Have you ever felt like making friends used to be easy—but now it feels downright impossible? If you’re longing for deeper connection, author Kristen Strong gets it. In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, Kristen shares practical advice and hard-won wisdom about how to make friends when it doesn’t come naturally anymore from her book Desperate Woman Seeks Friends: Real Talk About Connection, Rejection, and Trying Again for the Friendships You Need. Whether you’re navigating a new season of life or just feeling a little lonely, I think you’ll walk away from our conversation with encouraged.

How to Make and Keep Friends
Kristen grew up in a small Oklahoma town, surrounded by extended family. “I didn’t have to work hard to make friends,” she said. Even in college, she moved with a group of familiar faces. But that all changed when she transferred colleges to follow her husband, Dave, during his military assignment.
“I just assumed I would have instant friends,” she said. “I thought the Lord would just apparate them to my doorstep like in Harry Potter.”
Instead, she found herself isolated for the first time in her life.
It was a turning point. “I had to learn how to connect,” Kristen said. “And now, I’ve written the book I wish I’d had back then.”
The Friendship Deficit
These days, many of us are in the same boat Kristen was in. Life changes, seasons shift, and even our culture doesn’t make it easy. Kristen pointed out that in Western society, independence is often valued over interdependence. “We like our space,” she said, “but that can convince us we don’t need friends.”
And social media? “It can scratch the itch for connection, but it doesn’t satisfy,” Kristen shared. “It’s like eating breadcrumbs all day instead of sitting down to a nourishing meal.”
Showing Up, Opening Up, Praying Up
Kristen offers three pillars for cultivating friendships:
1. Showing Up
“Friendship rarely happens by accident anymore,” Kristen said. “You have to show up where people are—and keep showing up.”
That might mean joining a regular group at church, taking a class, or saying yes to that coffee invite, even when it feels awkward.
She encourages people to think practically: “What do you already enjoy? Is there a way to do it with others?”
2. Opening Up
“Opening your home is like opening your heart,” Kristen told me. And it doesn’t have to be impressive. “People don’t care how clean your house is. They care that you made room for them.”
She’s hosted friends for frozen pizza or a glass of water on the porch while the kids played.
“Not every person I’ve had in my house became a great friend—but every great friend has been in my house.”
3. Praying Up
Kristen is intentional about praying for friendships—and encourages others to do the same.
“Jesus had friends. If He needed friends, we certainly do. And God will be faithful to answer that prayer,” she said. “But we have to partner with Him in the process.”
Don’t Let Fear Win
I asked Kristen what she would say to someone who’s weary of putting themselves out there—especially if they’ve been hurt before.
Her response was both gentle and bold.
“I’ve been there. I’ve said, ‘Women are tricky. I don’t know if friendship is worth it.’ But I don’t want someone to miss out on what God has for them—or for others to miss out on her.”
She reminded us that even Jesus was betrayed by a close friend. “He understands,” she said. “Take your fears and frustrations to Him.”
Friendship is Worth the Work
Whether you’re twenty-five or fifty-five, building new friendships takes effort. “You’re not in a petri dish of peers anymore,” Kristen explained. “The older you get, the more intentional you have to be.”
But it’s worth it—for your emotional and physical health.

What if the secret to getting your home in order wasn’t just about having more storage—but about asking better questions? That’s what I discovered in my latest conversation with artist and author Whitney English. She joined me on the Christian Habits Podcast to talk about her book Organize First, Decorate Second: How to Go from Clutter to Creativity—and the deeper life lessons behind our desire to get organized.

Getting Organized at Home, Life, and Work
Whitney English may be best known for her art, but she also has a gift for systems—and for simplifying the big picture so you can take your next small step.
“When I started writing this book,” she said, “I thought it was going to be about decorating. But the phrase organize first, decorate second came to me while I was trying to tackle a project in my own home. And I realized, if I couldn’t teach people how to organize, I couldn’t really help them decorate either.”
That honest realization led her on a journey of self-examination: how do we form habits that actually work? And more importantly, how do we live them out?
As Whitney shared, “I had to analyze my own habits. Because what good is a plan if you never get around to executing it?”
Whitney is the first to admit that she’s great at dreaming and planning. “I love being in the messy middle,” she said. “That’s where all the discoveries happen. But it’s also where I tend to get stuck. Hitting ‘publish’—or putting the paintbrush down—is the hard part for me.”
So what changed?
“I had to learn how to finish things,” Whitney said. “Now, on days when I don’t feel like doing anything, I just ask: What can I finish today? That one question gets me moving.”
Three Questions That Can Change Everything
Whitney shared the simple questions she asks herself when she’s feeling overwhelmed. These aren’t just productivity tips—they’re mindset shifts:

* “What’s not working?”
* “Has this served its purpose?”
* “What would this look like if it were easy?”

“What’s not working?” It’s a question that helps us step back from the chaos and see the big picture. And as Whitney pointed out, asking questions like these brings us back to the present moment—where we can actually do something about it.
That shift in perspective helped her identify a pain point in her afternoons: “The after-school hours weren’t working. So we started the tradition of having 4:00 tea. It gave us a moment to breathe, and it totally changed the rhythm of our day.”
Whether it’s clutter on your desk, chaos in your calendar, or an idea that’s stuck in your head, these questions can help you move forward. “They make you reverse-engineer your reality,” Whitney said. “Instead of focusing on the end goal, you come back to the now. And clarity lives in the now.”
Systems, Stories, and the Beauty That Grounds Us
Even though Whitney is deeply practical, she’s also deeply creative. She loves beauty—especially the kind that tells a story.
“You get into meaning when things are beautiful,” she said. “It adds story, and story adds meaning. And that’s something we’re all craving right now.”
But that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune to create beauty. Whitney encourages her readers to start with what they have: rearrange the furniture, thrift something unique, or simply look at your space with new eyes.
As she says in the book, “Sometimes, it’s not about organizing more. It’s about recognizing the systems you already have—like your morning routine—and deciding whether they’re actually working for you.”
And when they’re not? You tweak them. You finish what you started. You live the life you planned on paper.
More Than a Book on Decluttering
Organize First, Decorate Second isn’t just a guide to get organized—it’s an invitation to look at your life with fresh e...

Do you ever find yourself dwelling on the negative? Or complaining a little too much? Today’s guest, Chip Ingram, knows exactly what that’s like. In fact, his powerful journey through chronic pain and hardship is what led him to write his book, I Choose Joy: Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life. In our conversation, Chip shared how renewing your mind—a biblical practice that transforms how we think—became his pathway to experiencing joy in the midst of overwhelming circumstances.

Choosing Joy When Life is Hard
Chip’s story starts with something so ordinary—playing basketball. But that game ended with a herniated disc, setting him on a seven-year journey through chronic pain, multiple surgeries, and long, grueling rehab sessions. During those years, Chip was pastoring a large church, managing four services every Sunday, and trying to push through life as if everything was normal.
But life wasn’t normal.
Over time, Chip’s perspective darkened, though he didn’t see it until his wife gently pointed it out by asking, “Do you recognize how negative you’ve become?”
That question stopped him. He didn’t want to admit it, but she was right.
The Turning Point: Renewing His Mind
In what Chip describes as the sovereignty of God, he was invited to speak at the Billy Graham Conference on Philippians 1—Paul’s letter written while chained under house arrest. Paul’s words radiated joy despite his circumstances, and that intrigued Chip. Paul wasn’t pretending life was easy. He was chained, facing possible execution, yet his focus was still on God and others.
Chip realized he needed to retrain his mind, to deliberately change his perspective.
“I basically went into training to renew my mind. I had to retrain my thinking to get perspective, and as I did, it revolutionized my life and my joy—even in the midst of great pain.”
This wasn’t about wishful thinking or ignoring hardship. It was about forming habits that would lead to joy.
The Joy Formula
As the son of a math and science teacher, Chip began to see a pattern in Paul’s letter:
C (Circumstance) + P (Perspective) = E (Experience)
Chip explained that we have very little control over our circumstances. But we have 100% control over our perspective. And our perspective will shape our experience.
He discovered four questions from Philippians 1 that help shift our perspective from victimhood to joy:
Question 1: Where’s your focus?
Chip learned to ask himself: Am I focusing upward (on God and gratitude) and outward (on others)?
“As soon as I focused upward and outward, my perspective changed.”
Question 2: What’s your purpose?
Ask, “How can God use this?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”
“God’s purpose isn’t to make me happy and pain-free—it’s to fulfill His greater plan.”
Question 3: Where’s your hope?
Chip saw how easy it is to build our hope on “if-then” statements: If I get married, if I succeed, if my health returns…
“But hope grounded in Christ is unshakable—even when circumstances don’t improve.”
Question 4: What are your expectations?
“We often expect life to go well if we’re faithful, but Scripture tells us it’s been granted to us not just to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Joy is a Spiritual Discipline
Chip emphasized that choosing joy isn’t easy, instant, or natural. It’s a spiritual discipline that takes intentional, repeated effort.
“You can develop a habit of seeing life through a negative lens, but you can also train yourself to choose joy. You have to go into training for the habit of joy.”
And, as C.S. Lewis put it, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Chip also shared that small daily choices matter—like how we start our day. If the first thing we do is open our phones and flood our m...

What happens when the words you speak to your husband are the opposite of what’s in your heart? Maybe you want to support and encourage him, but the things that come out sound more like criticism—or just plain silence. If you’ve ever wondered how to be a better wife or longed to help your husband without nagging or correcting, you’ll love this conversation with Ann Wilson, author of How to Speak Life to Your Husband (When All You Want to Do is Yell at Him). Ann brings so much wisdom, humility, and hope to this episode. Prepare to walk away encouraged and challenged in the best way.

How to Speak Life to Your Husband
Ann’s journey toward understanding the power of her words started with what she thought was going to be a normal speaking event alongside her husband, Dave. What she didn’t expect? Dave’s confession to the audience: “When we first got married, I felt like I walked in the door and you were booing me.”
Ouch.
Ann was stunned—and a little defensive. But instead of dismissing it, she asked God a hard question: Am I booing my husband? The answer was yes.
That moment sent her on a path of personal change. She began to see that what she thought was “helping” her husband actually came across as constant correction. As she put it, “God began showing me that I was praying for Dave to change, but He wanted to change me.”
And that’s when everything started to shift.
What’s It Like to Be Married to Me?
Ann started using the reflection question, What’s it like to be married to me? It’s a sobering thought—and a helpful one. She realized her thoughts and internal monologue about Dave had turned negative. “I’d get stuck in this spiral, thinking about all the ways he wasn’t seeing me or showing up.”
But instead of venting or stewing, she sensed God nudging her: What would happen if you prayed for him as much as you complained about him?
That one question was a game-changer.
She started to notice how even her everyday speech had a pattern: “You should do this” or “Have you tried that?”—instructive, not encouraging. She laughs about it now, but it was a wake-up call that her way of communicating wasn’t life-giving.
Small Words, Big Impact
One day, she paused before dinner and intentionally thanked Dave in front of their kids. His response? “I saw the book you were reading, and I know you said that because you read it in a book, but I don’t even care. It felt so good.”
That’s when she began to understand how deeply our husbands—like all of us—long to know: Am I doing okay? Does she believe in me?
Ann shared a fascinating study from the Arbinger Institute, which showed that we communicate more from our way of being than from our words or behavior. “So even if you’re saying the right thing,” she explained, “your husband can feel it if you don’t believe it.”
And if you’re in an abusive situation, she’s very clear: “The most loving thing you can do is get safe.” Her advice applies to good-willed husbands—those who want a strong, Christ-centered marriage but may not always get it right.
The Helper Who Stands Toe-to-Toe
Ann also dove into the Hebrew meaning behind Genesis 2:18, where God says He will make a “helper suitable” for man. The word “helper” in Hebrew is azer, the same word used to describe God as Israel’s rescuer in battle. And “suitable”? That comes from kenegdo, meaning “to stand toe-to-toe.”
“Being a helper isn’t weak,” Ann says. “It means standing side-by-side, back-to-back with your husband. Fierce, protective, and obedient to God’s calling—even when it’s hard.”
One theologian told her, “When a man stands toe-to-toe with his wife, he sees, in her eyes, the man he could become.” That line really stuck with both of us. What are our husbands seeing in our eyes?
From Criticism to Prayer

Have you ever felt like stress was running the show—pulling the strings on your thoughts, your body, even your faith? I know I have. In this episode, I chat with author and pastor Charles Stone to talk about what stress really is, why it sticks around, and how we can respond in ways that heal rather than harm. We explore powerful, practical tools to deal with stress grounded in both Scripture and neuroscience—including what it means to “soak your soul,” how monks can teach us to pause, and why your stress might be trying to tell you something deeper.

How to Deal with Stress
Stress is like a coin. One side is the event—that thing that blindsides you at work, the argument that sits heavy in your chest, or the endless to-do list. But the flip side? That’s your response. And that’s where hope lives.
In his practical and grace-filled book Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety, Charles Stone shares how we can manage our stress response—physiologically, emotionally, and spiritually—without it managing us. With insights rooted in neuroscience and biblical truth, the message is clear: stress doesn’t have to define you, but it can refine you.
Here are a few key takeaways to help you start finding calm in the chaos.
Understand What Stress Really Is
Stress is your brain and body’s natural reaction to a perceived threat or demand. It shows up in two main forms:

* Acute stress: short-term, in-the-moment
* Chronic stress: ongoing and persistent

When we encounter stress, our sympathetic nervous system kicks in—revving us up for action. This releases cortisol, a hormone we need in moderation. But if cortisol remains elevated for too long, even if the threat is only perceived, it can take a toll on your body, relationships, and even your spiritual life.
Soak Your Soul
Even Jesus—fully God, yet fully human—regularly took time to be alone with the Father. If he needed those quiet moments, how much more do we?
Charles introduces the concept of “soaking your soul”—intentional time in God’s presence through spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, contemplation, and rest. These aren’t just feel-good rituals; science confirms that they help activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which calms you down and lowers your stress response. According to Charles, “God wired us so that soaking our soul actually reduces our stress response.”
So if you feel distant from God, know this: He hasn’t left. Sometimes, like the prophet Elijah when his stress got the best of him, it’s as simple as needing a snack, a nap… or time to breathe and be still.
Pick One to Three Habits (Not All Nine)
The book outlines nine neuroscience-backed habits for stress resilience. But don’t try to tackle them all at once—Charles encourages readers to focus on just one to three that resonate. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.
Some of these habits include:

* Gratitude: A practice that rewires your brain and lifts your heart. Start or end your day by naming three good things you’re grateful for.
* Surrendering prayer: Jesuit priest Claude de la Colombière described it as trusting God’s wisdom, believing He works for our good, and knowing He’s in control—even when we’re not.
* Spiritual stillness: Inspired by monks who practiced statio—a moment to pause, stand, and prepare for what’s next.

Cultivate Certainty (Even in Uncertain Times)
We can’t always know what’s coming. But in Psalm 125:1, David reminds us that those who trust in the Lord are as secure as a mountain. That kind of certainty doesn’t come from ruminating or problem-solving—it comes from surrender.
Charles reminds us, “God is who He says He is. He loves you. His Word is true.”

What if the key to lasting change isn’t trying harder but thinking differently? If you’ve been trying to white-knuckle your way to freedom from habits and behaviors that hold you back, this conversation may be the breath of fresh air you need to reframe your approach. Listen as I chat with pastor and author Kyle Idleman about his upcoming book, Every Thought Captive: Calm the Mental Chaos That Keeps You Stuck, Drains Your Hope, and Holds You Back, and how renewing our minds—not just modifying our behavior—leads to true transformation.

How to Take Every Thought Captive to Christ
For years, Kyle focused on changing his behavior to grow spiritually, but eventually realized this approach was exhausting. “When we shift our thinking,” he said, “we begin to experience real freedom.” Like dieting, behavior change alone doesn’t last unless you address the thought patterns behind it.
We both agreed that taking thoughts captive—choosing truth over reaction—is the real work of transformation. Kyle pointed out that this kind of change isn’t quick or automatic. It takes intentionality, grace, and a willingness to stay the course.
A Daily Practice of Mind Renewal
Kyle shared his simple but powerful habit: starting and ending each day by renewing his mind. In the morning, he visualizes his day, thanks God for specific things, and speaks Scripture aloud. He did an experiment—one month with this habit and one month without—and found a dramatic difference in his peace, focus, and overall mindset.
Evening renewal helps him bring his thoughts back to truth before the day ends. “It may feel unnatural at the beginning,” he said, “but the more you do it, the more natural—and life-giving—it becomes.”
Five Thought Patterns That Keep Us Stuck
In Every Thought Captive, Kyle explores five common mental struggles: insecurity, distraction, offense, misplaced pleasure, and despair. He chose these because they’re universal—and they illustrate how transformation begins in the mind.
One story that stood out was when Kyle received a sharp email. His initial reaction was offense. But when he called the sender, he found out that person was in deep pain. That moment shifted everything. “It’s to your glory to overlook an offense,” Kyle said. It reminded me how renewing our thoughts helps us respond with grace instead of reactivity.
Being Intentional with What Shapes Us
We also talked about distraction. Kyle shared how our culture’s constant noise makes intentional living harder—but even more necessary. He uses an app called ClearSpace (that gives him screen time for pushups) to help create healthy boundaries with technology.
Another strategy Kyle uses is an “exposure journal.” Like a food diary, it tracks what he’s consuming mentally. He explained, “What we expose ourselves to shapes our thoughts, which shape our emotions, relationships, and decisions.” That one insight alone is worth the listen.
Training Your Mind with Gratitude
Kyle also encouraged listeners to practice gratitude—something he stacks into his daily routine by thanking God in the shower. He keeps a gratitude journal and even practices what he calls “reverse engineering your blessings”—recognizing the chain of people and circumstances behind every good thing. It’s a gentle way to practice mindfulness and refocus on God’s grace.
A Resource for Deeper Change
Kyle’s book Every Thought Captive is supported by a small group curriculum on RightNow Media and other tools to help you walk this out. I highly recommend it—not just for individuals, but for groups who want to grow together in intentional thinking.

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly racing through life—juggling work, family, ministry, and endless to-do lists—while your soul is quietly begging for rest? In today’s episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, I chat with author and Bible teacher Samantha Decker about her new book, Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God, and the journey God took her on as she learned how to live an unhurried life.

How to Live an Unhurried Life
As a Bible teacher, writer, and mom of four who recently released her first book, Samantha has a deep understanding of why we need to intentionally practice slowing down. But Samantha says she didn’t set out to write a book. “It was really a step of obedience,” she shared. “The Lord used a verse in Haggai to get my attention—‘Consider your ways.’ I was doing all these good things—working, parenting, serving in church—but I wasn’t prioritizing what God was asking me to do.”
That moment sparked a shift. God invited Samantha to slow down—not just in her schedule, but in her soul. And that’s the heart of Unhurried—learning to pursue God’s purposes over our own plans.
The Power of Small Steps
Samantha is candid about the ongoing nature of this journey. “I’m still the mom rushing to get my kids in the car,” she admitted with a laugh. But what’s changed is her posture. Instead of white-knuckling control over her days, she’s learning to ask God, “What do You have for me today?”
She talked about how slowing down often begins with small, faithful steps—like answering a phone call when you’d rather keep moving or carving out time for quiet prayer. “It’s like when the priests dipped their toes in the Jordan before the waters parted,” she said. “That first step matters.”
Margin Looks Different for Everyone
Samantha also offers very practical advice in her book, especially for people in different life seasons. Whether you work full time, stay at home, or fall somewhere in between, she shares thoughtful insights into how each of us can create margin.
“If you stay at home, maybe God is inviting you to ask what to say yes to and what to gently decline,” she said. “If you work full time, maybe there’s a routine—like stopping at the same coffee shop—that can become a space for reflection or relationship.”
Having too much unstructured time can lead to its own kind of hurry. Even in my season of life, I can still feel pressured to fill the day with work or activity. Samantha reminded me—and all of us—that even Jesus modeled both work and rest. “He withdrew to be with the Father,” she said. “That rhythm of working and resting with God at the center—that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Type A or Type B—We All Struggle with Hurry
I asked Samantha whether she thought hurriedness was only a problem for high-achievers. Her response was so insightful. “I think we all struggle,” she said. “Our culture rewards busyness and achievement. And anytime we’re trying to control our days without asking God what He wants for us, we’re stepping into that hurried mindset—whether we’re type A or type B.”
That resonated with me deeply. As a type B person, I know how procrastination can create its own brand of franticness. Samantha shared how she and her sister—who are opposites in personality—often remind each other of what really matters. “She tells me to slow down. I remind her not to wait too long. We help balance each other.”
Starting Your Day with God
So how do we begin to live a slower, more intentional life? Samantha’s advice was beautifully simple: “Right when you wake up, ask God, ‘What do You have for me today?’”
She encouraged us to start the day with prayer, Scripture, or even a moment of silence. “It’s a posture of surrender,

Have you ever been in a season of waiting that feels as though it will never end? Whether you want to begin a family, meet a life partner, find your perfect career, or anything else, waiting can be excruciating—or fertile ground for personal and spiritual growth. In this episode of the Christian Habits Podcast, author and podcaster Rebecca George shares insights from her new book, You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry-Up World. Learn to reframe the struggles of waiting and how to find true happiness and joy in a relationship with Christ.

What We Discussed on the Podcast:

* The importance of recognizing common challenges during waiting seasons and how they can hinder our faith.
* How to shift our perspective on waiting by embracing a biblical narrative that fosters hope rather than despair.
* The notion of “chill hours” learned from Rebecca’s husband’s experience with olive trees, symbolizing how difficult periods can shape us for future growth and fruitfulness.
* Strategies for surrendering our desires to God, navigating feelings of idolatry, and cultivating a lasting joy that transcends earthly circumstances.
* The profound impact of bitterness and resentment during waiting times, and how addressing these feelings can lead to healing and joy.
* Encouragement and practical advice for attending significant life events (like a friend’s baby shower) when your own hopes seem unfulfilled.

Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

* You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry-Up World by Rebecca George

About Rebecca George
Rebecca George is the founder of Radical Radiance®, a podcast community where listeners are equipped to blend what they love with the Jesus who makes them shine. She is a podcaster, speaker, and author whose greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the Kingdom. In her free time you can find her running outside, writing, or trying a new recipe with 90s country playing in the background. You can connect with her on IG at @rebeccageorgeauthor or at radicalradiance.live!

Does clutter feel like a never-ending battle? If so, you’re not alone! My guest today on The Christian Habits Podcast, Dana K. White, knows exactly what it’s like to struggle with a messy home and the frustration that comes with it. Unlike traditional organizing experts, Dana has lived the chaos and found simple, realistic ways to bring order without feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, she shares practical tips and encouragement for creatives (and anyone who struggles with organization overwhelm) to help you break free from clutter and create a home that works for you.

What We Discussed on the Podcast

* A fresh, guilt-free approach to decluttering that works with your natural tendencies
* How to apply Dana’s “container concept” to set realistic limits on stuff
* Strategies to declutter without feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained
* The key difference between organizing and decluttering—and why it matters
* How to let go of procrastination and take small, manageable steps forward
* Encouragement for overcoming the shame of a messy home and embracing grace
* Practical tips for balancing work, creativity, and home life

Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

* Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House by Dana K. White
* A Slob Comes Clean (YouTube Channel)
* A Slob Comes Clean (podcast)

About Dana K. White
Dana K. White is the creator of the No Mess Decluttering Process and the author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life (a Wall Street Journal bestseller). She’s also a speaker, podcaster, YouTuber, and (much to her own surprise) a Decluttering Expert. Connect with Dana on her website at www.aslobcomesclean.com.
How to Listen to the Podcast

* Listen or subscribe on YouTube.
* Listen or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
* Listen or subscribe on Android.
* Listen or subscribe on Spotify.
* Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Christian Habits Podcast.”

When we go through a difficult season, it’s tempting to wallow in self-pity or assume that God has abandoned us. But what if, instead, He is using that time to do a great work in us and give us gifts we’d never have experienced otherwise? Today’s guest, Tyler Staton, learned this lesson first-hand when he went through a cancer battle while writing his latest book, The Familiar Stranger, about the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on what he calls “redemptive suffering” and how we can grow closer to God through ordinary practices to enhance our discernment and relationship with Him.

What We Discussed on the Podcast


* The importance of truly understanding the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives
* How Tyler’s cancer journey informed his understanding of redemptive suffering and how the Holy Spirit moves through suffering for our redemption
* How Jesus’ example shows that we need to have discernment to effectively pray for miracles
* Why discernment needs to be an everyday practice, not reserved for only big decisions
* How Tyler uses prayer walks (or cycles) and the “Prayer of Examine” (developed by St. Ignatius) to train himself in the art of discernment
* How God as our Shepherd guides us to where He wants us to go
* Tips for how to pray when we feel distracted, we’re experiencing brain fog, or at other times when it’s difficult


Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Staton
“How to Renew Your Mind” course, starting January 28, 2025.

About Tyler Staton

Tyler Staton is the Lead Pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife Kirsten, and their sons Hank, Simon, and Amos. He is passionate about living prayerfully and relationally. Tyler is the author of three books: Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, Searching for Enough, and The Familiar Stranger. Connect with Tyler on his website at tylerstaton.com.

How to Listen to the Podcast

* Listen or subscribe on YouTube.
* Listen or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.
* Listen or subscribe on Android.
* Listen or subscribe on Spotify.
* Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Christian Habits Podcast.”

The live 7-Week Master Class on Transformation Begins January 28, 2025!!!

Do you ever say, “I can’t believe I’ve been a Christian for x number of years and I’m still struggling with this?” Are you reluctant to work on transformation because you’re afraid you’ll fail like you did last time? Do you have some area of your life where you feel stuck?
My guess is that we can all answer “yes” to at least one of those questions. It’s discouraging to fail over and over again.

Romans 12:2 tells us that the answer to our struggles is to renew our minds. But there are two problems with this approach: 1) We don’t necessarily know what that means or 2) we do know how to renew our minds but we can’t make ourselves do it consistently enough to see transformation.
My 7-Week Master Class on Transformation will help you with both of those problems. We’ll get together, each choose an area of our lives to work on, and work together on transformation.
What area of transformation would you like help with?
Here are a few areas you may want to work on during this transformation class:

Break a habit such as overeating, overspending, or too much time on your phone even though you have zero discipline in that area.
Achieve a goal such as writing a book, developing a habit of consistently completing your to-do list each day, or starting a business even if you’re a born procrastinator and can’t make yourself work on your project or list.
* Break free from a negative emotion like anger, worry, discontentment, and insecurity even if that emotion has been with you as long as you can remember. Often we think we can’t let go of the negative emotions. Our only hope is to escape them with some self-destructive behavior, stuff them, or control our behavior so the emotion doesn’t hurt ourselves and others. But the truth is, God can help us let go of those negative emotions situation by situation and live in peace and joy (Galatians 5). We’ll learn how to do that in this class.


What are some side benefits (but often the biggest benefits of all) of working on transformation?
No matter what practical area you choose to work on, God will use the transformation process to help you achieve the following goals:

Grow closer to God and more excited about your times with Him as you develop the practical habit of carrying each thought captive to the truth through the renewing of the min.
Live in peace and joy as you learn how to corral, process, and let go of the thoughts that are swirling in your head, threatening to drive you crazy.
Improve relationships and learn how to love others better as you grow in the fruit of the Spirit.


What is the set up of the class?
Here are a few features of the class:

* It will be live. We’ll meet on Zoom but the sessions will also be recorded if you can’t make it.
* I’ll give 15-30 minutes of instruction but we’ll be pausing during the class to apply what I teach to the area of your life that you want to work on.
* We’ll meet once a week for seven sessions but I’ll have six weeks of homework for you to do during the week to apply what you learned to the area of your life you’re working on.
* At the end of each class, I’ll have breakout rooms where you can share how you did with your renewing each week and what God taught you during the week.
* You’ll also have a chance to find accountability partners.

When will the class start?
The class will begin on January 28, 2025.

Becoming an empty nester can be a challenging time—full of bittersweet goodbyes, new routines, and a lot of questions about what’s next. My guest today on The Christian Habits Podcast, Jill Savage, knows this season well and brings wisdom and encouragement for navigating it with faith and purpose. In this episode, she shares practical insights from her book, Empty Nest, Full Life, on how to let go, grab hold of what matters most, and build a fulfilling life in the empty nest season.

What We Discussed on the Podcast

* What to let go of and what to grab hold of as an empty nester
* How to employ “pray, don’t say” and trust God with your adult kids’ lives
* How to unhitch your emotions from your adult child’s choices and problems
* How to become a “safe place for your kids to land” so your kids want you to remain involved in their lives
* The importance of rebooting both your marriage and your friendships for a more fulfilled life

Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

* Empty Nest, Full Life by Jill Savage
* “How to Renew Your Mind” course, starting January 28, 2025. Get more info here.

About Jill Savage
Jill Savage is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families. She is the author or co-author of fourteen books including Professionalizing Motherhood, My Hearts At Home, Real Moms…Real Jesus, Living With Less So Your Family Has More, No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Marriages (with her husband Mark), and her most recent release Empty Nest Full Life.
Featured on Focus on the Family, Crosswalk.com, Family Life Today and Today’s Christian Woman magazine, Jill is the founder of Hearts at Home, an organization that encouraged moms from 1994-2017. Jill and her husband, Mark, have five children, three who are married, and eight grandchildren. They make their home in Normal, Illinois.
How to Listen to the Podcast

To listen or subscribe on YouTube: click here 
To listen or subscribe on Apple Podcasts: click here 
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To listen or subscribe on Spotify: click here 
Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Christian Habits Podcast.”

We all experience low points in life; we try our very best to avoid them, but they come anyway! We recoil from the pain, the disappointments, and the difficulties that we face. However, what would happen if we viewed these trials as invitations to experience God? My guest today on the Christian Habits Podcast, Strahan Coleman, has learned to do just that through his many years of chronic illness. Moment by moment, God will meet us in our pain.

What We Discussed on the Podcast

* The surprising reason that we have desires
* A unique perspective on the essential meaning of life
* The place where we find our greatest opportunity to love and to receive God’s love
* The mindset shift that casts our pain in a new light
* What to do with our negative emotions
* A new way to think about repentance and confession
* The “wound of love”

Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

* Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul’s Deepest Desire
* Beholding: Deepening Our Experience in God
* Beholding Prayer Podcast on Apple and Spotify

About Strahan Coleman

Strahan Coleman is a writer, poet, and musician living in Aotearoa, New Zealand with his wife and three young boys. Through years of chronic illness, Strahan discovered a friendship with God filled with vulnerability, honesty and unceasing prayer, and now spends his time teaching and providing spaces of deep, rich, Spirit-led prayer for others through his books, prayer schools and spiritual retreats. In his latest work, Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul’s Deepest Desire, Strahan invites his readers to, like him, learn to transform the ache of our lives into our truest prayers, liberating the fire within us to become our greatest gift – our divine homing beacon. Connect with Strahan Coleman at commonerscommunion.com, on Instagram: @commoners_communion, @strahanmusic, or on Spotify.
How to Listen to the Podcast

To listen or subscribe on YouTube: click here 
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Most of us realize that our screens are consuming us. We know we should cut back on our screen-time but are at a loss for how to start. My guest on the Christian Habits Podcast today, Hannah Brencher, started off with a 1,000 hour screen-free challenge, and she hasn’t looked back since this pivotal life-change. Hannah gives practical tips as well as inspiration to start putting down our phones and re-discovering the world around us!
What We Discussed on the Podcast

* What going “unplugged” actually means
* The unexpected outcomes of Hannah’s screen-free challenge
* What prompted the writing of this book
* How to practice presence
* Some inspiring thoughts on contentment and productivity
* Practical tips and ways to begin putting down our screens

Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

* The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World
* The Aro App – Screen-time solution for families

About Hannah Brencher
Hannah Brencher is a writer, TED speaker, and entrepreneur. She founded The World Needs More Love Letters, a global community dedicated to sending letter bundles to those who need encouragement. Named as one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good,” Hannah has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Oprah, Glamour, USATODAY.com, the Chicago Tribune, and more. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Lane, and daughter Novalee. Find Hannah at hannahbrencher.com. Connect with Hannah on Instagram, Facebook,or Pinterest.

 
How to Listen to the Podcast

To listen or subscribe on YouTube: click here 
To listen or subscribe on Apple Podcasts: click here 
To listen or subscribe on Android: click here 
To listen or subscribe on Spotify: click here 
Amazon Alexa: To listen on Amazon Alexa, say, “Alexa, play the Christian Habits Podcast.”

So many of us today are looking for ways to cope with the pressures of life. Instead of going to God, we turn to our phones, food, shopping, or even alcohol. Such was the case with Christy Osborne, my guest on the Christian Habits Podcast. Christy talks about her journey to sobriety and the choice to live without alcohol in her new book Love Life Sober. Even if you do not struggle specifically with alcohol, you will hear many helpful ways to deal with any addiction.

 
What We Discussed on the Podcast

* How Christy assigned alcohol different “jobs” in her life
* The many ways that becoming alcohol-free has changed Christy’s life for the better
* Why Christy recommends the “experiment approach” when considering sobriety
* How to overcome addiction without willpower
* The surprising links between wine and disease
* Christy’s defiance against “Mommy Wine Culture”
* How wine and alcohol addiction takes more than it gives

Resources We Mentioned on the Podcast

* Christy’s new book Love Life Sober
* Christy’s website
* Christy on Instagram
* What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health – Huberman Lab Podcast

About Christy Osborne
Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober, is a graduate of the University of Southern California and attended law school at Pepperdine University. After passing the California bar exam, Christy relocated to London and assumed various roles in law, public relations, and business development. She founded a popular website for American expat women and became a royal commentator on SKY News in the UK. Christy discovered her true calling when she chose sobriety and began openly advocating for it on social media. As a highly trained senior sobriety coach featured in/by Marie Claire, Newsweek, The Daily Mail, Show more...