We've all had those moments where we realize that God's plan was in a totally different universe than the one we crafted. Today, we're going to look at two women in Scripture who found their hope in counting on the character of God.

We, too, can find purpose and respond to God in worship when we remember that his story is bigger than us... I'm right there with you today as we explore another way to fully live the life we've been dealt and grow in intimacy with Jesus.

Xoxo,

Shelly

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Finding time and creativity to connect with others can be tricky, even when we value building stronger relationships with friends or family.

Today, co-hosts Shelly Snead and Jody Allen are taking some of the pressure off by giving you ideas for game night, inviting you to deeper connections around the table!

Listen in to hear why game nights are a powerful way to deeper connections, and to learn some fresh ways to do game night—including a list of Jody and Shelly’s favorite games!

Other episodes on building deeper connections:

#104: Experiencing Biblical Community

#96: Five Biblical Gifts to Help Us Stand Strong

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

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Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

How do we respond to suffering that changes the trajectory of our lives? How do we walk in joyful surrender to God when it feels like our life has fallen apart or our dreams have been dashed?

Sheila Preston Fitzgerald, author of One Foot In Heaven, knows the struggle of trusting God in hard times and through trauma. But she daily chooses surrender and joy. And she’s here to share her story of hope to embolden us to do the same.

Hang in there, sister. The God who stores your tears also holds your hand…

Xoxo,

Shelly

Connect with Sheila here.

Grab the Jesus Storybook Bible here (mentioned in today's episode).

And check out episode #94 A Journey to Peace Through Surrender

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

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I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

What does God say that should inform our theology of suffering? That’s the topic of today’s episode, as we dive into five assumptions we can make from what the Bible says about suffering.

Want to meditate on some of the Scripture quoted in this episode? Take a look at these:

· Matthew 11

· Romans 8

· Psalm 84:11

· 2 Corinthians 4

· Psalm 91

· Psalm 73

· Psalm 139

· 2 Corinthians 1

· James 1

Let’s turn to God’s Word for a correct understanding of Christian suffering.

Xoxo,

Shelly

P.S. Check out this episode, all about my relationship with (and newfound appreciation for) Romans 8:28:

Episode #62 Understanding Romans 8:28: Living in Surrender to the Sovereignty of God

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

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Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

If you desire to gain confidence in Christ, my guest, Lisa Allen, has so much truth to speak into your life today on the UnPerfect Podcast. She’ll answer questions like:

· What is calling?

· What is self-leadership?

· What is confidence (and how do I get it)?

· How do I harness my strengths and bring my best self into my other relationships and responsibilities?

Listen in to hear the six pathways God has provided for us to gain confidence, as well as why understanding what we value plays an important role in living out the calling God has for us.

God has equipped us for the great plans he has for us! Let’s tap into that equipping today!

Xoxo,

Shelly

Connect with Lisa here.

And grab your copy of Your Confidence Compass: From Self-Doubt to Self-Leadership.

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

Do you struggle to keep your dreams surrendered to God? If you’re like most women, we struggle to wait on God and let go of control in some regions of our heart.

We can get frustrated and discouraged – especially when God closes doors or worse, when God says, “Wait.”

But what if our waiting on God could become waiting with God? It’s possible, my friend, and the following conversation is going to give you some strategies, examples and ideas for doing just that!

Let’s grow together as we surrender our dreams into the capable, sovereign hands of God today.

Xoxo,

Shelly

Connect with Leslie!

Grab your copy of Leslie's book, Stealing Magnolias.

Leslie mentioned A Praying Life, by Paul Miller

Other episodes mentioned in this one:

Episode #15 When Best Laid Plans Unravel: How to Handle Delayed Plans

Episode #105 Does Waiting on God Have You Feeling Stuck? 3 Ways to Turn Waiting Patiently into Active Waiting

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

If you’re looking to discover the secret to truly resting in God – even in the middle of your chaos – you’re going to love the second half of my interview with Becky Thompson, author of Healing Rest. (If you missed part one, head back to Episode #121),

Finding peace isn’t something we can only experience when we finally go on vacation or the kids are grown or the chaos has settled down—it’s a gift from the Holy Spirit, and God is inviting us to join Him there.

Let’s uncover the secret together today in episode #122 of UnPerfect!

Xoxo,

Shelly

Connect with Becky here!

Grab her book, Healing Rest.

Other resources mentioned or quoted in this episode:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day by Peter Scazzero

Start with Amen by Beth Guckenberger

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Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!

“If I can just get through this season, then I’ll experience rest.” If you’ve ever said or thought that statement, this episode has your name written all over it! Because healing rest—truly resting with God—is a gift for your present moment.

We all know the feeling of desperately needing to experience rest. My guest today challenges the common misconception that rest is something to be earned or found only on "the other side" of a finished task. And she leads us on her journey to finding peace with Jesus in the storm.

Listen in to part 1 of our conversation for practical, mindset-shifting truths on how to access God's peace right now.

Xoxo,

Shelly

P. S. Three takeaway questions:

1. Why do I feel like I can only rest when the work is done?

2. What burdens am I shouldering that God can actually carry?

3. What am I waiting on in order to rest?

Connect with Becky Thompson here.

Grab her book, Healing Rest.

Other books and episodes mentioned in today's podcast:

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day, by Peter Scazzero

Episode #114 God, Can We Chat? with Nikki Hardy

Support the show

Loved this episode?! Leave a 5-star rating (and review)! Instructions here for the technologically challenged.

Join my newsletter and never miss an episode or update!

Claim your free UnPerfect printable download, The UnPerfect Promises of God: Five Biblical Affirmations for Living in the Now and the Not Yet

I’d love to speak at your women’s event or retreat - check out my website!