Growing Up Kingdom

Welcome to the first guest episode of the summer on Growing Up Kingdom! In this candid conversation, Josh Awwad and I dive deep into the real reasons why so many young adults struggle with self-doubt, comparison, and feeling "behind."If you're trying to figure out your life direction, or if you've ever felt like God picked the wrong person for your purpose, this episode is exactl...

In this episode, we talk about the quiet pressure so many people feel: the feeling of being behind. One scroll through social media can make it seem like everyone else already has the relationships, career, confidence, purpose, and momentum you are still trying to figure out. But a lot of that pressure is not coming from God. It is coming from comparison, unrealistic timelines, and constant exposu...

Feeling distant from God can be frustrating, especially when you can’t even figure out when things changed. In this episode, we talk honestly about how easy it is to slowly drift when life gets busy, distracting, and overwhelming. Most of the time, it doesn’t happen all at once. You just look up one day and realize you haven’t really been close with God lately. More than anything, this episode is...

Ever feel like you’re busy all the time but somehow not actually getting anywhere? You work, scroll your phone, hang with friends, watch videos, and before you know it another year has passed. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we talk about something uncomfortable but important: how to know if you’re wasting your time as a young adult. Together we look at a few warning signs that time might b...

Why does waiting on God sometimes feel like being left on read by heaven? In this episode, we get honest about the frustration, confusion, and quiet moments when it feels like God is silent. Starting with Psalm 22, we look at how even David and Jesus expressed that feeling of distance, and why that doesn’t make you weak in faith. We unpack what “waiting on God” actually means, why it feels so pain...

In this episode, we break down the biggest lie about impact that our generation believes: that you need a big platform, followers, or fame before you can make a difference. Jesus teaches the opposite. Real impact starts with obedience, not audience size. We talk about how culture defines influence versus how God actually uses ordinary people to change lives, looking at biblical examples like the d...

In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, I talk about what it was actually like to read the entire Bible in 30 days and why it wasn’t as overwhelming as people think. This wasn’t about rushing through Scripture or checking off a challenge. It was about building consistency and creating space to hear from God every single day. I seriously enjoyed it and would encourage everyone else to try it at leas...

In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we walk through timeless biblical wisdom every man needs before mistakes become memories. From temptation and impulse to work, provision, friendships, and self control, we break down how small, overlooked decisions quietly build or destroy a man’s life. You’ll learn why attraction is not neutral, why speed fuels regret, why discipline matters more than motiva...

New year, new goals - but let’s be honest, most resolutions don’t survive past February. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, I share 7 practical shifts every young person can actually start doing today: talking to more people, choosing friendships wisely, taking responsibility for your faith, starting the thing you’ve been avoiding, taking care of your body, investing in your skills, and unplug...

A new year won’t change your life if you walk into it the same way. This isn’t about hype, vision boards, or resolutions that fade by February. It’s about resetting with God before 2026 even starts. In this episode, we walk through 5 biblical keys that help you finish this year honestly and step into the next one aligned with Jesus — not burnout, pressure, or empty motivation. We talk about honest...

What If God Is Actually Doing Something in Your Lonely Season? Loneliness hits different. It’s quiet. It’s uncomfortable. And it can make you feel like something’s wrong with you. But what if this season isn’t punishment — what if it’s purposeful? In this episode, I talk through 5 things God might actually be doing in your lonely season. Not the Pinterest-quote version of loneliness, but the real,...

Today we’re breaking down reacting to something shocking behind the 67 meme. As Christians, we can’t just consume everything blindly. We’ve got to pause, think, and actually discern what’s shaping our minds. Could something like this actually be demonic? This isn’t about fear — it’s about wisdom. Culture is always discipling us, whether we realize it or not. So let’s look at this trend through Scr...

If you’ve ever scrolled through social media and suddenly felt less than, you’re not alone. It’s way too easy to compare your real life to someone else’s highlight reel and walk away feeling insecure, anxious, or invisible. But here’s the truth: social media isn’t just entertainment — it’s shaping the way you see yourself. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we talk about why social media hits...

Let’s be real—everyone has bad days. Maybe you failed a test, got left on read, or just woke up in a funk that wouldn’t go away. But here’s the real question: when your day goes wrong, what’s your first move? Do you scroll? Vent? Or do you stop and pray—even when you don’t feel like it? In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re diving into 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 and unpacking what Paul really...

You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re unpacking practical ways be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14–16) and how to actually live that out at school, online, or anywhere God’s placed you. Being a light doesn’t mean being “better” than everyone—it means being different in the way you love, speak, and respond. From choosing kindness when go...

We live in a world that glorifies hustle — where being “busy” feels like a badge of honor and slowing down almost feels wrong. But what if rest isn’t weakness? What if it’s actually a sign of trust — knowing you don’t have to have everything under control? In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re talking about what real rest looks like — not just taking a break, but finding peace in the middle...

Staying focused today isn’t easy. Between TikTok trends, school stress, friend drama, and everything else competing for your attention, growing in your faith can feel impossible. But here’s the truth: God’s already given you the tools—you just need to use them. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re breaking down 3 practical things every teenager needs to know to build a strong faith that la...

Culture is loud—and a lot of what it says sounds empowering or harmless. But when you line it up with God’s Word, it falls apart. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re exposing 3 of the biggest lies culture tries to sell you, and how to replace them with truth. From “follow your heart” to “truth is whatever you make it” to “you are enough without God,” these messages are everywhere—movies,...

Let’s be real—sometimes the world feels like it’s gone completely nuts. From heartbreaking headlines—like the passing of Charlie Kirk and the recent tragedies in our schools—to TikTok trends and drama in our own friend groups, it can feel like everything’s out of control. The question is: how do we hold on to our faith when life feels so unpredictable? In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re...

Social media isn’t just stealing your time—it’s shaping your heart, your identity, and even your future. Every scroll is telling you a story about what matters, what beauty looks like, and what success means. The question is: Are you controlling your feed, or is your feed controlling you? In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re breaking down why social media isn’t neutral, how algorithms are...

Every generation has problems. From corruption and injustice in the Bible to anxiety, loneliness, and identity struggles today — darkness isn’t new. But here’s the truth: Jesus didn’t put you here to just complain about it. He put you here to shine in the middle of it. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we dive into what it means to actually live as the light of the world (Matthew 5:14–16). Yo...

Peer pressure isn’t just a middle school problem — it’s everywhere. From TikTok trends to friend group expectations to the way you talk or dress, the pressure to “fit in” is real. But as followers of Jesus, we’re called to live differently. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we dive into what peer pressure actually looks like today, why it’s so powerful, and how you can stand strong without ca...

Living “set apart” isn’t about being weird for no reason — it’s about letting God shape your life so that you stand out in ways that honor Him. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re talking about what it actually means to live differently from the world, day in and day out. From your media choices to your friendships, your language to your values — being set apart shows up in the small deci...

Let’s talk real friendship. Not the highlight-reel kind, not the “we just vibe” kind — but Kingdom friendship. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re breaking down what we should actually be looking for in our closest friends. Because here’s the truth: your friendships will either fuel your faith or fight it. And if you’re trying to live for Jesus, you can’t afford to walk with people who pu...

Let’s be honest — some of the things we hear every day sound normal... until we line them up with God’s Word. In this episode of Growing Up Kingdom, we’re digging into what it really means to have a Kingdom mindset — one that’s shaped by Heaven, not the culture around us. It’s easy to believe in Jesus but still think like the world. That’s why Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing...