Be Still Be Free

Major Depressive Disorder is the “common cold” of mental illness in America, impacting over 17 million people. It affects how we feel, think and behave, and is usually accompanied with unexpressed sadness, hurt, anger, disappointment, fear or guilt. And guess what? Women are nearly twice as likely as men to have depression. This is why we're doing this series! Women are drowning in depression and we want to bring HOPE! This week, Tracy gives us an incredible teaching on how we can not only get help, but also how we can DARE TO HOPE.BE IN THE WORD:"I waited patiently for the Lord.He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and He gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3)“I well remember my affliction and my soul is downcast within me, Yet I call this to mind and I dare to hope because of the Lord’s grea

As a part of each mini-series in our Walking from Bondage to Breakthrough semester-long series, we're going to be interviewing an "everyday woman" -- someone who is walking out their victory in that specific area, and willing to share how God is bringing them freedom. This month, we introduce you to Julie Gudger, a dear friend of Monica's who shares practical and spiritual ways she's overcoming fear and anxiety. Enjoy!ABOUT JULIE GUDGER:Julie is an abstract artist, and has painted since she was old enough to hold a paintbrush. Her work reflects the creative influence of ideas, emotions and expressions felt from the heart. Her art is inspired by the beauty in everyday life. Her love of water, oceans and sunsets is seen through the vibrant colors and movements in her paintings; whether semi-abstract or fully abstract, the horizon is always displayed in her work. Since becoming a mother, the energy and pace of her daughter has given Julie a new appreciation for the beauty in little momen

It's time to tackle the issue that very few people struggle with...anxiety! (#saracasticfont) Listen, if you didn't struggle with anxiety prior to the past 5 months, certainly most of us can relate to it in some capacity now. Tracy tackles this head on in this week's #podcast episode, teaching us first what anxiety is, what it looks like and why we suffer from it. Then most importantly, she guides us to very practical ways we can get free from its clutches. Don't miss this one...and get that notebook out, you're going to want to take notes again! BE IN THE WORD:But the one who always listens to me will live undisturbed in a heavenly place. Free from fear, confident and courageous, you will find rest unafraid and sheltered from the storms of life. (Proverbs 1:13)1 Kings 19 (full chapter about Elijah)Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Romans 12:2)Open up before God, keep nothing back; he'll do whatever needs to be done. He'll validate your

It's part two of our From Fear to Faith series, featuring incredible teaching by Tracy Hurst. And trust us, you are definitely going to want to take notes on this one! Learn how to not only identify roots of fear, but how to uproot them and instead become rooted in faith.BE IN THE WORD:"My heart is trembling inside my chest as the terror of death seizes me. Fear and dread overwhelm me. I shudder before the horror I face. I say to myself, “If only I could fly away from all of this! If only I could run away to the place of rest and peace. I would run far away where no one could find me, escaping to a wilderness retreat.” (Psalm 55:4-7)"Now desolation and darkness has come upon you. May you and all those like you descend into the pit of destruction! Since evil has been your home, may evil now bury you alive! But as for me, I will call upon the Lord to save me, and I know he will!" (Psalm 55:16-17)So here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the

It's finally here -- time to kickoff a brand-new series and season to help women walk from bondage to breakthrough! We're bringing light to the secret struggles women face, both in and out of the church. Our guest for the fall is licensed professional counselor Tracy Hurst, who is bringing words of Truth in due season for all of us battling fear, anxiety, grief, depression, self-loathing, comparison and more. This week is part 1 of going From Fear to Faith, and you're going to want to listen once, then again when you can sit down and take notes! Tracy Hurst is a licensed professional counselor, author, conference speaker, and former co-host/guest on Moody Radio. More importantly, she's a wife, mom and friend who knows what it's like to navigate womanhood in today's day and age. To connect more with Tracy, click over to her website. To get a copy of Tracy's devotional, Tuesdays with Tracy, click here. Listen to our past episodes with Tracy here:Be Healthy, Part 1Be Healthy, P

It's the last #podcast of our throwback Be Prayerful series, and we're focusing on probably the hardest topic of all -- unanswered prayer. There are really only two types of prayers: answered and unanswered. Even if it’s really an answer of wait, it feels unanswered. Do you ever get caught up equating God’s love and existence merely in the answer to your prayer? Why do we do this? This week we dug into some of our friends in the Bible to see that God gave us more than ample examples of answered and unanswered prayers with stories we can relate to. Take the time to dig in and read about these stories…these people…our brothers and sisters in Christ who went before us and were written about so that we might glean and grow from their lives.BE IN THE WORD (this week’s verses):“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)“For I kn

Time for the next #podcast episode in our throwback series on prayer! Yes, there’s a time to be strong and courageous and move on. But FIRST, it is absolutely biblical to stop and give space for your pain, frustration, anger, fear, sadness...especially with what's happening in the word right now! There’s a time to speak out in faith and proclaim truth regardless of how you feel, but that comes after you’ve emptied yourself of the desperation first. It has be released and let go TO GOD so that He can fill those empty places with faith, peace, love, hope and yes…even joy. In this week's episode, we explore the importance of biblical lament, and learn how biblical lament never loses sight of God. BE IN THE WORD (this week’s verses):Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. (Psalm 6:1-4) I’m exhausted. I cannot even speak, my voice fading as

We're back with another episode of our throwback series, Be Prayerful! This week we're talking about provision. You know, sometimes as women we don't ask God to provide because we feel it's selfish to do so; we feel selfish for asking God to give us anything, whether it be healing, restoration, finances, whathaveyou. But Provision isn't just something God does...it's also GOD'S NAME. Abraham called God Jehovah Jirah, "One Who Sees and One Who Provides." And there are over 169 verses in the Bible specifically about God's provision! It's time to let go of how we feel about asking God to provide, and begin walking in the confidence that God wants us to ask!BE IN THE WORD:There are over 160 verses in the Bible that refer to the ways God provides for us! Here are just a few:Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers. (Ps 37:3-4)God will provide

In this strange and unprecedented time, Sara and I thought it would be fitting to throw it back to a series we did several years ago called Be Prayerful. In this series, we dive into the sheer POWER of prayer. The world can be changed through prayer. Lives can be changed through prayer. Revival is possible through prayer! If you want to have influence in the world, in your community and in your family, then it's time to get on your knees and Be Prayerful! In this introduction episode prayer, hear how Sara discovered in the Bible that prayers can be positional, commands or promises. Let's change the world one prayer at a time!BE IN THE WORD (this week’s verses):PositionalThe LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. (Prov 15:29)The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Ps 145:18)CommandsPray without ceasing. (1 Thess 5:17)But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who se

Trip of a lifetime! That is exactly what Sara would call the 12 day trip she and her husband, Chris, experienced just a few weeks ago. They weren't even supposed to go on this trip, but 3 weeks before it's scheduled departure, they were invited to attend. In this week's episode, Sara shares the top takeaways from the trip, and gives us all an audio tour of this trip of a lifetime. Make sure to visit the blog at bestillbefree.com/208 to see some of her pictures from the trip!For more resources, make sure to visit our website.You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Join our Be Together Community! It’s a private Facebook group where we gather regularly to encourage, uplift and pray for one another. Click here to join!Thanks as always for listening! Make sure to rate and review us, as it helps more women find our podcast. And be sure to follow us on Instagram at Be Still Be Free.

One of our favorite things about Solomon is that he doesn’t just give us advice without being practical about it. In Chapter 9, once again he gives us the reasons why we should be invited by “wisdom,” but he also tells us why we should not accept an invitation by “folly.” That is just who God is. He is so for us that He wants us to see both choices we have, and the consequences that follow—be it good or bad. He loves us enough to show us both sides of the coin, as if not to hide anything from us. If you keep reading in Proverbs, God gives us everything we need to know about wisdom through Solomon. When I was a child or even teen, these passages gave me so much help to keep going in a tough world and not to give up. May they do the same for you…comfort you, lead you, motivate you, inspire you!BE IN THE WORD (This Week’s Verses): “Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” (Proverbs 9:9) BE EDUCATED (Additional Resources): The Book of Proverbs: Wisd

It's part 2 of our discussion on Proverbs 8, and in this week’s #podcast, we wrap up our dissection of Wisdom's remaining "be" words -- eternal,  delightful, persistent. We go deep into discussion about how maybe we're holding onto things that are negotiable and not foundational truths...and how wisdom should bring delight and joy to our lives. We stay super practical, with tangible things to think about consider for personal daily lives. Listen at your favorite #podcast app or at bestillbefree.com/206!BE IN THE WORD (This Week's Verses):Read Proverbs 8BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS (Practical Application):What negotiables are you holding onto tightly in the name of Wisdom, that you can maybe let go of and be willing to see differently?What area in your life would wisdom bring the freedom that would cause you to delight and rejoice in the Lord?Where are the places in life you can identify as crossroads where Wisdom calls out to you on a regular basis?Give us a rating or review on App

Instead of looking at Wisdom as something we look for and seek out, this week we examine how Wisdom is looking for us. She is out in the highways and hedges to show us herself in our own culture and our own day-to-day life. This week we get really practical, and spend a lot of time in dialogue about wisdom in our own personal, individual lives. We have so much dialogue, in fact, that we decided at toward the end of the episode that we needed to break this into 2-parts! We hope you enjoy this hands-on, grassroots look at Wisdom in our lives today, and be sure to tune in next week for part 2!BE IN THE WORD (This Week's Verses):Read Proverbs 8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)But let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and ‘No’ mean ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these comes f

Have you ever felt like you repeat yourself to your kids when trying to really make a point on an issue? Isn’t that what Solomon must have been feeling while writing Proverbs? There's no doubt that he wants his son to hear him and listen to his words. God must feel the same way. If we believe that the Word of God is infallible, and that each word is written for our learning, we must understand that each time Solomon says, “My Son,” God is saying it to us. Do we need to improve our listening skills? Or are we so focused on what everyone else is supposed to be learning that we don’t even hear our name being called by God? Let us take time to truly listen for God’s voice calling our name; for wisdom whispering for our attention. May we identify our distractions and work to reprioritize so that we may extend the number of our days! BE IN THE WORD:The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom! BE EDUCATED:The Paths of the Just and the Ways of the Wicked. Commentary on Proverbs 4How to Guard Your Heart. Adrian R

In Proverbs 3, Solomon gets excited (or "geeked up" as Sara would say) about sharing the rewards that come from living out wisdom in everyday life. It’s a back-and-forth volley of if/thens: IF you keep God’s teachings, THEN you’ll have long life and peace. The premises and promises continue throughout the entire chapter, illustrating the glorious and rich benefits of practicing a life of wisdom. Listen to the discussion this week as we explore all these rewards! BE IN THE WORD (This Week’s Verses):Read Proverbs 3 BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS (Practical Application):This week, pick one of the practical ways to exercise wisdom from verses 31-35:Be good to others if it’s in your power to do so.When you have it to give, give it immediately instead of later.Don’t take advantage of anyone’s trustDon’t argue for the sake of arguingDon’t envy the wins that the ungodly get and think their ways are more beneficialQUOTES FROM THIS WEEK:“The word translated ‘trust’ means ‘to lie helpless, facedown.’ It pictures a

"Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting the tomato in a fruit salad," the ever-wise Chris Goede is noted as saying. What is wisdom, though? It might feel like a word that has no context or is so abstract that we cannot wrap our minds around it. Yet it's a very distinct word chosen by Solomon. So how, then, is wisdom different from knowledge or understanding? Here are the definition of the words that can cause us such confusion:Definitions:Wisdom: Not just about knowing what’s good for you, but applying that knowledge into your everyday life. The ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight.Knowledge: Facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject. Awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation.Understanding: Having insight or good judgment.Comprehension.Discretion or discernment: The quality of behaving or s

We're diving into Wisdom from Chapter 1 in Proverbs this week! It's a jam-packed #podcast episode about cultivating wisdom in relationships, behaviors, intentions...and how we need to possess a spiritual desire to want to become wise. It's good stuff, friends! #bestillbefree #beingwiseBE IN THE WORD (This Week’s Verses):Read Proverbs 1I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10)BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS (Practical Application):Challenge yourself to read one chapter of Proverbs a day for 31 daysQUOTES FROM THIS WEEK:“Here the open proclamation…to make it clear that the offer of wisdom is to the man in the street, and for the business of living, not to an elite for the pursuit of scholarship.” (Derek Kidner)“The greatest tragedy is that there’s so much noise that people can’t hear the things they really need to hear. God is trying to get through to them with the voice of wisdom, but all they hear are the confused comm

Welcome back, friends! It's not only our 200th episode (beyond crazy!), it's our first episode of 2020. We're catching each other up on life through the holidays, and then doing an introduction and overview for you of this new #podcast series we're starting on WISDOM. It's going to be an incredible foundational way to start this new decade and year. So grab your coffee and your earbuds and enjoy!BE IN THE WORD (This Week’s Verses):Read Proverbs 1BE EDUCATED (Affiliate Links):Dr. Warren Wiersbe BE seriesFinish by Jon Acuff QUOTES FROM THIS WEEK:“We’re living in the ‘information age,’ but we certainly aren’t living in the ‘age of wisdom.’ Many people who are wizards with their computers seem to be amateurs when it comes to making a success out of their lives.” (Dr. Warren Wiersbe)“Knowledge is the collection of facts; wisdom is the right use of what we know for daily living. Knowledge can tell one how financial systems work; wisdom manages a budget properly.” (David Guzik)“God does not

Y'all it's our last #podcast of 2019! How have we already arrived at this point in the year? This episode is longer (#sorrynotsorry) but contains all the goodness to help you thrive in your everyday life. We also have strategies to help catapult your prep for the wonder that is the holiday season. We've got tips, we've got tricks, we've got permission for you to let some things go and just say no! So grab your cup of coffee, kick back and enjoy. We pray you all have a glorious and joy-filled Christmas and new year, we can't wait to see you again in 2020! #theyearofvisionBE IN THE WORD:For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people. (I Corinthians 14:33)I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)QUICK LIST OF TIPS:Don’t set yourself up for failure! Only volunteer

Raising kids is no joke, #amiright? Being an intentional parent (in today's culture especially) is an exhausting undertaking, but one that can reap the greatest rewards if we are diligent and do not grow weary in doing good. (Although moments of weariness or even all-out breakdowns are allowed and even expected!) #handhighintheair So how do we display Christ in our parenting? How do we raise humans and not just have babies? The answer can be found in James 1:5 which is an anchor verse for us as we parent: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." Some of us ask God on an hour by hour basis, #amiright? Listen in to this week's #podcast episode as we share some challenges we face in parenting, and also the practical tips we use that help us as we train up these children of ours in the way THEY should go.BE IN THE WORD:If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it w