Emunah (Hebrew for faith, belief)

Emunah (Hebrew for faith, belief)

By Tamara M. Cooke Henry, Ph.D.Religion & SpiritualityChristianity
Download on the App Store

Emunah (Hebrew for faith, belief) episodes

  • Leah: The Wife He Didn't Want

    When Rejection Does Not Have the Final

    Word


    What happens when another persons rejection becomes the measure of our

    worth?

    Leah was Jacobs first wife, but her younger sister, Rachel, was the

    woman he loved more. Leahs longing for her husbands affection runs through
    her storyalongside the care of a God who saw her pain.


    In this solo storytelling episode of EmunahHebrew for faith,

    beliefhost Dr. Tamara Henry explores Leahs story in Genesis 2930,
    reflecting on rejection, favoritism, family conflict, and the desire to be
    loved. Through Leahs words at the births of her children, we hear both her
    hope for Jacobs affection and her growing acknowledgment of Gods presence.

    At the birth of Judah, Leah declares, This time I will praise the

    LORD. Yet her story reminds us that a sincere moment of praise does not
    erase years of hurt. Faith and longing can coexist. 


    We can recognize Gods

    goodness while still grieving what a relationship has failed to become.


    With Scripture readings, personal reflection, and a closing prayer, this

    episode invites listeners to consider where they have allowed human approval to
    define their valueand what it means to trust the God who sees them.


    Key Topics

    • Leah, Jacob,
      • and Rachel: How Labans deception placed two sisters in a marriage marked by
      favoritism and rivalry.
    • The longing to
      • be loved: What Leahs words at the births of her children reveal about her
      hopes for affection and belonging.
    • The God who
      • sees and hears: Gods attention to Leah before anyone in her household changed
      their behavior.
    • Praise amid
      • unfinished pain: Why Leahs declaration at Judahs birth matters, even though her
      struggles continued.
    • The limits of
      • sacrifice: Why children, service, and physical intimacy cannot guarantee
      another persons love.
    • Faith and human
      • responsibility: Why Gods work within a troubled family does not excuse deception
      or mistreatment.
    • Leahs lasting
      • legacy: Her place in Israels history through Levi and Judah, and her
      remembrance alongside Rachel in Ruth 4:11.
    • Worth beyond
      • human approval: Finding dignity and purpose beyond another persons ability to
      recognize our value.


      Takeaways

      • God sees us in
        • circumstances where we feel overlooked. Leahs pain was not invisible to
        Him.
      • Another
        • persons rejection is not the measure of our worth. Their response
        does not tell the whole story of our lives.
      • Praise can be
        • honest without pretending that everything is well. Gratitude and
        grief can exist together.
      • Wanting love
        • and affection is not a failure of faith. Leahs continuing longing makes
        her story deeply human.
      • We cannot earn
        • or force another persons love. Our sacrifices should not become
        the price we pay to prove we deserve care.
      • Divine purpose
        • does not make human harm acceptable. Gods faithfulness calls us to
        care for those who are hurting.
      • An unfinished
        • story can still hold lasting purpose. Leahs influence extended far
        beyond the struggle for Jacobs affection.


        Memorable Moments

        What happens when another persons rejection becomes the measure of our

        worth?

        The Lord saw Leah before anyone in that household changed their

        behavior.

        Her praise matters because it rises from within an unfinished story.

        Jacobs heart was not the whole story of her life.

        Human dysfunction did not prevent divine purpose.


        Scripture References

        • Genesis 2930: Leahs
          • marriage, her children, and the rivalry within Jacobs household.
        • Genesis
          • 29:3135: God sees Leah; the births of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.
        • Genesis 30:20: Leahs
          • continuing hope for her husbands regard.
        • Genesis
          • 49:2933: Leahs burial in the family burial place.
        • Ruth 4:11: Rachel and
          • Leah remembered as women who built the house of Israel.
        • Matthew 1:13: Judahs place
          • in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.


          A Question for Reflection

          Whose approval have you allowed to define your worthand what have you

          been asking yourself to do to earn their love?


          Join the Conversation

          What stands out to you in Leahs story? How does her experience speak to

          rejection, relationships, faith, or self-worth in your own life?

          Share your reflections on the biblical account and Dr. Tamara Henrys

          interpretation. We welcome your questions, insights, and testimonies.

          Women of the Word: wordconsultingllc.com


          If this episode encouraged you, share

          it with someone who needs a reminder that being overlooked by another person
          does not mean being unseen by God.

          Sources:

          5 Important Things to know about Leah in the Bible/

          Crosswalk.com. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/important-things-you-should-know-about-leah.html

           

          Leah in the Bible: Learn 13 Facts about Jacobs First

          wife. Chabad.org https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/49431/jewish/Leah-in-the-Bible.htm

           

          Meyers, Carol L.; Craven, Toni; Kraemer,

          Ross Shepard, eds. (2001), Women in Scripture: A Dictionary of Named and
          Unnamed Women in the Hebrew Bible, the
          Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books, and the New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, p. 108, ISBN 9780802849625

           

          Wikipedia.org https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leah

          The story of Leah in the Bible. The Faith Space. https://thefaithspace.com/the-story-of-leah-in-the-bible/

           

          27 min
        • God-Sized Dreams: Helping Young People Dream Beyond Their Circumstances

          How do we help young people imagine a future bigger than the

          circumstances surrounding themand trust God as they work toward it?


          In this episode of EmunahHebrew for faith, beliefhost Dr.

          Tamara Henry welcomes Washington, D.C., author, youth pastor, and mentor
          Barrington Smallwood for an encouraging conversation about faith, choices,
          and the power of God-sized dreams.


          Drawing on his journey through inner-city challenges to becoming a

          Christian author and youth mentor, Smallwood explores how caring adults can
          help young people recognize their worth, make thoughtful decisions, and see
          possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings. He also discusses his two
          childrens books and how storytelling can introduce lessons about faith and
          character in ways young readers can understand.


          From the influence of a parents words to the steady presence of a

          mentor, this conversation offers encouragement for parents, grandparents,
          educators, ministry leaders, and anyone helping a young person find a hopeful
          path forward.


          Key Topics

          • Smallwoods
            • personal journey of faith, perseverance, and redemption
          • The role of
            • mentors and positive role models in young peoples lives
          • Weaving faith
            • and lessons about making good choices into childrens stories
          • What it means
            • to pursue a God-sized dream
          • Prayer,
            • sacrifice, and perseverance in writing and everyday life
          • Helping young
            • people in urban communities nurture hope and build resilience


            Takeaways

            • Young people
              • need people who believe in them. Smallwood encourages building a
              circle of support that includes at least three mentors.
            • Our stories can
              • open doors for others. Honest accounts of struggle and
              growth can help young readers recognize possibilities in their own lives.
            • Dreams call for
              • action. Faith and prayer belong alongside preparation, perseverance, and a
              willingness to sacrifice.
            • Parents words
              • and presence matter. What adults sayand how
              consistently they show upcan shape a childs confidence and sense of
              possibility.
            • Present
              • circumstances do not have to define a young persons future. Trusting God
              can give young people courage to dream beyond what they currently see.


              Memorable Quotes

              Take the limits off of God.

              With God, all things are possible.

              Hold on tight to your dream and soak it with prayer.


              About Our Guest

              Barrington Smallwood is a Christian author and youth pastor at Faith

              Assembly of Christ in Capitol Heights, Maryland. He also founded a
              nonprofit outreach ministry serving the Woodland Terrace community in
              Washington, D.C.s Ward 8.


              Learn more: VIPRoundtable.org


              Join the Conversation

              Who helped you believe that your life could reach beyond your

              circumstances? What young person could benefit from that same encouragement
              from you today?

              Emunah would love to hear your reflections, experiences, and testimonies.

              Share this episode with someone who is raising, teaching, mentoring, or
              encouraging young people.


              Women of the Word website: wordconsultingllc.com

               

              39 min
            • Faith When Life Keeps Taking

              When the Minister Needs Ministering


              What happens to faith when you survive one tragedyonly to face another,

              and another?


              In this deeply personal episode of Emunah (Hebrew for faith, belief),

              host Dr. Tamara Henry talks with Minister Alma Thomas of Amityville,
              New York, an ordained minister, former educator and author whose faith has
              been tested by extraordinary loss.


              Minister Thomas lost her 18-year-old son to heart disease. She survived a

              debilitating stroke that left her bedbound. At one of the darkest points of her
              journey, she struggled with thoughts of suicide. She also experienced temporary
              homelessness after a fire destroyed the place where she was living.


              But this conversation isn't simply another story about resilience.


              It's about faith when life keeps taking.


              What happens when the person accustomed to encouraging others needs

              encouragement herself? When the minister needs ministering? When you know
              Scripture, believe in God and have spent years helping othersand still find
              yourself asking how much more you can endure?


              Minister Thomas speaks candidly about grief, suffering, purpose and the

              people God placed around her during some of the most difficult periods of her
              life. Her story reminds us that biblical faith does not require pretending that
              suffering doesn't hurt.


              Scripture gives us examples of people who lamented, questioned, wept and

              cried out to God. Yet lament is not necessarily the absence of faith. Sometimes
              continuing to call on God from the middle of our pain is itself an act of
              faith.


              This episode explores the difference between having faith that God will

              change our circumstances and continuing to trust God when our circumstances do
              not change the way we hoped.

              Through loss, disability and profound personal struggle, Minister Thomas

              continues to declare the goodness of Godnot because life has been easy, but
              because suffering has not had the final word.


              Key Topics

              • What faith
                • looks like when hardships keep coming
              • Grieving the
                • loss of a child while holding onto God
              • Life after a
                • debilitating stroke and the loss of independence
              • When the
                • minister becomes the one who needs ministering
              • Faith, despair
                • and surviving life's darkest moments
              • Why lament and
                • questioning do not necessarily mean a lack of faith
              • The importance
                • of community and a strong support system
              • Finding purpose
                • when life no longer looks the way you imagined
              • God's grace,
                • love and faithfulness in seasons of suffering
              • Trusting God
                • even when circumstances don't change


                Sound Bites

                God showed up for me during the worst time of my life.

                Faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.

                God's love is unconditional and everlasting.


                A Question to Consider

                If God doesn't remove the circumstance, can we still trust Him in the

                middle of it?

                Faith When Life Keeps Taking is a conversation for anyone who has

                wondered how to keep believing when one painful chapter seems to be followed by
                another.

                Sometimes faith isn't declaring, Everything is going to be all

                right.

                Sometimes faith is simply saying, God, I'm still hereand I'm still

                talking to You.


                About Minister Alma Thomas


                Minister Alma Thomas is an ordained minister, former educator and author

                whose writing reflects her commitment to faith, purpose, encouragement and
                perseverance.

                Her work has appeared in Authentically You and Strawberry-Lit

                magazines. She is also the co-author of several motivational and faith-based
                books, including:

                • Love, Marriage
                  • and Divorce
                • I Am and
                  • Sisters with Purpose
                • Dream Killers

                  • Minister Thomas has also contributed to the forthcoming anthology, After

                  the Fall.


                  Connect with Minister Thomas:

                  Website: almathomasauthor.com


                  Join the Emunah Conversation

                  Have you experienced a season when life seemed to keep takingyour

                  health, a loved one, your security, your plans or even your sense of purpose?

                  How did you hold onto your faith? Who helped carry you when you could no

                  longer carry yourself?


                  Emunah listeners, we would love to hear from you. Share your

                  thoughts, your testimony or the lessons God has taught you through difficult
                  seasons. Your story may be exactly the encouragement someone else needs.


                  Contact Emunah:

                  Women of the Word: wordconsultingllc.com


                  Emunah means faith, belief in Hebrew. Our conversations explore what it

                  means to trust Godnot only when life is good, but when faith is tested by the
                  realities of life.

                   

                  37 min
                • Too Sophisticated for God? Money, Education, Success—and Our Need for Jesus

                  What happens to our faith when life gets better?


                  There was a time when many of our parents and grandparents prayed because

                  they had few other places to turn. They prayed when money was short, when
                  doctors had no answers, when racism closed doors, and when opportunities were
                  deliberately denied.


                  But what happens when some of those barriers come down?

                  What happens when you have the degree, the career, the house, good health

                  insurance, a retirement account, professional connectionsand enough money to
                  handle most emergencies?


                  Do we still recognize our need for God when we can seemingly take care of

                  ourselves?


                  In this thought-provoking episode of Emunah, host Dr. Tamara

                  Henry sits down with Minister Evora Thomas for an honest
                  conversation about faith, money, education, professional success,
                  self-sufficiency, and our continuing need for Jesus.

                  The question is deliberately provocative: Have some of us become too

                  sophisticated for God?


                  When Success Changes the Way We See

                  God

                  Education, financial security, professional achievement, health care,

                  opportunity, and independence can all be tremendous blessings. But they can
                  also create a sense of security that makes human beings less conscious of their
                  vulnerability.


                  When money can solve the immediate crisis, medicine can treat the

                  illness, insurance can cover the loss, and education and connections can open
                  doors, it can become easy to confuse having resources with having control.


                  This episode explores four factors that can affect our reliance on faith:

                  Illusion of Control

                  Financial resources, insurance, education, connections, and careful planning
                  allow us to manage many of life's problems. But does our ability to manage
                  circumstances sometimes tempt us to believe that we control more than we
                  actually do?

                  Comfort and Complacency

                  Difficulty often drives people to prayer. But what happens when life is
                  comfortable? Material abundance can reduce our awareness of vulnerability and
                  make it easier to become spiritually complacent. How do we continue seeking God
                  when there is no immediate crisis forcing us to our knees?

                  Self-Sufficiency and Meritocracy

                  We work hard. We earn degrees. We build careers. We make plans and sacrifice to
                  achieve our goals. But success can sometimes encourage the belief that we are
                  entirely the authors of our own destiny. Where does God fit into a life that
                  appears to be self-made?

                  Misinterpreting Blessing

                  Is prosperity necessarily evidence of God's favor? If wealth, education,
                  health, and professional success become our measurements of being
                  "blessed," what does that imply about faithful people who are poor,
                  sick, struggling, or suffering? This conversation challenges us to distinguish biblical
                  blessing from material prosperity.


                  A Particular Question for Black

                  Americans

                  The conversation also takes a closer look at the African American

                  experience.


                  Generations of Black Americans prayed, marched, organized, sacrificed,

                  and sometimes died to open doors that racism and segregation had deliberately
                  closed. The Civil Rights Movement helped expand access to education, careers,
                  housing, political participation, and economic opportunity.


                  Those gains were worth fighting for.


                  But they also raise a spiritual question: Now that some of us have

                  opportunities our ancestors prayed for, has achievement changed the way we
                  understand our dependence on God?

                  The issue isn't whether Black Americans should have pursued education,

                  prosperity, equality, or professional success. The question is whether gaining
                  greater access to earthly resources can unintentionally make any of
                  usregardless of raceless conscious of our need for God.


                  Key Questions

                  This episode asks:

                  • When does
                    • healthy independence become spiritual self-sufficiency?
                  • Can financial
                    • security create an illusion of control?
                  • Does comfort
                    • sometimes make us spiritually complacent?
                  • Can education
                    • and professional achievement cause us to overestimate our own sufficiency?
                  • Have we
                    • confused prosperity with God's approval?
                  • Do we seek God
                    • differently when we are no longer desperate?
                  • Can we enjoy
                    • the blessings God has given us without allowing those blessings to replace
                    our dependence on Him?
                  • And ultimately,
                    • is there any level of success at which we outgrow our need for Jesus?


                    The Bottom Line

                    Maybe the real question isn't whether rich people need Jesus, educated

                    people need Jesus, or struggling people need Jesus.


                    Perhaps the question is: Do we recognize our need for Him?


                    Money can pay the mortgage, but it cannot give life meaning. Education

                    can teach us how the world works, but it cannot fully answer why we are here.
                    Medicine can treat the body, but it cannot guarantee tomorrow. Success can give
                    us choices without necessarily giving us peace.

                    One of the spiritual dangers of having enough may be beginning to believe

                    that we are enough.


                    Jesus asks in Mark 8:36, For what shall it profit a man, if he

                    shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

                    We are not too educated for Jesus.

                    We are not too wealthy for Jesus.
                    We are not too accomplished for Jesus.
                    We are not too independent for Jesus.
                    And we are not too sophisticated for God.


                    There is no level of success at which we outgrow our need for Him.


                    In This Episode

                    Host: Dr. Tamara Henry

                    Guest: Minister Evora Thomas
                    Podcast: Emunah Exploring what it means to live a God-honoring
                    life

                    Scripture

                    Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and

                    lose his own soul?

                    36 min
                  • Fighting Temptation: Know Your Weak Spots

                    Why are some temptations harder to resist than

                    othersand do you know where you are most vulnerable?


                    Temptation is something every Christian faces. Spiritual

                    maturity does not make us immune, but Scripture teaches us how to recognize
                    temptation, understand where it comes from, and respond before an invitation to
                    sin becomes an act of disobedience.


                    In this episode of Emunah, Dr. Tamara Henry

                    welcomes Pastor Ronnie D. Simmons for a practical, Bible-centered
                    conversation and teaching on fighting temptation and knowing your weak spots. Pastor Simmons explains what temptation really is, how it
                    differs from a test or trial, and why understanding our personal areas of
                    vulnerability matters. Using Scriptureincluding Jesus temptation in the
                    wilderness in Matthew 4he offers biblical strategies for resisting temptation,
                    exercising self-control, relying on the Holy Spirit, and standing firm when
                    temptation comes.


                    Pastor Ronnie D. Simmons is the inspirational pastor and

                    founder of House of Faith Christian Center, a Word of Faith,
                    non-denominational church in Smyrna, Tennessee.


                    Key Topics

                            

                    What temptation isand what it is not

                            

                    Why temptation itself is not sin

                            

                    Why every believer faces temptation, regardless
                    of spiritual maturity

                            

                    How to identify your personal weak spots and
                    areas of vulnerability

                            

                    The source and progression of temptation

                            

                    The difference between a test from God and
                    temptation to sin

                            

                    How our own desires and the values of the world
                    can make us vulnerable

                            

                    What Jesus teaches us about resisting temptation
                    in Matthew 4

                            

                    Why knowing and speaking the Word of God matters

                            

                    The role of the Holy Spirit and self-control

                            

                    How prayer, Christian community, and
                    accountability strengthen us

                            

                    What to do when you fall into temptation

                    Takeaways

                            

                    Temptation is not sin; it is an invitation to
                    sin.

                            

                    No one is beyond temptation. Spiritual maturity
                    does not eliminate vulnerability.

                            

                    Knowing your weak spots can help you recognize
                    temptation before it gains momentum.

                            

                    God does not tempt us to do evil.

                            

                    Scripture is one of our most powerful defenses
                    against temptation.

                            

                    Jesus demonstrated how to confront temptation
                    with the truth of Gods Word.

                            

                    The Holy Spirit empowers believers to exercise
                    self-control and choose obedience.

                            

                    We should not try to fight every spiritual
                    battle alone; godly community and accountability matter.

                            

                    Giving in to temptation does not have to be the
                    end of your story. Confession, repentance, and Gods forgiveness provide a way
                    forward.

                            

                    Resisting temptation requires intentional
                    choices: recognize it, reject it, speak Gods Word, flee when necessary,
                    pray, and seek support.

                    Sound Bites

                    Temptation is

                    just an invitation to sin.

                    God never tempts

                    anyone to do wrong.

                    Say no to

                    temptation and speak the Word.


                    Scriptures for Further Study

                    James

                    1:1315 Understanding the source and progression of temptation
                    James 4:7 Submit to God and resist the devil
                    Matthew 4:111 Jesus is tempted in the wilderness
                    Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation
                    1 John 1:9 Confession, forgiveness, and cleansing
                    1 John 2:16 The desires of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life
                    1 Corinthians 10:1213 God provides a way of escape
                    Psalm 119:11 Hiding Gods Word in your heart
                    2 Timothy 2:22 Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness
                    Ephesians 6:1018 Putting on the whole armor of God
                    Proverbs 28:13 Confession, repentance, and mercy
                    Galatians 6:1 Restoring someone who has fallen with gentleness


                    Connect with Pastor Ronnie D.
                    Simmons

                    Email:

                    Connect with Emunah

                    Emunah wants to hear from you. What is one

                    lesson from this episode that will help you recognize or resist temptation?

                    Visit Women of the Word: wordconsulting.com


                    Emunah explores how biblical truth speaks to the

                    real challenges of everyday life and helps us live God-honoring lives.

                    53 min
                  • "Just Pray About It": Can Christians Go To Therapy?

                    Can Christians go to therapyor does seeking

                    professional counseling mean you dont have enough faith?


                    For generations, many Christiansparticularly in Black

                    communitieshave been told to just pray about it. Prayer is powerful,
                    but does trusting God mean we should never seek help from a therapist? Can
                    faith, prayer, Scripture, and professional mental health care work together?


                    In this episode of Emunah, host Dr. Tamara

                    Henry sits down with therapist and ordained minister Rev. Dr. Marva
                    Jones for an honest conversation about Christianity, therapy, mental
                    health, and the stigma surrounding counseling in many Black communities.


                    Together, they explore what therapy really is, why seeking

                    counseling is not necessarily a sign of weak faith, how Christians can find
                    appropriate mental health support, and the important role the church can play
                    in encouraging emotional and spiritual well-being.


                    Why Is Therapy Still Stigmatized?

                    For

                    many people, admitting I need help isnt easy.


                    Within

                    some Black families and faith communities, generations have been taught to be
                    strong, keep family problems private, endure hardship, and take their struggles
                    to God in prayer.


                    But

                    what happens when just pray about it isnt the whole answer?


                    Dr. Henry

                    and Dr. Jones discuss how cultural expectations, historical mistrust,
                    misconceptions about mental health, and some church traditions have contributed
                    to the stigma surrounding therapy.


                    They

                    also consider an important question:

                    Can

                    seeking professional help actually be an act of faith and wisdom rather than
                    evidence of spiritual weakness?


                    Meet Rev. Dr. Marva Jones

                    Rev. Dr. Marva

                    Jones is founder and president of The Tree of Life Counseling and Training
                    Center, Inc., with offices in Westlake and Avon Lake, Ohio.


                    She

                    is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervision Designation
                    and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor.


                    Dr. Jones

                    and her staff provide individual therapy addressing a variety of mental health
                    and substance-use disorders, as well as family therapy. Their work includes
                    co-parenting issues involving divorced and separated parents, blended families,
                    marriage counseling, sports-performance concerns, and helping athletes navigate
                    life transitions.


                    Dr. Jones

                    is also the author of The Dance (The Power of the Father), which
                    addresses co-parenting through divorce and separation.


                    Her

                    experience as both a mental health professional and ordained minister
                    gives her a unique perspective on the relationship between psychological care
                    and Christian faith.


                    In This Episode, We Explore

                            

                    What therapy isand what it isnt

                            

                    Whether Christians can go to therapy and still
                    trust God

                            

                    Why seeking counseling does not necessarily
                    indicate a lack of faith

                            

                    Why mental health care has been stigmatized in
                    many Black communities

                            

                    How cultural and generational attitudes
                    influence our willingness to seek help

                            

                    The relationship between prayer, Scripture,
                    faith, and professional counseling

                            

                    How God can work through therapists, counselors,
                    pastors, physicians, and other people

                            

                    What Christians should consider when choosing a
                    therapist

                            

                    Why cultural competence matters in mental health
                    care

                            

                    The role churches can play in reducing mental
                    health stigma

                            

                    How open conversations about emotional health
                    can help individuals, families, and congregations

                    Key Takeaways

                            

                    Therapy can provide a safe, collaborative
                    environment for emotional healing and personal growth.

                            

                    Seeking therapy can be an act of wisdomnot
                    weakness.

                            

                    Faith and professional mental health care do not
                    have to compete with one another.

                            

                    Churches can play an important role in removing
                    shame and stigma from conversations about mental health.

                            

                    Finding a qualified counselor who understands
                    your cultural background and respects your faith can make a significant
                    difference.

                            

                    Education and honest conversation can help break
                    generational barriers surrounding mental health care.

                            

                    Asking for help does not mean abandoning faith.
                    Sometimes help may be one of the ways God answers prayer.

                    Sound Bites

                    Seeking

                    therapy is an act of wisdom, not weakness.

                    God works

                    through people, including therapists and counselors.

                    Education is

                    key to erasing the stigma around mental health.


                    Scriptures to Consider

                    Proverbs 11:14 The value of wise counsel

                    Proverbs 12:15 The wisdom of listening to advice

                    Proverbs 17:22 The connection between a joyful

                    heart and well-being

                    Proverbs 24:6 The importance of wise guidance

                    Psalm 41:3 Gods care in times of sickness and

                    weakness

                    1 Thessalonians 5:11 Encouraging and building one

                    another up


                    One Question to Consider

                    Whats

                    the difference between trusting God to heal you and refusing the help He may
                    have already provided?

                    God

                    can work through prayer. He can work through Scripture. He can work through
                    pastors, physicians, family members, supportive communitiesand trained mental
                    health professionals.


                    Seeking

                    help doesnt have to be the opposite of faith. With wisdom and discernment, it
                    can be an expression of it.


                    Join the Conversation

                    What

                    do you think?

                    Can

                    Christians go to therapy? Have you ever struggled with the belief that
                    seeking counseling meant you werent trusting God enough?

                    Emunah

                    would love to hear from you.

                    Email:

                    Visit Women

                    of the Word at wordconsultingllc.com.

                    Emunah

                    explores ways to live God-honoring lives by bringing biblical truth into
                    conversation with the issues we face every day.

                    59 min
                  • Autism & Back to School: Parents, Are You Ready?
                    Getting ready for a new school year involves more than
                    buying backpacks, notebooks, uniforms and school suppliesespecially when you
                    are the parent or caregiver of an autistic child.

                    In this episode of Emunah, host Dr. Tamara

                    Henry welcomes back educator and autism specialist Dr. Terita Gusby
                    for an important conversation about autism, back-to-school preparation,
                    parent advocacy, special education and preparing autistic children for life
                    beyond the classroom.


                    Their message to parents is clear: Parents are their

                    childrens first teachersand their most consistent advocates.


                    Dr. Gusby explains practical steps families can take

                    before the first day of school, including reviewing evaluations and
                    Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), establishing routines, communicating
                    with teachers, addressing sensory and nutritional needs, and helping children
                    develop self-regulation skills.


                    But preparation shouldnt stop with the new school year.

                    Parents also need to ask a much bigger question: What are we doing now to
                    prepare our children for life after high school?


                    What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

                    Autism

                    spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that can
                    affect how a person communicates, interacts socially, processes sensory
                    information and experiences the world.


                    It

                    is called a spectrum because autism does not look the same in every
                    person. Abilities, characteristics and support needs can vary significantly.
                    Some autistic people live independently, attend college and build careers,
                    while others may require substantial lifelong support.


                    Characteristics

                    may include:

                            

                    Differences in social communication
                    difficulty interpreting social cues, communicating in expected ways or
                    navigating social interactions.

                            

                    Repetitive behaviors and focused interests
                    a strong preference for routines, repetitive movements or highly focused
                    interests.

                            

                    Sensory differences heightened or
                    reduced sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, smells, tastes or other
                    sensory experiences.


                    Autism

                    is a form of neurodivergence, not an infection or contagious disease.
                    Understanding a childs individual strengths, challenges and support needs can
                    help parents make better educational decisions and advocate more effectively.


                    Key Topics in This Episode
                    Parents Are Their Childrens
                    First Teachers

                    Schools play an

                    essential role, but parents cannot turn over complete responsibility for their
                    childs education to teachers, administrators or specialists.

                    Dr. Gusby

                    discusses why parents need to understand their childs diagnosis, evaluations,
                    educational goals and support needsand why effective education requires a partnership
                    between parents, teachers and other professionals.


                    The conversation

                    also addresses challenges facing special education classrooms, including
                    teacher shortages, staffing changes and the possibility that some students may
                    encounter educators or substitutes without extensive special education
                    experience.


                    Preparing an Autistic Child for a
                    New School Year

                    For some autistic

                    children, sudden changes in schedules and environments can be particularly
                    challenging.


                    Parents can make

                    the transition easier by reestablishing sleep schedules, practicing morning
                    routines, preparing necessary personal supplies and helping children become
                    familiar with what the school day will look like.


                    Parents and

                    teachers should also communicate early about the childs strengths, challenges,
                    communication style, sensory needs, triggers and strategies that help the child
                    regulate emotions and behavior.


                    Understanding Evaluations, IEPs
                    and Special Education

                    Do you understand

                    your childs Individualized Education Program (IEP)?


                    Parents should

                    know what services their child is supposed to receive, what educational goals
                    have been established and how progress will be measured. An IEP should not
                    simply be paperwork that gets signed and forgotten.


                    This episode

                    encourages parents to ask questions, participate actively in meetings, review
                    evaluations and speak up when they believe their childs educational needs are
                    not being adequately addressed.


                    The conversation

                    also examines the changing federal education environment and what those changes
                    could mean for families receiving special education services.

                    The

                    Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) remains in effect, and
                    eligible children with disabilities continue to have important federal
                    educational protections. Parents should stay informed about changes in special
                    education policy, funding, administration and enforcement rather than assuming
                    that someone else will do it for them.


                    Autism, Nutrition and Feeding
                    Challenges

                    Nutrition can be

                    an important concern for some autistic children, particularly those who
                    experience food selectivity, sensory sensitivities, restricted diets or
                    feeding difficulties.


                    Rather than

                    assuming that particular foods cause or treat autism, parents should pay
                    attention to their individual childs nutritional health and seek appropriate
                    guidance from qualified medical, nutrition or feeding professionals when
                    necessary.


                    Overcoming Autism Stigma and Shame

                    Fear of labels,

                    embarrassment or denial should never prevent a child from receiving an
                    appropriate evaluation or needed services.

                    An autism diagnosis

                    does not determine a childs worth or eliminate his or her potential.


                    Parents can help their

                    children thrive by learning about autism, accepting their childs individual
                    needs, celebrating strengths and allowing qualified professionals to provide
                    appropriate support.


                    Advocacy begins with

                    understanding and acceptance.


                    What Happens After High School?

                    Preparing an autistic child

                    for adulthood should begin before graduation.


                    Families should think ahead

                    about possibilities such as:

                            

                    College or continuing education

                            

                    Vocational and job training

                            

                    Employment

                            

                    Independent or supported living

                            

                    Transportation

                            

                    Financial skills

                            

                    Social and communication skills

                            

                    Adult services and community resources


                    The goal is not simply to

                    help a child successfully complete school. It is to help that child develop the
                    skills and support system needed to build the fullest possible adult life.


                    5 Key Actions for Autism
                    Back-to-School Readiness

                    1.

                    Adjust the sleep schedule.
                    Begin transitioning from summer bedtime and wake-up habits before the first day
                    of school.

                    2.

                    Establish a predictable daily routine.
                    Structure and consistency can make transitions easier for many autistic
                    children. Begin practicing the school-year schedule before classes start.

                    3.

                    Prepare personal and school supplies.
                    In addition to traditional school supplies, pack any personal items your child
                    may need, such as a change of clothes, hygiene products or other appropriate
                    supplies.

                    4.

                    Role-play the school morning.
                    Practice waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, leaving home and getting
                    to the bus or school. Rehearsal can make the actual first day feel more
                    familiar.

                    5.

                    Contact the teacher proactively.
                    Introduce yourself before school begins when possible. Share information the
                    teacher needs to understand your child, and follow up after the first
                    weekparticularly when your child is non-speaking or has difficulty
                    communicating what happened during the school day.


                    Sound Bites

                    Parents are

                    the childrens first teachers.

                    Allow

                    professionals to provide necessary services.

                    Parents need

                    to become more informed advocates.


                    Meet Dr. Terita Gusby

                    Dr. Terita

                    Gusby is CEO of Education Prescriptions, a minority woman-owned
                    certified virtual education company serving students in grades K12 and
                    specializing in education for children with autism.


                    Education

                    Prescriptions brings together trained professionals to help students strengthen
                    academic skills, build self-confidence and improve educational outcomes. The
                    company uses specialized learning approaches designed to help autistic students
                    at different levels of the spectrum develop reading, writing, comprehension and
                    other academic skills.


                    Continue the Conversation:
                    Dr. Gusbys First Emunah Episode

                    This

                    conversation is a follow-up to Dr. Gusbys June 5, 2025 appearance on Emunah:

                    Unlocking

                    the Gifts Embedded in Autism with Dr. Terita Gusby

                    Listen

                    on Spotify:
                    https://open.spotify.com/episode/2oRERBr2aq0iicLQgkZBvY?si=RqRKXjynQK2BuIHLUnC6ug


                    Resources from Dr. Gusby
                    Autism Support Tools for
                    Parents and Caregivers

                    Dr. Gusbys

                    book addresses topics including signs of autism, nutrition and picky eating,
                    developmental stages, travel tips, lesson plans and options for older autistic
                    children.


                    Autism Activity Kit

                    The activity kit includes learning

                    tools and manipulatives for math, reading, language arts and social skills. It
                    is designed to support families with children who are homeschooled, homebound
                    or participating in virtual learning and tutorials.


                    Education Prescriptions:

                    https://Educationprescriptions.org


                    Contact Dr. Gusby:


                    Connect with Emunah

                    Emunah

                    explores faith, everyday life and the practical challenges families and
                    communities face while encouraging listeners to live God-honoring lives.

                    Email:

                    Women of

                    the Word:
                    https://wordconsultingllc.com

                    58 min
                  • The Hidden Caregivers: Compassion Behind Bars

                    This episode was first published on October 31, 2025

                     

                    In this moving episode of Emunah, Dr. Tamara Henry sits down

                    with Rev. Jamesina Greene to uncover an often-overlooked reality inside
                    Americas prisons the quiet, unseen caregiving that happens every single day.
                    While the public tends to view prisons only through the lens of punishment,
                    Rev. Greene invites us to see another side: incarcerated men and women who care
                    for the sick, the elderly, and the dying; who mentor younger inmates; and who
                    offer comfort and hope to those society has forgotten. Together, they explore
                    what this kind of caregiving reveals about faith, dignity, and redemption in
                    the most unlikely places.

                     

                    Statistics on incarceration are staggering. More than 1.2

                    million people are currently held in state and federal prisons, and two out of
                    three are also workers. Their jobs mirror those outside the prison walls
                    cooking, cleaning, cutting hair, landscaping, making furniture, uniforms, and
                    even license plates. Some work in laundries and kitchens, while others perform
                    vital public services like road repair and firefighting. Yet this labor, often
                    exploitative, generates enormous profits for state prison systems and
                    governments.


                    According to an ACLU report, incarcerated workers produce more than $2 billion a year in
                    goods and $9 billion a
                    year in services that help maintain the very prisons where they are confined.

                     

                    Rev. Greene is the founder of A Mothers Cry, a

                    Maryland-based charitable organization supporting mothers of incarcerated
                    children across the nation. Since 2000, the organization has provided critical
                    resources and community outreach to help families navigate the financial,
                    social, and emotional challenges of having a loved one behind bars.

                     

                    Rev. Greenes commitment is deeply personal. Her son,

                    Byron, has been incarcerated since age 25, serving a 50-year sentence for
                    first-degree assault. Over the years, he has often been placed in a caregiver
                    role within the prison.


                    My son is living proof that even behind bars, love and compassion survive,
                    Rev. Greene wrote in a Baltimore
                    Afro-American op-ed on September 18, 2025 a sentiment she
                    echoed in her conversation on Emunah.

                     

                    Host Dr. Tamara Henry reflected, The hands that lift,

                    feed, and comfort others remind us that Gods compassion cant be confined.

                     

                    Byron himself shared insight into life behind bars: he

                    rarely sleeps more than two or three hours a night. Its never quiet, its
                    never dark, and its never safe, he said. Youre kept in a constant state of
                    hypervigilance prison is a battlefield. His words paint a vivid picture of
                    the mental strain faced by those incarcerated and the critical need for
                    compassion, mental health care, and human connection.

                     

                    In addition to her ministry and nonprofit work, Rev.

                    Greene is also a self-published author whose books can be found on Amazon. Her
                    titles include Help, I
                    Dont Like Myself, A
                    Mothers Cry: A Mini Book for Moms, Finding Me, and I Am a Voice.

                     

                    Call to Action

                     

                    This episode carries a strong call to action:


                    Contact your state delegate and senator and urge them to support legislation
                    granting credit to inmates who voluntarily serve as caregivers behind prison
                    walls.

                    To connect with Rev. Greene, email [email protected] or

                    call 443-669-5485.


                    To reach host Dr. Tamara Henry, email [email protected] or
                    share your testimony at wordconsultingllc.com.

                     

                    47 min
                  • Grateful Living: Why No One Owes You Anything

                    Have we forgotten how to say "thank you"?


                    In this thought-provoking episode of Emunah, host Dr. Tamara Henry

                    examines the growing culture of entitlement and challenges listeners to embrace
                    a lifestyle of biblical gratitude. No One Owes You Anything
                    isn't a harsh messageit's a
                    liberating biblical truth. When we stop believing the world owes us something,
                    we're finally free to recognize every blessing as a gift from God."


                    Drawing from Scripture, personal experiences, and research on the mental,

                    physical, and spiritual benefits of thankfulness, Dr. Tamara explains why grateful
                    living is far more than good mannersit's a reflection of a heart
                    transformed by God. Whether you're struggling with disappointment, wrestling
                    with unrealistic expectations, or simply want to deepen your walk with Christ,
                    this episode will encourage you to exchange entitlement for humility,
                    complaints for contentment, and self-focus for worship.


                    Discover why gratitude isn't just something we express occasionallyit's

                    a way of life that honors God and changes us from the inside out.


                    In This Episode

                    • Why gratitude
                      • is a biblical commandnot merely good etiquette
                    • The difference
                      • between gratitude, indebtedness, and politeness
                    • How entitlement
                      • quietly robs us of joy and contentment
                    • What Scripture
                      • teaches about developing a thankful heart
                    • The surprising
                      • mental, emotional, and physical benefits of gratitude
                    • Three common
                      • myths that prevent us from living gratefully
                    • Practical,
                      • everyday habits that cultivate a lifestyle of thankfulness
                    • Why the
                      • mindset, "No one owes me anything," can transform your
                      relationships and strengthen your faith


                      Key Takeaways

                      • Gratitude is
                        • recognizing that every blessing is a giftnot something we deserve.
                      • A thankful
                        • heart draws us closer to God and changes how we see the world.
                      • Scientific
                        • research continues to confirm what Scripture has always taught: gratitude
                        improves emotional well-being, strengthens relationships, reduces stress,
                        and supports better physical health.
                      • Gratitude isn't
                        • dependent on perfect circumstances; it is a deliberate choice rooted in
                        faith.
                      • When we stop
                        • focusing on what we're owed and begin recognizing God's daily blessings,
                        our hearts become more joyful, humble, and content.
                      • Living
                        • gratefully replaces entitlement with worship and complaining with praise.


                        Memorable Quotes

                        "No one owes us anything."

                        "Everything we receive beyond God's grace is an undeserved

                        gift."

                        "Grateful living isn't just saying 'thank you.' It's living every

                        day with the awareness that every good gift comes from God."

                        "Instead of asking, 'What do I deserve?' ask, 'Lord, why have You

                        been so good to me?'"


                        Scriptures Featured

                        • 1 Thessalonians
                          • 5:18
                        • Colossians 3:15
                        • Psalm 107:1
                        • Psalm 28:7
                        • Ephesians
                          • 5:1520
                        • James 1:17


                          • Resources

                          • Crosswalk 21 Bible
                            • Verses About Gratitude and the Power of a Thankful Heart
                            https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/the-power-of-a-grateful-heart
                          • Joe Primo,
                            • Grateful Living Moving Beyond Gratitude to Living Gratefully
                            https://grateful.org
                          • Sara Debbie
                            • Gutfreund Debunking Three Myths About Gratitude
                            https://www.chabad.org
                          • Tova Younger 12 Ways
                            • to Experience Gratitude Now
                            https://www.chabad.org/the.JewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/5501812/jewish/12-Ways-to-Experience-Gratitude-Now.htm


                            We'd Love to Hear From You

                            How are you cultivating a heart of gratitude? Has God used thankfulness

                            to change your perspective or strengthen your faith?

                            Share your thoughts or your own grateful living journey with us.


                            Website: https://wordconsultingllc.com


                            If this episode encouraged you, please follow Emunah, leave a review,

                            and share this episode with a friend or family member. Your support helps
                            more people discover the hope and truth found in God's Word.


                            Music licensed through Soundstripe.

                            License Code: T6QI755AJHOYB28N

                             

                            25 min
                          • Who Told You That? Breaking the Lies That Keep Us Spiritually Bound
                            How many of the thoughts you believe about yourself actually came from God?


                            In this powerful episode of Emunah, host Dr. Tamara Henry welcomes biblical counselor Dr. Luther Smith for an eye-opening conversation about mental strongholdsthe deeply rooted beliefs, fears, and false narratives that quietly shape our emotions, relationships, decisions, and spiritual lives.


                            Many of us carry invisible chains forged by childhood experiences, painful relationships, cultural messages, trauma, disappointment, or repeated failures. Over time, these lies become so familiar that we mistake them for truth. But Scripture reminds us that lasting freedom begins with the renewal of our minds.


                            Together, Dr. Henry and Dr. Smith examine how mental strongholds are formed, why every believer wrestles with them, and how God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and intentional spiritual disciplines can dismantle destructive thought patterns and replace them with biblical truth.

                            The conversation also explores the work of developmental psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner, whose ecological systems theory explains how families, schools, churches, communities, culture, and life experiences shape the beliefs we carry into adulthood. While psychology helps us understand how unhealthy thought patterns develop, Scripture reveals how they can be transformed through Jesus Christ.


                            If you've ever struggled with fear, shame, anxiety, self-condemnation, insecurity, people-pleasing, or the feeling that you're "stuck" despite your faith, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical guidance for walking in the freedom Christ promises.


                            Episode Takeaways

                            • Learn what mental strongholds are and how they differ from passing negative thoughts.

                            • Discover how deeply rooted beliefs influence emotions, perceptions, choices, and behavior.

                            • Understand how family, culture, relationships, trauma, and life experiences contribute to unhealthy thinking patterns.

                            • Explore Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and its connection to spiritual formation.

                            • Learn why awareness and honest self-examination are the first steps toward freedom.

                            • Discover how Scripture and the Holy Spirit work together to renew the mind.

                            • Be encouraged that your identity is found in Christnot in your fears, failures, habits, or past.

                            • Learn practical ways to replace lies with God's truth through prayer, biblical meditation, and healthy spiritual rhythms.

                            • Understand why breaking mental strongholds is a lifelong journey of transformation rather than a one-time event.

                            • Be reminded that lasting freedom comes as God's truth becomes louder than the lies we've believed for years.


                            Memorable Quotes

                            • "Lies are dangerous when we believe them."

                            • "Your identity is not the stronghold."

                            • "God defines who you are irrespective of your activity."

                            • "God's Word is always for our welfare."

                            • "Freedom begins when God's truth becomes louder than the lies we've carried for years."

                            • "Mental strongholds often begin as statements we accept without questioning."


                            Scriptures Featured

                            • Titus 2:11

                            • 2 Corinthians 10:35

                            • Romans 12:2


                            About Our Guest

                            Dr. Luther Smith is the Lead Counselor and Owner of N(y)oo Mind Biblical Counseling Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He also serves as Dean of the College and Chair of the Department of Biblical Counseling at Calvary University. His passion is helping individuals experience lasting transformation by applying biblical truth to life's deepest struggles.

                            To contact Dr. Smith, email [email protected].


                            We'd Love to Hear From You

                            During this episode, we invite you to pause and reflect on questions such as:

                            • What lie have you believed the longest?

                            • Where did that belief begin?

                            • What does God's Word say instead?

                            • Which Scripture challenges that lie?


                            Share your reflections, questions, or testimony with us at [email protected].

                            Visit Women of the Word for additional biblical resources, previous podcast episodes, Bible studies, and ministry updates: https://wordconsultingllc.com.


                            If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may be carrying unseen chains. You never know how God might use one conversation to help someone exchange a lifetime of lies for the liberating truth of His Word.

                            58 min

                          About Emunah (Hebrew for faith, belief)

                          From the publisher's feed

                          This podcast explores ways to live lives that honor Jesus.