In this episode of Rise and Shine with Celeste, we’re diving deep into how childhood experiences with authority shape our perception of God’s guidance and discipline. Celeste Sowder unpacks Psalm 23:4 through a fresh lens, reflecting on how the “rod and staff” often feel like tools of control rather than symbols of love and protection. Drawing from her own upbringing, Celeste explores how schoolyard rules and authoritarian parenting taught her to fear stepping out of line—and how God’s guidance is anything but punitive.

You'll hear stories of Celeste’s childhood, her homeschooling journey, and how she’s learning to trust God as a gentle shepherd, not a controlling figure. Whether you’ve ever felt like your autonomy was under threat or you’ve struggled to see God's discipline as loving, this episode will open your eyes to a new understanding of His care.

If you’re ready to let go of fear and step into the peace that comes from walking in God’s love, tune in now. It’s time to reimagine what it means to be guided by grace, not by force.

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