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Walking through the "valley of the shadow" is its own kind of challenging, but we often don't talk about what happens on the other side of the valley. When the storm actually dies down, what can we expect as we exit our suffering season? This episode walks you through how to view your valleys and how to position yourself for healing and recovery afterwards. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

Being left behind can come in many forms: parental abandonment or emotional unavailability, betrayal, divorce, infertility, prolonged singleness, workplace drama, career redirection or delay. So many things take place that put us in a space where we feel like the things we pray or hope for are happening for others but not for us, and the disappointment and loneliness that accompanies this is real and very painful. How do we learn to trust the promises of God in such a season and to hold onto faith that our time will come when it feels like we're being passed over in the blessing? Tune into the episode today to find out! For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

So often we carry around feelings of resentment and hold onto grudges because it feels wrong to let go of a past disappointment or hurt in our life. We may even think we've forgiven the offending source while we still refuse to turn loose of how it made us feel or what happened. In some cases, we're still beating ourselves up over something in the past that we can't seem to forgive ourselves for. This episode tells you why it's essential to your healing that you forgiven and be forgiven and why you can let this hard thing go: because God has. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice some form of creativity are happier, more confident, and have an overall better quality of life. Imagination and creativity help expand the brain's health and function as well as improve our general sense of well-being, making it a vital part of mental wellness. Art instructor and self-described Creativity Mentor, Kit Curious is here to discuss this connection as well as his own journey, so join us for a powerful conversation on the necessary art of creativity and learning to dream again. You won't want to miss this! Disclaimer: we had some technical issues with a slight echo during the recording process. Apologies in advance, and hope you still enjoy the episode! For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

Most of us think we know who we are, but what if a lot of how we see ourselves has simply been shaped by how others perceive us? How might it change the way we view ourselves if we began to see who we are through the lens of truth? Whether it's uncovering our ancestry, learning how our Creator looks at us, or appreciating the parts that make us unique, uncovering the reality of who we are... really... changes everything. Today's episode will help you see that you are made for far more than you realize! For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

When you're up against something that is way beyond your ability to fix or understand, what do you do? Is your first response to try and control or solve it yourself, or do you entrust it into the capable Hands of the One who rules the world? Learning to sit with the truth that we don't need answers in order to have faith is one of the greatest lessons we can ever learn, and it's the subject of today's episode. Come find out how you can rest in the God who has all the answers even when you don't. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

Individuals are often surprised when following God gets hard. We've been led to believe that faith is somehow easy when, the reality is that it's one of the hardest things you'll ever do in your life. And the most rewarding. Going all-in on your divine destiny and the plan God has written for your life takes all the trust in the world and sometimes, it comes at a great cost. Today's episode discusses why God asks hard things of us and why still choosing to say yes to Him changes everything. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

More people than ever before are struggling with resilience and the ability to suffer well. Scientific studies are showing as much, and the truth just may be that we've grown too accustomed to comfort. Our lives are too cushy to build the necessary maturity that can endure and survive challenging things. In this episode, we'll explore the existence of a comfort crisis and how we need to change our perception of hardship in order to grow. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.open-to-grace.com/

Life is full of impossibilities. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and think that because a certain situation is beyond our own ability to solve, then it must be too big for God to handle as well. In this final episode of Season 4, we'll unpack the necessity of learning to deal with the giants in our lives, taking an example from the story of David and Goliath on what it means to face your fears and impossibilities with faith. We could all use this powerful reminder of why the battle is the Lord's. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/

Who or what you give homage to is what rules your life. Whatever things or people or ideas are the most important to you reveal where your priorities are, regardless of what your words say. So often, we can think that we have our desires in order, yet it's very easy to place even good things are being of greater value than the most important thing of all: where you stand with God. And healing cannot happen in your life until you have let go of your need to run your own show and have given over control to the King who loved you to death and back. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/

Many of us say we believe God has our best in mind but fail to live on a daily basis like it's true. Because human beings and events often disappoint us, we think that God will be the same way. Or we're afraid of what His best will turn out to be and what we may have to let go of in order to accept it. This episode aims to shift your perspective and help you see that, when you truly believe that God is working all things for good and has the best up ahead, everything changes. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/

Some things in your life have outlived their welcome. They no longer serve you. They belong to a past version of you or season of your life that you aren't in now and they are holding you back from becoming who you want to be. This week's episode tackles how to let go of the things that are no longer useful to your growth and health and why it matters that you do a regular internal roundup of what isn't meant to stay in your life anymore. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/

When hard times come, it can be difficult to notice and look for the loving presence of God. Pain often masquerades His care in ways that cause us to question or doubt His compassion or guidance, leaving us adrift in our faith and losing out on hope. This episode walks you through how to trace God's care and why Psalm 107 holds the key to getting through suffering with thankfulness and coming out strong on the other side. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/

So much of life and relationships today are transactional: you can offer me a certain service or skill or advice that I need and I'm invested for as long as need that but as soon as it's no longer necessary, I'm no longer obligated to cultivate our connection. While this is fine in certain corporate or workplace situations, it becomes a problem when it's the approach to marriage, friendship, faith community interaction, and even our relationship with God. We were created for deep, meaningful connection, not the type of fickle and shallow contact that so much of our lives require today. This episode will challenge you to go deeper where it matters in your life and to start enjoying the presence of God and others for who they are, not just what they can offer you. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/

Life is full of what ifs - unknowns and potential threats that can generate deep insecurity and anxiousness. Our brains are wired for security and protection. But when we begin to obsess over the what ifs and they start to become the lens through which we view everything, we lose out on much of the meaning and presentness and beauty of life. We are so concerned about avoiding pain and problems that we forget just how good we actually have it. This episode aims to reframe your what ifs and help you see that even the uncomfortable things in your life can still be catalysts for growth and opportunity. For more information on my book Unshakeable: Stories To Anchor You Through Life's Storms as well and how to reach me on social media or read my weekly blog, visit my website at: https://www.opentogracealaska.com/