Steps to Trusting

In this episode of Steps to Trusting, host Erin Michele discusses the journey to finding freedom from a performance-based identity with guest Becky Beresford. Becky, an author and coach, shares insights on moving from self-reliance to God-reliance, embracing Christ-centered empowerment, and the importance of surrendering to God. They touch on practical steps to experience freedom, the significance...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting', host Erin Michele discusses the common frustration of disrupted plans and how to trust God in challenging circumstances. Through biblical stories of the Israelites in Exodus 14, 15, and 17, Erin highlights the importance of shifting our trust from our circumstances to God. She emphasizes the significance of turning to God with our frustrations and...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' host Erin Michelle discusses the struggles of people pleasing and the importance of shifting our trust from people to the Lord. She shares personal anecdotes and reflects on scripture, particularly Jeremiah 17, to illustrate the difference between seeking validation from others and finding true identity and value in God. Erin encourages listeners t...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' host Erin Michele continues her enlightening conversation with Mary Rooney Armand. They delve into how 'identity thieves'—pride, fear, unforgiveness, and disappointment—negatively affect our relationships and faith. Mary also introduces 'identity restorers' like gratitude, prayer, and setting boundaries, which help us live confi...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' Erin Michele is joined by Mary Rooney Armand, author, and creator of the blog ButterflyLiving.org, to discuss the concept of secure identity and 'identity thieves.' Key takeaways include understanding how fear, unforgiveness, pride, and disappointment can undermine our sense of identity in Christ and practical steps to overcome these obst...

Welcome to Steps to Trusting. In this episode, we continue exploring the topic of beholding God, as introduced in Episode 64 with Teresa Whiting. Starting with a definition of 'behold' from Oxford Languages, we'll dive deep into what it means to observe and recognize God's presence in our lives. Anchoring our discussion in Psalm 23 and Psalm 27, we'll explore the tension o...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' host Erin Michele is joined by speaker and podcaster Teresa Whiting to discuss the fundamental human desire to be seen, known, and understood. They delve into the unhealthy and healthy ways of meeting this need, highlighting the biblical perspective of turning towards God for validation. Teresa shares her personal struggle with feeling insignifican...

In this episode, Erin Michele focuses on putting God's truth first in your life by quieting the internal and external voices that create pressure and doubt. She emphasizes letting God's voice and truth be the loudest, thereby facilitating a deeper trust in His character and actions. Erin shares practical steps for silencing negative thoughts and distractions, highlights impactful scriptu...

In this episode of Steps to Trusting, Erin Michele and guest Rose Ward explore letting go of societal and self-imposed expectations, and finding true identity in what God says about us. Rose shares her ministry journey helping Christian women overcome spiritual stagnation, practical steps for deepening one's relationship with God, and setting healthy boundaries. They discuss the ACTS prayer m...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' Erin Michele discusses the how friendship, points our attention to God. Flourishing in friendship points to God’s blessing and failure in friendship points to our need for God. Erin recounts her personal journey, emphasizing how her own struggles in friendship illuminated her dependence on God's grace. She cites scriptures like James 1:17 and...

Finding God in Broken Friendships:  Lessons on Identity and True Need Join Erin and Jenna in a heartfelt conversation about the lessons learned from broken friendships and the journey toward finding true fulfillment in God. They dive deep into how friendship and identity intersect with faith, sharing personal experiences and struggles. They reflect on the importance of recognizing human limitation...

Navigating Expectations in Friendships  In this insightful episode of Steps to Trusting, Erin Michele explores the complex nature of friendship with Jenna Schroeder, a doula, dance instructor, child advocate, writer, and a mom. The conversation revolves around viewing friendship as a divine gift, managing expectations, and the importance of vulnerability and authenticity. They delve into how press...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' Erin Michelle explores the profound role of friendship in our lives, viewing it as a divine gift. She emphasizes that genuine friendships allow us to be fully ourselves without the need to hide. Erin discusses the concept of Shalom, a Hebrew word for peace and wholeness, advocating for a life of completeness rather than fragmented existence. She sh...

Embracing Contentment and Trusting God's Abundance In this episode of Steps to Trusting, Erin Michele discusses the importance of finding contentment with the gifts we've received and how to shift our focus from what we lack to the abundance God provides. She reflects on her own struggles with time and the pressures of accomplishment, emphasizing the value of relationships and the role o...

In this episode of Steps to Trusting, host Erin Michele is joined by Andrea Schmidt, a farm wife, new homeschool mom, and fiction writer from central Kansas. Andrea shares her journey of trusting God's plan and finding joy in unexpected places, despite initial resistance and struggles. The conversation touches on themes from Andrea's novels, the challenges of shifting life plans, and the...

In this episode of 'Steps to Trusting,' Erin Michele addresses common fears of inadequacy and highlights how God can use our small offerings for great purposes. The biblical story of the loaves and fishes (John 6), is used as an example of what God can do when we willingly offer what we have.   By reflecting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and sharing personal practices, Erin provides...

Exploring Tiny Steps with Big Impact: Nurturing Faith in Your Children and Yourself with Christie Thomas In this episode of Steps to Trusting, Erin Michele is joined by children's ministry expert Christie Thomas to discuss how little steps, motivated by faith can make an impact. They explore the pressures parents face in discipling their children, the importance of living in one's identi...

This 'Steps to Trusting' podcast episode focuses on how using the word enough in regards to people without defining the term can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Erin discusses the value of people. People are always enough to be loved and valued.  However, she highlights how the statement "You are enough," often clashes with the reality that people aren't enough to fulfill...

Seeking God with Desperation with Theresa Miller In this episode of Steps to Trusting, host Erin Michelle welcomes Teresa Miller to delve into profound discussions on trusting God and seeking Him with desperation. They explore the challenge of relinquishing control and placing full trust in God, admitting our need for Him. Key topics include the refinement that comes through suffering, the risk in...

Season 3 Kickoff:  Building Trust Through Thanksgiving Erin Michelle introduces the third season of her podcast, Steps to Trusting, focusing on cultivating trust in God through the practice of thanksgiving. In this episode, she reflects on how gratitude helps to see God's work, supported by scripture such as Romans 8:28 and James 1:17. Erin shares clips from upcoming guests who discuss their...

  Sometimes we just can’t see how the circumstances we are in could be for our good.  We would rather hope for change or wait for resolution.  Could trusting there is meaning help us in the heartache and challenge.  Join me as we walk through the promise of Romans 8:28 and look at 3 practical ways to grow this trust muscle.   Click here for a full transcript of the show.    Journaling Questions: ·...

Are you like me? Do you get confused that seeking God is seeking knowledge about Him?  Join me as I talk about this struggle and the reminder that knowing God is about relationship with Him and knowing His heart. The rules and the attributes, they flow from the heart of a living God who wants us to know Him.  I am thankful that God says “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your...

Do you ever question how your doubts affect your faith?  Do you feel like you have to find all the answers to questions about faith?  Join Stephanie Cochrane and  I while we discuss how to handle doubts and questions about God .  Steph’s reassuring voice tells us that when we address our doubts with God, the process can grow intimacy with Him as we let Him into this space in our hearts and minds....

Identity, worthiness, being enough- It's not about you and what you can do but about what God can do in you!  This is so counterintuitive.  We put pressure on ourselves and are disappointed by our failures or mistakes because we fall short.  We want to prove we are worthy but the problem is we are not.  What if becoming who we have always wanted to be includes confessing that we are not enoug...

Listen to Tori’s tips on her own journey of trusting God as we jump into a continuation of last week’s conversation with Tori Hein. Plus hear the encouragement that it is not about what we do for identity but about relationship God and His character. We can rest in his presence!     Click here for a full transcript of the show.    Journaling Questions: ·      Do you find that your relationship wit...