Anxiety can feel like a constant hum—an undercurrent of dread that steals joy and whispers disqualification. In this honest conversation, counselor and former Serge field worker Danielle Martinelli-Taylor shares how Christ meets us right in that noise with radical, tender grace. In this episode, we explore the difference between worry and anxiety, why so many missionaries feel overwhelmed, and how Jesus draws near not after we “fix ourselves,” but in our weakness. If you’ve ever feared you’re too anxious, too broken, or too much of a burden, this episode will help you hear the louder song of Christ’s love for you.

In this episode, they discuss…

• True Member Care (09:01)
• Stress Versus Anxiety (19:18)
• Body Signals and Shame (26:20)
• Performance Pressure and Pastoral Anxiety (35:02)
• Coping Behaviors and Deeper Wounds (43:25)
• Trauma, Boundaries, and Finding Help (50:16)

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Give to 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 today
• Read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘛𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳, & 𝘙𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺
• Explore a Serge Apprenticeship
• Bible references: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 1 John 3:20, Zephaniah 3:17

Credits:

Our guest for this episode was Danielle Martinelli-Taylor, a licensed clinical counselor and the founder of Animo C&C LLC. She has also been with Serge since 2012 and currently serves as the Counseling Coordinator and Home Assignment Specialist. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L.

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

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