Friend, have you ever experienced a season where everything you thought was secure suddenly fell apart?

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Bible teacher, author, speaker, and teaching pastor Alli Patterson to talk about freedom, failure, redemption, and learning to build our lives on the only foundation that truly lasts.

Alli shares her powerful personal story of coming to faith as a teenager, drifting away from the Lord during college and early adulthood, and eventually walking through a devastating season of brokenness that nearly destroyed her marriage. Through that painful experience, she encountered the kindness, forgiveness, and presence of Jesus in a way she had never known before.

What I love about Alli's story is that it reminds us that God is not afraid of our mess. He is a God of redemption, restoration, and second chances.

We also dive into her newest Bible study, Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, where Alli teaches practical ways to approach Scripture that move beyond simply reading words on a page and into genuinely encountering God through His Word.

One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Alli's reminder that hearing God's Word is only part of the equation.

Jesus didn't simply call us to listen.

He called us to build.

The storms of life reveal what our foundation is made of, and true freedom comes when we choose to build our lives on Christ instead of success, comfort, achievement, or our own plans.

Whether you've struggled with failure, finding your footing after difficult seasons, or feeling intimidated by studying the Bible, this conversation will encourage you to take the next step toward Jesus and trust Him to rebuild what feels broken.

Bio:

Alli Patterson is a teacher, author, wife and mom of four out of Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently serves as a Teaching Pastor at Crossroads Church on the national teaching team. Alli is the leader of Woman Camp and founder of the Ignite Conference out of her passion for equipping women in the Kingdom of God.

As a lifetime learner and lover of scripture with a seminary degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Alli loves to create ways for others to know and love Jesus through his Word. She has created a fresh approach to Bible study in the release of Spirit-Led Bible Study, coming February 2026. She has written two books, How to Stay Standing and Blueprint for Belonging- both providing practical help translating Biblical principles into real life. 

Alli speaks at events and conferences and enjoys podcasting. She is a runner and die-hard Buckeye football fan who loves Mexican food almost as much as her bratty calico cat.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 6:47-49

Luke 6:45

Connect with Alli:

Website: https://www.allipatterson.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/theallipatterson

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/theallipatterson

About Spirit-Led Bible Study

In Spirit-Led Bible Study: Six Practices to Bring the Bible to Life, Alli teaches practical and approachable ways to engage Scripture, helping readers move beyond simply reading the Bible to truly interacting with God through His Word.

The study introduces six practices designed to help believers observe, interpret, pray through, and apply Scripture while allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process.

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Friend, have you ever felt like you had to earn God’s love?

Like if you prayed more, performed better, got your act together, or stopped struggling, then maybe God would finally be pleased with you?

This week’s conversation on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast is a powerful reminder that God’s love was never something you had to earn in the first place.

I sat down with Jazmine Davis, founder of SWAT HQ Ministries, evangelist, podcast host of God Really Likes You, and a woman whose story is filled with the transforming grace of God.

Jasmine shares her incredible testimony of encountering Jesus at age 33 after spending years writing bestselling books that pulled her further away from God. What began as her self-declared “Jesus Year” became a life-changing encounter with the love of Christ that completely redirected her future.

Together, we talk about freedom from condemnation, breaking free from works-based Christianity, healing from trauma, understanding our identity in Christ, and learning to approach God as beloved children rather than exhausted performers.

One of the most powerful truths from our conversation is this:

You are not fighting for God’s approval.

You are living from it.

If you’ve ever struggled with shame, fear, anxiety, perfectionism, or feeling like you’re never doing enough for God, this episode will remind you that Jesus already finished the work.

Bio:

Jazmine Davis is a faith-driven leader, speaker, and the founder of SWAT Ministries (Spirit's Watchmen and Trailblazers), a ministry dedicated to helping women break free from guilt, shame, and condemnation, and step into the radical love of God they were never told was theirs.

Jazmine's story is one of redemption. After growing up in church and Christian school, she walked through her own prodigal season, wandering far from the Father's house and becoming a bestselling romance and erotica writer for nearly a decade. But God never stopped loving her. And when He gently called her home, she discovered the heartbeat of everything she does today: God still loves you. Yes, even there. Yes, even now.

Today she hosts the God Really Likes You podcast, leads weekly Bible studies, and curates Wander and Vow, luxury retreats designed to immerse women in truth, beauty, and the unhurried presence of God. She is a graduate of CORE College in the Ministry of Healing and Deliverance, a Certified Crisis Counselor, a Certified Evangelist, and holds a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Oakwood University.

When she's not ministering, Jazmine is a wife and mother who loves a good book, a hiking trail, and her next trip with her family. She lives by Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."

About SWAT HQ Ministries

SWAT HQ Ministries is a search-and-rescue ministry helping believers move from condemnation, guilt, fear, and shame into secure attachment with the Father and freedom through Jesus Christ.

Anchor Verses:

Hebrews 10:14

Proverbs 31:25

Joshua 1:8

Connect with Jasmine Davis and SWAT HQ Ministries:

Website: swathq.co

Podcast: God Really Likes You

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581052922177

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jazz_with_swat 

Upcoming Online Event

I Am Fast

Begins June 17

Theme: “I Am God’s Child”

Helping believers exchange labels, wounds, and trauma-based identities for God’s truth about who they are.

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Friend, if you've ever wondered where God is in the middle of your pain, this conversation is for you.

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with authors Kristen Wetherell and Sarah Walton to talk about their brand-new book, Jesus Will Meet You There, releasing today, June 9th.

Together, Kristen and Sarah share deeply personal stories of chronic illness, suffering, mental health struggles, family challenges, and the lessons they've learned about depending on Christ when life doesn't go according to plan.

In a culture that tells us to be stronger, try harder, and handle everything on our own, this conversation offers a different message: God never designed us to be self-sufficient. Instead, our weaknesses, limitations, and struggles often become the very places where we experience the compassion, presence, and strength of Jesus most clearly.

We talk about anxiety, depression, chronic illness, spiritual dryness, shame, and the pressure many Christians feel to hide their struggles. Most importantly, we discuss the beautiful truth that Jesus is not disappointed by our weakness. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust. And He meets us right where we are.

If you're walking through a difficult season, carrying a burden that feels heavy, or simply exhausted from trying to hold everything together, I pray this conversation reminds you that you do not have to carry it alone.

Jesus will meet you there.

One of my favorite truths from this conversation is this:

We spend so much time trying to convince ourselves that we should be stronger, more capable, and less needy.

But Scripture tells a different story.

God created us with limitations—not to shame us, but to draw us into dependence on Him.

Our weakness is not evidence that God has abandoned us.

Often, it is the very place where He draws nearest.

Friend, whatever you're carrying today, remember this:

You do not have to be enough.

Jesus already is.

Bios:

Kristen Wetherell is a pastor’s wife, mother, and writer. She is the author of numerous books, including Help for the Hungry Soul, Humble Moms, and the award-winning Hope When It Hurts. She loves writing for kids and is the author of the board book series For the Bible Tells Me So, Teach Me to Pray, and The Big WHY. Kristen also enjoys teaching God’s word to women of local churches. She and her husband, Brad, live in Chicagoland and are members of The Orchard. They are parents to Joanna, John, and Lydia.

Sarah Walton is a wife, mother, and writer. She is the author of several books, including her children’s book The Long Road Home and her evangelistic resource Tears and Tossings. She is also the co-author of Hope When It Hurts, He Gives More Grace, Together Through the Storms (co-written with her husband, Jeff), and devotional contributor to the forthcoming ESV Girls Study Bible through Crossway. Sarah lives in the beautiful state of Colorado with her husband and four children.

Anchor Verses: 

Kristen: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Sarah: Psalm 103: 13-14

Connect with Kristen:

Website: https://kristenwetherell.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_wetherell/

Connect with Sarah:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarahpwalton/

Book Website: https://sites.prh.com/jesuswillmeetyouthere/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Friend, if you've ever felt like your past disqualifies you from God's purpose, this conversation is for you.

We are starting season 19 off with a bang! Today on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sandra Perez-Dalton, founder and CEO of Restore Her Place, author, speaker, and living testimony of God's redeeming power.

Sandra openly shares her journey from an 11-year battle with crack cocaine addiction, incarceration, homelessness, and losing custody of her children to becoming a ministry leader who has spent more than two decades helping women and children find healing, hope, and restoration.

What struck me most about Sandra's story is that her transformation didn't begin when her circumstances changed—it began in a jail cell. While sitting in a holding cell during a Bible study, she encountered Jesus and experienced a freedom that no prison bars could contain.

In this powerful conversation, Sandra shares how God met her at her first rock bottom, rescued her from addiction, and revealed a purpose she never thought possible. We also talk about her new book, Disqualified: From Rock Bottom to Restoration, which reminds women that their mistakes, trauma, divorce, abuse, addiction, or incarceration do not get the final say.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Sandra's powerful testimony of addiction, incarceration, and redemption

• The jail-cell encounter that began her journey of learning who she was called to be, even though there were more hills and valleys to come

• Losing custody of her children and finding hope again

• Breaking free from shame and walking in God's purpose

• Why disqualification is often the birthplace of divine assignment

• Building Restore Her Place and serving women for more than 20 years

• Learning to walk with "Godfidence"

• Why today's generation is hungry for authenticity

• The power of sharing our stories of survival and restoration

• Sandra's new book Disqualified: From Rock Bottom to Restoration

Your past may explain part of your story, but it does not define your future. God specializes in taking what the world calls broken, damaged, disqualified, and beyond repair and transforming it into a testimony of His grace.

Because the truth is this:

Your mistakes are not louder than your destiny.

Whether you're carrying shame from your past, struggling to believe God can still use you, or simply need a reminder that restoration is possible, this episode will encourage your heart and strengthen your faith.

Bio:
Dr. Sandra Perez-Dalton is a CEO of RestoreHER Place (a 24-month transitional housing program for at-risk women & children for over two decades), author, speaker, and transformational leader passionate about empowering individuals to walk boldly in purpose, faith, and personal growth. Known for her authentic voice and inspiring message, she combines leadership, resilience, and spiritual insight to encourage audiences to overcome challenges and create lasting impact in both life and business. Through her work, Dr. Perez-Dalton continues to inspire others to lead with courage, vision, and compassion.

Anchor Verses:

1 Corinthians 2:9

John 4-The Samaritan Woman

Connect with Sandra:

Website: https://www.restoreherplace.org/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.perez.620789/

Ministry IG: https://www.instagram.com/restoreherplace/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Have you ever felt like the noise of life is drowning out the voice of God?

In today's episode, I sit down with author, Andrea Burke to talk about her powerful testimony of redemption, restoration, and learning to resist the constant pressure of a loud and distracted world. Andrea openly shares her journey from rebellion, brokenness, and rock bottom to discovering that even at her lowest point, Jesus was still there waiting for her.

Together, we talk about the hard work of healing from shame, trauma, and past mistakes. We discuss counseling, forgiveness, anxiety, and what it looks like to walk in freedom while still allowing God to continue healing the places that need restoration.

We also dive into Andrea's new book, The Quiet Resistance, where she challenges us to slow down, embrace wonder, seek silence, and intentionally create space for God in our everyday lives. In a culture that constantly tells us to hurry, consume, and stay distracted, Andrea offers a refreshing invitation to live differently.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Andrea's powerful testimony of redemption and restoration
• Finding Jesus at rock bottom
• Healing from shame and learning to walk in freedom
• The role of counseling and emotional healing
• God's kindness in the healing process
• Living intentionally in a distracted world
• Why children teach us about wonder and presence
• Learning to embrace silence and stillness
• How anxiety keeps us running from quiet
• Finding God through creation, beauty, and everyday moments
• The message behind Andrea's new book The Quiet Resistance

If you've ever struggled with anxiety, shame, feeling stuck in your past, or simply longing for more peace, this conversation will encourage you to remember that God is still present, still working, and still writing your story.

Bio:

Andrea Burke is a podcaster, Bible teacher, and women's ministry leader. The author of A Bit of Earth and The Quiet Resistance, Andrea is married to Jedediah. They are raising their two kids, dogs, a few stray cats, six ducks, and a lot of chickens in an old farmhouse near Rochester, New York.

Anchor Verses:

Philippians 1:6

Isaiah 41:10

Connect with Andrea:

Website: https://www.andreagburke.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/andreagburke

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Today’s conversation is a heavy one, but it is also one filled with hope.

I’m joined by Veronica Thompson, a licensed clinical social worker, Christian therapist, and survivor of childhood trauma. Veronica’s story includes childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, instability, and growing up in environments that were anything but safe. Yet through it all, God was writing a story of healing, restoration, and purpose. 

This conversation is one I believe every parent, ministry leader, teacher, pastor, grandparent, and survivor needs to hear.

Because the reality is that trauma impacts far more people than we often realize. And sometimes the church has not always known how to respond.

In this episode, we talk about:

-Childhood trauma and its lasting impact

-How trauma changes the way people see themselves, others, and even God
-Why shame keeps so many survivors silent
-The difference between surviving and healing
-How Christian counseling can be a powerful part of the healing journey
-Why the church should be leading these conversations, not avoiding them
-Supporting children and adults who have experienced abuse
-The importance of being seen, believed, and heard

One thing Veronica said that really stood out to me was this:

Trauma is an encounter with evil.

And because of that, healing isn't simply about "getting over it." It's about confronting the lies that trauma planted and replacing them with the truth of who God says you are.

We also discuss the reality that many survivors carry messages such as:

• It was your fault.
• Nobody will believe you.
• Nobody cares.
• You should stay silent.

Friend, if you've ever carried those thoughts, I want you to hear this:

What happened to you was not your fault.

And what happened to you is not your identity.

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was discussing how healing happens when survivors are finally seen by people who know their story and still love them. Because that is exactly how Jesus meets us.

Friend, if you are walking through trauma, shame, abuse, or painful experiences from your past, please know this:

You do not have to carry it alone.

There is hope.
There is healing.
And there are people who will walk beside you.

Bio:

Veronica Thompson, LCSW, is a trauma therapist, a committed Christian, and a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She has dedicated more than twenty years to helping children, teens, and families navigate and overcome the trauma of sexual abuse. In her writing and clinical work, Veronica explores the intersection of the Christian faith with the best clinical psychotherapy practices.

Veronica earned her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University (New York, NY) and minored in law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University (New Haven, CT).

Anchor Verses:

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Ephesians 6: 10-18

Romans 12:2

Connect with Veronica:

Website: http://veronicathompson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicathompsonlcsw/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Today’s conversation is heavy. But it’s also one filled with honesty, tenderness, and hope. And if you’ve walked through grief, loss, trauma, suicide loss, dementia, or simply wondered where God is in the middle of unimaginable pain…I think this episode will meet you there.

Today I’m joined by my friend Rachel Dawn. Rachel and I connected online years ago as fellow Ohio girls, eventually met in person at a ministry conference, and I still have the signed copy of her first book from back in my launch team days.

And you guys…Her story is one that will stay with you.

Rachel shares about surviving the loss of her brother to suicide in 2021 while she was only three weeks postpartum—all while slowly losing her father to dementia at the same time. 

Imagine:

A newborn.
Sleep deprivation.
Traumatic grief.
Public news coverage.
FBI involvement.
Dementia.

And trying to breathe through all of it.

It was simply…

Too much for one person to carry.

And honestly, one of the biggest takeaways from this conversation was hearing Rachel say:

“It was too much for one person to hold at one time.”

I think some of you need permission to hear that too.

In this episode we talk about:

-Surviving suicide loss
-The complicated emotions of grief—especially anger and rage
-Therapy after trauma and why seeking help matters
-Walking through postpartum struggles while grieving
-Losing someone slowly through dementia while mourning someone suddenly
-Why grief heals in layers—not overnight
-Learning to be gentle with yourself
-The pressure to “be okay” too soon

Rachel also shares about her upcoming book that is tentatively titled, Reads Like Fiction, which is built from raw grief journals, motherhood journals, and years of healing.

And I love reminding each of you that:

You are healing… and you are healed.

Both can be true.

Friend—

If grief has made you feel unseen…

If trauma has convinced you healing is impossible…

If you’re angry…

If you’re tired…

Please hear me:

God is not rushed with your healing.

And neither should you be.

Listen now and share this episode with the person who needs to hear this message!

Bio:

Rachel Dawn met and married her “prince charming” young (as many small-town girls do), and embarked on an exciting life, certain she was destined for success and happiness.

Then, it all fell apart.

By 25, she found herself divorced, discouraged, disenchanted, and starting over. The lessons she learned during this time allowed her to rebuild her life, regain her confidence, and reignite her dreams. (You can read this whole story in her book, Now What: A Story of Broken Dreams and the God Who Restores Them).

In 2021, she was promoted to mom. But, just three-and-a-half weeks later, her only brother died by suicide. She has spent the years since studying grief and the fallout that comes from such a traumatic loss. She writes and speaks with raw transparency and vulnerability, telling impactful stories from her own life. While reading or listening, it feels as if you’re chatting one-on-one over coffee with a friend. Her journey and words have inspired countless others not only to persevere but also to heal and thrive through grief and grieving.

Today, she has a wonderful husband, an adorable son, two accidental cats, and a mission to help others find hope and freedom after devastating pain.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 147:3

Connect with Rachel:

Website: https://racheldawnwrites.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/racheldawnwrites/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/racheldawnwrites

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. You guys already know… conversations surrounding mental health are deeply important to me. Not only because of my own journey, but because I’ve seen firsthand how anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and mental health struggles can impact entire families—and how often people inside the church feel ashamed to talk about it.

Today’s conversation is one I think so many of you need.

I’m joined by Melissa Fisher, licensed mental health counselor and author of Jesus for the Anxious: 8 Weeks of Practicing Peace to Calm Your Worry and Fear, which released this May.

And honestly…

This episode felt like permission.

Permission to admit you’re anxious.
Permission to stop believing anxiety automatically means weak faith.
Permission to realize that Jesus and mental health belong in the same conversation.

Because Melissa said something that stuck with me:

Anxiety is not sin.

And I know for some people that statement alone may challenge years of messaging.

In this episode we talk about:

✨ Why anxiety is not a spiritual failure
✨ Harmful messages Christians often hear:
“If you just prayed more…”
“If you had more faith…”
✨ How therapy and faith can work together
✨ Why anxiety impacts the nervous system physically—not just spiritually
✨ Practical tools for calming anxiety (breathing, rest, body awareness, thought patterns)
✨ Learning to build your life on God’s faithfulness instead of unstable foundations

Melissa shares a powerful picture of wooden beams vs. steel beams:

Wooden beams = things we rely on for security:

• finances
• plans
• relationships
• success
• control

Steel beams = truths about God:

• His faithfulness
• His presence
• His righteousness
• His promises

Because storms will come.

Life will shake.

But the goal isn’t avoiding hardship.

The goal is having a foundation that holds.

We also talk about:
🤍 Why rest matters
🤍 The church and mental health stigma
🤍 The importance of counseling
🤍 Why overachievers struggle with slowing down
🤍 And how calm practices aren’t just for crisis moments—they’re daily habits

One thing I loved hearing:

You can struggle with anxiety…

and still deeply love Jesus.

Friend, if you’re carrying worry, overthinking, panic, fear, or simply feeling exhausted—

This conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now.

Bio:

Melissa Fisher is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Vancouver, Washington, working with trauma and anxiety. She has two decades of experience in Christian youth, women's, military, and young adult ministries, as well as personal work in spiritual formation. Melissa has contributed to Karen Whiting and Jocelyn Greene's Battlefields and Blessings. 

She and her husband, a retired military officer, enjoy traveling with their adult children and hiking in the mountains.

Anchor Verses:

Psalm 91

Connect with Melissa: 

Website: https://www.melissafishercounseling.com

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Today’s conversation is one that honestly hit me in a lot of places because we’re talking about something I think so many women quietly carry:

The pressure to be strong.
The pressure to move on quickly.
The pressure to bounce back.

And what happens when you’re tired.

Today I’m joined by Charaia Rush, author of The Myth of Bouncing Back, and you guys… this conversation is raw, honest, and one I think a lot of women need.

Because the truth is:

Sometimes healing doesn’t look like getting back up quickly.
Sometimes resilience costs us something.
Sometimes we rise again… but we don’t rise as the same person.

And maybe that isn’t failure.

Maybe that’s healing.

In this episode we talk about:

✨ Walking away from an abusive marriage and rebuilding from nothing

✨ Shame after divorce and church hurt
✨ Why “bounce back culture” can actually do more harm than good
✨ The anger women often feel but don’t think they’re allowed to admit
✨ Learning to sit in the ashes instead of rushing redemption
✨ The gift of rock bottom—and how God sometimes meets us there
✨ Rumination, shame, resilience, and learning to let God rebuild what broke

One thing Charaia said that stayed with me:

“You don’t have to bounce back. You can rise as a completely different woman.”

And honestly…I think a lot of us needed permission to hear that.

Because healing after grief, trauma, infertility, divorce, loss, betrayal, mental health struggles, or disappointment rarely makes us look the same.

And that doesn’t mean we failed.

It means we survived.

Friend, if you’re sitting in the ashes right now…

This episode is for you.

If you’re angry…

This episode is for you.

If you’re exhausted from trying to be “strong”…

This episode is for you too.

🎧 Listen now and share this episode with others who need to hear this message.

Bio:

Charaia Rush is a writer and speaker based in Colorado. She is the author of Courageously Soft, an invitation to hold on to tenderness in a world that demands toughness. Her work has been featured by She Reads Truth, Christian Parenting, and other platforms where faith, honesty, and everyday life intersect. Known for her poetic voice and practical wisdom, Charaia writes for anyone learning to live with hope, wrestle with truth, and keep showing up--even when it's hard. She lives in Colorado with her two kids, where she's always chasing beauty in the ordinary.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 61:3
Romans 5:5
Isaiah 50:7

Connect with Charaia:

Website: https://www.charaiarush.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/charaiarush/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/charaia.rush

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of The Anchored by the Sword Podcast. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I really wanted to continue having these important conversations surrounding faith and mental health—because the truth is, so many people are silently struggling while feeling like they have to pretend they’re fine.

And you guys already know… this topic is deeply personal to me.

Today, I’m joined by Pastor Steve Larson, whose book The Four Keys to Mental Health: Feel Better, Think Clearly, and Enjoy Life Again came out earlier this year, and this conversation was such an encouraging and practical one.

Steve shares his own journey of walking through depression and anxiety while planting and pastoring a church. After walking through a painful season of church division, he found himself emotionally exhausted and struggling mentally in ways he never had before. And I think what impacted me most is that instead of hiding it, he began learning, growing, and eventually helping others walk through their own mental health journeys too.

In this episode, we talk about:

✨ Why the church needs to become a safer place to talk about mental health
✨ The difference between faith and pretending everything is fine
✨ Why mental health struggles are not a sign of spiritual failure
✨ How God can heal through miracles, medicine, counseling, community—or all of the above

✨ And the four key areas that impact our mental health:

• Physical
• Mental
• Spiritual
• Relational
• 
  

One thing Steve said that really stood out to me was this:

👉 “If you have a body, you have physical health. If you have a brain, you have mental health.”

And honestly… that’s such an important reminder.

Mental health isn’t just “for certain people.”
It affects all of us in different ways.

We also talk about:

• The stigma surrounding medication in Christian spaces
• Learning to let go of the illusion of control
• Why vulnerability matters
• And how even giants of the faith like Elijah, David, and Jeremiah wrestled deeply emotionally

And I loved this reminder:
You are not weak because you need help.
You are human.

If you are struggling right now, please hear me:
It is OK to not be OK.
Just don’t stay there alone.

There are people who want to walk beside you. Reach out to someone or dial 988 today.

Bio:

Steve Larson serves as lead pastor of Community Celebration Church in Kasson, MN. Steve is married to Tammy, and they live in Rochester, MN. They have two children: Dalton and Miracle. 

In 2002, he went through a severe season of depression and burnout. As a result, he was given a forced sabbatical from the ministry. During that time, he began to collect tools that would help him experience better mental health and spiritual well-being. He was asked to teach those tools to others in his association of churches. He has been teaching those tools for nearly twenty years to pastors in the Minnesota district Assemblies of God. He has also taught them at conferences, recovery centers, and other groups.

Anchor Verses:

Luke 2: 52

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Zechariah 4:6

Connect with Steve:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1bbf5iwtGF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ccc.kasson

Community Celebration Church YouTube: https://youtube.com/@communitycelebrationchurch

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