Lifted to Hope

Sarah returns to share the next chapter of her powerful story. After devastating infidelity, she faced a choice: let bitterness take root, or surrender fully to God. With incredible courage, Sarah chose surrender, not knowing what would happen in her marriage, but trusting that God would have the final word in her life. Her obedience didn't come without pain, but through it, she discovered an inti...

After betrayal, how do you move forward? Especially within the same relationship? This week and next, I'm joined by Sarah, a brave woman whose story of heartbreak and healing will move you. When she married her second husband, she had every hope for a Christ-centered partnership. But then came earthshaking infidelity. As she navigated daily life, caring for her children and going to work, Sarah cl...

Infidelity is one of the deepest wounds a marriage can face. Whether through an affair, pornography, or emotional betrayal, the pain can feel overwhelming, and the path forward unclear. In this solo episode, I share hard-won insights from walking alongside couples through the heartbreak of infidelity toward the possibility of healing. Not all marriages survive, but many do—and with God, restoratio...

This week on the podcast, I re-release the second half of my conversation with Lisa, who experienced domestic abuse.  She tells about the different ways God brought healing, and how, in time, she began to believe her worth.  She shares great insight and wisdom about the healing journey that will encourage your heart in God's faithfulness.  To inquire about counseling, email Louise at Louise@louise...

As we dive into this summer series on shame and trauma, I'm revisiting a powerful two-part story from my friend Lisa. When we met, she was rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive marriage. Despite deep wounds and heavy shame, Lisa clung to the faithfulness of God and slowly reclaimed her worth. Her raw honesty and resilience are unforgettable, and I'm honored to share her journey with you ag...

In this week's podcast episode, I re-release the second part of my conversation with Claire Atenian, LMFT.  Here in part 2, we focus on what it looks like to recover from betrayal trauma. Just as God uses physicians and technicians in the medical field to help us heal from physical injury, He uses professionals and trusted friends to bring healing to our experiences of trauma and emotional or rela...

This summer on the podcast, we're exploring how trauma and shame interact and how understanding our responses can lead to deeper healing. Trauma often leaves us with deep shame that influences how we react, even when we don't realize it. You'll hear powerful stories of transformation and hope through Jesus. To kick off the series, I'm re-releasing my conversation with Claire Atenian, a licensed ma...

Have you ever disqualified yourself from a dream because of something you did—or something that happened to you? Maybe you walked away from a calling, believing you no longer deserved it.  In this episode, Doug Glynn returns to share the powerful second part of his story. After divorce, he stepped away from formal ministry, convinced that chapter was closed. But God wasn't finished. Doug discovere...

Do you ever find yourself stuck in the past—replaying old mistakes and giving them power over your present? You're not alone. In this week's episode, I'm joined by my good friend Doug Glynn, pastor of Hope Covenant Church in Chandler, AZ, who shares the first part of his powerful story about discovering the freedom of God's grace. Doug opens up about how grace moved from being a concept he underst...

We all carry titles—mother, wife, teacher, author, friend—but none of them fully define who we are. In this heartfelt solo episode, I reflect on how easy it is to let our roles shape our worth, and how grounding our identity in Christ changes everything. I open up about a recent mistake that left me shaken, and how the truth of being God's beloved child pulled me out of shame and back into grace....

Many of us know the truths of our faith—terms like justification, sanctification, and the miracle of the resurrection. But knowing about them isn't the same as experiencing them. For a long time, I lived with these truths in my head without feeling their power in my heart. In this week's episode, I'm sharing how the gifts of the resurrection move from concepts we understand to promises we trust—an...

In this Easter season, we pause to reflect on the heart of our faith—Jesus's death and resurrection. This week's episode invites us to sit with the profound gifts given to us through the cross: forgiveness, atonement, and redemption. These aren't just theological terms—they're daily sources of strength, especially when we feel the weight of sin, fear, or shame. As I share how these gifts have shap...

As believers, we are given a firm foundation in Christ.  We are forgiven, justified, sanctified, redeemed, accepted, and valued.  Shame prevents us from living in the daily reality of these spiritual blessings in Christ.  We don't feel worthy.  We can believe the blessings are for others but not for us.  Shame distorts our interpretation of reality.  Without trusting what is true or standing on th...

The road to spiritual maturity is often bumpy and full of unexpected turns. As we explore what it means to grow spiritually, we sometimes overlook how deeply personal shame can affect the journey. Yet, facing shame is a crucial step in real transformation. In this week's episode, Bruce McNicol — founder and former president of Trueface ministry — shares his personal story of navigating shame and i...

Maturity isn't just about age—it's about growth, wisdom, and transformation. But what happens when life circumstances delay that process? In this episode, I share my personal journey of emotional and spiritual maturity, from struggling to trust God to experiencing His faithfulness in ways I never expected. If you've ever felt like a late bloomer in faith, you're not alone. Join me as I reflect on...

Not everyone finds it easy to connect with God's Word. Maybe reading feels like a chore, studying Scripture feels overwhelming, or past experiences have left you feeling judged rather than loved. If you've ever struggled to experience the Bible as a source of joy and connection, you're not alone. This week, Sue Sawyer returns to the podcast with tender and gracious encouragement about the beauty o...

Have you ever felt like you've let God down by missing time with Him? Years ago, I would have feared His disappointment—but His grace has freed me from that self-condemnation. Now, when I forget, I simply return to His Word with gratitude, knowing His mercies are new every morning. This week, I'm joined by Sue Sawyer, a devoted student of God's Word who has found strength and peace through regular...

Have you ever avoided reading the Bible—not because you didn't believe in its power, but because shame made it too painful to open? You're not alone. In this episode, I share my personal journey of struggling to see God's Word through anything other than a lens of shame. Even with access to countless Bible translations and study tools, I felt unworthy, convinced that Scripture only confirmed my de...

Do you ever feel like you have to perform to be accepted? That you need to fit into a mold—one created by others or even by yourself? Trying to live up to an artificial standard of perfection can leave us exhausted and stuck, robbing us of joy and purpose. This week, Anna joins me again to share how embracing God's grace set her free from the weight of performance. As she stopped striving for perf...

The world needs artists—those who give voice to emotions words can't capture and bring beauty that stirs the soul. Yet, in a world that often values measurable outcomes over creativity, many artists feel overlooked and misunderstood. In this episode, I sit down with Anna, a talented photographer and singer-songwriter, who shares her deeply personal journey of feeling unseen in a world—and a home—t...

It's hard to see clearly when something clouds our vision—especially when it comes to understanding God. While salvation lifts the veil, there are mysteries about Him we won't fully grasp until heaven. One of the biggest distortions? Shame. It whispers lies about God's character, making us question His fairness, His love, and even His presence in our pain. If you've ever wrestled with doubts about...

Shame has a way of creeping in, whispering that we are a disappointment to God—that we're not enough, that others are more capable, that our struggles are proof of His disapproval. When life feels heavy, it's easy to wonder if God is punishing us. This week, John Lynch joins me again to challenge that myth and remind us of the truth: repentance is not a punishment—it's a gift. It frees us to trust...

Shame whispers lies that keep us hiding—afraid to be seen, afraid to be known. Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden, it hisses that we must perform, prove ourselves, and keep our secrets buried to be worthy of love. But what if the truth is the exact opposite? This week, I'm joined by speaker, author, and former pastor John Lynch , whose life's mission is to share the radical grace of God. In th...

Have you ever felt forgotten by God? Wondered if He really cares when life feels stagnant and lonely? In this solo episode, I share my own journey of wrestling with shame and doubt—those moments when I believed I didn't measure up or that God had more important people to care about. But here's the truth: I was so wrong. This week, I'll dive into how shame distorts our view of God's love and commit...

Prayer can feel like it should come naturally, but for many of us, it's a challenge. How do we trust God in prayer when we struggle to trust Him at all? The journey to deeper intimacy with God can be confusing, weighed down by shame, spiritual opposition, and the fear of comparison—especially in public prayer. This week, I'm joined again by Paula Walberer, an intercessor and prayer leader for an i...