the cross with whatever you are carrying today. If you are already on my email list it is on its way to you. If not — download it free right here. Ready to Go Deeper? If you find yourself thinking — I need someone to walk through this with me personally — I would love to sit with you. I offer a free consultation with no pressure and no obligation. Just a conversation, some practical faith-based coaching tools, and a safe place to start. 👉 [Chat with Michelle] About Michelle Diercks Michelle Diercks is a Master Certified Christian Life Coach, speaker, and the author of Promised Rest and Promised Hope published by Concordia Publishing House. She is the host of the Peace in His Presence podcast and lives on a farm in Eastern Iowa with her husband Troy. Michelle helps anxious Christian women find peace through faith, neuroscience, and practical coaching tools — not from a place of having it all figured out, but from right beside them in the middle of it. She is not above you. She is beside you. Subscribe and Share If this episode spoke to something you've been carrying — would you share it with one woman who needs to hear it? You never know whose kitchen story is waiting to be understood. Find Peace in His Presence on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen. New episodes dropping all summer. We are going on this journey together — one week at a time, one thing at a time, learning to lay it all down. You were never meant to carry all of this friend. And you don't have to. Connect with Michelle: 🌐 michellediercks.com 📖 Promised Rest and Promised Hope — available wherever books are sold

Maybe you've had the phone call you weren't expecting. The diagnosis. The season you didn't choose. Maybe you're watching someone you love suffer and there's nothing you can do to fix it. Maybe you're just bone-tired from carrying more than you were ever meant to carry. Whatever brought you here today — you are welcome. You don't have to have it together. You just have to show up. About This Episode Isaiah 43 opens with words God spoke to a people in exile — people who were far from home, overwhelmed, and wondering if God had forgotten them. And before anything else, before the command not to fear, God says something deeply personal: "I have called you by name. You are mine." Not mom. Not the strong one. Not your role or your title. By your name. In this guided meditation, Michelle walks slowly and tenderly through Isaiah 43, pairing its promises with gentle breathing and grounding to help your overwhelmed heart receive what is already true about you. This is not a promise of a pain-free life. It is a promise of presence. When you pass through the waters, God doesn't say swim harder. He says: I will be with you. What You'll Experience in This Episode •       Gentle breathing and grounding to help an overwhelmed nervous system slow down •       A slow, unhurried walk through Isaiah 43 and its promises •       Honest space for grief, loss, and the seasons that feel like fire •       The reminder that overwhelm is not proof you lack faith — it is proof you are human •       A closing invitation to breathe in His faithfulness and breathe out your striving A Key Truth from This Episode Isaiah 43 says: "When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Notice — God does not say if. He says when. He doesn't promise the fire won't come. He promises He walks into it with you. "The same Lord who stood in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walks with you." Jesus did not avoid the fire. He entered it. And because He did, the fire does not have the final word over you. Not the water. Not the flame. Not the diagnosis. Not the outcome. Christ does. And this: overwhelm is not proof that you lack faith. It is proof that you are human. And you are not walking through it alone. When to Listen to This Episode •       When you've received news that has turned your world upside down •       When grief is sitting heavy and you don't have words •       When a season of life feels like too much and you can't catch your breath •       When you're watching someone you love walk through something hard •       When you need to be reminded: you are created, redeemed, and called by name More from the Be Still Series This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing His promises with gentle breathing and grounding exercises.   Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91) When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 invites you into the shelter of El Shaddai — the all-sufficient God. A meditation for weary, worried hearts who need to set down what they've been carrying. Perfect for: Anxiety, overwhelm, and the weight of things you cannot fix. Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night For the 2 AM moments when your mind won't stop. Psalm 121 holds a steady promise for restless nights: the one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, He is not asleep. Perfect for: Sleepless nights and the worry that wakes you in the dark. Scripture Featured in This Episode •       Isaiah 43:1 — Fear not, I have called you by name, you are mine •       Isaiah 43:2 — When you pass through the waters, I will be with you •       Isaiah 43:3 — I am the Lord your God, your Savior Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached. Book a free consultation Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter Visit michellediercks.com Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon. Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

It's the middle of the night. Your mind is moving. Your heart is racing. Your body just won't settle — even though you know you need sleep, even though you've prayed, even though you trust God. You're not alone. And you're not failing. This episode is for you — the one lying awake in the dark, scanning for danger that may never come, carrying worry about someone or something you cannot control. About This Episode Psalm 121 was written for travelers on a road — people who didn't know what waited around the next bend. Maybe that feels familiar. Maybe lately you've been lifting your eyes to the hills, watching, wondering: where does my help come from? In this gentle guided meditation, Michelle Derricks walks slowly through Psalm 121, pairing each promise with unhurried breathing and soft grounding to help your body receive what your heart already believes. "When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep. When you wake in the night, he is already awake." The Lord is your keeper. He is not distracted. He is not weary. He is not looking the other way. He keeps your coming and going — from this time forth and forevermore. What You'll Experience in This Episode •       Gentle breathing and grounding to quiet a racing mind and restless body •       A slow, unhurried walk through Psalm 121 and its promises •       Honest space for the question: what about the harm that has already happened? •       The assurance that God keeps not just your circumstances, but your soul •       A closing invitation to release your striving and rest in His faithfulness A Key Truth from This Episode Psalm 121 doesn't promise a pain-free life. We live in a broken world, and hard things happen. But here is what it does promise: a kept life. A guarded life. A life held in the hands of a God who never stops watching over your soul. "Evil does not have the final word over you. Fear does not have the final word. Christ does." In your baptism, you were joined to the one who conquered sin, death, and the grave. You are marked as his own — kept in his mercy and grace. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can snatch you from his hand. When to Listen to This Episode •       When you wake at 2 or 3 AM and your mind won't stop •       When you're lying in bed rehearsing every possible outcome •       When you're worrying about a child, a diagnosis, or something you cannot control •       When your body is exhausted but your nervous system is still on high alert •       Any time you need a steady, gentle voice to remind you — you are kept More from the Be Still Series This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing His promises with gentle breathing and grounding. Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91) When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 invites you into the shelter of El Shaddai — the God who is all-sufficient. This meditation is for the weary ones, the worried ones, and anyone who needs to set down what they've been carrying. Perfect for: Overwhelming anxiety and the weight of things you cannot fix. When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." This meditation holds space for grief, transition, and the seasons that feel like fire. You are created, redeemed, and called by name — and you are not walking through it alone.   Perfect for: Seasons of loss, overwhelm, or major life transitions.   Scripture Featured in This Episode •       Psalm 121:1-2 — I lift my eyes to the hills; my help comes from the Lord •       Psalm 121:3-4 — He who keeps you will not slumber •       Psalm 121:5-8 — The Lord will keep your going out and coming in forevermore Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.   Book a free consultation Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter Visit michellediercks.com Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon. Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Are you carrying something heavy right now? Maybe it's fear about someone's health. Maybe it's worry about your finances, your children, or the weight of everything happening in the world — things you cannot fix no matter how hard you try. This episode is a place to slow down, breathe, and remember who holds you. This guided meditation on Psalm 91 is part of the Be Still Series on the Peace in His Presence podcast — scripture-centered meditations designed for the moments when you know what's true, but your body hasn't settled down yet. About This Episode Psalm 91 opens with a stunning invitation: "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Dwell. Rest. These aren't words of striving — they're words of receiving. In this episode, Michelle Derricks walks you gently through Psalm 91 with unhurried breathing, grounding, and the promises of God's Word. The name of God highlighted here is El Shaddai — the God who is all-sufficient, the one whose grace is enough for this moment and every moment that follows. "You don't have to be enough. El Shaddai is enough for you." This isn't a meditation for people who have it all together. It's for the weary ones. The worried ones. The ones who are tired of trying to hold everything together. What You'll Experience in This Episode •       Gentle breathing and grounding to help your body settle before receiving God's Word •       A slow, unhurried walk through Psalm 91 and its promises •       An introduction to El Shaddai — what this name of God means and why it matters for your anxiety •       A practice of releasing what you've been trying to control •       The Be Still Prayer to close — moving from striving to simply resting in His presence   A Key Truth from This Episode Psalm 91 says God promises: "I will be with you in trouble." Not if trouble comes — when it comes. He doesn't promise a pain-free life. He promises presence. And that presence is not distant or distracted. If you are standing in someone's shadow, you are very close to them. El Shaddai isn't far away watching you struggle. He is near enough that his presence covers you. "You are not alone in what you're facing." When to Listen to This Episode This meditation was created for specific moments — you don't have to wait for a quiet Sunday morning. Listen: •       In the morning, before your thoughts begin racing •       In the middle of the day when you feel tightness in your chest or shoulders •       At night when you can't sleep and worry has taken over •       Whenever you need your nervous system to remember what your heart already knows More from the Be Still Series This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations designed for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing God's promises with gentle breathing and grounding exercises. Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night For the 2 AM moments when your mind is moving and your heart is racing. Psalm 121 was written for travelers who didn't know what waited around the next bend. Its message is simple and steady: the one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep. Perfect for: Sleepless nights and the worry that wakes you in the dark. When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." God doesn't say if — he says when. This meditation holds space for seasons of overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty. You are created, redeemed, and called by name. You are not walking through the fire alone. Perfect for: Seasons of transition, loss, or when life feels like too much. Scripture Featured in This Episode •       Psalm 91:1-2 — Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High •       Psalm 91:15 — I will be with you in trouble •       El Shaddai — God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached. Book a free consultation Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter Visit michellediercks.com Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon. Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Have you ever noticed your stomach clenching, your shoulders tightening, or your chest going tight — even when you know God is in control? Even when you trust His promises?   You're not spiritually defective. You're not failing at faith. There's actually a beautiful, science-backed reason your body responds the way it does — and in this episode, Michelle  explains exactly what's happening and why it makes complete sense.   What This Episode Is About In this deeply personal episode, Michelle shares a breakthrough moment that connected years of theological study, neuroscience learning, and her own experience as a mom navigating the empty nest season. She explores how a mother's nervous system becomes trained — over years of scanning for danger, listening for sounds in the night, cutting food into small pieces — to protect the ones she loves. And then one day, the kids leave. But the nervous system? It doesn't get the memo. "That dysregulation isn't a sign of weakness. It was love." Whether you're a mom watching your child drive off to college for the first time, a parent of grown kids you can no longer protect, or simply someone whose body feels anxious even when your heart trusts God — this episode will feel like grace upon grace. In This Episode You'll Discover •       Why your nervous system stays on high alert long after the danger has passed •       The science behind why you feel anxious even when you fully trust God — and why both can be true at the same time •       Why Jesus isn't surprised by your nervous system — and isn't waiting for you to do better •       Simple, practical tools to help your body settle when anxiety rises •       How to move from shame and self-judgment to compassion for yourself Practical Tools Mentioned in This Episode Grounding — Plant Your Feet Press both feet firmly into the floor. This signals to your nervous system: I am not running. I am safe. Breath Reset Breathe in for a count of four. Breathe out for a count of six. When your exhale is longer than your inhale, your body begins to understand — we are not running from a bear. Your nervous system starts to settle. Color Scan Look around the room. Choose your favorite color. Find five objects in that color. When you are calmly observing your environment, your brain begins to register: there is no immediate threat here. Gentle Truth While your body settles, quietly remind yourself of what is real. God's Word renews the mind and reshapes neural pathways — but sometimes we need to help our bodies calm down enough to receive it. The Be Still Meditation Series Michelle created these three scripture-centered meditation episodes specifically for the moments when you know what's true — but your body hasn't caught up yet. Each one includes gentle breathing, grounding exercises, and the promises of God's Word. They're designed for early mornings, anxious afternoons, or sleepless nights. Episode 1: Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91) When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 reminds you of a shelter that was always yours. This meditation anchors you in El Shaddai — God Almighty, the all-sufficient one — who invites weary, worried people to dwell in his shadow. Not because they've gotten it together, but because they are his beloved children. Perfect for: When anxiety feels overwhelming and you need to set down what you've been carrying. Episode 2: Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night For the 2 AM moments when your mind is moving and your heart is racing. Psalm 121 was written for travelers who didn't know what waited around the next bend — and it speaks directly to the mom who can't sleep worrying about her kids. The one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep. Perfect for: Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and the worry that wakes you in the dark. Episode 3: When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43) "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." God doesn't say if — he says when. This meditation holds space for the seasons of overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty, anchoring you in the truth that you are created, redeemed, and called by name. You are not walking through the fire alone. Perfect for: Seasons of transition, grief, overwhelm, or when you're walking through something that feels like fire. Scripture Referenced •       Psalm 91 — Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High •       Psalm 121 — The Lord is your keeper •       Isaiah 43 — Fear not, I have called you by name Connect with Michelle If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.   Book a free consultation Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter Visit michellediercks.com Michelle's Books Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon. Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Does your heart feel shaken right now? Social media feels like a war zone. The news is devastating. People you love are tearing each other apart. And you're already carrying your own heavy weight—relationship struggles, financial stress, health concerns, kids you're worried about. You go online looking for connection and find division instead. The weight just keeps getting heavier. If you're exhausted from trying to hold it all together, if you're weary of watching people fight, if you're searching for peace when the world feels like chaos—this episode is for you. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why your heart feels shaken (and why that's a normal human response to chaos) The powerful truth from Matthew 11:28-30 that Jesus spoke for moments exactly like this How to recognize when you're carrying weight you were never meant to carry The difference between feeling shaken and being shaken (Jesus is unshakeable even when you're not) Why "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) is more than a pretty phrase—it's your lifeline The REST framework: A 4-step process for laying down the weight you're carrying How to sit with Jesus in your heaviest emotions without being crushed by them Why you can hold both your real emotions AND God's unshakeable truth at the same time This Episode Is For You If: ✓ You feel overwhelmed by world events and don't know how to process it ✓ Social media is exhausting you instead of connecting you ✓ You're tired of watching people you love fight and divide ✓ You're carrying anxiety about the state of the world on top of your personal struggles ✓ You need permission to step back from the chaos and find rest ✓ You're searching for peace but don't know where to find it ✓ You want a Christian perspective that doesn't demand you pick a political side ✓ You're weary of trying to hold everything together alone ✓ You need to remember that Jesus is unshakeable even when you feel shaken What You'll Walk Away With: 🙏 Biblical Truth for Chaotic Times: Matthew 11:28-30 — "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest" Psalm 46 — "Be still and know that I am God" Hebrews 12:28 — "A kingdom that cannot be shaken" 🧠 The REST Framework: R - Recognize what you're carrying (name it honestly) E - Experience it in your body (feel where the weight sits) S - Sit with Jesus in it (bring it to your shelter) T - Trust the process (lay it at His feet) 💙 Permission You Need: You don't have to carry this weight alone It's okay that your heart feels heavy You can feel shaken and still trust the One who is unshakeable Rest isn't something you create—it's something you receive from Jesus You can step away from the chaos without stepping away from caring Featured Song Reference: "Rest for Your Soul" by Auston French Key lyric: "There is one who knows the heavy you hold" Key Scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30 — Jesus' invitation to the weary: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Psalm 46:1-2, 10 — "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... Be still, and know that I am God." Hebrews 12:28 — "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." Why This Message Matters Right Now: The world feels chaotic. Social media feels toxic. People are losing their minds. And you're already carrying your own personal weight. But here's the truth: You might feel shaken, but Jesus is not. He's not panicking. He's not doomscrolling. He's not wringing His hands wondering what's going to happen next. He is unshakeable. And He invites you to rest in Him. This episode doesn't tell you what to think about current events. It doesn't demand you pick a political side. It simply offers you what you desperately need: Rest for your weary soul. From the One who knows the heavy you hold. Connect With Michelle: If you're carrying weight that feels too heavy and you need someone to walk through it with you, I offer free 50-minute coaching consultations. These are real conversations where we can talk about what's weighing on your heart, and I can share tools that might help. [Schedule here: link] More Episodes That Might Help: If this episode resonated with you, check out The Be Still Series (Episodes from September-December). It's a 10-episode journey through: Breaking anxiety spirals Processing emotions instead of just thinking about them Finding rest when everything feels out of control Learning to be still when the world won't be These episodes combine neuroscience, coaching tools, and Scripture to help you create new pathways from panic to peace. A Note from Michelle: Friends, I know your heart feels heavy. Mine does too. But Jesus is our shelter. He's our unshakeable kingdom. And He offers rest—not because we've figured it all out, but simply because He loves us. You don't have to carry this alone. Come to Him. Find rest for your soul. With love and prayers for your weary heart, Michelle

Grief doesn't follow a schedule. It shows up in the grocery store aisle, while looking through recipes, when you hear a certain song. And during the holidays, grief can feel even more intense. In this final episode of the Be Still series, I'm sharing what I've learned about welcoming grief instead of trying to fix it—and how Immanuel (God WITH us) meets us right in the middle of our pain. You'll discover: • Why "small" griefs matter just as much as "big" ones • The REST framework for processing grief when it catches you off guard • How to hold both grief and joy at the same time • Why your tears are holy and collected by God (Psalm 56:8) • A powerful journaling exercise to acknowledge what you're carrying Whether you're missing someone who's gone, grieving traditions that have changed, or facing an empty chair this season, this episode offers permission to feel what you're feeling—and practical tools to help you through it. How to Hold Grief and Joy at the Same Time This isn't about toxic positivity or "looking on the bright side." It's about the deep truth that: You can miss someone AND be grateful for the time you had You can grieve what's changing AND appreciate what's growing You can cry over pepperoni bread AND laugh with your family You can feel the ache of the empty chair AND celebrate those who are present Grief and joy aren't opposites. They're companions. Where there's been great love, both will show up. Connect With Michelle Free Resources: Newsletter with additional tools from each episode Books: Promised Rest Promised Hope (Both dive deeper into the names of God and how He meets us in our struggles) One-on-One Support: Free 50-minute coaching consultation No strings attached—sometimes one conversation is exactly what you need

Are you struggling to find joy this Christmas season? Maybe finances are tighter than usual. Maybe there's an empty chair at your table. Maybe you're exhausted from trying to make everything perfect when nothing feels right. You're not alone. In this episode, Michelle shares the beautiful encounter between Mary and Elizabeth - two women holding onto impossible promises - and a personal Christmas story that changed everything she thought about holiday perfection. You'll discover: Why God's promises are unshakeable even when your circumstances feel shaky How to find peace when Christmas doesn't match your expectations The surprising truth about what creates holiday stress (hint: it's not the circumstances) A simple breath prayer for anxious moments Where to find wonder when everything feels broken If you're feeling overwhelmed by holiday pressure, grieving during the festivities, or just trying to survive the season, this episode offers gentle hope and practical tools. Perfect for: Moms feeling guilty about not providing the "perfect" Christmas Anyone grieving a loss during the holidays People struggling with financial stress this season Those feeling anxious or overwhelmed by family gatherings Anyone who needs permission to let go of perfection Mentioned in This Episode: Join Michelle for a Special Advent Event: 📅 Peace Be Still: Advent Reflection Coaching by Candlelight December 15, 7:00 PM Central Time | Zoom Perfect if you're experiencing: Grief over an empty chair this Christmas Stress over family dynamics Pressure to make everything perfect Holiday drama you're dreading The mix of joy and sorrow this season brings What We'll Do Together: ✨ Share an Advent devotion to anchor in God's Word ✨ Guided journaling (prompts provided!) ✨ Group coaching through what's weighing on your heart Never experienced coaching? This is a gentle, beautiful introduction. Just bring an open heart. [Register Here:] Need Support This Season? If you're carrying something heavy and need someone to hold space for you, Michelle offers free 50-minute consultations. In your session, you'll: Share what's weighing on your heart Receive practical tools you can use immediately Explore whether coaching might help you find peace this season No pressure. No sales pitch. Just genuine support. [Schedule Your Free Consultation]

Are you dreading the holidays this year because someone won't be at your table? Maybe someone you love has died. Maybe your kids have grown up and moved away. Maybe traditions are changing and your heart is aching in ways you didn't expect. You're not alone. And you don't have to "get through" this season by gritting your teeth and pretending you're fine. In this episode, you'll discover: ✓ Why trying to plan or control your grief doesn't work (and what to do instead) ✓ How to process grief when it ambushes you unexpectedly—in the grocery store, looking at recipes, or decorating the tree ✓ Why you can feel grief AND joy at the same time (and why that's actually healthy) ✓ What Jesus's response to Lazarus's death teaches us about sitting with grief instead of rushing through it ✓ 7 practical tools for processing your emotions during the holidays (not just surviving them) ✓ What to say (and NOT say) if you're trying to comfort someone who's grieving ✓ How to acknowledge the empty chair without letting it destroy your peace The promise of this episode: You'll learn that grief doesn't need to be fixed—it needs to be felt. And when you give yourself permission to feel it, you make space for healing, hope, and the presence of God right in the middle of your pain. This episode is for you if: There's an empty chair at your table this year You're tired of people telling you to "stay positive" or "be grateful" You feel guilty for being sad during "the most wonderful time of the year" You don't know how to balance celebrating with grieving You're trying to help someone who's grieving and you don't know what to say You want tools to actually PROCESS your grief, not just survive the holidays What You'll Learn: Grief doesn't follow a plan - I share the story of my first Christmas without my Grandma Katherine and how God met me in a way I never expected when everything fell apart Grief ambushes us - The Walmart aisle moment that taught me we can't schedule when we'll feel our losses Traditions changing hurt - Why it's okay to grieve even when the person you love is alive and thriving (like when your kids grow up and move away) Jesus wept - What the story of Lazarus teaches us about God's response to our grief (spoiler: He doesn't rush us through it) The empty chair is real - How to acknowledge loss instead of ignoring it or stuffing it down 7 practical tools - Specific things you can do RIGHT NOW to process your grief in healthy ways Holding both joy and sorrow - Why your heart is big enough for both, and how to stop making yourself wrong for your feelings The anchor that holds - How Hebrews 6:19 and the name "Immanuel" remind us that God is WITH us in grief, not waiting on the other side of it Bible Verses Referenced: John 11:33-35 (Jesus weeping over Lazarus) Hebrews 6:19 (An anchor for the soul) Psalm 23:4 (The valley of the shadow of death) Free Resources: If you're struggling with grief this season and need someone to hold space with you, I'm offering free 50-minute coaching consultations. Sign up➡️  Here Connect with Michelle: Website: michellediercks.com Remember: Your grief isn't wrong. It's the message that you loved deeply. And you don't have to carry it alone.

Do you struggle with feeling like you're not enough? Are you tired of comparing yourself to others and always coming up short? Does shame whisper that your past, your failures, or your struggles disqualify you from being loved by God? If you've ever wondered "why do I feel like I'm not good enough" or searched for Christian help for overcoming shame, this episode is for you. Today we look at the woman at the well in John 4 - a woman who was hiding in shame, coming to draw water alone at noon so no one would see her. But Jesus saw her. He knew her whole story - five husbands, the man she was living with now, all of it - and He didn't walk away. Instead, He chose HER to be the very first person He revealed Himself to as the Messiah. What does this mean for you when you feel unworthy of God's love? Everything. In this episode, I share my own struggle with shame and not feeling enough, we walk through what Jesus said to the woman at the well, and I teach you how God's Word can literally rewire the shame patterns in your brain. Science shows we think 80,000-90,000 thoughts a day - many of them negative. But Scripture can create new neural pathways, replacing those old shame ruts with truth. You'll Learn: Why shame makes you feel like everyone else has it together except you What Jesus really meant by "living water" and why it matters for your shame The difference between broken cisterns and the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13) How your brain creates shame ruts - and how God's truth creates new pathways The Five Rs practice for replacing shame with biblical truth Bible verses for when you feel not enough Key Scriptures: John 4:1-42 (Woman at the Well) Jeremiah 2:13 (Broken Cisterns and Living Water) Romans 12:2 (Renewing Your Mind) Psalm 139:14 (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made) Romans 8:1 (No Condemnation) This Episode Is For You If: You constantly compare yourself to others You feel like you're not a good enough mom, wife, Christian, or woman Shame from your past keeps you hiding You wonder if God can really use someone like you You're exhausted from trying to measure up You want to know what the Bible says about shame and worth Resources Mentioned: Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle Michelle's Email List

Do you wake up to the same negative thoughts every morning? Thoughts like "I'm not enough," "This will never change," or "I'm too broken"? You're not alone, and those thought patterns aren't permanent. In this episode, we explore the story of the woman who bled for 12 years - a woman whose thought patterns ran deep from isolation, suffering, and disappointment. We'll see how one desperate touch changed everything, and how Jesus rewrites our thought patterns with His truth. In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why negative thought patterns feel so permanent (and why they're not) How God's Word creates new neural pathways in your brain The bleeding woman's story from Mark 5 and what it teaches us about transformation The Joy Practice: A 4-step biblical tool for rewiring anxious thinking How to receive joy instead of trying to manufacture it Why gratitude + God's Word = brain change The Joy Practice (4 Steps): Name your thought rut - write down the sentence your brain offers regularly Find a Scripture that speaks truth to that lie Practice gratitude - write three specific things you're thankful for today Rest in your joy - write one way you see God at work Key Scriptures: Isaiah 61:3 - "To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit" Mark 5:25-34 - The woman who touched Jesus' garment This Episode Is For You If: You struggle with repetitive negative thoughts You've been stuck in the same thought patterns for years You want a biblical approach to changing your thinking You're tired of trying to "think positive" and want something deeper You need hope that real change is possible Resources Mentioned: Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence Free 50 Minute Consultation Call With Michelle Connect With Michelle: Michelle's Website