In the previous episode, we talked about how God sees our weaknesses and uses them to glorify Him. Personally, one of those weaknesses just happens to be struggling to forgive. I've had the honor of studying this topic for the past few weeks and having meaningful conversations with people regarding their thoughts on it. Some of the biggest points we've discussed were whether we believe God calls us to forgive conditionally or unconditionally. And it is a hard and vulnerable conversation that requires a lot of empathy because hurts were done and wounds were left. I hope that if you're also struggling with forgiveness, that although we did touch on the intellectual sides of things, it doesn't undermine the pain you went through, but that it validates those pains and yet calls us to trust God further in it. Ultimately, God sees and cares for our wounds even if no one else does. I know a huge part of my struggles come because people don't see how hurt I was and overlooked my effort of forgiving and loving them still. But I know now that God hasn't overlooked it, and to me that is enough. That is my peace with my story. Because this is such a delicate topic, even for me, I pray that God will use it to reach you regardless of my imperfect ways of navigating through it. I pray that in the end, God will bring you to a place of peace with it no matter how long you've struggled with it, and evermore so, that one day He will heal the wounds people have left on your heart. Much love, Elizabeth💌

For most of my life, I've labeled myself as weak and absolutely hated it. I find myself living a life always trying to prove a point, that I can do things for myself because I hate feeling incapable and insufficient. I hate showing emotions the older I get because people have used it against me, and I'm convinced I cannot show people my weaknesses. There is so much shame and wounding that comes with feeling weak, helpless, and like a complete loser. If you're around me long enough, you'll catch me saying often, "I don't need anyone." I absolutely hate depending on people. But as a Christian, I've never asked how God sees it. How does God see my weakness? Does God see my need for others as "weak"? Not until recently did I question this. And the Scriptures have so much to say. So, if you haven't known what God thinks about your weakness, how about we consider that together today? This was such an eye-opening thing for me to learn, and I'm eternally grateful that bit by bit, God is opening my heart and mind to the truth about Him and about myself. If you're dealing with shame in your weaknesses, I pray this helps you.

This episode delves into a topic that I felt God has placed not only on my heart but in my life recently. A call to healthily ask for help, depend on people(icks me writing this still), and needing them. I delved into the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man where his 4 friends carried him and made a hole in the roof to lower him down to Jesus. This story touches my heart because I know I need to be building friendship that not only leads me to Jesus but sometimes carry me to Him. Not only so, but it begs the questions if I am also the friend who carries people around me to Jesus. I can't wait for you to hear it! Even though I was unready and this episode could've been more professional. God bless you loves

I contemplated making another episode to this podcast because I felt undeserving to talk about this. But I felt call to do this after awhile in just reminding you that sometimes God opens up our past wounds so He could properly heal them. And in doing so, we have to somehow learn that God is enough through it all as we hold onto Him. God created us to enjoy Him and we don't have to wait until Heaven comes to do that. We can do that now. If you don't enjoy your time with Him now, what makes you think you will for eternity? Sometimes we get caught on the things God has to offer and missed out on God himself, the greatest gift and blessing of all. Our access to him, our access to His presence, and our relationship with Him is the gift God has blessed us with. Don't wait on Heaven to enjoy that (I'm sure it'll be undeniably greater when we get there) but until then, Don't wait on Heaven.

How do we deal with our brokenness as Christians? One question I should be asking God a lot is what do I do with the wounds that are already there? But you know what? I realized I never asked God that, the questions has always been more "why aren't these wounds going away?". I talked about how I romanticize the thoughts of fixing people and being fixed by them, yet at the same time, not allowing anyone to love me because I'm scared I'd be a burden. But God showed me who defines love and who already did everything for our souls to heal and be made whole. And if Jesus took on the punishment to heal our spiritual wounds, I think He's more than deserving to be entrusted with our wounds, scars, trauma, and past. So, how about we trust God with our wounds today?

The first episode dives into why I choose to name this podcast the "God chooses broken people" podcast, as I shared a little bit about my testimony growing up as a religious kid, yet, simultaneously misses the whole point of grace and Jesus. My journey with anxiety and how it led me to who I am today. I'm so excited and nervous to go on this journey but I'm praying that God uses my testimony and stories for His glory.